A leading authority in spectroscopic analysis and cultural heritage science, Dr. Tom Tague brings decades of experience in the scientific authentication of fine art and artifacts to Vintage Verified. His work has played a pivotal role in the investigation of the Salvator Mundi, a once-lost painting attributed to Leonardo da Vinci. Additionally, Dr. Tague is one of the leading scientific authorities on Jackson Pollock artwork and the pigments and mediums employed by Pollock.  With a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry and over 80 peer reviewed manuscripts and five patents, Dr. Tague combines academic rigor with real-world application. As a founding scientific advisor to Vintage Verified, he has helped shape the company’s lab infrastructure and testing protocols, applying the same analytical depth used in critical art evaluations to the authentication of vintage instruments. 

One of the most respected voices in modern guitar repair, Joe Glaser has been at the forefront of instrument repair since the late 1970s. As founder of Nashville’s Glaser Instruments, he has worked with elite players, builders, and collectors while consistently pushing the boundaries of what precision, ethics, and innovation can bring to the craft. A pioneer in integrating technology into lutherie, Joe was among the first to adopt the Plek system for fret-leveling, transforming how playability is measured and validated. His deep experience with vintage finishes, structural repairs, and aging phenomena has made him a trusted figure in both restoration and authentication circles. As an advisor of  Vintage Verified, Joe provides critical insight into the realities of how guitars evolve over time, the history of repair techniques, and why rigorous material analysis must become the new standard. For Joe, science doesn’t replace experience; it enhances it. His work ensures that instrument history is not only preserved, but told truthfully.

A pioneering figure in analytical chemistry, Dr. Gene Hall has spent over four decades applying forensic science to the authentication of cultural artifacts. As a professor at Rutgers University and director of a leading materials analysis lab, Dr. Hall specializes in advanced mass spectrometry, X-ray emission, and molecular spectroscopy to reveal the true composition and age of objects ranging from Chinese postage stamps to Jackson Pollock paintings. His unmatched reference collection—including over 2,000 historic Duco paint cans and original DuPont formulas—provides a scientific foundation for distinguishing genuine finishes from forgeries. At Vintage Verified, Dr. Hall brings this expertise to the world of vintage guitars, developing robust analytical protocols that identify everything from elemental pigment profiles to molecular aging signatures

To some he’s Uncle Larry from Homeskoolin’, to others he’s The Session Man of Nashville, but to all he’s one of the most recorded guitarists of the modern era. His credits include work with artists such as Stevie Nicks, Bob Seger, Dan Auerbach, and Sheryl Crow, reflecting a career that crosses genres and generations. As an advisor to Vintage Verified, Bukovac helps bridge the gap between collector and player. He brings decades of hands-on experience with vintage instruments, offering insight into how scientific findings align with the practical realities of value, authenticity, and the lived experience of the guitar market.

Ron Ellis is one of the most respected names in the world of guitar pickups. With more than 35 years of engineering experience on a national fusion energy program, he brings a rare blend of scientific precision and deep musical sensibility to his craft. In 2005, he began applying that expertise to the pursuit of vintage sound, reverse-engineering the tonal fingerprint of classic pickups and founding Ron Ellis Pickups—a small, highly specialized team in Carlsbad, California dedicated to building era-correct components without compromise. Every aspect, from metallurgy to coil winding, is meticulously developed to capture the essence of golden-era Fenders and Gibsons. As an advisor to Vintage Verified, Ron offers unmatched insight into the materials and mechanics that make up vintage guitar pickups and their production throughout history. His contributions bridge hard science and hands-on knowledge, ensuring Vintage Verified has both a material and manufacturing reference. 

Matt Swanson is one of the vintage guitar world’s most prominent collectors, with an eye for the rarest and most historically significant instruments. Swanson is known in the guitar world as the co-owner of Dumble Amplifiers and co-founder of the Dumble Preservation Society. As the current steward of Alexander Dumble’s legacy, Matt oversees the maintenance and limited production of the world’s most coveted amps, ensuring they remain true to the original designs. Beyond guitars, Matt is a highly successful California entrepreneur and CEO of Associated Feed, Virtus Nutrition, and Nutrius Products—leaders in organic and conventional agriculture. He also chairs Riser House Entertainment, a Nashville-based record label and publishing company, and leads innovation efforts in carbon-neutral farming through ag-tech and data analytics. At Vintage Verified, Matt brings the collector’s perspective, the businessman’s precision, and a deep commitment to preserving the tools that shape music history.