Stone
Rock Star
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Damn Cheech you got me beat for GASMy current guitars
7 were purchased used.
1 I bought new.
I’m kinda surprised now
I only have 4 guitars
New Vs. Used
- Thread starter TSJMajesty
- Start date
I only have 4 guitars
duzie
Shredder
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2 are Squier’sDamn Cheech you got me beat for GAS
I only have 4 guitars
2 are Epiphone’s
Do they count
For guitars I’ll buy both new and used. A lot of times it depends on availability and price. If I can get new on sale for close to used price, I’ll go new. My tube amps & cabs are always used. I know that there is a lot of hard feelings from people towards GC, but they’re my main source of buying anything used simply because it can go back if there are any issues.
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Stone
Rock Star
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Well OFC they count2 are Squier’s
2 are Epiphone’s
Do they count
greatmutah
Roadie
- Messages
- 414
Most of mine were bought used. I’d say out of my 21 guitars, 6 were bought new. I like new guitars but I generally lean used when buying.
Out of amps, the only one I have I bought new was the Metroplex. Technically the Egnater was new but I built it in class so… idk about that one. The Orange, Peavey, Fender and Crate (Gx130C for Corpse tones!!!) I currently have were all bought used. And the only other amp I used to own I bought new was a Mark V. And that was out of like 10 different Mesas I bought used. So 3 new amps out of nearly 20 total?
Out of amps, the only one I have I bought new was the Metroplex. Technically the Egnater was new but I built it in class so… idk about that one. The Orange, Peavey, Fender and Crate (Gx130C for Corpse tones!!!) I currently have were all bought used. And the only other amp I used to own I bought new was a Mark V. And that was out of like 10 different Mesas I bought used. So 3 new amps out of nearly 20 total?
I’m not necessarily cheap but I’m definitely thrifty. I’ve purchased several high end acoustics used with no difficulty, and I routinely check out GC’s used listings. I’ve purchased used from them before with no issues.
As I think about it, with new prices having increased significantly and used prices dropping, I almost reflexively check used listings first these days.
As I think about it, with new prices having increased significantly and used prices dropping, I almost reflexively check used listings first these days.
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I'm about 50/50 with guitars. All my amps are used, but my Fractal stuff was new.
I'll always look for a used model of a guitar first and at this point, outside of new Solars and Edwards, I've only had an interest in used guitars, specifically 90's MIJ Ibanez RG's or the MIJ Les Pauls.
I'll always look for a used model of a guitar first and at this point, outside of new Solars and Edwards, I've only had an interest in used guitars, specifically 90's MIJ Ibanez RG's or the MIJ Les Pauls.
AFKAEjay(retired)
Roadie
- Messages
- 383
Definitely used.
My pros:
-At least 30% cheaper
-Break even or even profit when you sell.
-I believe guitars get better over time…so I try to buy early 90s or earlier.
It has allowed me to try a bunch of guitars…and learn what best suits me…without dealing with depreciation.
I feel I have money “parked” into the guitars I own…but they cost me nothing.
Cons:
Very little risk when you pick up in person. Sure, I’ve overlooked a thing or 2, but if the truss works, neck angle is right and the fingerboard straight…nothing can be earthshockingly wrong right?
No return policies …so you got the hassle of reselling if you don’t like it.
No warranty…in my mind..if a guitar has gone through its first few years…little risk something major goes wrong. Neckangle is something to consider. I got a 50 year old archtop..maaaybe in a few years it needs a reset….thats a 1000,- pricetag probably…but…I got that guitar 6 years ago, pretty sure im more then 1K above the water with that one, so in the bigger picture even that worsecase scenario is not to bad.
I’ve bought a few remote, but pricey ones I always pick up in person.
I own 3 new guitars, 1 I simply fell in love with while it was hanging on a wall(and not available on the used market), one nylon string which has a pup / body combination that is also not available on the used market. And a Yamaha silent guitar…I had been patiently scouting for a used one for a year, no alternatives on the market.
The rest is all used, youngest a 2006.
What helps is that you have patience, and maybe don’t narrow things down to very specific things. Then you can wait for something nice at a good price in your area. When you are in a rush..or want model X in color Y only in mint condition…your gonna pay a bit more used, or have to buy new.
My pros:
-At least 30% cheaper
-Break even or even profit when you sell.
-I believe guitars get better over time…so I try to buy early 90s or earlier.
It has allowed me to try a bunch of guitars…and learn what best suits me…without dealing with depreciation.
I feel I have money “parked” into the guitars I own…but they cost me nothing.
Cons:
Very little risk when you pick up in person. Sure, I’ve overlooked a thing or 2, but if the truss works, neck angle is right and the fingerboard straight…nothing can be earthshockingly wrong right?
No return policies …so you got the hassle of reselling if you don’t like it.
No warranty…in my mind..if a guitar has gone through its first few years…little risk something major goes wrong. Neckangle is something to consider. I got a 50 year old archtop..maaaybe in a few years it needs a reset….thats a 1000,- pricetag probably…but…I got that guitar 6 years ago, pretty sure im more then 1K above the water with that one, so in the bigger picture even that worsecase scenario is not to bad.
I’ve bought a few remote, but pricey ones I always pick up in person.
