Podcast 390: John Shults of True Vintage Guitar

This week, we talk to one of the young guns of vintage instrument
dealing, 33-year-old John Shults of True Vintage Guitar.

John is based out of Birmingham, Alabama and has a unique
business model. As his Instagram account reveals, he's
seemingly on an endless guitar safari, traveling around the world
and acquiring closet-find Fenders and Gibsons, often from the
instrument's original owners or their family members. His sales
strategy is unique, too. John not only has a knack for
finding rare instruments, he also knows how to tell a great
guitar story. 


 


During our chat, John tells us about his decision to become a
vintage instrument dealer and some of the many tricks of the
trade he's picked up over the years. We learn about the perils of
traveling with large amounts of cash, how he puts anxious sellers
at ease, and the trends he's noticed in today's vintage electric
market. We also learn about why, after a decade of being an
online-only retailer, John is about to open his first brick &
mortar showroom. 


 




https://truevintageguitar.com



https://www.instagram.com/truevintageguitar/?hl=en



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Our podcast is sponsored by Retrofret Vintage Guitars,
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first month free or $20 off any annual subscription);
Izotope (use the coupon code FRET10 to save 10% off their
plug-ins); and Calton Cases.