If you can get to Nashville, Gruhn's is always worth a look. The days of finding mega bargains is over though - although more unusual models can still be found relatively cheaply
In fact George Gruhn was one of the first to capitalize on the vintage guitar sector in the '70's. He started driving prices up to stay in business.
The bastard.
When I was last over about 3 years ago, there were a couple of '53 Fender Telecasters in for $8k. They're up to $30k now. They let me play them through an old blackface Fender Vibrolux. Most excellent, but not $30k excellent.
I think the Fender Custom Shop is of equal (+ beyond) quality to the '50s stuff - I played a custom shop Nocaster against a refinished '63 Tele - the Nocaster won. I bought it.
Fender Custom shop stuff in the U.S is priced well, although everyone knows what things are worth now, so it's going to get even more difficult with vintage gear.
I've picked up some vintage early '50's Fender, Gibson + National lap steels for a decent price though.
Vintage guitars are a strange area though - it's never the inherent quality or scarcity of the instrument that governs price. It's who's played that model - as shallow as that. Any reason a '59 Gibson Les Paul is worth 15 - 20 times more than a hand crafted, numerically less manufactured '59 Gibson Byrdland?
It's because Eric Clapton, Peter Green and Jimmy Page used them. Simple as.
George Harrison had a '57 Gretsch Duo Jet.
'57 Duo Jets are the most expensive.........
fucking stupid.