Buy a Second Hand Guitar

Second Hand Guitar

So you are looking to buy a second hand guitar? Believe it or not, a used guitar is just as good as a new one. As a new guitar player I strongly urge you to get a used guitar. First of all, they do not cost nearly as much, and it will allow you to get used to playing. They are the perfect addition for someone entering the music world. How do you know that your second hand guitar is not a rip off though? Follow my advice on this page and it will help you in making a purchasing decision.

Sometimes you can find custom and limited edition guitars for a very low price. This is the best way to shop for expensive guitars. It pays to do research before you spend your hard earned cash. Talk to others about the guitar. Do you have friends that play? What do they say about the choice of model you have decided on?

As a beginner, this is what you should look for when you want to buy a second hand guitar. Perhaps you found a guitar in the classifieds sections of the newspaper. The following is what you should think of when deciding on that guitar. Also keep in mind how old the guitar is.

What is the make and model of the guitar? You should do some research on that guitar and see what other people are selling it for, both new and used. Ask the seller if they are having any problems with it or whether they just want to get rid of it. Sites like www.harmony-central.com/Guitar offer reviews about most guitar models. This type of research you do can go a long way and save you plenty of headaches.

Is the guitar in good condition? If the person is honest, you will be able to tell most of the time. A liar has it written all over their face. Ask them to show you any little nick and scratch on the guitar.

How long has the person had the guitar? If the person has had it a long time, they should know whether or not it performs. They should also know about the repair history of the instrument.

What is the overall condition of the guitar. Look it over from top to bottom. Look at the strings, are they frayed at all? See if you can find any wear and tear in the body or the neck of the guitar. If there is any rust at all on the guitar, do not buy it.

Make sure the neck of the guitar is in great shape. Make sure it is not bent or warped.

Check the area where the body of the guitar meets the neck. Is there a crack or dent there?

You are going to want to check the action of the guitar. Action is how close the strings are to the fret board of the guitar. It would be ideal if the strings are very close to the fret, yet not touching. You don't want strings that touch the fret because this would ruin your playing. The picture you see here is an example of what not to buy. This guitar has poor action. You want to look for good tight strings which are close to the fret, because your playing can be severly harmed if the strings are too far away. Take a look at this picture closely and remember this is what you do not want.

Check the intonation of the strings. You want to see how well each note can play. If the notes sounds absolutely awful, I would suggest to look elsewhere. If the intonation is correct, each note will have the right pitch. If the intonation is way off, well, it will sound horrible. You check intonation by playing chords on each fret of the guitar. As you move towards the bridge of the guitar, you should hear the exact same pitch.

If the guitar you want is electric, plug it in and see how it sounds through an amp. Turn the amp up a fair ways and then play something on the guitar. Play with the tuning and volume controls while doing so. Test the pickup selector. Listen to any sounds that are being made. You want to look for scratchy sounds that will tell you if the guitar is old and worn out.

Play a chord and let it ring. While it is ringing, play with the controls of volume. Listen for a clicking or scratchy sound. You can fix this problem, however it might cost you more money than you intended. Guitars last for long time. You typically need to give them a fix up every five to ten years.

Check the sound of the guitar. Try to remember it as best you can. Go to a local music store and see if you can find that same model but in new condition. Give it a test at the store. Do they sound the same? If so, that is a good thing. If you are not happy with the guitar sound, do not buy it. There is no use in playing something you cannot stand to listen to.

Don't shop on your first impluse. Make sure you take the time to look at different models and prices. Your best buy may not come from the first three items you looked at. Research is such a key component if you want to buy a second hand guitar, let alone any guitar. Do not worry about playing a song on the guitar when you test it, you are not there to show your abilities, just to see if the instrument works. If you want to be on the safe side, see if you can take someone who is experienced with guitars along for the show. They can help you in your purchasing decisions. Tips on Purchasing a Guitar >>

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