New Vs. Used

[TSJMajesty]

I'm curious how you feel about buying a new guitar vs. used.

And what is your ratio of them in your collection.

The only used guitars I own are my 2 PRS's, but I bought them both in person. I hesitate to buy online. My 1987 was only a few years old when I bought it though. My Tremonti SE is a pos, but I only paid $400, and wanted it for practice, since I was wearing out the frets on my LP and PRS std 24.

My 3 acoustics, Taylor 714ce, 12 string something-or-other model, and a Takamine (Taylor 714ce I was the most picky about, having tried 2 Spruce tops & 1 Cedar, landing on Spruce, which they had to pull 2 from brand-new, unopened boxes), I bought at GC.

Gibson Silverburst LP Custom new at Chuck Levin's. The only thing I cared about (or even knew at the time) was how it looked, and what it was. Drool emoji.

My 2 Majesties came from online stores, both fine experiences.

And my 1-off JP15 straight from EBMM. (who wouldn't budge on the price, but I knew it wouldn't last long, so I grabbed it!)

So, 2 out of 9 are used, but bought in-person.

 

[norminal]

I haven't purchased a new guitar since the late 90's. All of mine used, but were in very good to great condition.

There are currently 192,996 listings on Reverb for electric guitars that need a home.

 

[norminal]

To elaborate: I'm not a cheap ass, but I feel that used gear is a better investment, as most new gear loses its value as soon as you open the box. The money I save can go towards other gear like pedals, modelers, or my expensive coffee habit.

 

[TSJMajesty]

To elaborate: I'm not a cheap ass, but I feel that used gear is a better investment, as most new gear loses its value as soon as you open the box. The money I save can go towards other gear like pedals, modelers, or my expensive coffee habit.

Absolutely. That's with anything. I buy my vehicles 2nd-owner, but not with too many miles. I figure, let the previous guy take the depreciation hit.
It mostly means the bigger maintenance items hit sooner, but I can handle that. And it's still cheaper in the long run.

But unless I can try a guitar in person, I feel better buying a new one, and strive to time it when the market is saturated, or like right about now, while most people don't have much disposable money due to being in between the holidays, and getting their tax refunds. And only if I can get ~20% discount. The exception being that JP, cuz I really wanted it.

And I still believe cash is king, although with certain places, like SW, it's hard to get them to come off their price, because they don't give a shit, since they have financing arrangements in place.

And I don't see much of anything except real estate as an investment. But that's just me.

 

[spawnofthesith]

Used for life on my end (as far as guitars and amps go at least)

Next to nothing new in my current lineup was bought new. Did buy my badlander number back In October as a quick and dirty birthday present to myself

But aside from that “large purchases” are almost always going to be used

 

[TSJMajesty]

Used for life on my end (as far as guitars and amps go at least)

Next to nothing new in my current lineup was bought new. Did buy my badlander number back In October as a quick and dirty birthday present to myself

But aside from that “large purchases” are almost always going to be used

In person, or do you feel ok buying without being able to play it first?

 

[spawnofthesith]

In person, or do you feel ok buying without being able to play it first?

Context is key I guess. Buying from GC used offers an ample return window cushion.

Aside from that do try and stay local as much as possible. That said, my very first PRS (before the following 4 joined the herd) was a blond reverb purchase, and I loved it so much that I’ve been buying more PRS ever since

Only other recent “blind purchase” as far as guitars go is my Strandberg, but I bought tha through GC used so the security net was there. And it’s been an A lister so far no regrets there either

 

[metropolis_4]

I only have one instrument I got used. I’ve had more in the past.

I had some bad experiences with used guitars in the past that have made me scared to buy them. I won’t buy any guitar I can’t check out and play for myself first.

Amps and pedals I almost exclusively buy used, but not instruments

 

[JasonE]

Most of my collection was purchased new. I have bought a few high end guitars used from people online. They have all worked out well for me. I tend to ask questions and really look at the pictures before buying. I like to have a bit of a conversation with the owner before committing. I have bought some of the use guitars in person so I could inspect them before the purchase.

I did have one nightmare purchase on a bass through eBay. The seller misrepresented it and didn't disclose all of the damage on it. I got a partial refund from him and sold it. I lost a little on it in the end. That one taught me to ask questions and ask for better pictures if they are good and clear.

 

[norminal]

In person, or do you feel ok buying without being able to play it first?

Surprisingly, all of my current guitars were purchased without being able to play them first. The duds are always sold if I don’t bond with them.

