Buying Used?

[The Golden Boy]

I read a post the other day that really got me thinking...

Is there some sort of aversion to buying a used guitar or amp these days?

I've owned dozens of guitars and basses, but I can only remember buying 4 new. There's a myriad of reasons in favor of buying a used guitar, and the only reasons I can come up with in favor of buying a new guitar are for the warranty and the simple fact that it's new.

 

[aleclee]

Re: Buying Used?

There's a maxim on The Gear Page: "Buy used and play for free".

That's because if you buy smart, you'll probably lose no more than shipping when it comes time to sell. Pretty stark contrast to the bath one takes reselling gear that was bought new.

 

[JacksonMIA]

Re: Buying Used?

I'm with ya. Would I buy new again? Sure. In fact I've got a couple new ones picked out to buy in the next few years. But I've found that with a little work and TLC you can make a good used guitar almost just like new. Plus you can mod the heck out of it and not worry about destroying it's "original" state. I've done almost nothing to my Jackson, but I wouldn't be afraid to try almost anything myself on my Peavey.

Man, I've gotta post some before and after pics of that thing.

Edit: I knew I was forgetting something. I got a killer deal on a sweet used Fender Twin. Unfortunately, I was short on money and my crappy guitar didn't do it justice, so I sold it. The guy that bought it got a sweet deal, too. It's hard to find good used amps around here, but I'd never hesitate to buy one just because it's used.

 

[xerxes]

Re: Buying Used?

both of my guitars i got new (the strat has an interesting story behind it, but for all extensive purposes it was new)....including amp, wah-wah, and acoustics....


why? well, i like to go to a store and try out my gear first, and rarely the gear i want was used....also, non of my gear was very expencive at all.....other than my acoustic which i will only buy new acoustics that i can try out....(within reason)

 

[jeremy]

Re: Buying Used?

i buy most of my stuff used if i can. i check it out and make sure its what i want and then get it. i dont really buy stuff i cant try out first, new or used

 

[Hoss]

Re: Buying Used?

if i can find a good used piece of gear...i'd rather have it that way...the only times i've bought new is strictly for the layway feature that is usually available on new gear.

 

[tone4days]

Re: Buying Used?

but for all extensive purposes ...

the phrase is " but for all intents and purposes " ...

back on topic - yeah, i buy both used and new ... each purchase depends on the circumstances


t4d

 

[flank]

Re: Buying Used?

the phrase is " but for all intents and purposes " ...

t4d

RAILED LOL

 

[tone4days]

Re: Buying Used?

RAILED LOL

not up on the modern lingo so i can't comment on 'railed' ...

my rough rules of thumb on pointing out grammar / usage things are that i don't do it unless a) the person is a native english speaker, b) the person school age, and c) it is clearly not a typo ... i figure that it is way better for the person to get a gentle correction here where it isnt serious than to have them keep making the same mistake where it could be of more negative consequence to them (e.g. a paper or oral presentation, or a college admissions essay , etc )

t4d

 

[JacksonMIA]

Re: Buying Used?

the person school age,

Maybe "the person is of school age."





Sorry, I couldn't resist. I usually am the same way on correcting grammar/spelling, and rarely do it even then. But this was too funny to pass up.

 

[The Golden Boy]

Re: Buying Used?

my rough rules of thumb on pointing out grammar / usage things are that i don't do it unless a) the person is a native english speaker, b) the person school age, and c) it is clearly not a typo ... i figure that it is way better for the person to get a gentle correction here where it isnt serious than to have them keep making the same mistake where it could be of more negative consequence to them (e.g. a paper or oral presentation, or a college admissions essay , etc )

t4d

I woudn't be so rude or condescending to attempt to correct someone. I just generally tell people- 'Yeah it's OK to plug your amp that's set for 16 ohms into that 2 ohm cabinet' or 'grounding is for pansies.' :newangel:

 

[Pierre]

Re: Buying Used?

Both my guitars are used and 16 years old. I als recently bought 2 used pickups. Nothing wrong with it as long as you can ask the right questions and deal with the right persons.

 

[pinto79]

Re: Buying Used?

