Homepage Forums Guitar Discussion Guitar How much is my 1969 Wilson Guitar worth?

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  • #24835
    kimokalei
    Participant

    I need to find out how much my guitar is worth. It’s a 1969 Wilson Guitar hand made by Hiroshi Yairi. It’s numbered 133. I inherited it from my dad, but sentimental value aside it is in very good condition. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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    • #79776
      Anonymous
      Guest

      I have a 1968 semi acoustic my Dad bought me for 83 Guineas. I wrote an email to one of the Wilson brothers in the 90s for a valuation. He replied “ I don’t give valuations on my guitars. If you want to sell it and someone offers £5000 or £50 and you still want to sell , then sell it “ He basically said someone will pay for a guitar they want. He was in his eighties then.

    • #79629
      Anonymous
      Guest

      I also have an old Wilson folk guitar that I bought for a song in 1972. Model is JR-3 serial looks like JSI-5 made 1968. She doesn’t get played anymore. She needs to rehome.

      • #102784
        Anonymous
        Guest

        I had an old Wilson folk guitar many years ago. Regrettably it was knocked from it’s stand by a rambunctious child and the headstock snapped off. Back then I couldn’t find anyone to fix it. I’ve been looking recently to find one. I don’t know what a JR-3 is but I’d be interested in it.

        The only thing I’ve been able to find that resembles mine is this picture of a 12 string version of it that sold at auction a few years ago for $300. Any resemblance?

        https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/wilson-12-string-acoustic-guitar-202-c-33b4d0e855#

    • #127759
      Anonymous
      Guest

      I have a Wilson WS 200 made in 1965. Could you tell me some history on this . Made by Shinano Co

    • #78644
      Anonymous
      Guest

      I have an 851 model 1970 Wilson serial number 390. I bought it new from Melody shop in Dallas in 1970. I have gone into by a Goya, That was talked into ordering the Wilson. It was my understanding that they soon went out of business because of the Los Angeles dock strikes of that. It’s signed by HIRIE as I believe all of his guitars were before he went to Alverez. Still a cool guitar just a number in my vast collection of guitars.

    • #78487
      Anonymous
      Guest

      Anyone want to comment on it? Excellent condition. Any value?

      • #113804
        Anonymous
        Guest

        I also have have a wilson guitar serial number jt-4 that i just dug out of my closet mine reads wilson and sons model jt-4 made in japan 1971. I bought this new from a music store in ontario California. I was in high school at the time . I also wonder what its worth. I don’t know what we paid for it back in 71 let me know if you ever found anything . thanks now residing in rancho cucamonga California ..

    • #77682
      Anonymous
      Guest

      What is a Wilson HM 600 classical guitar worth? Made in the 1970s

    • #76823
      Anonymous
      Guest

      I have one that I would like to sell. Inside it says:

      Wilson Folk Guitar,
      MOdel No.WF-115
      Manufactured exclusively for Wilson Music by Yamaki Co.
      NAgano Japan

      It’s pretty and sounds and looks good. Beautiful pearl inlays. Any idea what it’s worth? Thanks

      • #113777
        Anonymous
        Guest

        I have the same WF-115. Looks and plays beautifully. I would say it’s worth at least $300. Sound board looks a bit darker and may be cedar.

    • #76524
      Anonymous
      Guest

      I have a WilsonGuitar Hand Made AD1961 in Japan . No 72 hand signed H.Yairi Luther Clase N85 3 Builder stamp partially readable,portion on the actual wood has bled. Excellent shape. Hard Case, Set of Martin strings new M150 acoustic Bronz wound Medium gauge

    • #76405
      Anonymous
      Guest

      I have a Wilson guitar that my dad gave me a 1971. A guy gave it to him in trade for a transmission job. Mine says it is made byya I have a Wilson guitar that my dad gave me a 1971. A guy gave it to him in trade for a transmission job. Mine says it is made by Yamaki Co., which is different from above info.

