Members nethanpaul Posted March 4 Members Share Posted March 4 Hi, I have absolutely 0 experience with guitars and i'm looking to buy a second hand guitar What to look for once in front of the guitar ? General state of the guitar is a given, but what else should i look for ? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members badpenguin Posted March 5 Members Share Posted March 5 (edited) I assume you are looking at an acoustic. So, let's look down the neck, making sure it's reasonable straight. Look at the bridge from a sideways view. If there is a "belly" ie: a bulge on the top just around the bridge, that would mean the guitar needs work, and would be a hard pass. Study the wood. look at the sides and back. Any cracks? Walk away unless you know a good tech. Biggest thing however is: How does it sound and play. If you like it, go for it. If there is a feeling of "ehh..." walk away. Edited March 5 by badpenguin 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted March 5 Moderators Share Posted March 5 and make sure the tuners work.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members garthman Posted March 5 Members Share Posted March 5 I would add: Check for wear on the frets, especially on the 1st to 5th frets under the 1st and 2nd strings (if there are deep grooves in the frets you may need to have them replaced). Check the height of the saddle above the bridge slot (if there is only a little of the saddle showing it may be difficult to lower the action should you need to). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DeepEnd Posted March 6 Members Share Posted March 6 One more thing, look at overall condition. A guitar that looks like it's been abused probably hasn't received much TLC. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted March 6 Moderators Share Posted March 6 17 hours ago, DeepEnd said: One more thing, look at overall condition. A guitar that looks like it's been abused probably hasn't received much TLC. Trigger would like to have a word, sir....😉 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DeepEnd Posted March 7 Members Share Posted March 7 6 hours ago, daddymack said: Trigger would like to have a word, sir....😉 Sure but the average owner isn't going to have access to the same resources Willie Nelson does. In the vast majority of cases, a beat up guitar is just going to be a beat up guitar. Check how far the strings are from the frets, especially where the neck meets the body. The gap should be a few 32nds of an inch. While you're at it, check for a gap under the bridge and between the neck heel and the body. The latter is especially bad news. Look at the guitar edge on and notice whether the top is flat. If it slopes downward from the neck/body joint, keep looking. Similarly, look for a pronounced hump in the fretboard where the neck meets the body. A slight hump is normal but a large one is a sign of trouble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members garthman Posted March 7 Members Share Posted March 7 23 hours ago, daddymack said: Trigger would like to have a word, sir....😉 30 million, eh? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Freeman Keller Posted March 10 Members Share Posted March 10 Something I posted at another forum Evaluating a used Martin (or any other) guitar. | Telecaster Guitar Forum (tdpri.com) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members panhandler Posted March 21 Members Share Posted March 21 Look for a buddy who knows a lot about guitars to take shopping with you. There are many things that could be wrong with a guitar that a newbie would never notice. Even folks who do know guitars get a dud sometimes. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members nethanpaul Posted May 18 Author Members Share Posted May 18 (edited) Can just replace the guitar parts with new parts! will it be a good idea instead of getting a new one!!!!!!!!!!!!! Edited May 18 by daddymack killed spam link Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted May 18 Moderators Share Posted May 18 Nethan...you post a link in your own thread where you claim to be a newbie? Yeah, your posting on HC has been very odd for someone claiming to be a 'newbie', and I have asked you before not to do this....so that is it. Buh-Bye! अलविदा, और वापस मत आना Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.