Top Takeaways...
- Buying used can save you money—if you know what to look for
- Inspect the guitar thoroughly before buying
- Play it and make sure it feels right
Whether you're just learning how to play guitar or a seasoned player, there comes a time when you have to decide what kind of guitar you want to buy.
First decision is whether you want an acoustic or electric.
Once you've made this decision, your next step is to think about whether to go with a new guitar or a used one.
Choosing between a brand spanking new instrument right off a shop's wall or one that's been owned and loved, boils down to preference and your budget.
Buying used is almost always less expensive than buying new—that is, if you know what to look for and what to avoid.
Here are some guidelines for purchasing a used guitar.
What to ask when buying from a private seller
- Ask the make and model of the guitar
- Ask about the age and condition of the guitar
Knowing the make and model will allow you to do some research on it and ask other people their opinions about the guitar you want to buy.
You can also find out if the asking price is a fair one.
Buying a used guitar is a lot easier if you already know a little bit about the type of guitar being sold.
Guitars with singe coil pickups will be better for clean tones and in genres like Jazz, Country and Funk.
While guitars with humbucker pickups might be better for heavier styles like Rock, Blues and Metal.
Understanding what you're looking to get before starting your search will greatly help.
Ask about the age and condition of the guitar.
Ask the seller how long they've had the guitar and what repairs or maintenance it has had.
If the seller is honest with you, which they should be, they will also let you know about any problems or scratches or anything that may need to be addressed in the future.
This it crutial, because a guitar is almost worthless if the neck is about to break.
If you know a bit about guitar setup, you'll have a better eye when identifying these things on your own.
Test out the guitar in person when possible
Used to be the only places to pick up used guitars were from music stores, flea markets, or from the hands of friends looking for some quick cash.
Today we also have eBay, Reverb, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace and other online sources for used gear.
While most guitars you find in a reputable music store have been checked out by the shop's in-house repair team and are sold at a fair price, this isn't always the case with instruments acquired sight unseen.
If at all possible, go in person to check out a guitar before buying it.
Ask yourself these questions:
- How does the guitar look?
- Does it look like it's been taken care of?
- Does it have that slightly played-in look but is still in good shape?
- What's the environment like; are you buying a guitar from someone's curated home studio, or a living room that isn't taken care of?
All of these things are little signs as to how the guitar has been handled.
Guitars often take a bit of wear and tear and if it's just small scrapes and scratches we're talking, then the instrument will probably be fine.
If a guitar was well cared for, it shows.
Most importantly, play the instrument.
- Play an easy 3 chord song that you know and play frequently - get a feel for the overall sound of the instrument.
- Check the intonation - take a Cmaj7 guitar chord and play that position on every fret all the way up the fretboard. Is each chord in tune - is the guitar in tune all the way up the neck?
- If you bend strings, bend them and check out the sound - play an easy solo you are used to playing.
- Play some simple and easy scales across the fretboard - listen for strings ringing or rattling.
- If you hear a noise, verify that it is a string with broken windings rattling. If it is not a string with broken windings, then it is a fret (metal lines going across the guitar neck) that is improperly set. It can also be an improperly set bridge, which is found at the bottom end of the guitar.
This playing test isn't to show off your skills, it's to check out the instrument in detail to ensure you are making a good purchase.
Finally, make sure the guitar feels comfortable in your hands.
Sounds obvious, but is worth considering when purchasing any guitar, new or used.
Other things to look out for
Check for any scratches, cracks, dings and any sort of chips coming off the guitar at any place.
Little cracks are not a problem, but be on the lookout for cracks that go through the finish right down to the wood.
A deep crack in the finish can be a sign of separating seams in the body, whether it's a solid, semi-hollow, or hollow instrument.
Structural damage will effect how the guitar plays and be an expensive fix.
Check for rust.
Not so much on the strings and fret bars, which can be easily remedied, but on the hardware that is holding the strings (bridge, tuning pegs) and the pickups.
If there is any rust in these places, reconsider your purchase.
Check the action.
A guitar's "action" refers to how close the strings are to the fretboard, from the head of the guitar all the way down to the bridge.
Higher action will make a guitar feel more difficult to play - your pentatonic scale licks will be very difficult to play.
Whereas a lower action, typically easier on the hands, can lead to rattling and won't sound as full.
A guitar with good action will have a nice consistent distance between the strings and the fretboard.
If the guitar's action is bad, this is an easy fix - you can have it adjusted at your music store.
Look out for fretboard issues.
Carefully inspect the space on the fretboard between the frets themselves.
Dents or divots caused by string wear can be expensive to repair or replace.
If the neck looks consistent from the first to last fret, and the truss rod allows for adjustment, that's a good sign.
But if you sight down the neck and see a roller coaster track, that's going to need a lot of work to correct.
At minimum, excessive forward or backward bowing means the truss rod is out of adjustment, but it might also be a tipoff that the truss rod is stripped or broken.
Replacing a broken truss rod is a major operation.
Final Checks
Always thoroughly inspect the headstock (the top or "head" of the guitar where the tuning pegs are located).
The area where the headstock transitions into the neck is vulnerable to damage if the guitar is dropped or takes a hit in this area.
Look for wrinkles or ridges on and around the headstock, telltale signs of a headstock repair.
Even when perfectly repaired, a guitar with a broken headstock is only worth half of one that has never been broken.
The neck of a guitar plays an essential role in maintaining the tension needed for the guitar strings to play sounds in tune.
The first step in checking the neck is visually inspecting it.
Place the headstock in front of your eyes with the guitar body away from you and look down the neck.
A guitar neck should be virtually straight, although a little bowing is still acceptable.
The neck joint, which attaches to the body of the guitar, should be flush.
Evidence of a damaged guitar neck can sometimes be seen in other parts of a guitar, particularly in the saddle and bridge.
If a saddle and bridge have been lowered as much as possible, it's a good indication that the neck of the guitar will probably need to be reset.
Cost
Many used guitars are going to need some repairs or a setup.
Buying a guitar that needs a little work isn't necessarily a bad thing, though, as long as you come out ahead in the end.
After thoroughly checking out a used guitar, you may also want to get an estimate from a qualified repair tech or luthier for any anticipated repair costs.
Although it's certainly an important factor in buying a used guitar, don't let "cheap" seduce you.
Cheap shouldn't be the deciding factor.
You know what they say: If something seems too good to be true, it usually is.
FAQ
Is it a good idea to buy a used guitar?
Yes, buying a used guitar can be a great way to get a quality instrument at a lower price. Just make sure to inspect it carefully or buy from a reputable seller to avoid hidden issues.
What are the red flags when buying a guitar?
Watch out for warped necks, high action, cracked wood, or electronics that don’t work (if it’s electric). Other red flags include stripped tuning pegs, missing parts, or sellers unwilling to let you test the guitar.
What to do after buying a used guitar?
Give the guitar a full cleaning, change the strings, and check for any needed setup adjustments like action, intonation, or neck relief. If you're unsure, taking it to a local guitar tech for a professional setup is a smart move.
What to check while buying a second hand guitar?
Check the neck for straightness, look for fret wear, inspect the body for cracks or dings, and test all hardware and electronics. Play it if possible to see how it feels and sounds—comfort and tone matter as much as condition.
How to tell if a guitar is good or not?
A good guitar will feel solid, stay in tune, and produce a clear, resonant sound. Pay attention to how it plays—if it feels comfortable and sounds good to you, that’s usually a sign it’s a keeper.
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