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What are the red flags when buying a Second Hand guitar? – What should you be looking out for?
Introduction
After a new guitar? The second hand market can be an amazing place to pick up some incredible deals! However, there are a few things you need to look out for. This article will go through some of the Red Flags that can crop up when buying second hand guitars. People will say and do a lot to sell a guitar and make some quick money, so we’ve put together this list with some helpful advice on what to watch for when you’re looking to buy a used or second hand guitar.
As with anything, it’s your money, and you need to do your research. Some of these things aren’t Red Flags on their own-but in the right context, they can be! Also, some might not bother you at all. It depends on the condition and price you’re after. For example, our first point is something you might actually be happy to accept. What is it? Damage!
Damage
The first of many ref flags is questionable damage on a guitar! Cracks, heavy dents, and other marks you wouldn’t expect to see on a guitar are definite warning signs. First thing you should check: has it been repaired? Does the guitar have a neck crack that has been properly fixed? If so, it will be fine! However, if there’s a major crack that hasn’t been repaired or mentioned in the listing, it’s best to walk away and find another one.
It’s worth saying that damage isn’t always a bad thing! If a guitar has been heavily used and gigged, it’s almost certain to have some wear and tear. If the seller has disclosed it and it isn’t structural, then it’s usually fine-and it can even help you negotiate a better price! A little damage isn’t bad. However, you need to make sure it’s more wear than true damage. If the damage is affecting the guitar’s function, then it might be best to walk away. Paint wear, surface corrosion on the pickups, and scratches or dings aren’t deal-breakers. But if you see a big crack up the neck that hasn’t been fixed, then you’ll need to be careful!
On the topic of wear and damage, this is also a great chance to discuss the history and usage of the guitar. You can’t ignore the fact that a lot of gear gets stolen-so if the seller can explain the wear or damage, there’s a strong chance everything is legit. Most guitarists love to talk about the gigs and places they’ve played their instruments. So if someone isn’t willing to share, it could mean they don’t know the history of the guitar… Reg Flags are raises if this is so! Suggesting it might be stolen. We’ll talk more about guitar history shortly!
Fret Wear
Now, you might find it strange that we’ve put fret wear on this list! You can replace frets-this is true! However, a fret replacement is a big job and also comes with a rather high price. So while fret wear isn’t something you need to panic about, if you’re looking at a guitar with worn frets, you’ll have to factor in how much time and money it will take to replace them. Buying an ’80s Les Paul? Crack on! It could be well worth replacing those frets. Buying a Harley Benton Strat? Is it really worth spending more on new frets than the guitar itself is worth?
Also, it’s a lot easier to replace frets on some guitars than others! For example, a fully bound Gibson Les Paul can be tricky when it comes to fret replacement-and often, the new frets won’t look the same as the originals, which can take away from the guitar’s originality. So, this isn’t the biggest of all the red flags and shouldn’t immediately put you off buying a guitar, but it is something you should think about. Most sellers will state and show this information if the guitar has worn or low frets!
Lack of History
This can be a huge one if you’re buying certain guitars! For example, if you’re buying a Custom Shop Fender or Gibson, then you’ll almost definitely want to know some history. You’re not expecting extreme detail, but if someone is genuinely selling a guitar of that level, they should definitely know a few key things-age, spec, how long they’ve had it, and maybe even where it was bought.
If you find a Gibson Les Paul Custom for sale for £3k+, you’d expect the seller to know something about guitars-and more importantly, something about that guitar! If you ask questions about its history and they can’t answer many of them, alarms should start ringing. Of course, not everyone knows everything about a guitar, but they should know something.
Along with history, take note of things like cases, hang tags, receipts, and case goodies. As with the previous example, for a high-end guitar, you’d expect some or all of this to be included. While it’s not a deal-breaker if they’re missing, it’s a nice touch that shows the guitar has been well looked after-and it helps you trace back the origins. These little details can be the difference between a solid deal and a potential Red Flag.
"The biggest of many Red Flags you’ll come across is the price! Does it sit near or around market value?"
