Buy guitars without playing???

[rkyochim]

I am new to this site but it sure seems that there are quite a few of you who buy guitars through the mail or via the net... Unless you are more of a collector than a player, I don't see the logic... OK, maybe in the lowest end budget models it might make sense for a beginner... Would you buy a car without driving it first? Not me! I think that sound and playability are the most important considerations for most musicians..... I also know from experience that there is considerable variation between instruments of the exact same make and model.... What's up with this? Thanks!

[mogami]

some on-line stores give you 30 to 45 days to play it. you can send it back if you don't like it.

[Pascal]

If only Ford dealers had showrooms around you, but you wanted to buy a Mercedes... would you choose to buy a ford after test-driving it or would you order a Mercedes straight from the catalogue?

 

The last two guitars I bought.... well, there wasn't a single one of the same model available in the country at the time.

[DonK]

I think you'll find firmly held convictions on both sides of this question. Some simply recoil at the thought of buying something they haven't played. I'm in the other camp: I've bought most of my guitars without playing them. I got my Gallagher online, and my D-41 was a special order. I've only had two bad experiences: a used EVH Wolfgang from Instrument Exchange (which is really GC) that was totally misrepresented, as is GC's habit, and a Clapton Strat I bought used via the HC classifieds that was really crappy. Other than those two, I've had only positive experiences, maybe 30 or so.

[guitarist21]

I've never bought a guitar online, but as long as there's a pretty good return policy, I would not object to buying online.

 

Ellen

[Bernie P.]

I've bought all my guitars online.For me it's simply a matter of availability or rather the lack of it in my area.

[pds617]

I don't have a problem buying from a dealer online or over the phone provided that they're respectable business. Most dealers that sell online/phone will give you an opportunity to try-out the instrument to make sure you're happy with the purchase. You must do what works for you but, if the local dealers don't have what you're looking for then...

[Blackbelt1]

I've bought several online; some have required some minor tweaks upon arrival, but never anything major.

 

~Blackbelt

[Hudman]

I buy all of my guitars online. Unfortunately, I usually end up selling them all online too.

[Tony Burns]

I have mixed feelings about buying on line - i bought my Classical- a Lucida Concerto 777 that way and made a good decision to so , its a very nice instrument --When you have an instrument made for you its about the same thing - you dont play it until you first see it , and if you have special custom work done in many cases its non returnable ( bought my Greven back in 81-82 ) But everything else I put my hands on and played - Realistically some models are good reguardless of where you buy them , some might be a tad better than another one - but most dealers only have one to play any way so comparing one to another of the same guitar is many times impossible - Id buy another threw the net , but I have a big dislike of buying a guitar threw Fleabay - i got burned on a mandolin a few years ago - alot of so called sellers dump their junk threw it or guitars with broken truss rods etc.( thou their are alot of good dealers as well ) I know a few dealers across the country I trust and they will give me a honest appraisal of an instrument if thats my inclination - Another good point is that when youve been on the forum a while you pick up on who are the better dealers and what guitars to stay away from - theirs also several posts about flim-flam Fleabay sellers to stay away from.

[guit30]

The only reason I buy online is because of lack of availabilty, no Alvarez Dealers here in Philly. Have had 2 bad experiences this year trying to get an Alvarez RD20s, a bad one from MF and one with a finish crack from Elderly.

The big problem is with Alvarez, They used to set up all of heir instruments in St Louis first, now they just ship them out like they came from China, real slop, glue all over the place and a bad neck joint.

JIm

[scottgd]

I bought a Martin 000-28EC online. The store had a very good return policy.

 

I was fully prepared to return it if I was not 110% satisfied.

 

Luckily it's truly a keeper.

[AK47]

I'm fortunate to have 3 nice guitar stores within 10 miles of my house. That said I still bought 2 parlor guitars off e-bay. A 1920s' model that was in quite good condition and a 1930s' project that is still in the making. I'm pleased with the MOJO of these boxes and couldn't have found them locally. With contemporary guitars I wouldn't be afraid to order if there was a good return policy if I didn't like it. So far I just get GAS for a guitar that I'm playing unless it is a unique relic.

[klika]

NOT recomended!

[Fred Fartboski]

I've bought a couple of electrics and a semi-hollow body online and have had good luck sight unseen. Never had to exchange or send one back. For some reason I think buying an acoustic online would be more of a gamble. Just make sure the online place you're buying from is reputable and has a hassle free return policy.

