I have bought guitars online before. But I went to my local store and played the brand I wanted. For example, I knew I wanted a Jackson DKMG. I went to the store and played it. I knew I hated the EMG HZ pickups that came with it. New at the store they are like 650. I got one off EBAY for 450 in mint condition. This saved me enough cash to buy the pickups I wanted and I put them in myself which saved me another 50 bucks. ;)