Price
The biggest of many Red Flags you’ll come across is the price! Does it sit near or around market value? If you’re looking at a guitar and it’s hundreds-or even thousands-less than what you’d expect, then something’s off. It could be stolen, or it could be a fake seller. People who steal gear often want to move it on quickly, so they’ll list it way below market price, hoping someone will buy it without asking questions. Make sure you question it! This is very common on platforms like Facebook Marketplace.
A good tip is to search the internet for the guitar you’re looking for and compare how much it’s going for both new and second hand. This way, you’ll have a solid idea of what a realistic price should be. Then, when you see the guitar you want, you can judge whether the price makes sense. Of course, there’ll be some leeway for things like a missing case, cosmetic damage, or a reason for a quick sale-but generally, you can tell a lot from the price alone. If it looks too good to be true, it often is-and that’s a serious Red Flag.
The Seller
Don’t buy the product-buy the seller! You can tell a lot about a product from the person selling it. This is true for anything, but especially guitars! If you don’t trust the seller, or if something doesn’t sit right when you speak to them, then something is most likely off. Walk away! When buying guitars online, make sure you’re speaking directly to the seller. This will not only help you find out loads about the guitar, but also how genuine it is-and give you insight into its history.
Need help on what to ask them? Well, below are a few questions you can ask that will not only give you information about the guitar, but also about the seller and can help highlight some possible red flags:
- How long have you had the guitar for?
- Why do you want to sell it?
- Did you get it new? If so, where did you buy it from?
- Is there any work that needs doing? How is the setup?
These questions will not only give you useful details about the guitar, but also reveal how much the seller actually knows about it. There’s a good chance the seller might be a guitar dealer-this isn’t an issue at all, and the question “How long have you had the guitar for?” should help clarify that!
The question about work that needs doing is a great one, because it tells you if they’ve actually played the guitar-do they know the guitar? If the guitar was stolen, they likely wouldn’t know these details and would give vague or generic answers to all of your questions. Maybe we should put together an article just about questions and things to ask when buying different types of gear!
Useful Advice To Avoid Red Flags
Trust Your Gut Feeling
As the old phrase goes: “If it feels too good to be true, it is too good to be true!” If you’re looking at a certain guitar online and something feels off or not quite right, then it most likely is. This becomes even more important the more money you’re planning to spend. If you’re about to spend a few thousand pounds on a guitar, you want to feel completely comfortable doing so. It’s better to not buy a guitar you’re unsure about (even if it turns out to be fine) than to buy one you don’t fully trust. 80% of the time, if you have doubts about a purchase, there’s a reason-and that’s a Red Flag worth paying attention to!
Guitar Shops
Most guitar shops have a huge array of second hand guitars, and they usually come with a setup and some kind of warranty. I like buying from local guitar shops-not only does it support small businesses and keep them running, but it also means you can go in, try the guitar, speak to someone, and know you’re buying something solid. Most of the time, they’ll know everything about the instrument.
As we mentioned earlier regarding price: if you’re buying from a guitar shop, you can be more confident that you’re paying a fair rate. Most shops are also happy to discuss price or throw in a deal of some kind-whether that’s a discount or something like a free gig bag.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions
If you’re buying from somewhere like Facebook Marketplace, Reverb, or eBay, don’t be afraid to ask questions-ask as many as you want! We’re not just talking about the seller-focused questions mentioned above; we mean any general questions you have. A genuine seller won’t mind this at all. Ask for extra photos, sound samples, or even a quick video demo. Most decent and trustworthy sellers will be happy to assist.
If a seller isn’t open to questions or refuses to send extra pictures, this can be a serious Red Flag and a warning that something might be off. Asking questions is a great way to get more information about the instrument and judge the seller’s credibility and the legitimacy of the product.
Conclusion
So, those are just a few of our Red Flags to look out for! However, the main advice we can give is this: if something feels wrong or off, trust your gut. Use the tips and advice we’ve covered, and hopefully, you can pick up a cracking guitar! There are plenty of great second hand guitars out there waiting to be found.
Let us know over on our contact page if you end up purchasing any new guitars-or even any new gear! We love seeing what you’re all buying and sharing in the excitement.
Did you like this kind of article? If so, we can absolutely create more, covering loads of useful topics-like helpful advice when buying gear online or even when buying gear in shops!
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