Buying an old used guitar

[treyhaislip]

Re: Buying an old used guitar

Could be good, could be bad–totally depends on condition.

Main things I look for when looking at used gear: is the neck straight, how are the frets and anything broken. Electronics are an easy fix while a warped neck or completely dished out frets, not so much.

 

[uOpt]

Re: Buying an old used guitar

Just call Fender with the serial number and they'll give you the expiration date.

 

[KeeperOS]

Re: Buying an old used guitar

Most of my guitars are around the '93-2000 era and if you see them you'd think that they are brand new.

I know by now I'm beating a dead horse but who owned it and how they treated it will make a LOT more of a difference than a couple decades since manufacture.

If we're talking about a USA Strat then it would appear that the price is fair, not great but fair.

I too am with the try-before-you-buy camp. There's a very good chance that the very reason he priced it as such is because of how good of a condition it is in.

 

[voggin]

Re: Buying an old used guitar

Canadian dollar is the same as the Aussie dollar. $950 is a good fair price, about $725 USD.

That's right. Where I am in Canada (southern Alberta) that's a fair to low-high price. Well worth it if you like it.

New standards go for around $1600 CDN.

 

[stalkon0]

Re: Buying an old used guitar

Guiatrs and electronics age like fine whiskey

Sent from my LGLS992 using Tapatalk

Can't agree about electronics. Ever heard of what happened to floppy disks?

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Buying an old used guitar

Can't agree about electronics. Ever heard of what happened to floppy disks?

Poor design and obsolescence?

 

[aleclee]

Re: Buying an old used guitar

Guiatrs and electronics age like fine whiskey

Do you know that whiskey doesn't "age" after it's bottled?

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Buying an old used guitar

Do you know that whiskey doesn't "age" after it's bottled?

Also, that the French horn is neither French nor a horn?

 

[Dave Locher]

Re: Buying an old used guitar

I ONLY buy "old" guitars! However, I play them first. This is an absolute must. Photos won't tell you anything, but 20 seconds in your hands will tell you everything you need to know. Personally, I don't care about scratches and dents but I care deeply about how a guitar feels and sounds. Last time I bought a guitar (an ES-335) I played at least a dozen of them, all different years, over a period of several months before I found "The One." I just knew immediately. Same with the SG before that, only it took playing just 3 or 4 before I hit on the magic one.
I'm no longer actively shopping for guitars at all, but from time to time I pick up one that catches my eye in a shop. So far none of them (maybe a dozen over the past 10 years?) have had the right feel and/or sound.

There's nothing magical about any of it, really: your hands just know what they like when they feel it and no matter how nice or pretty a guitar is, they won't like one that doesn't feel right in the first place. I SELL equipment online, but I don't think I would ever buy a guitar online unless it was an absolute steal.

 

[chevyaddict83]

Re: Buying an old used guitar

Can't agree about electronics. Ever heard of what happened to floppy disks?

They flopped!

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[chevyaddict83]

Re: Buying an old used guitar

Do you know that whiskey doesn't "age" after it's bottled?

Sure it does. If it sits on a shelf for 10 years......is it not ten years older than when it was bottled??? Lololol

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[Obsessive Compulsive]

Re: Buying an old used guitar

People can be infatuated with old guitars. They pay top dollar for those with legendary status, then scramble to online fora asking for suggestions on restoring their rare finds that turn out not to be in working order.

I think the whole 'feel' and 'just right when you pick it up' is BS. If it's well made, properly set up with all working electronics then it should be the ONE.

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Buying an old used guitar

Weird thing is my oldest guitar is my best sounding most vibrant one out of all 20. It's not just me either anyone who gets to play it instantly loves it.

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: Buying an old used guitar

'Zat teh Blue Ibby?

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Buying an old used guitar

'Zat teh Blue Ibby?

yah cha blue blue.

Man its bed time now. I love sleep. I love lamp.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Buying an old used guitar

When I talk about feel
I'm referring to the neck profile
The way the body cups up to you

How it hangs from the strap or sits on your leg
Is the neck pitched too far right or left leaving you in an uncomfortable position

Does it resonate . Do you want it to.

Is it light or heavy

You know "feels"

Some guitars are just dogs
Dead lifeless

Providing no inspiration to the user