Richard Johnston

Richard Johnston co-founded Gryphon Stringed Instruments with Frank Ford in 1969. He later shifted from repairing vintage guitars to writing about them, and has contributed to dozens of magazines and several books, the most recent being Inventing the American Guitar. He appraises musical instruments for Antiques Roadshow on PBS.

Acoustic Soundboard

Guitar Prices: An Inflation Study

Inflation is rough on the guitar market, but to those who are old enough to have been guitar shopping in the 1970s, the current price hikes won’t seem so surprising.

Acoustic Soundboard

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Richard Johnston

How to Ship an Acoustic Guitar

You can reduce your fears about shipping your instrument by taking the right steps to protect it in transit.

There’s No Right Time to Find Your Bucket-List Guitar

Sure, the economy isn’t what it was a few months ago. But what do you do if you find the one?

When a Guitar-Life Is Passed On

When a guitar collector dies, a collection gets passed on and begins a new life. Here’s one collection’s story.

Guitar Prices: An Inflation Study

Inflation is rough on the guitar market, but to those who are old enough to have been guitar shopping in the 1970s, the current price hikes won’t seem so surprising.

As the Covid Wars Continue, So Do Supply Shortages

It’s not a bait and switch. This year is a throwback to the post WWII-era of instrument manufacturing, for better or worse.

One Simple Tip That Will Maximize Your Guitar’s Value at Trade-In Time

Believe it or not, you can boost the value of your instrument by making everyone's life a little easier … and cleaner!

Covid Collecting and Post-Covid Shedding

While plenty of people purchased guitars over the past year-and-a-half, our columnist predicts post-pandemic gear liquidations are on the horizon.

Why the Hell Is My Guitar Repair Taking So Long?

Covid caused a huge uptick in guitar sales and repair requests. If you're considering trying to fix it yourself rather than wait in line, here's a simple rule of thumb to keep in mind.

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Richard Johnston

You can reduce your fears about shipping your instrument by taking the right steps to protect it in transit.

Sure, the economy isn’t what it was a few months ago. But what do you do if you find the one?

When a guitar collector dies, a collection gets passed on and begins a new life. Here’s one collection’s story.

Inflation is rough on the guitar market, but to those who are old enough to have been guitar shopping in the 1970s, the current price hikes won’t seem so surprising.

It’s not a bait and switch. This year is a throwback to the post WWII-era of instrument manufacturing, for better or worse.

Believe it or not, you can boost the value of your instrument by making everyone's life a little easier … and cleaner!

While plenty of people purchased guitars over the past year-and-a-half, our columnist predicts post-pandemic gear liquidations are on the horizon.

Covid caused a huge uptick in guitar sales and repair requests. If you're considering trying to fix it yourself rather than wait in line, here's a simple rule of thumb to keep in mind.