New Vs. Used

[FuzzyAce]

Which is perfect, because then they become "your" signature guitars customized just for you
thats a win win

Absolutely.

I'm looking forward to see what you do with you new strat! That's the wonderful thing about them, they're easy to mod without too much fuss or money.

 

[Stone]

Absolutely.

I'm looking forward to see what you do with you new strat! That's the wonderful thing about them, they're easy to mod without too much fuss or money.

Not much really except a pro setup and fix those fucking razor sharp fret sprouts, my Tech is really good with decent pricing
Rest is aesthetics, Gold anodized pickguard, black pickup covers, black knobs, black trem arm, little inexpensive things just for some eye candy
Gonna bring it to my Tech this upcoming Saturday, will be there till the following Saturday, then ill post some pics

 

[aivoryuk]

oh dear even though I may have only just bought a brand new guitar last week - I've just stumbled on a very good price - very good condition - Music Man Axis Floyd - Now to just tell my wife

 

[AutomationBias]

I always buy used. Like @norminal, I haven't bought a new guitar since the 90s. I'll buy new pedals, but amps and guitars are always used.

 

[scole]

The majority of my guitars are used (3 out of 32), not counting 2 parts builds from various new components. You can simply buy more used and as others have pointed out, they typically aren’t used that much.

There are some situations when buying new is probably cheaper. For example, the Hello Kitty reissue, a signature model guitar, or a special run in a one-off color made for a music store.

 

[OrganicZed]

I currently have eleven electric guitars (4 used, 7 new), two acoustic guitars (1 used, 1 new), and one electric bass (used). If you can play an instrument before buying then there are a lot of advantages to purchasing used, but I find myself more often shopping new because I'm buying sight unseen online or ordering custom.

 

[aivoryuk]

So the guitar arrived today and I’m amazed at the overall condition it is in - very good.

Couple of questions regarding the bridge. Hopefully @Eagle can help.

How do you adjust/take out the trem arm?

The bridge is decked (as these tend to be) but it isn’t quite parallel - you can see the bottom plate is slightly angled- so I need to make it parallel and the drop the overall height to deck it?

 

[GuitarBilly74]

The vast majority of the guitars I own was purchased used. Pretty much everything , except I recently purchased a new Les Paul Standard. First new guitar purchase in decades.

Same with amps. All used. The amps I like are not even made anymore.

With pedals is a 50/50.

 

[Eagle]

So the guitar arrived today and I’m amazed at the overall condition it is in - very good.

Couple of questions regarding the bridge. Hopefully @Eagle can help.

How do you adjust/take out the trem arm?

The bridge is decked (as these tend to be) but it isn’t quite parallel - you can see the bottom plate is slightly angled- so I need to make it parallel and the drop the overall height to deck it?

That type of bar is bolted in from the back so taking it out involves removing the backplate and the bolt in the base of the bar. You can leave the bolt off and then it is a push in held by the Teflon bushings. The reason it was bolted was EVH liked it loose and without the bolt it falls out. If you set it to hold position the bolt is unnecessary.
The angle is fine for an EVH style setup. It actually has to be like that to work properly and rest on the top of the body.

 

[aivoryuk]

That type of bar is bolted in from the back so taking it out involves removing the backplate and the bolt in the base of the bar. You can leave the bolt off and then it is a push in held by the Teflon bushings. The reason it was bolted was EVH liked it loose and without the bolt it falls out. If you set it to hold position the bolt is unnecessary.
The angle is fine for an EVH style setup. It actually has to be like that to work properly and rest on the top of the body.

Thanks that is good to know.

should I be concerned that the neck seems higher in the last few frets.

You can see it in the picture where the fret marks are different height to the body.

The neck itself is straight and action is fine and plays well etc.

Also if I was the shim the locking nut - which ones would I be looking at.

 

[Eagle]

Thanks that is good to know.

should I be concerned that the neck seems higher in the last few frets.

You can see it in the picture where the fret marks are different height to the body.

The neck itself is straight and action is fine and plays well etc.

Also if I was the shim the locking nut - which ones would I be looking at.
View attachment 40215

That is just an angle in the neck pocket to accommodate the hight of the Floyd without setting the neck higher. Perfectly normal. You can buy brass shims for the Gotoh nut easily but you shouldn’t really need to change it.

 

[Sascha Franck]

Out of my 5 "main" main guitars (2 solid body electrics, 1 semiacoustic, 2 nylon/steel acoustics) only one was bought new (my Anderson). I think I've got great usage out of the used ones and bought all of them for great prices. The Schecter Nick Johnston unfortunately needed more work as I expected, possibly wouldn't have bought it in case I had an option to testride it, but I bought online. Will not ever do that again with a used guitar (the Schecter is still a very decent value).

Interestingly enough, I bought quite some guitars new back in the days, never sold any but don't play them anymore, either. Most of them are in parts by now. No idea why that is and what I should make of it, possibly nothing.
However, whenever I can, I buy used. Also true for any other music stuff. It's just not a great market over here.

 

[aivoryuk]

That is just an angle in the neck pocket to accommodate the hight of the Floyd without setting the neck higher. Perfectly normal. You can buy brass shims for the Gotoh nut easily but you shouldn’t really need to change it.

Perfect - thanks very much

 

[itchyfingers]

Not counting partscasters that I built, 9/21 were purchased new. I like shopping for used guitars, love going on safari, but sometimes you bond with a brand new instrument that you have to purchase in order to maintain balance in the universe. I do it for you guys, really.

 

[Sascha Franck]

I do it for you guys, really.

Thank you!

 

[newpedals]

When noiseless pickups debuted or a guitar was released with some never-before features, buying new could have been justified.

As long as we play it before buying, there is no issue if we buy an old guitar. However, I will always prefer buying from either a store or a friend of a friend. Sometimes things don't work out and I would like to buy from a person/ place who is willing to take it back.

 

[gearJunkie]

Out of a total of 31 guitars (2 x acoustic, 29 x electric) all but 2 were either bought new or commissioned.

Both of the used guitars are older Novo's I found on the TOP emporium prior to Dennis Fanno expanding Novo's Nashville factory. They were pretty scarce at that time.

 

[paisleywookiee]

I don’t have any now, but I will buy used in person. But I am absolutely done buying used guitars online. I’ve had at least half a dozen with something wrong with it be at electronics issues warped neck, fretboard, etc.. it’s like they either keep it submerged in water, or they store it in their desert bunker.

 

[Eagle]

I don’t have any now, but I will buy used in person. But I am absolutely done buying used guitars online. I’ve had at least half a dozen with something wrong with it be at electronics issues warped neck, fretboard, etc.. it’s like they either keep it submerged in water, or they store it in their desert bunker.

I only buy any guitar in person. Usually I only want it because that particular instrument is an exceptional example . I get no say in the colour but I would have to hate it to stop me getting it if everything else is right. I’m not risking much though because I buy at trade and can disassemble it if needed to make an assessment.

 

[paisleywookiee]

I only buy any guitar in person. Usually I only want it because that particular instrument is an exceptional example . I get no say in the colour but I would have to hate it to stop me getting it if everything else is right. I’m not risking much though because I buy at trade and can disassemble it if needed to make an assessment.

Most stuff I get at my buddy’s shop, or his other friend’s shop an hour away. If not there, Sweetwater is the next state over, and I’ve got CME too, which is cool.