When buying a second hand guitar what are some things to check?
- Thread starter Jswk
- Start date
- make sure that there are no extra dings or knocks other than those stated in the advert.
- make sure u like the tone and playability of the guitar, u might wanna get someone with u on this if u're just starting out for the tone part. as for the playability part, u have to thicken ur skin and test
- make sure the neck is straight and there are no mis-fitted frets
yea that's all i know hope it helps
- make sure u like the tone and playability of the guitar, u might wanna get someone with u on this if u're just starting out for the tone part. as for the playability part, u have to thicken ur skin and test
- make sure the neck is straight and there are no mis-fitted frets
yea that's all i know hope it helps
dearxarson
New member
make sure its a guitar and not a harpoon
LadyInTears
Well-known member
check the electronics.
after a bad deal, i insist on checking the electronics of the guitars i buy.
after a bad deal, i insist on checking the electronics of the guitars i buy.
obzervr
New member
Hi Jswk,
Here are my thoughts (on a night that I am suppose to be working but unable to because of a clouded mind).
1) Set your expectations and Source for guitars that meet up to them; if you're expecting a 'nothing less than mint condition' guitar but go round scouting for big brand names without clarifying the use and abuse the guitar has gone through could be fatal. If you're expecting a cheap deal for cheap thrill of trying your luck, then it will very much be that; Meet up at an MRT station, handle the guitar for 5 minutes, pay up and go... In the right hands, cheapos can be a raw Gem waiting to be polished.
2) If you're going for quality, then check for quality. Everything and more as described by earlier posts. If you're going for a no frills bargain, manage your expectation.
3) The worth of the guitar is the sound that wil eminate from it from which you can create your music with, so make sure that it sounds the way you'd expect a guitar to sound (if acoustic, it is easy to hear the sound of that strum out of the box, if electric... got to figure out a way to test if dealing at home is a big No! No!
Unless of course you're buying for display, a collector's item or a modern day antique that is intended more as a conversation piece or future heirloom.
Good luck!
Here are my thoughts (on a night that I am suppose to be working but unable to because of a clouded mind).
1) Set your expectations and Source for guitars that meet up to them; if you're expecting a 'nothing less than mint condition' guitar but go round scouting for big brand names without clarifying the use and abuse the guitar has gone through could be fatal. If you're expecting a cheap deal for cheap thrill of trying your luck, then it will very much be that; Meet up at an MRT station, handle the guitar for 5 minutes, pay up and go... In the right hands, cheapos can be a raw Gem waiting to be polished.
2) If you're going for quality, then check for quality. Everything and more as described by earlier posts. If you're going for a no frills bargain, manage your expectation.
3) The worth of the guitar is the sound that wil eminate from it from which you can create your music with, so make sure that it sounds the way you'd expect a guitar to sound (if acoustic, it is easy to hear the sound of that strum out of the box, if electric... got to figure out a way to test if dealing at home is a big No! No!
Unless of course you're buying for display, a collector's item or a modern day antique that is intended more as a conversation piece or future heirloom.
Good luck!
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junkiemanxl
Active member
These are the things you will need to check.
1. Check for neck warps. This meaning its warped in a weird manner. not the typical neck relief tension. like warped sideways or twisted.
2. check if the frets are uneven. "irregular buzzes pretty high up the frets" (e.g 11- 24)
3. Check the bridge of the guitar. Make sure the intonation is adjustable and not too far off That saddles cannot compensate.
4. faulty electronics (e.g faulty pups)
5. Check if guitar is legit like the seller claims. "you will need to do some homework"
These are just some i would look at. Try not to be too anal and remember it's a pre owned guitar and not brand new from the showroom. Only check for stuff that might cost you a hefty repair job. Some things that can be repaired easily and shouldn't be a problem. When it comes to cosmetics, to each his own. I for one am not too concerned about cosmetics. So long as there's no major defects, it's all good
1. Check for neck warps. This meaning its warped in a weird manner. not the typical neck relief tension. like warped sideways or twisted.
2. check if the frets are uneven. "irregular buzzes pretty high up the frets" (e.g 11- 24)
3. Check the bridge of the guitar. Make sure the intonation is adjustable and not too far off That saddles cannot compensate.
4. faulty electronics (e.g faulty pups)
5. Check if guitar is legit like the seller claims. "you will need to do some homework"
These are just some i would look at. Try not to be too anal and remember it's a pre owned guitar and not brand new from the showroom. Only check for stuff that might cost you a hefty repair job. Some things that can be repaired easily and shouldn't be a problem. When it comes to cosmetics, to each his own. I for one am not too concerned about cosmetics. So long as there's no major defects, it's all good
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Neck warps. I got a neck warp from a seller on soft before, which was disguised with a really high action and bridge. Thankfully i caught it early and managed to return it on the same day because of that reason. Person assured me it was a truss rod adjustment thing, but it was more of a twist.
