Deal-breakers when buying a guitar.

[Buc-a-Roo]

If it ain't short scale, spruce over mahogany it doesn't get a second look. Some might say that's missing a lot of fine instruments......maybe so, but 45 years of guitars coming and going have shown me the light: short scale mahogany is the ticket for me. Anything else can take a hike.

[drive-south]

I know many will disagree but I dont like necks with a scarf joint and heel stack. In some cases a scarf joint may be very well done and concealed with a back cap. Thats fine but I dont want to see a scarf joint. And heel stacks always look ugly to me and scream cost savings.

I dont mind having a K&K installed but no UST and no batteries inside the guitar. I have several guitars with Fishman Matrix and looking to move on from that type system.

[Methos1979]

A bad vibe from the seller - or buyer - kills the deal. Everything else I'll at least consider.

[brencat]

- Nut widths less than 1.725"
- Shallow necks (like Martin's Low Profile)
- Runout and/or VTS racing stripe
- Custom bling not typically found on comparable production model offering (makes resale harder)

[Rmz76]

Originally Posted by Rex Everything

Curious to hear what everyone's criteria is when purchasing a guitar. For me, any kind of installed electronics are a deal-breaker. I just cannot warm up to them, no matter how useful they can be. Now some makers like Taylor install them on every model (save for the Baby, Big Baby).

I was in a shop the other day and noticed that it's getting hard to find an acoustic guitar without some kind of electronics installed. Most of the Gibsons even had some kind of electronics, though tucked away in the soundhole. I don't think I could even warm up to that. I guess I just like an old-fashioned acoustic guitar.

Originally Posted by Rex Everything

Curious to hear what everyone's criteria is when purchasing a guitar. For me, any kind of installed electronics are a deal-breaker. I just cannot warm up to them, no matter how useful they can be. Now some makers like Taylor install them on every model (save for the Baby, Big Baby).

I was in a shop the other day and noticed that it's getting hard to find an acoustic guitar without some kind of electronics installed. Most of the Gibsons even had some kind of electronics, though tucked away in the soundhole. I don't think I could even warm up to that. I guess I just like an old-fashioned acoustic guitar.

Tone and pliability. Most acoustics I meet that I can afford, I end up really not liking all that much, but if I've found a good one that's made me go back to the store then it's just the obvious mechanical issues I look out for: high action and the saddle is already really low, red flag! If the neck is twisted, obvious deal breaker! Excessive forward or back bow, nope...Of course if the guitar has these problems it's failed the pliability test.

[dkstott]

Well, all of my guitars have cutaways & 2 out of 3 have factory electronics. So my personal likes seem to be outside the norm.

deal breaker for me is a lack of cutaway...



But seriously, it has to feel right in my hands when played.. no cramping of the fretting fingers. then comes tone.

[smurph1]

Originally Posted by elasticman

cutaways. Hate 'em. Love symmetry

Pretty much my attitude with an occasional exception. I used to HATE on board electronics, but my Golden Eagle broke me of that. Plus a good amp helps too.

[Ed-in-Ohio]

[Jeremy]

Condition, tone. Otherwise, pretty much anything is fair game.

[kydave]

Originally Posted by Rex Everything

Curious to hear what everyone's criteria is when purchasing a guitar. For me, any kind of installed electronics are a deal-breaker. I just cannot warm up to them, no matter how useful they can be. Now some makers like Taylor install them on every model (save for the Baby, Big Baby).

I was in a shop the other day and noticed that it's getting hard to find an acoustic guitar without some kind of electronics installed. Most of the Gibsons even had some kind of electronics, though tucked away in the soundhole. I don't think I could even warm up to that. I guess I just like an old-fashioned acoustic guitar.

Ummm... Martin standard and better models?

[superfluidity]

For me, I have made so many mistakes telling myself, 'ah! you will get used to whatever', so pretty much everything is a deal breaker, what is a deal maker is more the question. I would rather save my money and fight GAS for years to get the deal maker versus settling for less, that is what I did. In the long run I saved myself thousands getting to 'the deal'. The art of the deal.

[Long Jon]

Anybody's name scratched into the top is a bit off putting, (on the back is ok, no one sees that).

Misspelt logos are another red flag to me, (although my Jibson G44 is a pretty sweet guitar, it's no match for my genuine Merton D28).

Missing tuners, strings, or bridge pins can be an indication that the seller has not really looked after the guitar,
as can any splits or warping in the wood.

Any repairs done with duct tape ...

For me it's a combination of all these kind of subtle little clues that can break a deal.

[Tuberoast]

Lots of blingy inlay
On board electronics
Cutaways

[Mr Fingers]

I, too, don't like onboard electronics -- period, and even more so when there are compartments and control units installed as well. I disagree with the premise that these installations are necessary because I rarely enjoy the sound of these instruments in performance other than solo or maybe in a duo. I realize that everybody is playing for digital recording now, or playing in amplified groups, but for me, an acoustic guitar is meant for acoustic music -- direct to the listener -- and it is so rare for me to hear the instrument used in an amped setting with anything but deficient results that I have zero interest in messing up any instrument by installing electronics. I don't think its necessary because I don't think using acoustics that way is necessary or desirable. I don't expect anyone to agree with this extreme minority view but heck -- you asked. I like my acoustic guitars... acoustic. I like my electric guitars electric.

[KDepew]

Don't really like cut aways. Or gloss finish on the neck.