Musical Equipment You Should Never Buy Second-Hand

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It's tempting to save money on new musical equipment by buying it second-hand. However, guitars and other instruments are the most important things you can invest in when learning to play music. Unfortunately, they're the most likely pieces of musical equipment to be resold when someone upgrades.

Our maintenance team often has the unenviable task of inspecting people's used instruments before they're allowed back into our rehearsal spaces. Some really obvious red flags indicate a tool is too unsafe to play, but we look for many subtler things that give us a clue as to whether it's been well cared for.

Only Buy Second-hand Once You Know What to Look For.

Buying musical equipment can be expensive; even a relatively cheap guitar will set you back upwards of $100. You could spend that money on a second-hand instrument in horrible conditions if you are careless. You will unlikely get your money back when you try to resell it because that condition will only worsen with time. You can look out for a few things that indicate a guitar has been well cared for and not just casually slung into a corner.

Above all, the neck should be straight, and the strings should be in tune. When you tune the guitar, which sounds off-key, there's a good chance the channel has some sort of warp that shouldn't be there. This is one of the most common problems we see with used guitars.

Feel Free to Haggle on Price.

We get it; buying any second-hand instrument is a gamble. Getting swept up in the excitement of finding a rare model for under $100 is manageable. However, it's important to remember that, like buying a used car, you can always try to haggle on price.

Do your research on the average price for that instrument, and don't be afraid to walk away if you don't think it's worth the asking price. There's no harm in offering $20 less than the asking price and seeing what happens. If the seller doesn't budge, you know they're not particularly interested in selling the instrument.

Always Get it Inspected by a Professional.

Always get the instrument inspected by a music store or someone who knows what they're looking at. They can tell you if there are any significant flaws in the structure of the guitar and let you know if it's worth the investment.

In addition to checking the instrument's condition, the shop will tune it up and make sure it's safe to play. You don't want to take something home that you can't use. If the store lets you, you can also ask them to run through a few quick songs on it to ensure everything is working as it should.

Only Buy a Guitar by Checking the Neck is Secure.

As we've already discussed, a warped neck is one of the biggest problems with used guitars. If you know a guitar for sale with a warped neck, you can bet it will go out of tune almost as soon as you start playing it. If the seller says it's just been 'left out in the sun,' don't believe them; that's a common excuse but rarely the actual reason.

If you need help with what to look for, there are some quick and simple ways to check a guitar's neck has been well maintained. First, run your hand up and down the length of the neck. If it feels smooth and has no bumps or dips. Next, try to gently cock the neck of the guitar (like you would a rifle). If it's loose, that's a big problem.

Never Buy an Instrument with Cracks in the Body or Paint-Chipping Around Screw Holes.

Many guitars we see need to be stored appropriately and addressed by their previous owners. This is often reflected in the state of the guitar's body and paintwork. If there are cracks in the body around screw holes or the paint is chipped and peeling around the edges, walk away.

You may be able to repair the instrument, but if the person who sold it to you has yet to take action to have it looked at, they clearly don't care. Tools are precious and not worth the investment if they aren't in good condition.

Make Sure All the Hardware Works Before You Buy.

This is another thing you can check quickly and easily before you purchase a used instrument. First, open up the jack socket and ensure no loose wires are inside. This can happen if the jack has been knocked about a bit, so it's a good indication of how well it's been taken care of.

All of the guitar's hardware should be fully functional. That includes the tuning pegs, bridge, and volume knobs. If one or two things are broken, and the seller says it's 'just a cheap guitar,' walk away.

Check all the Strings Are Securely Fastened and Have No Rust on Them.

One of the most important things to check on any second-hand instrument is that the strings are securely fastened. If they're loose, they might be at risk of breaking and causing injury. You should also check that there are no rust spots on the strings. If they have rust on them, there's a good chance they've been left out in the rain. If a seller tells you they 'took it camping,' that indicates poor care.

Feel Free to Run Away if Something Feels Wrong or Doesn't Seem Secure.

Purchasing a high-quality guitar can be a significant investment, so taking your time and making the right choice is essential. If anything feels wrong, or you aren't 100% sure you want to buy it, walk away. If something seems insecure, like the hardware isn't fully functional, or the strings are loose, it may break on you anytime.

You want to spend only some hours practicing something that could snap and send a flying projectile into your face. Buying a used instrument is a risk, but it can be mitigated with careful research and knowing what to look for when trying a guitar.