Abalone Vintage Guitars, Nashville, TN (2026)

09/30/2026

S.D. Curlee was a small American guitar and bass company founded in Matteson, Illinois, in 1975 by musician and businessman Randy Curlee, designer Randy Dritz, and pattern maker Homer “Sonny” Storbeck, the initials of the three men giving the company its name. Production began in 1976, with the company emphasizing American made instruments that combined unusual construction with relatively accessible prices. Curlee’s signature approach used a maple neck fitted tightly into the body and secured with a substantial brass plate rather than relying on a conventional glued neck joint. The company became especially known for its basses, but it also produced a comparatively small number of guitars. A 1979 account of the factory describes a workforce of only six people on the production floor, with machines used for basic cutting and shaping while much of the finishing and fitting was done by hand.

By the early 1980s, S.D. Curlee was experimenting with more contemporary designs as the market moved toward brighter finishes, unconventional shapes, and new construction techniques. The familiar “S.D. Curlee” logo eventually gave way to simply “Curlee,” and the company produced limited runs of guitars alongside its better known basses. The original company ceased operations in 1982, making its late instruments particularly interesting to collectors because they represent the final phase of Curlee’s original American production.

One of the last models was the Strat Bass, a Stratocaster influenced design that illustrates the company’s attempt to adapt its distinctive construction and aesthetic to the popular Strat style format. Surviving late Curlee guitars are scarce, and contemporary accounts describe the guitar production as being carried out in small batches rather than on the scale of the company’s bass line.

This particular Stratbass is the only Candy Apple Red SD Curlee instrument known to exist. Also the only one with a glossy black headstock. Since the was also unfinished from the factory, it was probably the last one made!

09/21/2026

Extraordinarily rare vintage Gibson guitar string display. Jampacked with colorful orange boxes of guitar strings. This thing has a wow factor that’s off the charts.. Enjoy!

09/18/2026

Few guitars capture the spirit of the early 1980s quite like this exceptionally beautiful Erlewine Super Strat. The stunning quilted maple top is finished in a glowing sunburst that brings out every ripple and figure in the wood. Under the light, the maple seems to move and shimmer, giving the guitar an almost three-dimensional appearance. From its sleek contours to its unmistakable vintage vibe, this is a guitar that commands attention before it ever makes a sound.

Built for the player who demanded both beauty and performance, this Erlewine features a Kahler/Floyd Rose tremolo, one of the defining innovations of the era. The combination of precision hardware, Super Strat styling, and Erlewine craftsmanship gives the instrument a distinctly purposeful character. It represents a fascinating moment in electric-guitar history, when builders were pushing beyond traditional designs to create instruments capable of handling the increasingly adventurous playing styles of the time.

Decades later, the guitar remains a remarkable piece of 1980s craftsmanship. The quilt maple, elegant sunburst finish, and Floyd Rose come together in an instrument that is equal parts art, engineering, and rock-and-roll history. An Erlewine Super Strat like this isn’t simply a beautiful vintage guitar, it is a snapshot of an era when imagination, innovation, and craftsmanship came together to create something truly extraordinary.

09/03/2026

What you are witnessing, is the rarest point-of-purchase music retail signs ever made.

The circa 1968 Gibson Trini Lopez standee.

These were offered for sale to Gibson dealers and the only known mention of it is in the 1968 Gibson confidential dealer price list. That’s it, nothing else.

This is the only one known to exist.

07/22/2026

In the mid-1960s, Pam manufactured the iconic Fender dealer clocks that hung in music stores across the country. With their distinctive Fender logo and noisy electric movement, these promotional clocks became enduring symbols of the golden age of the electric guitar and are now highly sought-after collectibles.

07/19/2026

Abalone Vintage began in Columbia, South Carolina, in 1989 with a singular mission: to preserve, authenticate, and connect musicians with some of the world’s finest vintage guitars, amplifiers, and musical artifacts. What started as a modest showroom quickly earned a reputation among serious collectors for its expertise in rare American instruments, particularly vintage Gibson and Fender guitars. Long before online marketplaces became commonplace, Abalone Vintage built its name through meticulous research, hands-on restoration, and an unwavering commitment to authenticity.

Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, the company became a destination for professional musicians, collectors, and industry insiders seeking historically significant instruments. Its inventory included legendary guitars, vintage amplifiers, and rare effects, while its expertise extended to authentication, restoration, and historical documentation. Over the years, Abalone Vintage has owned instruments connected to artists including Eric Johnson, Gary Moore, Phil Keaggy, Ace Frehley, Keith Richards, members of KISS, R.E.M., ZZ Top, and Metallica, earning a respected place within the international vintage guitar community.

In 2022, after more than three decades in Columbia, the business relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, a city whose rich musical heritage and vibrant recording industry provided a natural home for a company dedicated to preserving the legacy of iconic instruments.

Today, Abalone Vintage continues its mission from Nashville, serving musicians, collectors, investors, and enthusiasts from around the world. More than a dealer of rare guitars, the company acts as a steward of musical history, preserving the craftsmanship, provenance, and stories behind some of the world’s most significant instruments. By bringing its decades of expertise to Music City, Abalone Vintage has added another chapter to its history while continuing to honor the artistry and tradition that have defined the business since 1989.

07/18/2026

You just need to know about this talent.

Judee Sill’s life was marked by extraordinary talent, deep pain, and struggle.

Born in Oakland, California, in 1944, Judee experienced tragedy early. Her father, Milford Sill, died of pneumonia when she was a child. After her mother remarried, the family moved to Southern California, where Judee’s home life became increasingly difficult…marred by physical and sexual abuse.

As a teenager, she turned to drugs and quickly became addicted. To support her addiction, she became a pr******te, committed robberies, forged checks, and was repeatedly arrested. Time spent in reform school and jail became a turning point, as she began writing songs and developing the musical talent that would later define her.

During these years Judee married, but the marriage was annulled by her family. Not long after, her first husband died of a he**in overdose.

By the late 1960s, she had become part of the Laurel Canyon music scene, surrounded by some of the era’s most influential musicians. Her songwriting caught the attention of David Geffen, who signed her as the very first artist to his new label, Asylum Records. Geffen believed deeply in her talent and saw something special in her music, but despite strong critical praise, commercial success never followed.

During this time, Judee had a relationship with songwriter J.D. Souther, who admired both her talent and songwriting. Although their romance soon ended, the relationship served as the inspiration of her most famous song, Jesus Was a Cross Maker.

Judee released two albums. Her self-titled debut album was released in 1971, followed by Heart Food in 1973. Though critics admired her unique blend of folk, gospel, classical, and country music, neither album sold well. Among her finest works were “The Kiss” and “The Donor,” two breathtaking songs from Heart Food that showcased her remarkable gift for composition. Their intricate harmonies, Bach-inspired arrangements, spiritual themes, and emotional depth are now widely regarded as masterpieces and among the greatest achievements of her short career.

After the poor sales of these two albums, Asylum Records shifted its attention to commercially successful artists such as Linda Ronstadt, and the Eagles. Her relationship with Geffen gradually deteriorated as both became disappointed leaving Judee feeling abandoned by the label, and Geffen facing the realities of an artist whose records were not selling. Eventually, Asylum ended its support of her, leaving Judee without a record label or the resources to continue recording. Losing Geffen's backing was a crushing setback and effectively brought her recording career to an end, despite the extraordinary quality of her songwriting.

Soon after, Judee suffered several serious car accidents and other injuries, leaving her with chronic back pain. An inability to receive prescription pain medication pulled her back into substance abuse, making recovery increasingly difficult.

More heartbreak followed. Her brother and mother also tragically passed away.
Judee never recovered from the years of addiction, poor health, financial struggles, and loss of her music career.

Judee Sill died in Los Angeles on November 23, 1979, at the age of thirty-five from acute co***ne and codeine intoxication. The newspapers didn’t even print an obituary.

Her brief life was filled with heartache, but the beauty of songs like "The Kiss" and "The Donor" ensures that her extraordinary voice continues to inspire new generations and earn the recognition she never fully received during her lifetime.

06/17/2026

Abalone Vintage started in 1989, prior to that I had already earned a reputation for my passion. Not just as a dealer, but as a caretaker, someone who didn’t just sell vintage guitars, but knew where they’d been, what they’d meant, and why they mattered. The fascination was deep.

What set me apart wasn’t the inventory, though our shop has held some of the rarest pieces in the world, it was the passion and bold foresight. I wasn’t interested in flipping gear or feeding hype, it was about attaining knowledge and knowing where the edge of my proximal development was.

