#16
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Same here.
I try to work these in with other road trips - we were in MI last week, partly to see a friend and partly so I could play a Martin America 1 at Elderly Instruments. Unfortunately I didn’t get along with the neck on that guitar. Fortunately I played it before laying out ~$2000 to try it and have to go through the hassle of return shipping, etc. I did buy my Gibson J-15 used here on AGF sight unseen and unplayed. Smooth transaction and I love the guitar. That and my Voyage Air are the only ones in my collection bought without being able to play them first. |
#17
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Yeah, these are the key things to check.
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2018 Guild F-512 Sunburst -- 2007 Guild F412 Ice Tea burst 2002 Guild JF30-12 Whiskeyburst -- 2011 Guild F-50R Sunburst 2011 Guild GAD D125-12 NT -- 1972 Epiphone FT-160 12-string 2012 Epiphone Dot CH -- 2010 Epiphone Les Paul Standard trans amber 2013 Yamaha Motif XS7 Cougar's Soundcloud page |
#18
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I would never buy unseen and unplayed from a private seller. Too many horror stories. With dealers you at least have statutory consumer protection legislation.
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Faith Mars FRMG Faith Neptune FKN Epiphone Masterbilt Texan |
#19
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I believe that most of the guitars sold here on AGF are fairly safe. Reverb and other sites ,not so much. |
#20
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I hope that you will find an instrument that fits you. I would not buy a guitar sight unseen. Too much to handle if something went wrong. You are brave.
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SCGC Custom OM Mars spruce/cocobolo |
#21
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Yes; 'it wasn't cracked when I shipped it'. And so it begins...
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Faith Mars FRMG Faith Neptune FKN Epiphone Masterbilt Texan |
#22
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Three overlooked and almost never mentionned things to look at :
- action as seen on lateral views of the entire neck : ASK for specific PHOTOS !!! - Is the bridge nut shaved down ? Indicator of neck reset needed. - tiny crack at the base of the neck toward the sound hole. I actuallly used to look at photos with scrutiny and found many of these that were not mentioned !
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Needed some nylons, a wide range of acoustics and some weirdos to be happy... |
#23
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There were a couple I had to send back.Their exchange policy and accommodation was outstanding. I have bought 3 used guitars from private owners.One was a great sounding 1972 Martin 00-18 which had a very poorly done neck reset.They basically chopped the neck off at the 14th fret and reglued it.The seller did disclose this to me.I kept that guitar for a couple of years then resold it and came out even.The second used Martin had an improperly installed pick up.I returned it to the seller. I believe that if you find an honest seller who is not obsessed with making every last dime, the transaction can be manageable both for parties. It is a bit of a hassle in terms of shipping stuff back.Most of us do it anyway dealing with Amazon. Gabe |
#24
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In the same way, what constitutes reasonable used condition is going to vary among us. As a seller I try to divulge all pertinent information about a guitar, but unless directly asked, I may not know what's pertinent to every potential buyer. I prefer that potential buyers ask lots of question so that I can provide all the information that would either help make a positive sale or deter one before payment or shipping. Some potential buyers either request or demand recordings, but I'm not sure how helpful that really is. I recently turned down a Reverb sale because the seller not only made a lower offer than I was willing to accept but also wanted to be willing to return it if he didn't like it. That makes sense as a buyer; however as an individual, non-commercial seller, the idea of shipping a considerably discounted $2000 guitar from coast to coast and offering a money back guarantee should the buyer decide he doesn't like it made me decide to pass on the sale. While I'm still quite willing to purchase a guitar from a distance, I've begun to increasingly embrace Craigslist as my primary sales platform. The advantages have become increasingly obvious for me as a seller: instant cash payment, face-to-face interaction, face-to-guitar inspection, no shipping fees, no Reverb/Ebay fees and no potential loss or damage due to shipping. Sure that minimizes the potential pool of buyers, but I'm ok with that for now....
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Emerald X20 Emerald X20-12 Martin D18 Martin 000-15sm |
#25
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In your situation I'd monitor the websites of guitar shops in Western Washington and if something of interest came up, call and put a credit card deposit. Then drive over to the shop. Even a visit to Seattle from Spokane can be a day trip. And if the guitar didn't work for you it's a cool road trip and beautiful drive.
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Happy Sunsets Taylor 514ce (1999) Taylor K22ce - all Koa (2001) Taylor 612ce (2001) Taylor T5-C2 Koa (2007) Ovation CS28P KOAB - Koa Burst (2017) Paul Reed Smith 305 - Sunburst (2012) Paul Reed Smith Custom 22 - Autumn Sky (2013) Fender Classic Player 60s Strat - Sonic Blue (2012) Roland Juno DS76 (2020) |
#26
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There are certain shops that are trustworthy - My favorite guitars and elderly - ( are two i know of )
IMO tell you the facts and dont beat around the bush - ask here about other dealers , or shops -some have reputations that make their business - Guitar Center is not a decent place to buy something sight unseen - some are good most are not. Ive bought 3 guitars from other forum members -all went well . The only problem ive ever had was from a ebay seller on a mandolin but that was a long time ago - i learned from that
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--------------------------------- Wood things with Strings ! |
#27
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*In the UK, under consumer law, it's the responsibility of the seller to ensure that goods arrive in the condition in which they were advertised. Last edited by Arthur Slowhand; 09-14-2019 at 01:41 PM. |