When is an older uke considered vintage?

And, is there a grading system?

I'd like to know when an old uke player is considered vintage.

"vintage" is kind of a loose term defining pretty much any era. An Ukulele will usually use a decade to lable the era, such as vintage 80's. If something is over 50 it's considered antique. Vintage 1920's is antique. Vintage 80's is usually just used.

for adults over 18 yrs of age, IMO this is what i think defines those terms:

vintage: 15 yrs or older (so an 18yr old would have been at least 3 when the piece was around)

antique: its older than you are

i agree with the association of vintage to be part of an era. but if the seller was not part of that era, it just doesnt make sense to me to sell it as vintage. theres a certain connection usually with a vintage piece. now... the BUYER can call it vintage if they were part of that era. because now they have that connection with the piece.

ergo, for something that is older than you are, i would consider it an antique. because it represents an era that you were not even part of, but can appreciate.

anything younger than 15 years... IMO its used.

again just my opinion. and how i define things. but im no wikipedia. hehe