    • #127221
      acrosenk
      Participant

      Carrying the history of Wilson Bros. foreward from the late 60’s St. Louis Music Supply Co. bought the Wilson brand and business and renamed it Alvarez and went forward with the standard, entry level models and a separate, more expensive line made by Kazuo Yairi. These guitars are still available from many vendors. I met the Wilson Bros. in St. Louis in the late 60″s when they were marketing their guitars and subsequently worked with St. Louis Music Supply (now simply St. Louis Music) as a consultant

    • #127222
      yl
      Member

      [quote=”kimokalei”]I need to find out how much my guitar is worth. It’s a 1969 Wilson Guitar hand made by Hiroshi Yairi. It’s numbered 133. I inherited it from my dad, but sentimental value aside it is in very good condition. Any help would be greatly appreciated.[/quote]

      Sorry for the late reply, but I just joined the forum!

      You may have already found your info by now, but will post in case others may have questions in regards to the Wilson brand from the late 60’s, early 70’s, made by Hiroshi Yairi, under the supervision of his Father, Sadao Yairi (SADA or S. Yairi).

      However, to give accurate info, I would at least need to know what model number (the 133 is not the model)… all of these have the info on the very lower right hand corner of the label, noted under “Clase” and should start with 85* I’ve seen and own models from 851 up through 854, but have also seen a few others that did not list the “clase”.

      The higher the number, the better the construction/details/inlays. Rosette’s on the same models vary depending on what year it was made.

      On average, these usually sell for under $350, of course, depending on condition and model number.

      Regards,
      yl

    • #78784
      1bassleft
      Participant

      Golf clubs aside, I was thinking this would be a Watkins/WEM/Wilson guitar like the Rapier. Strange, as both brands would have co-existed at the same time.

    • #78803
      lee_UK
      Participant

      No, and it’s nothing to do with golf clubs either, so don’t chirp in with your 3 wood nonense.

    • #78821
      glw
      Participant

      So, judging by the Japanese names it’s not the British-based Wilson as in the company who became Watkins and WEM?

    • #127220
      Tim
      Participant

      No, in a word. A quick google suggests that the Yairi family are fairly well regarded but info is a bit sparce…Forums and the YahooGroups Yairi group seem the best bet, although most posts read pretty much the same as yours 🙄

    • #78818
      lee_UK
      Participant

      Anyone got any ideas? ive never even heard of Wilson guitars.

      • #113787
        Anonymous
        Guest

        Other guitars he’s made go for around $500.00 and those were in excellent shape I believe he made those with Alvarez also they were later than 69 so maybe his earlier work is worth more?I don’t know

      • #102442
        Anonymous
        Guest

        Hi my grandfather and his brother created the Wilson guitar their names were Michael and Richard Wilson they were identical twins that fought in the Second World War…After the war they had A radio show called the mike and Ike show. They loved music and created the brand my grandfather Michael Wilson went on to work for the railroad. They sold the business it is unknown what the guitar is worth but I would be willing to purchase it from you if it predates the time that they sold the business as I would love a piece of memorabilia all I have is my grandfathers Hamilton railroad pocket watch and his Chelsea railroad ashtray and handkerchief

      • #113706
        Anonymous
        Guest

        Hi my grandfather and his brother created the Wilson guitar their names were Michael and Richard Wilson they were identical twins that fought in the Second World War…After the war they had A radio show called the mike and Ike show. They loved music and created the brand my grandfather Michael Wilson went on to work for the railroad. They sold the business it is unknown what the guitar is worth but I would be willing to purchase it from you if it predates the time that they sold the business as I would love a piece of memorabilia all I have is my grandfathers Hamilton railroad pocket watch and his Chelsea railroad ashtray and handkerchief

        • #113793
          Anonymous
          Guest

          I would like to know more about your Grandfather, Grand Uncle and their guitars. Please share what you know of the history of their company, and guitar models. Have you bought the guitars you wanted to have?

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