 

[CBHScott]

Depends on the situation. If it’s new, but a screaming deal, then I prefer to lean that way, BUT if it’s used and a screaming-er deal, then absolutely used. Today I very unexpectedly bought something used (a very recent model in pretty much new condition) at GC for less than half the regular new street price is. I have to wait for the police hold to be up next week to pick it up. I’m sure it was a pricing error on their part and even told them so. After they shrugged their shoulders I said “fine - here’s the card, I’ll pick it up when it’s clear”.

Right now I am at about a 3:1 new-to-used ratio.

 

[Eagle]

Mint used is by far the best way but if you find a great instrument play it and it works for you then it doesn’t matter. I don’t like damaged pieces but I actually like well reliced guitars that look convincing. But what is acceptable in relic work is a whole different thread.

 

[Jynx]

I prefer new and shiny though I do have a couple of great used too.

 

[QQQ]

I am almost half new, half used. Almost all of my acoustics are new, and exactly the opposite for my electrics.

 

[SillyOctpuss]

I had this conversation with a friend of mine a few days ago. I've always championed buying used guitars. If you buy them at the right price you usually won't lose much if you don't like them and move them on. If you sell them after a few years you can make a bit of cash.

I realised last week though out of the five guitars I have left

1- Epiphone LP 15th birthday present from my parents. Has virtually no frets left and is never played anymore
2 - PRS was bought new by me in 2000
3 - Tele was built for me from new parts by Feline guitars
4 - Strat was built for me with a mix of new and used parts by Feline guitars
5 - Tokai bought new last month because I couldn't find a used one in the spec I wanted

All of the used guitars I've ever bought have all been sold. I'm not sure where that leaves me now.

My JVM, my wah and a few parts of my strat are probably the only used pieces of musical gear I have left.

 

[Stone]

Mostly new, Last Purchase was a store demo great price and I knew what to expect
So far ive never tried any guitars before buying them, there are a couple of reasons, namely Long and Mcwait never have anything i want
and in the used market up here in QC there is also not much
Have to say I'm happy with my guitars all 3 of them ( the 4th my new Stratocaster will be fine once it goes to my tech to fix fret sprouts and a pro set up)

 

[woody]

Mint used is by far the best way but if you find a great instrument play it and it works for you then it doesn’t matter. I don’t like damaged pieces but I actually like well reliced guitars that look convincing. But what is acceptable in relic work is a whole different thread.

Mint used is always a yellow-ish flag for me, personally.
Great guitars usually get used, and guitars that get played a lot usually get dinged up a bit.
Relic is a weird one for me. I appreciate the fact that I don't need to be as precious about the dings and scratches that will come.
On the other hand I like the authentic storytelling that marks from actual use have. I distrust guitars that look played a lot but aren't. It's a yellow-ish flag as well.

That said; I mostly buy used gear.
I don't want to take the depreciation hit.
I like the stories behind the stuff.
And I tend to buy less and less disposable stuff.
I like amps that are easy to repair, for example. That rules out some amps that I'd like to have, in principle.

I have some one of a kind items that are either pretty much impossible to find used or really unique.
Those I buy new, if I like them enough and my funds allow for it.

 

[mavrick102000]

Similar to Norminal - mostly used and in very good condition.

One exception was a Buddy Guy sig. Strat that was advertised as the previous owner's guitar to take to jams - I thought it had character with a few bumps and scratches in the body (mostly some worming on the back) and it was a great deal $800 @ shipped. Sort of wish I still had it and replaced the bridge with a SC sized humbucker - that 20dB mid boost circuit was sweet.

My Suhr Standard and Takamine acoustic are the only two new guitars I've owned in the last 30 years.

Only my Takamine and a Mary Kay/Milk Wash Tele with tortoise shell binding were purchased locally.

Everything else was online with a proven good return policy, or was at a time when it was easy to flip gear quickly and I've always had a good experience.

 

[Eagle]

Mint used is always a yellow-ish flag for me, personally.
Great guitars usually get used, and guitars that get played a lot usually get dinged up a bit.
Relic is a weird one for me. I appreciate the fact that I don't need to be as precious about the dings and scratches that will come.
On the other hand I like the authentic storytelling that marks from actual use have. I distrust guitars that look played a lot but aren't. It's a yellow-ish flag as well.

That said; I mostly buy used gear.
I don't want to take the depreciation hit.
I like the stories behind the stuff.
And I tend to buy less and less disposable stuff.
I like amps that are easy to repair, for example. That rules out some amps that I'd like to have, in principle.

I have some one of a kind items that are either pretty much impossible to find used or really unique.
Those I buy new, if I like them enough and my funds allow for it.

I see tons of mint used gear bought by amateurs and not played.

 

[duzie]

My current guitars
7 were purchased used.
1 I bought new.
I’m kinda surprised now