[TXTooMuch]

I bought one electric on line and was very satisfied with the purchase. I would be a bit scared to buy an acoustic on line, but it might be possible, maybe.

[Freeman Keller]

My wife bought my Taylor on line as a gift for me. She said one of the scariest moments of her life (next to saying "I do") was clicking "submit bid". One of the scariest moments of mine was lifting it out of the case, tuning up and playing the first chord. I think we both had some tears.

 

Now something that is even scarier was ordering a pile of wood, going out in the garage and making lots of sawdust, then trying to hang some strings on it. I told everyone that I was making a canoe paddle, but they said next I was going to have to make a canoe....

 

In general I don't recommend either.

[drnihili]

I think online buying is a good option for those just starting out, or for those of us who live quite a ways a way from decent guitar stores. Modern production techniques mean that there's less difference between individual mass produced guitars. True, there still is difference, and the difference can occassionally be striking, but for the most part, one mass produced guitar sounds very much like any other of the same model. Further, until you've trained your ear to hear the subtle difference between guitars, you won't even hear them when you play. When I did go an play a bunch of guitars, I couldn't always tell even which model I was playing, let alone which particular guitar of the same model.

 

I bought my first guitar on the strength of reviews and research. Although I later traded it in, I'm still convinced I got a great guitar at a great price. Far better than I could have gotten by taking the 3 hour each way trip to the store that carried the brand, and definitely better than any guitar availabe at up to three times the price in town.

[missedmyexit]

I think the biggest concern is return policy. When I was looking for my guitar I had my heart set on a Guild F50 because I fell in love with once I played 10 years ago. Then I couldn't afford it but now I can. I go to the ONLY guild dealer and he only stocks the GAD series and a couple Signature series. No F50's. He said he can order it for me for 1800ish but it is a special order pay upfront and I own it.

 

Since I played the F50 10 years ago Guild has gotten bought out by fender and moved their factory to the opposite side of the country. Not to mention it is a 10 year old memory. I decided not to do it because that is too much money to risk on a guitar I never played.

[Harmonycat]

I have had one dud in 14 guitars. It went back for a full refund, due to Fraudulent Claims regarding it's condition. A couple were just so-so, not great, and not keepers either.....I sold them both for more than I paid for them.

 

Some I just sold because I wanted something else or someone made me an offer too good to pass up.

 

The ones that I have left are all great guitars in their respective markets. That means that my Beaters are great for what I paid for them as well as the Super Deals on really great guitars at any price.

 

I just have not seen a downside to any of this.....

 

You do have to research a lot about guitars and ask a lot of questions about the seller and his reputation. Last years model is one of my favorites, as are store demos in mint condition.

 

It has been good to me so far and for right now I am not buying any more.

 

And I do own some very nice guitars bought at bargain prices.

 

 

BTW: I am up $1100.00 cash for my wheeling and dealing. That really means that my new Yairi DY-94 and new Norman ST-68 cost me less than $200.00 in total!!! The Yairi was from a Bank Reposession for a bankrupt Music Store and the Norman had a model revision to make them more pleasing to look at...so mine is NOS from 2005. Everything else was the same.

 

Those two list for $3500.00 in total!!!

I have purchased almost all of my guitars online, on Ebay. 17 out of 22 to be exact. A couple of models I played before shopping for one of that model....a different guitar but the same model. My Norman ST-68 and my S&P 6Mahogany Cedar.

 

I have had one dud in 14 guitars. It went back for a full refund, due to Fraudulent Claims regarding its condition. A couple were just so-so, not great, and not keepers either.....I sold them both for more than I paid for them.

 

Some I just sold because I wanted something else or someone made me an offer too good to pass up.

 

The ones that I have left are all great guitars in their respective markets. That means that my Beaters are great for what I paid for them as well as the Super Deals on really great guitars at any price.

 

I just have not seen a downside to any of this.....

 

You do have to research a lot about guitars and ask a lot of questions about the seller and his reputation. Last years model is one of my favorites, as are store demos in mint condition.

 

It has been good to me so far and for right now I am not buying any more.

 

And I do own some very nice guitars bought at bargain prices.

 

 

BTW: I am up $1100.00 cash for my wheeling and dealing. That really means that my new Yairi DY-94 and new Norman ST-68 cost me less than $200.00 in total!!! The Yairi was from a Bank Repossession for a bankrupt Music Store and the Norman had a model revision to make them more pleasing to look at...so mine is NOS from 2005. Everything else was the same.

 

Those two list for $3500.00 in total!!!