I own 3 new guitars, 1 I simply fell in love with while it was hanging on a wall(and not available on the used market), one nylon string which has a pup / body combination that is also not available on the used market. And a Yamaha silent guitar…I had been patiently scouting for a used one for a year, no alternatives on the market.
The rest is all used, youngest a 2006.
What helps is that you have patience, and maybe don’t narrow things down to very specific things. Then you can wait for something nice at a good price in your area. When you are in a rush..or want model X in color Y only in mint condition…your gonna pay a bit more used, or have to buy new.
Eagle
Rock Star
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- 4,788
When buying used the colour should be the last concern. Because I am a tech I can see any issues and don’t want anyone else working on any instruments of mine so a warranty is useless to me anyway . Used is almost always better to asses how things settle down. One issue for any instrument when listening acoustically is the more you play it and that has to be all over the neck the better it sounds so hardly played instruments will not sound their best yet. You just need to listen to how it sustains and for any dead spots or loud notes caused by unfortunate resonance frequencies in the neck to body. Tap the neck and body to see if they are dissonant.
The most important thing from a mechanical perspective is the truss rod , its effectiveness and the geometry of the relief . You want the relief to bottom out at fret 7~8 and the upper register to be dead flat. Make sure you eyeball the truss rod nut . Look for signs of damage or excess tightening. If this is evident, pass. If there is relief in the upper register, pass. If the guitar has a two post trem check for post lean if the bushings are starting to lean enough to show any space behind, pass .
If it is a bolt on neck and the neck bolts have been overnighted enough to crush the body wood to cause damage the paint, pass. Things like this are fundamentally important and not fixable in many cases. Maybe I should write a guide to buying used. Actually new guitars can suffer some of these red flag problems too.
Even instruments costing £5k + vary enough to want to cherry pick even if that is only in the wood . The cheaper you get the more important it becomes to be aware of the kind of variation that seriously affects the instrument. I find excellent guitars at most price points if given the opportunity to check properly but it is specifically the instruments I find not the particular brands or models. This is why reviews of mid to low priced instruments are usually BS because they don’t go in to the things that actually matter in the instrument you will get if you buy.
The most important thing from a mechanical perspective is the truss rod , its effectiveness and the geometry of the relief . You want the relief to bottom out at fret 7~8 and the upper register to be dead flat. Make sure you eyeball the truss rod nut . Look for signs of damage or excess tightening. If this is evident, pass. If there is relief in the upper register, pass. If the guitar has a two post trem check for post lean if the bushings are starting to lean enough to show any space behind, pass .
If it is a bolt on neck and the neck bolts have been overnighted enough to crush the body wood to cause damage the paint, pass. Things like this are fundamentally important and not fixable in many cases. Maybe I should write a guide to buying used. Actually new guitars can suffer some of these red flag problems too.
Even instruments costing £5k + vary enough to want to cherry pick even if that is only in the wood . The cheaper you get the more important it becomes to be aware of the kind of variation that seriously affects the instrument. I find excellent guitars at most price points if given the opportunity to check properly but it is specifically the instruments I find not the particular brands or models. This is why reviews of mid to low priced instruments are usually BS because they don’t go in to the things that actually matter in the instrument you will get if you buy.
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ragingplatypi
Shredder
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I’m more anxious about buying used amps and pedals. It’s easier to evaluate a guitar quickly.
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It's a mixed bag for me, leaning more to used. Last complete instrument I bought new was a bass, and that was about 4 or 5 yrs ago I think. From there til now have been mostly partscaster projects, some of which used older parts mixed with new parts. Any instruments I ever bought new have been modded significantly, except the bass. Come to think of it, all the used instruments I own have been modded to varying degrees.
ragingplatypi
Shredder
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Thinking back on all my gear, I’ve had some crazy good deals on guitars with very minor cosmetic issues.
Stone
Rock Star
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This, as nobody makes the perfect guitar for any individual, be it parts/tone wise or aesthetic
this has been the case for me anyways
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This is really important advice.
I purchased a Suhr Modern Satin second hand (just before Covid restrictions started) and decided after a few months to get it fret dressed and set up - the technician said that not only had the truss rod nut had been stripped but the neck was severely bowed and wasn't straight (this was the reason the nut had been stripped)
New truss rod nut from Suhr arrived and managed to get the guitar back up and running - however the neck kept bowing and after a while (several months) I had maxed out the truss rod.
I contacted Suhr who advise to send the guitar to them in the US and they built a new neck for it (different wood) free of charge - took 6 months but it was worth it and I'll never part with it.
This is probably an extreme case but now I will always check the truss rod/neck when purchasing a guitar.
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My biggest thing is I know I can't leave well enough alone, and I will change something about the instrument at some point. That keeps me from buying new a lot. And based on my personal likes and specs, there aren't a lot of new instruments that fulfill those wants without shucking out for custom pricing. So at that point I'd rather just do it myself, because I can.This as nobody makes the perfect guitar for any individual, be it parts/tone wise or aesthetic
this has been the case for me anyways
Stone
Rock Star
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Which is perfect, because then they become "your" signature guitars customized just for youMy biggest thing is I know I can't leave well enough alone, and I will change something about the instrument at some point. That keeps me from buying new a lot. And based on my personal likes and specs, there aren't a lot of new instruments that fulfill those wants without shucking out for custom pricing. So at that point I'd rather just do it myself, because I can.
thats a win win
