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The age old question when buying a guitar is, do I buy second hand or brand new?
There are pros and cons to both, and below you'll find out what I think is best depending on your requirements.
BRAND NEW
Opening the box to a brand new guitar can be really exciting. Peeling back the plastic film which covers the hardware of the instrument is truly satisfying and the fact that you have a brand new, shiny guitar to play and bring to lessons is always fun.
The great thing about buying a brand new guitar is that you have peace of mind that if anything is/goes wrong with it within a certain time frame that you can either get it fixed or replaced. You can also be safe in the knowledge that it hasn't had anybody else's fingers all over it prior to you. The strings will be brand new and the body should be in near perfect condition.
Buying brand new can sometimes be a safer bet but there are some downsides to consider.
Usually brand new guitars require a set up before use. That means checking/altering the action of the instrument (how high the strings sit away from the fretboard). It requires checking the intonation is near perfect (how in tune the instrument is as you move further down the neck). It may require a small truss rod adjustment (the metal rod that runs through the neck to keep it straight). If you've bought an electric guitar, that can mean adjusting the pickup height and polarity for the best sound. Now, some guitar shops (even if you buy online) will offer this as part of the cost or for an extra one-off fee but it's important to check as not all do. Some guitars require little to no setup depending on what you're after as a player but it's important to know about this before purchasing a new instrument.
The other downside of buying brand new is price. Quite often you'll pay a premium for the luxury of owning something that hasn't been played before. This can add a fairly chunky margin on to the price. Buying brand new doesn't always mean that there won't be problems either. I've bought guitars in the past that have come with chipped bodywork, peeling lacquer and broken electrics. It can happen, but as mentioned above at least you'll be covered by a warranty - it's just a pain if it does happen.
SECOND HAND
The second hand market can be a bit of a minefield at times, but with the right approach you can buy a cracking guitar for sometimes a bargain price. Plus, with acoustic guitars, as the wood matures, you can get a more lively and complex sound which is why second hand can be a particularly attractive purchase.
There are lots of places to look for second hand guitar - Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, second hand guitar shops, Ebay etc. Knowing what to look for is key.
Having a good idea of what you like is important. We all pick guitars because of how they look initially. There is nothing wrong with that - if you like the look of it you'll pick it up and play it more!
Once you know what you like the look of, do some research online to get an idea of what that guitar is selling for online. If it is discontinued, look around on the second hand sites mentioned above to work out an average.
When approaching a seller online or in a second hand shop, come prepared with a list of questions. Where possible it's better to play an instrument before buying it but in today's age of online purchasing that isn't always possible. These are the questions I'd ask.
Why are you selling? (the seller isn't under any obligation to tell you this but it's always worth asking).
Is there any outstanding finance on the guitar? (with buy now and pay later schemes becoming more the norm it's important to get this information if possible. Of course the seller could lie to you but I think it's reasonable to ask for proof that the finance has been paid off).
Have you altered any of the electrics or had to do any repairs to the guitar in your time of ownership?
Do you have any of the original paperwork that came with the guitar including the truss rod Allen key?
What make and gauge are the strings? (the gauge is the thickness of the strings).
When was the last time the strings were replaced?
Are all the original components that came with the guitar here? (that could include a removable tremolo bar, locking nut, pick guard etc.).
Are all the electrics working as they should without buzzing, crackling etc. and are the pickups functioning properly?
If you're buying an electric acoustic, electric guitar, bass guitar etc. it's vital to ask about the electrics as they can and do go wrong due to wear and tear etc. It's also worth mentioning that with an older guitar, replacement pickup parts can become harder to source and replace, which is something worth considering.
In a world of excess and waste, I am an advocate for second hand purchasing (not just guitars). The upsides outweigh the downsides and I know that if you follow this guide you'll end up with a beautiful instrument that could last you a lifetime. Buy smart and save yourself some money!
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