Vintage gear, honestly described

Every scratch, every story, every photo.

In September 2005, a guitarist-turned-bass-player cleared out his gear on eBay — a 1990 USA Telecaster, a Turbo RAT, a pro-wired Lace Sensor pickguard and more — with listings so detailed they’re still worth reading. Here they are, with all 116 original photos.

8detailed listings
116original photos
2005the year the auctions ran
$1starting bid, no reserve, every time

Browse by category

From stage to studio to home office

Guitars and pedals, the parts that shape tone, the cables that carry it — and one Ethernet hub from the early broadband days.

1990 Fender American Telecaster, case and guitar

Featured listing

The $480 Tele that out-sounded a G&L ASAT

“How come yours sounds so much better than mine?”

A yellow 1990 American Telecaster, bought used in Wichita in 1999, goes up against a friend’s $1,000+ G&L ASAT — and wins. The listing also covers every nick in the finish, a serial-number mystery and how to ship a guitar safely, with 75 photos.

The full sale

All 8 listings

Open the gear archive

Why they hold up

What made these listings work

Read the seller’s playbook

Every flaw, photographed

The Telecaster listing alone has 75 photos, including close-ups of every scar and chip in the finish — plus a warning about glare.

The whole back story

Where each piece was bought, what it cost, how it was used and why it was being sold — receipts included.

Fair, upfront terms

$1 starts with no reserve, actual-cost shipping with refunds for any overpayment, and questions answered before the bidding.