Ever thought that a guitar might be a more reliable investment than the stock market?  Vintage guitars are becoming a hot item in the collectibles market.  While a few months' savings might have bought a guitar in the 1960s, some of those instruments are selling for big bucks today.    The guitar was perfected between the 1930s and the 1960s, depending on the model, and instruments from this period are highly regarded.  Some people think that in fifty to a hundred years, guitars from the mid 20th century will be thought of in the same way as violins and cellos from the 17th and 18th century. The appeal of any guitar grows over time, and there hasn't yet been a period when the market sank.  That makes a vintage guitar a great investment choice, as well as a visually and emotionally rewarding collectible.  Recent stock market unpredictability has meant that people are more interested in guitar collecting as an investment.   For collectors who want to cover all the bases, consider a varied collection of acoustic, electric, exotic, antique, vintage, contemporary and even custom guitars.  The American brands that stand out when it comes to collecting vintage guitars as an investment (and also as a great guitar) are Guild, Martin, Gibson, Gretsch, and Fender.  Each of these manufacturers also has an era that collectors agree upon as having been the best.  Of course, make isn't the only way you decide how much a guitar is worth.  The rarity and condition of the guitar are important.  If you want a great investment that's also a piece of the past, look into vintage guitars.  Collecting them can be rewarding in many ways, and it's a lot more stable than playing the stock market!