New or used?

[Kestralkane]

Usually I’ve bought used because they aren’t so tight and generally saved a lot of $. I bought my current favorite new though.

[letterk]

I’m fine with both. Only bad experience I’ve had was a used one bought on reverb.

[KenL]

Used. I like a guitar with some miles on it.

And I could not have bought new any of the three in my signature as they were all out of production by many years when I found them.

[Tony Burns]

Used when ever possible -if I find what I want in very good condition.
Not afraid to buy new -- but the though runs through my head that buying it used at a fair price means I can usually resell it in the future for at least that .
But you have to buy the right guitar that has a certain popularity.

Their is no law about this , and popularity for anything can change in a heart beat - But i remember an old saying that went something like this concerning
investing in actually physical things ( like paintings etc. ) Only buy something that you really like ,
because if it doesn't pan out to grow in value or loses value , at least its something that you like.

[Kerbie]

Originally Posted by Pdubs76

Which have you had better buck with?

Easy... new... custom.

[emtsteve]

Definitely used. I don't mind a few minor bumps and as long as it's cared for and not abused, I prefer an instrument that's played in a bit. Also, the cost savings is usually substantial (not so much lately with the short supply and inflated prices). Let someone else drive it off the lot take the "new car" depreciation.

[musicman1951]

I misread better buck (luck) the first time through. Two of the guitars on my list were new - couldn't find them used. There is no question that you buy more guitar for your money with used instruments. On both ends - purchase and sale/trade, as the guitar already experienced most of the depreciation with the original owner (unless you beat it up . . . errr, add a bunch of mojo).

[jdrnd]

Originally Posted by Tannin

Either is fine. If you don't play things before you buy them, you get the luck of the draw. Just play the guitar: does not matter if its new, second-hand, or fifth-hand. If it's good it's good.

I agree. Definitely need to play before you buy.

[Pnewsom]

There plenty of good used guitars out there, but I prefer to buy new if I can because:

- don't have to deal with sketchy characters
- better selection
- get to play it before I pay
- know everything there is to know about the guitar
- warranty support from the manufacturer
- no chance that some previous owner has done damage to it
- nice new frets
- I can capital depreciate the instrument and the tax on it

That said, a nice vintage Gibson or Martin is a beautiful thing...

[MIGAS79]

Used because if you get a decent price you can have a long-term low risk demo. Also I have traded up a few times too. GAS can sometimes help you in that regard. I suppose if I ever wanted a custom build I’d suck it up and go new.

Plus I don’t enjoy the anxiety of a pristine guitar. If new I’d see dollar signs leaving with a scratch or ding.

[Goodallboy]

If you're relying on luck with an acoustic guitar purchase, you'll need it.

Buy used, play the guitar in question. Or good luck!

[packmule]

Used, I've always bought second hand guitars from the very start of picking up the guitar - it's allowed me to have nicer instruments than I otherwise would've been able to afford if spending the same money on new ones.

[DCCougar]

Initially I got in the habit of buying used Epiphone Masterbilts from their 2003-2010 production run. Obviously, they just didn't make them anymore. Or say you want a Gibson CJ-165 with an ebony fretboard, it'll have to be used -- they don't come with ebony boards anymore.

All of my guitars were bought used on the internet. But this means, for me, they better be in excellent to mint condition. Even with that caveat, I've got to check with the seller about the saddle height, the action, and the neck angle. I want to play the guitars I acquire, not work on them.

[mawmow]

I rarely bought brand new, though I bought some demo on sale.
I got great used guitars at great deal price.

To buy used, you have to know what to look for :
Action issues are generally not disclosed.

[Methos1979]

Originally Posted by Kerbie

Easy... new... custom.

Exact opposite for me. I generally prefer used for the price. Also, when bought from places/people like here on AGF, you are alerted to every little thing in advance.

I generally only go new when buying customs and I'm almost always disappointed with something in the order. Sometimes it's something I asked for that did not live up to expectations but other times it's a poor or incorrect execution of a requested feature. So then you have an expensive custom that you'll take a beating on when selling.

Give me used.