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  #1  
Old 12-03-2019, 06:15 PM
ArtisanLuthiers ArtisanLuthiers is offline
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Default Buying Old vs. New

If you're wanting to get the most from an "under $200-300" purchase what do you think would make for a better purchase . . .

Something like an older, aged guitar with a few dings or
a new, (fresh wood) guitar with no blemishes

I think the aged guitar may have a better tone. Examples are:
A 1995 Alvarez 2555S Silver Anniversary with a few dings for $200,
a 2012 Yamaha FG-700S with only 2 minor blemishes for $100, and
new, entry-level Fender/Squier/Ibanez guitars for +- $100
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Old 12-03-2019, 06:26 PM
fishwatcher fishwatcher is offline
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Getting the most for $200 - $300, I would buy a used guitar, and mostly do my own set-up, possibly include pro set up to optimize my investment.

I've been looking @ FS800's, and have seen them for around $150.

For that amount, I could upgrade the saddle (MacNichol) and bridge pins (B. Colosi) to bone, and then decide whether an additional professional set-up is needed to really dial in the guitar.

As a newbie.. I wouldn't have known what to look for, how to do my own partial setup, nor even how to get the saddle and pins dialed in. Buying used would still be great, but I'd want the guidance or help of an experienced guitar player, to make sure I'm getting a great guitar that doesn't need much if any work.
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Old 12-03-2019, 06:26 PM
srbell srbell is offline
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I'd definitely look at the used options. A used guitar that you can get for $200 or $300 may have sold new for double that. In either case having a good setup will probably make a big difference, so plan to have that done no matter which way you go.
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Old 12-03-2019, 06:44 PM
pagedr pagedr is online now
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Used will definitely give you more bang for your buck. Though at that price point I'm not sure it would really make a difference if a guitar is 20 years old or brand new in terms of "opening up". In fact I'd probably lean towards a newer guitar considering how much better the budget guitars are today than even 10 years ago.
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Old 12-03-2019, 07:40 PM
Osage Osage is offline
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In that price range, I would opt for whatever guitar played the best regardless of it were new or used.
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Old 12-03-2019, 07:58 PM
Merak Merak is offline
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I’m a tinkerer so an inexpensive guitar with good bones is my joy.
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Old 12-04-2019, 07:08 AM
zombywoof zombywoof is offline
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When it comes to el cheapo chic, I prefer spruce top Harmonys and Kays. Problem is that while getting into them at less than $300 is easy. Finding one at that price which does not need a neck reset and/or compression frets is not. My last one was that late-1930s Kay round soundhole archtop. $275 out the door and needing nothing to make it a perfect player.
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Old 12-04-2019, 07:25 AM
Guitartanzon Guitartanzon is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zombywoof View Post
When it comes to el cheapo chic, I prefer spruce top Harmonys and Kays. Problem is that while getting into them at less than $300 is easy. Finding one at that price which does not need a neck reset and/or compression frets is not. My last one was that late-1930s Kay round soundhole archtop. $275 out the door and needing nothing to make it a perfect player.
I agree!!!!!! I just got this 1969 harmony sears with the atomic logo all solid birch parlor, that had a neck reset, and some bridge work done for $90 shipped !

Its a blast from the past....it needs to be fretted right, not too forgiving, but when done right its sounds very pleasing......and has good intonation....

and yesterday I scored a Black Gretsch Jim Dandy at aPawn shop for $75 out the door.
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Old 12-04-2019, 08:35 AM
Goodallboy Goodallboy is offline
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If one buys a new $300 guitar, they really purchased a future $150 used guitar if they ever try to sell it.

I’d much rather have a guitar that once retailed for $500, for $300.
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Last edited by Goodallboy; 12-04-2019 at 10:43 AM.
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