Flaw-checking tips needed.

[Bou]

Well I've started a thread previously on getting a new guitar and amp for a beginner, roughly got the idea what to buy and such.

What are stuff to look out for when buying a guitar to ensure that it is brand new and undamaged. For example what are the most common flaws in craftsmanship to observe when buying a guitar.

Are there common flaws in amps too?

 

[User X]

For guitar:
1)Check the knobs/switches are solid and not loose, make sure they work too.
2)Check the machine heads dont slip and are solid
3)Look down the neck from the headstock, like looking down a gun barrel. Make sure the neck is not curved or bent in any way or angle. (Note that a bend around the 12th fret is normal, nothing to worry)
4)Check if the pickups work.
5)Check if the jack is not loose
6)Shake the guitar and see if anything rattles. It shouldnt rattle.
7)Gently use your knuckle to knock round the guitar to check for any loose parts or material.
8 )Watch out for crackle and hisses when trying out the guitar.

Amps: (Dont know much)
1)Check all channels are working.
2)Check the knobs/switches arent looose and are working.

 

[Bou]

Thanks for the great tips I think some of the points can be examined with a huge swing of the guitar since the knobs and the jack would go flying all over if they're loose.

Connecting an amp to the guitar during testing is a compulsory flaw-checking technique too am I right? I was once told that I should check if the guitar emits some sort of ringing or hissing sound when I move it around even without playing anything, what about this?

 

[mockingbird]

^ I dunno if it should "hiss" or "ring" but i do know that when the amp makes "crackling" sounds when you move the guitar about, the source is either the amp's input jack, the guitar's input jack, or the cable.

 

[seekz]

Usually stuffs like hiss/pop/crackle or neck straightness are problems that
can be easily fixed.

and if you're buying it from a guitar shop, I believe it's not to much to ask
for another piece or have them rectify such problems before you pay for the
guitar.

So flaws that you should really check for would be for any dead frets or
faulty hardware like wobbly tuner pegs. Yes, look out for warped/twisted necks too.