I think about this a lot. If it were me, (and it may be someday) I'd like to have $20K USD before I started looking. In that price range I can get the guitar I want, rather than the one I can afford.
Guilds from the 70's are great. The HB1 pickups from that era are sweet! If you wanted an acoustic a '75 Mossman would be a nice choice. Better and cheaper than Martins of that era.
70's Les Paul Customs can be good but you better be in shape.
I have a '73 Guild Bluesbird that's killer. I love 70's Guilds! Also Mossman acoustic guitars from that era are very nice. I think Les Paul Customs from that era are nice (but heavy). I started playing at 16 back in 1970. For the most part those were dark times for new guitars, but there were a...
I don't think it matters. I have a mixture. Three of my guitars are from the 70's, which to me is kinda hard to call vintage. I don't like them any more or less than my newer guitars. Half of my amps are vintage, the others are boutique tweed clones. They are all great.
I just bought a '73 from Elderly for $1400. It looks the same except mine is a lighter tint. The neck pickup on mine is really really sweet. I also love the feel of the bound rosewood fingerboard (I normally play maple Tele's). Just a great guitar. I would have paid $1700 if I'd had too. It...