Do not treat collectible gear as a guaranteed investment

The fact that some instruments have increased in price over time does not mean every vintage purchase is a predictable investment.

Consider fees, maintenance, insurance, transport, storage, damage risk and resale difficulty. Demand can also change across generations, musical styles and markets.

Collect primarily because you understand and want the object, not because a past price chart guarantees a future return.

If the purchase has material financial objectives, separate collecting interest from an investment decision and assess the risk appropriately.