Tips for Buying a Used Guitar

Buying a guitar can be a large investment. Like most everything else, higher quality guitars come with a higher price tag. A cheap guitar, whether it’s used or brand new, is probably going to let you down somewhere in the future. If the price of a brand new guitar is simply out of reach, you may want to think about purchasing a good used guitar.

An important thing to keep in mind when purchasing a used guitar is that there are many things which can be wrong with a used guitar; things which may be overlooked if you are unfamiliar with the instrument. A key place to always scrutinize when you’re looking at a used guitar is the place where the neck joins the body of the guitar. The strings put a lot of tension on a guitar and often the glue becomes loose causing the neck to separate from the body at the heel.

Examine the guitar for indications of repairs, as well. A repair done by an expert shouldn’t be a cause for concern, however, if the repair was poorly done, it will likely cause issues in the future. Any place the guitar is glued should be inspected carefully.

Another area which can wear out and have issues is the tuning mechanism. Be sure the tuning keys tight and do not wiggle. Tuning keys can be replaced by a qualified repairman, but you’d be better off to avoid the headache, unless it’s a great guitar at a really great price.

A brand name can signify a high-quality used guitar, however, well-known companies also produce low-end guitars. It pays to do your homework on the various models.