Why do you buy new instead of used?

StratTom

StratTom

New member
Obviously a question for those of us who buy guitars new opposed to used. What are your reasons for doing so? I have only bought one guitar and a bass used. All of my others have been new. I know that buying used I will get more for my money, but all these years, I have continued to buy new. Just wondering what some of your reasons are. :)
 
Re: Why do you buy new instead of used?

I think we buy new because we want it to be OUR guitar, not the guitar an other dude didn't want. It is also great to go at the store and buy it there.
 
Re: Why do you buy new instead of used?

Getting what I want, when I want it. And not having to worry about some other schmuck screwing something up. Warranties/return periods are nice too. Also, I can really put a guitar in a store through its paces. I'd feel weird spending an hour at some dude's house playing a guitar that wasn't mine.
 
Re: Why do you buy new instead of used?

I'm the complete opposite I guess.....with the exception of my Guild GAD acoustic, all of my guitars are and have been older Charvel's and others...

I've played "new" guitars before, to me they just don't have "it" for me....there's nothing like picking up a guitar with 20+ years of playwear and broken in feel, not to mention the old Seymour Duncan's with that much time of current running through them and aging the magnets.

My Fender Elite Gold was my "one that got away" story, I originally had a Lake Placid Blue one that when I was young and stupid, let go which I never should have...when this one came up, I pounced I think mainly over guilt and nostalga lol...I just had to have another.

My Les Paul Custom I've had since Christmas of 1980...it's on its 4th refret needing #5...it now has some older EMG 81/85 in it, but I still have the original pups and harness.

My Charvel's are all old, a 83' and 2 84's...to me, nothing sounds, plays, or feels like the original San Dimas Charvel's and Jackson's...nothing...the necks are awesome on them and playability is near unmatched.

The only "new" guitar that I would consider (and am designing now) is a GMW made by Lee and the boys at GMW...they are the closest in feel, quality, and playability to the original San Dimas guitars that I love. I'd put Lee's guitars up against any Anderson, Suhr, or Tyler anytime for much less $$.
 
Re: Why do you buy new instead of used?

i generally only buy new if i have to ie. i cant find it used or its something custom. if i can find a guitar i want second hand then 9/10 times ill go the used route. Its all about the money.
 
Re: Why do you buy new instead of used?

I buy new when the item is on sale, and not far from the price of used gear. Last year some online dealers were selling new Epi SG Std's (G-400) for $215, when the store price was $299. It was a good deal, especially now that the store price is $399. So I got mine, new, for about half of what they're charging now; I feel good about it.

Also, I've bought new for limited edition items when they could be difficult to find used. I got a Riviera P-93 (triple P-90's) new, with a discount, on the store's credit card, with terms of 18 months interest-free. It's a model that would never be made in quantity. Hard to pass that one up.

When you buy "new" from a store, you usually get something that's been played by a bunch of people anyways. I don't get hung up on people playing a guitar before me. People handle & play guitars at the factory. There are no virgins. If it means that I can get a "like new" guitar for half price, I'll do it. I clean 'em up, change the strings, & swap PU's. I'm happy.
 
Re: Why do you buy new instead of used?

I buy new if it's what I want and the price is reasonable (usually means it's on sale), or if I've looked high and low and can't find what I want used.
 
Re: Why do you buy new instead of used?

When I wanted to buy my first "LP" I went to several shops and after settling on the Michael Kelly Patriot Limited I had the guy bring down ALL the Limited he had and then I played them all back to back until I were sure which of them all I liked the best.
That took me more than an hour (actually close to an hour and a half).

That's something I could never do used.

On the other hand there is merit in buying used too, getting something that you'd otherwise wouldn't be able to afford or sth that has been discontinued a long time ago (like my two Washburn Chicago Custom Shop MGs, designed by Grover Jackson, those guitars were only available from 94 to 95...)
 
Re: Why do you buy new instead of used?

the only things i always buy new are strings and picks. if its a good piece of gear i dont care if its used
 
Re: Why do you buy new instead of used?

For me, it's because when I buy big tickets items (like my PRS or my Mesa), I want the lifetime warranty that comes with it. I have already taken advantage of it with my mesa (had footswitch issues), and it has payed off.

I also buy new when it is difficult to find what I want. That or if the shipping plus the used price is more than the new price.
 
Re: Why do you buy new instead of used?

Never, unless it's accessories. There have been a few exceptions though, and it was because the piece was just released or had the exact woodgrain pattern or rare finish I wanted.

Buying new is like buying used, only you're taking an extra several hundred dollars and dropping it into a paper shredder as soon as you come home with your new piece of equipment.

I'm all about being patient and holding onto my cash until the EXACT thing I want pops up used. Then, I don't wait even 10 minutes.....I speed to their house so nobody can grab it first.

If you click on my gear pages.......I paid roughly 50% of the new selling price for all of it.
 
Re: Why do you buy new instead of used?

i buy new because i hate dealing with craigslist/ebay. i know the people at guitar center and they never hassle me over anything, and it's alot easier to try new gear right then and there. that's not to say i haven't picked up used stuff there though.
 
Re: Why do you buy new instead of used?

I buy used unless new is cheaper, which is rarely the case.
 
Re: Why do you buy new instead of used?

phil_104 said:
For me, it's because when I buy big tickets items (like my PRS or my Mesa), I want the lifetime warranty that comes with it. I have already taken advantage of it with my mesa (had footswitch issues), and it has payed off.
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almost everything i own i have modified in some way so im voiding the warrenty anyway. if i was going to get something like a mesa mark 5, i would probably buy new for the warrenty since if something goes its going to be a nightmare to fix. other than that im all over the used stuff
 
Re: Why do you buy new instead of used?

The things I'll buy new are always digital or electronic items. I really want the warranty on something like rack gear or a modeling amp.

But when it comes to guitars, pedals, simple tube amps, mics etc. Always used.
 
Re: Why do you buy new instead of used?

super rad stuff said:
i buy new because i hate dealing with craigslist/ebay. i know the people at guitar center and they never hassle me over anything, and it's alot easier to try new gear right then and there. that's not to say i haven't picked up used stuff there though.
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You usually end up paying a lot more buying new at GC. Makes eBay look awful good to me.
 
Re: Why do you buy new instead of used?

I have bought things new only when I needed that particular something and couldn't find it elsewhere. One example, my AC30. for guitars and stuff, used is awesome. My favorite guitar right now was used, and I got it from a forum member here. Traveled 3K miles to get to me. Awesomeness.
 
Re: Why do you buy new instead of used?

lex666 said:
I like virgins. :)
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FrankyBoy said:
I think we buy new because we want it to be OUR guitar, not the guitar an other dude didn't want. It is also great to go at the store and buy it there.
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3'scompany said:
Getting what I want, when I want it. And not having to worry about some other schmuck screwing something up. Warranties/return periods are nice too. Also, I can really put a guitar in a store through its paces. I'd feel weird spending an hour at some dude's house playing a guitar that wasn't mine.
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These guys said it best. I've owned some used guitars, and after I was done with them, I just kinda felt, "I see why they didn't want them..."

Now, not only do I prefer new [but would buy a lightly used guitar if it was really nice and saved me money], but I also prefer LTD's over anything.

And yes, I like them more than the Ibanez's I've played.
 
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