Of the 11 guitars I have, only 2 have been bought new. One is so beaten now you'd never know it was my first new guitar. The other is a 5 String Peavey Bass I got a great deal on. Any other guitar I have ever bought new has been either returned or sold. I like used ones better. I bought an RG750VP used and after a cleaning and set-up, it plays better than a new Prestige that would cost 3 or 4 times what I paid.

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: Buying Used?

It's so hard to find GOOD used gear here in AR. A few pieces here and there, but that's it. That's why when I stumbled onto my Heritage and ES it was a fluke. The thing I like about good used is that you don't feel bad if you put a rash on the back, or a scratch on the neck etc. A good played guitar also has the broke in feel, and sound, without looking like it got pulled behind a car (Fender Relics).

Luke

 

[Hellion]

Re: Buying Used?

I almost always buy used gear. It seems that when I buy new, I have problems with it and it's in the shop. When I buy used, it's trouble free.

 

[JacksonMIA]

Re: Buying Used?

I almost always buy used gear. It seems that when I buy new, I have problems with it and it's in the shop. When I buy used, it's trouble free.

Plus, if you do have to put it in the shop, it's not as big of a deal. You can expect problems occasionally on something old. A new guitar or amp isn't supposed to have anything wrong with it.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Buying Used?

Ever since I was 15, as a side hobby, I scour the Los Angeles gear ads and buy things I don't even need. When I spot a giveaway, I don't even hesitate, even if I don't need it.
I just buy it, and relist it, and play with it while I have it.

I've had around 150 guitars and 100 amps go through my hands, and that doesn't even count pedals, mics, rack gear, or small accessories. By skimming the cream off the top, I don't even pay hard earned money for my gear anymore......it's just the result of selling a few 'traders' and then seeking out EXACTLY what I want.

The members in the bands I've been in think it's funny, and even my old singer dubbed me "The Gearjoneser", but when it comes time for them to buy something or get something fixed, they know who to talk to.

The hardest part is to NOT get sentimental about all pieces of gear. Of course, I've got my 'holy grails' which I won't part with, but the other half of my toys all have a price tag on them. I don't care anymore. I have everything I need to play music, so the rest is just a hobby turned obsession.

It goes against everything I believe in to pay retail. I'm cheap like that.

 

[flank]

Re: Buying Used?

not up on the modern lingo so i can't comment on 'railed' ...

my rough rules of thumb on pointing out grammar / usage things are that i don't do it unless a) the person is a native english speaker, b) the person school age, and c) it is clearly not a typo ... i figure that it is way better for the person to get a gentle correction here where it isnt serious than to have them keep making the same mistake where it could be of more negative consequence to them (e.g. a paper or oral presentation, or a college admissions essay , etc )

t4d

to rail somebody means to criticize them in a harsh manner basically......i don't think its a modern term?

 

[Pierre]

Re: Buying Used?

Ever since I was 15, as a side hobby, I scour the Los Angeles gear ads and buy things I don't even need. When I spot a giveaway, I don't even hesitate, even if I don't need it.
I just buy it, and relist it, and play with it while I have it.

I've had around 150 guitars and 100 amps go through my hands, and that doesn't even count pedals, mics, rack gear, or small accessories. By skimming the cream off the top, I don't even pay hard earned money for my gear anymore......it's just the result of selling a few 'traders' and then seeking out EXACTLY what I want.

The members in the bands I've been in think it's funny, and even my old singer dubbed me "The Gearjoneser", but when it comes time for them to buy something or get something fixed, they know who to talk to.

The hardest part is to NOT get sentimental about all pieces of gear. Of course, I've got my 'holy grails' which I won't part with, but the other half of my toys all have a price tag on them. I don't care anymore. I have everything I need to play music, so the rest is just a hobby turned obsession.

It goes against everything I believe in to pay retail. I'm cheap like that.

When I signed up here, I had never heard the term 'jonesing'. I seriously thought it came from your username :laugh2:

 

[wixedmords]

Re: Buying Used?

"Used" is your friend, as long as you know what you are looking for.

Most of my best stuff was a used purchase. Just remember, try not to spend too much money or time polishing a turd.