Guitarworld iconGuitarworldSep 29, 2026 ~6 min source read

Inside Well Strung Guitars: Farmingdale’s vintage shop for players and collectors

Co‑founders Paige and David Davidson turned a small store into a vintage‑only emporium focused on Fender, Gibson, Gretsch and Rickenbacker. Here’s what they sell, what collectors ask for, and practical buying advice from the shop.

Behind the scenes at Well Strung Guitars – Farmingdale, NY's emporium of vintage treasures

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Well Strung Guitars is a vintage‑only shop in Farmingdale, NY, founded in 2019 by Paige and David Davidson after the Songbirds Guitar Museum closed.

The shop houses more than 500 vintage instruments for sale, including rare pieces like a 1960 Gibson Les Paul Custom (Cherry) and a 1963 Fender Strat in Olympic White with gold hardware.

Key practical buying factors are tonal goals, pickup output, and neck profile — try multiple guitars and choose what feels and sounds right to you.

# Overview

# Inventory and highlights The shop regularly stocks more than 500 vintage instruments, all available for sale. Notable pieces mentioned by the founders include a rare 1960 Gibson Les Paul Custom in Cherry and a 1963 Fender Stratocaster in Olympic White with gold hardware and a tortoiseshell pickguard. Those examples illustrate the shop's approach: high‑quality, distinctive vintage pieces with interesting provenance or unusual finishes.

Buyers contacting the shop often ask about classic models. Current high demand centers on 1958–1960 Gibson Les Pauls in Sunburst (the so‑called 'bursts') and 1950s Blackguard Telecasters. Inventory and buyer interest shift week to week, but those models are consistently sought after.

# What makes a guitar "great" here The Davidson founders say the distinction between a good guitar and a great guitar depends on what the player wants. Concrete factors they point to include tonal characteristics, pickup output, and neck thickness. Ultimately, their advice to buyers is straightforward: pick the guitar you love to play.

  • Play multiple instruments. Trying guitars back‑to‑back reveals differences in feel and tone more clearly than reading specs.
  • Know the attributes you care about: tone, pickup output, neck profile. These will narrow options faster than chasing model hype.
  • Don't be guided only by rarity. A rare instrument is not necessarily a better fit for your hands or music.
  • Ask about provenance and condition. The shop emphasizes vintage pieces with clear histories when possible.

# The customer experience When someone visits for the first time, the founders want them to feel comfortable, as if they're in a home surrounded by instruments. The shop is presented as a place for players and collectors to browse, handle, and buy vintage gear without pressure.

# What buyers call about most The most common inquiries change over time, but at the moment the shop fields the most calls about late‑1950s Gibson Les Pauls in Sunburst and 1950s Telecasters with original Blackguard pickups. The staff track demand closely and rotate inventory to reflect what collectors and players are asking for.

# Why this shop matters to buyers Well Strung offers a concentrated, vintage‑only inventory focused on historically popular brands. For buyers who want hands‑on access to a large number of well‑curated vintage instruments in one location, the shop shortens the search and provides experienced staff who can speak to both condition and playability.

# Bottom line If you're shopping for vintage Fender, Gibson, Gretsch, or Rickenbacker instruments and value the ability to play many well‑preserved pieces in person, Well Strung Guitars in Farmingdale is organized to serve that need. Their recurring advice: choose the instrument that inspires you to play.

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