Things To Consider When Purchasing A Used Guitar

Buying a guitar used can be a very cost effective exercise. New guitars can be expensive and buying a second hand guitar for less money can be a very attractive prospect. But purchasing a used musical instrument does have its risks and you really need to know what to look for when making your choice. Many musicians will tell you always to try one out before you hand over your hard earned cash but then again I, personally, have purchased many guitar online with great success. There has been a certain amount of risk associated with doing this though but I was prepared for that risk...are you?

So the fact that you're reading this article shows that you have already realised at least some of the benefits of getting hold a pre-owned axe. So here are some of the things that you should look out for when you are checking out which guitar you are going to strap on next:

•Age and Condition - some guitarists like to purchase a guitar which has been knocked about a bit, many say that this adds character. It is also worth noting that the truly classic instruments might even be worth several multiples of a brand new axe of similar specification. Vintage guitars certainly command a higher value than regular instruments. So always consider whether you want an old instrument that has been well used and might need some kind of attention, for example a fret dressing or work to the electronics. Maybe a pole or two of the pickups is malfunctioning. There is a distinct difference between a battered old guitar that is worth much less than a brand spanking new equivalent and a classic, original, vintage, sought after, desired guitar - especially in terms of cost. So do your research or talk to an expert and get to really know the different types of axes so that you can make a much more informed decision.

•Budget - how much can you afford to spend for the type of guitars that you are looking at? What style of music are you interested in playing? What types of upgrades do you want to do to your guitar? For example, would you consider buying a musical instrument that has pickups that aren't particularly suited to your preferred musical genre in the knowledge that you can always change the pickups later. If blues style pickups are fitted (which have a mellower sound) and you want to fit heavy metal style pickups do you have the expertise, and soldering iron, to fit these pickups yourself? If not, can you afford the extra cost of hiring the help of a trusted guitar store to fit them for you? These are all questions that you should consider before making a purchase.

•Is the guitar genuine - not all of the guitars that are sold pre-owned are actually authentic. Less so for the less expensive musical instruments but this can be the case with higher end guitars. It's difficult if not impossible to tell a fake when buying online so always try to buy a guitar with some sort of authenticating papers. Buying at a reputable guitar store is always a good idea when purchasing something that is of significant value.

Michael J Greenwood