The reputation wasn’t built overnight, it was built one conversation, one guitar show, and one road trip at a time.
Whether it was a forgotten Gibson prototype guitar from Kalamazoo, a load of original guitar manufacturing templates, or a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with factory tools found in a dusty drawer, everything has been vetted, documented, and honored.

For decades I’ve spent countless days hauling out vintage tooling from estates, warehouses and auction houses, not because it was profitable, but because it was important. These buying opportunities served to increase my knowledge base and provide me with expertise that is unparalleled.

But that’s not where the story ends, that’s really just the beginning. It takes months of tedious work after every buying opportunity to research the discoveries and connect the dots. Sometimes it takes years to stitch it all together, and some of it, I’m still trying to figure out!

Because that’s the heart of my work as Abalone Vintage, it’s not preservation for preservation’s sake, but resurrecting history and telling untold stories of the past.

Today, the business I have founded and built, Abalone Vintage, stands as one of the most respected names in the vintage guitar world. Not because of advertising, not because of clever branding, but because the work is real. Because of the decades of surprising discoveries and new discoveries we chase every day.

That feeling drives me. That feeling is what Abalone Vintage is all about.

06/11/2026

Nashville Baby!!! Hiding in the heart of Nashville’s legendary music scene, Abalone Vintage has been a cornerstone of guitar heritage to the world.

For over 35 years we have been more than just a guitar shop, repair shop, or guitar show fixture, we are a repository for collectors, musicians, producers, and curious enthusiasts alike. Specializing in the rarest vintage and celebrity-owned Gibson and Fender guitars, Abalone Vintage has earned a reputation as one of the most knowledgeable and respected names in the vintage gear world.

What sets Abalone Vintage apart isn’t just the uniqueness of our inventory, it’s the stories behind the instruments. Every piece is meticulously curated, often with provenance that links it to legendary players, legendary manufacturers, or legendary music. From fascinating one-off guitars to vintage Gibson Les Pauls once owned by rock royalty, our collection of guitars is a living museum of music history…and it doesn’t stop at guitars. We do vintage amplifiers, effects pedals, drums, studio gear, guitar parts, other rare musical antiques and signage that are the rarest of the rare, with each item steeped in its own legacy.

Abalone Vintage is more than a business, it’s a preservation of culture. Whether you’re a seasoned collector chasing a holy grail guitar or a person of refined tastes looking to own a piece of musical history, our deep expertise and passion for vintage gear ensures an experience that’s as genuine as the gear itself.

In a city where music is everything, Abalone Vintage is a treasure trove for those who know that some instruments are more than wood and wire, they’re icons.

Abalone Vintage is not wired for mediocrity, and neither are our guitars.

06/06/2026

In light of Fender’s harsh and silly dogma over the modular guitar industry, I thought I would highlight the most important company to challenge their manufacturing dominance. Boogie Bodies.

In the 1970s Boogie Bodies quietly became one of American manufacturings most influential guitar parts suppliers.

Founded by Lynn Ellsworth, the company produced replacement necks and bodies that fueled the hot-rodding culture of the era. While their craftsmanship helped shape the sound and feel of countless custom instruments, their contribution often remained hidden behind the names on the headstocks….namely, Charvel.

Part of Boogie Bodies’ enduring mystique comes from its important connection to Eddie Van Halen.

Before becoming a guitar icon, Van Halen assembled his famous “Frankenstrat” from aftermarket components, including parts sourced from Boogie Bodies. Yet as Eddie’s legend grew, public attention focused on the player and the company that spearheaded the use of Boogie Bodies components….Charvel.

The story of Boogie Bodies is also inseparable from Fender’s history. Fender’s bolt-on neck design made guitars unusually modular, allowing musicians to swap components and customize instruments with ease. By the 1970s, a thriving aftermarket emerged around that concept, and companies like Boogie Bodies stepped in to meet demand.

Though often overlooked, they played a significant role in altering Fender’s original vision and transforming the electric guitar into a platform for endless personalization and innovation.

Abalone Vintage Guitars

09/30/2026

09/21/2026

09/18/2026

09/03/2026

07/22/2026

07/19/2026

07/18/2026

06/17/2026

06/11/2026

06/06/2026

Address

Website

Alerts

Contact The Business

Shortcuts

Share

Category

Listing takedown request