Back in the mid-70s my mom got a guitar and Alfred’s Basic Guitar Instruction books – every time she put that guitar down, I picked it up. So, my parents got me one too. They are both Vespero SMG-60s.

My mom and I didn’t play very well, but didn’t we have the best times playing together! And I carried that thing all through the Catskills on every camping trip so I could play “Michael Row the Boat Ashore” around the campfire. Sadly, my mother is gone 12 yrs now, but I do have wonderful memories and her guitar. I think I will take both guitars with me to heaven, so my mom and I can play – Go Tell Aunt Rhodie together once again!

This Christmas, I got my husband a banjo to futz around with and while going over the music sheets, I got homesick for that old guitar of mine. Pulled it out and with a little help from a cheat sheet, I’m playing again. I was wondering what this guitar might have cost back in the day (around 1973 or so). I know it couldn’t have been too expensive (we didn’t have a whole lot of extra $$) but as everyone has said, it sounds so beautifully rich and full (my thunks and all).

I know I’m commenting on an old post. I’m just so happy to have found some others that have great memories and love their Vesperos like I do mine, and wanted to share.
Keep on pickin’ and strummin’
Kate

I bought a Vespero SMG-60 at a flea market a couple of years ago. It also had a crack in the neck near the head stock that I repaired with clamps and white glue. It plays great now and has a nice sound. Its slightly smaller size makes it really easy to play. It has become my-go to guitar left on the stand for every day use. I’m not a 100% sure but I believe it’s a re-branded Giannini which is also made in Brazil. Giannini made a wide range of models at various price points. This would probably be on the mid lower end $50 – $150 depending on the condition. I love it this guitar anyway and wouldn’t part with it

I know these posts are old, however just came accross this site while searching for a price on the SMG-60
From my research its value is between 199.00-450.00 dependent on condition.
Beautiful guitar. I buy and sell guitars This one is a keeper. 🙂
Bought it for 5.99 Yay

Hope this helps

Gwen

I just came across one of these old guitars and Google brought me here.

My observations:
– the finish is crazed meaning that it is really old or it was made from cheap materials. It’s the latter. I’ve seen quite a few 70 or more years old and they don’t show this kind of crazing.

– the tuning pegs, keys, nut and saddle are all plastic. There are mold lines on the keys and although the nut looks old, its just cheap plastic.

– inside the body of the guitar I can see that the wood used for the back is veneer, plywood. The one I have has layers of veneer with unfilled gaps in it. Cheap plywood.

– the bracing is light and appears to be made of mahogany. Mahogany is very cheap in Brazil. There are very few braces.

– the glue is two kinds, one is hot glue (the brown) and another is liquid white (elmers) that has bubbles in it. The glue was applied in a sloppy manner.

– the fingerboard does in fact appear to be rosewood as does the bridge. Brazilian rosewood is a very common wood in Brazil.

– the top appears to be solid but is not spruce as one person suggests above. Whatever wood it is, it is flat sawn unlike spruce, cedar or redwood which would be quarter sawn.I have several higher end acoustic guitars that have spruce tops.

Overall I would say that the smg 60 is a low end mass produced guitar that is worth about $20 or whatever someone is willing to pay for it.

That being said, if it sounds good and plays well then that’s all that really matters anyway.

I was given the Vespero SMG-60 by my brother a few years ago and it became my first guitar. The thing never goes out of tune and it sounds beautiful. I hope we can get some official info on this guitar.

I was given the Vespero SMG-60 by my brother a few years ago and it became my first guitar. The thing never goes out of tune and it sounds beautiful. I hope we can get some official info on this guitar.

I notice that a Vespero SMG 60 acoustic sold on eBay from a NY seller at just $50 (July 2012), so these are still available at a bargain price.

Amazing thing! I was playing my oldest guitar and decided to look up SMG distributors (on the label inside of the guitar) and found this website.

I bought this Vespero SMG-60 more than 40 years ago for $70 in New Brunswick NJ. The first song I learned to play on it was
Elizabeth Cotten’s Freight Train.

It says made in Brazil on the inside

Years ago our dog jumped on it in the car and broke the fingerboard completely in two at the tuning gadget level. I couldn’t toss it out.

Ten years ago a tile man working in our kitchen saw the case and asked to see it. He took it home a repaired it. You can’t tell it was broken!

I have an FG250, Epiphone big band guitar (80 yrs old), Epiphone “Hawiian” with a pickup (lap guitar), yahama acoustic (it stinks), Peavy electric, etc.

the SMG60 is so sweet I never play any of others except for the Peavy.

SO let’s find out more about the SMG60

ddd

I just bought a Vespero classical guitar on ebay, has not yet been delivered. Seems to have a bone nut, spruce top and rosewood fingerboard and real inlay around the soundhole, which to me means it is a pretty well made guitar.
I have had zero luck finding any other information on these guitars other than what is posted in this thread, so I guess they were not very common.
Any of you previous posters/owners of Vespero classical guitars find any new information, please post it here and keep us all informed.

Thank you all for posting, or I never would have found any information on them at all-you influenced my decision to buy it when you remarked how good it sounded.

mark

Hello! I just received one of these guitars tand am looking for info also. Any updates? Thanks. Mine came missing a couple strings so I am about to put new ones on. Looking forward to the sound based on previous posts!

we need to start our own club….Vesperonauts!

I too just came across one of these magnificent little guitars. It was in my girlfriend’s attic, but now it’s all mine — mwuahaha. I can’t stopy playing this guitar, love the tone it has. But I can’t find anything about it! What’s the deal?

I too have the same guitar,bought it at a pawnshop for 100 bucks. It really has a rich sound, any clue on what the top wood is? There doesn’t seem to be any info out there about this guitar at all, let me know if you find anything.

I know you posted that a long time ago but I have the same guitar and I cant find anything about it!!! have you heard anything?….