What to look for when buying used?
- Thread starter epi
- Start date
jon the art guy
Nerdy Nerd
Re: What to look for when buying used?
See if the electronics were cobbled together by a stooge like me. If you're paying a LOT, bring a metal straight edge and check the neck for warping, and look for fretwear.
look at the screws holding the hardware on. Are they mix n matched? You might have problems later if a meathead decided to use whatever screw they had laying around to install a tuning machine, pickup or strap button.
See if the electronics were cobbled together by a stooge like me. If you're paying a LOT, bring a metal straight edge and check the neck for warping, and look for fretwear.
look at the screws holding the hardware on. Are they mix n matched? You might have problems later if a meathead decided to use whatever screw they had laying around to install a tuning machine, pickup or strap button.
dominus
King Midas to Cheap Guitars
Re: What to look for when buying used?
On any mass produced guitar, ignore the body - Unless there's some major repairs around the bridge or neck joint. Anything else is just cosmetic. (A lot of guitars can have cracks in the finish around the neck joint, so flex it a little to see if it's just the finish or if it's the body itself.)
Electronics can ALWAYS be fixed. You're on a forum that exists *because* guitar electronics get replaced.
On any mass produced guitar, ignore the body - Unless there's some major repairs around the bridge or neck joint. Anything else is just cosmetic. (A lot of guitars can have cracks in the finish around the neck joint, so flex it a little to see if it's just the finish or if it's the body itself.)
Electronics can ALWAYS be fixed. You're on a forum that exists *because* guitar electronics get replaced.
dominus
King Midas to Cheap Guitars
Progbusters
New member
Re: What to look for when buying used?
If you are looking online, ask about the weight of the guitar. Sometimes they're really cheap because they're like 15 pounds.
If you are looking online, ask about the weight of the guitar. Sometimes they're really cheap because they're like 15 pounds.
Jocelyn
New member
Re: What to look for when buying used?
Very well said!!! In addition to all that was said above. Some years back on another forum. There was this Dimebag fan who got a custom made Dimebag guitar from a very good local Luither. Within a month he wanted to sell it off. I was surprised. So asked him why. The Guitar played well and was well made but it weighed close to 13 kgs. So much so for a Luither with a good reputation.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: What to look for when buying used?
Besides damage from rough use (scratches and gouges), I check for a straight neck without cracks and fretwear. I can fix the electronics, so that's a non-issue.
Besides damage from rough use (scratches and gouges), I check for a straight neck without cracks and fretwear. I can fix the electronics, so that's a non-issue.
stringbender11
New member
Re: What to look for when buying used?
The neck & frets is about the only thing I ever check closely. As others have said, you can replace or fix almost everything else. And used guitars - which is all I buy, myself - almost always have cosmetic issues or a tight tuner, or a loose this or that. If the neck is good I"m usually happy with the rest.
The neck & frets is about the only thing I ever check closely. As others have said, you can replace or fix almost everything else. And used guitars - which is all I buy, myself - almost always have cosmetic issues or a tight tuner, or a loose this or that. If the neck is good I"m usually happy with the rest.
Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: What to look for when buying used?
Before buying any guitar, I do a whole step bend on every note on the neck, making sure a tall fret doesn't cause fret-out anywhere. You'd be surprised how many necks appear straight, but there's one fret that causes buzz or fret-out. I find it the most on cheap acoustics.
It's also not a bad idea to open the truss rod cover and give it a little turn left and right to make sure the truss rod isn't siezed. I've bought two used guitars where I brought them home and found out I couldn't adjust the neck. That's a real p1sser because if you sell it, you're screwing the next buyer too.
Before buying any guitar, I do a whole step bend on every note on the neck, making sure a tall fret doesn't cause fret-out anywhere. You'd be surprised how many necks appear straight, but there's one fret that causes buzz or fret-out. I find it the most on cheap acoustics.
It's also not a bad idea to open the truss rod cover and give it a little turn left and right to make sure the truss rod isn't siezed. I've bought two used guitars where I brought them home and found out I couldn't adjust the neck. That's a real p1sser because if you sell it, you're screwing the next buyer too.
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