First of all, they aren’t ALL better.

However, with guitars in particular, the fact that the wood has aged and mellowed can create a tone that cannot be equaled by newer wood. Another draw to vintage is simply design. Some of the guitars I’ve purchased were bought based on appearance alone. Sometimes, it’s rather like the draw of a ‘54 Chevy or the muscle cars of the sixties. With vintage guitars, hand-crafted does not have as much to do with it as so many guitars considered “vintage” were indeed mass produced. I also have brand new guitars, some handcrafted, some not. They are no better, no worse, than vintage although they are often easier to play and the electronics may be more stable. The wiring in my vintage electrics must be repaired frequently and is more easily affected by dust, humidity, etc.

With amplifiers, it’s all in the electronics. Tube amplifiers simply sound different than solid-state. If you want to sound just like the Beatles, you must purchase the same guitars and the same amplifiers. Thus, vintage. Again, though, todays more modern amplifiers are definitely more stable and hold up better. I currently use only one vintage amp, and use it sparingly. All of the rest of my amplification equipment is new.

If you want to know more, check out some of the vintag sites on the net by searching “vintage guitars” and “vintage amps.” You’ll find many different opinions out there.

Good question!

Kabum