Do you buy musical equipment new or used? I’m thinking of looking into getting some used equipment. All of a sudden my daughter is showing an interest in music. She plays the flute in the school band. Now she wants to play the guitar. I’m looking into electric guitar lessons for her. I would like to purchase good used equipment instead of new. New guitars are out there in price.
Where do you buy used equipment? Do you still get a warranty?
Thanks in advance!

Local music stores and craigslist are by far the most popular places to look. Obviously you don't get a warranty from Craigslist, and usually local music stores sell them as is. Sometimes a warranty is still good on an item that was recently turned in as used, but that's rare. You really can't expect a warranty on a used item in general. The only places I know of that do offer used item warranties are www.musiciansfriend.com and www.theperfectguitar.com and their used prices are really pretty close to new prices, although you're guaranteed a quality and fully working used product unless otherwise stated.

You get what you pay for, right?

That said, it's not a bad idea to buy a used guitar as long as you know it's fully functional. Age doesn't really matter as most guitars tend to play better with age. What I will mention, though, is that in my experience, buying a used guitar for under $200 generally means that it was either crap in the first, or it was crap and it was beaten up and then traded in. Cheap used guitars have been pretty sketchy from what I've seen, and, considering you can get a perfectly good guitar that sounds great for well under $200, I tend to recommend that people buy new at first. Brands like Squier, Ibanez, ESP, Behringer...brands that would be just fine for any beginner.

How's this catch your eye?
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Dean-Vendetta-XM-Electric-Guitar?sku=512150

Or this?
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Behringer-USB-Guitar-iAXE393?sku=512882#used

That last swanky little axe doesn't even need an amp. It comes with software that allows you to play it through your computer speakers and models amps for you. And it's not even that expensive. You could just as easily still buy a practice amp for $30-50. Total purchase to get everything you need?

Still under $200.

And I'm not even a salesman. haha

Thanks for the link, I love it. I bet she will too. See how much I know about used equipment, I figured like used cars they would come with a warranty. Especially from a store. I don't know of many used music stores in the area.

So if I ordered online, how would I know it worked?

You get a confirmation e-mail from the store that acts as your proof of purchase. It's essentially your receipt. From there they'll give you a UPS or FedEx tracking # to see when it's going to be at your house. They're pretty quick about shipping in my experience. And it's pretty easy to do.

You just have to set up an account.

Oh, and if it asks you if you want it to remember your credit card for future purposes, just say no. You don't want sites saving your bank/credit/etc. information. It's just not safe.

I think used equipment is just fine but like he said, make sure it works. There is nothing wrong with worn and torn, just not worn and torn too much. I think something like this (music or arts really) are both things that end up confusing some parents, how long will they hold interest, etc? For me, if you can give it a go, why not? Who knows where that first path could lead a child?

Love the idea of the quick shipping too, might need to bookmark this for future use.

It's only money right? What does it matter if you die with money and no memories? If you wanna do something, get up, figure it out, and go do it.

Annnnnnd...now that I've filled my cliche quota for the week...

It's only money.

I will have to check into the used equipment as well. Brand new equipment is so expensive. Thanks for sharing the links with all of us. Great information!!

I do what I can. It feels great to have the website and be able to reach people across the world, rather than just the local students and friends that I teach or jam with through West Virginia/Pennsylvania/Ohio. I'm glad this place is starting to turn into a real community.

i think buying used or second hand guitar is a good option if your budget is limited and i think that will i opt too..

yeah it is and must make most of it (money)but not to the extent of sacrificing some need..but if he has a budget for it they why not??

If you find a good condition used guitar that you like, then go for it. If what you want is new, then go for that. You'll know if you get a dud and if you don't. More often than not, the instrument picks the player, and even though they may be the same model, no two are ever very much alike.

I do buy used equipments once in awhile, but I always research very well before I do. Gotta keep your eyes very open for that.

"It's only money right? What does it matter if you die with money and no memories?"

I love you, James. I'm going to go buy that Leg Lamp I have been wanting all of these years...

I have had a few used instruments, a good instrument with good care will always be a good instrument. I would be weary of buying an instrument online. Any used instrument I bought I played first to make sure I liked it. I did however buy an Bass Amp Head online and had no problems with it. Then sold it 4 years later for only $50 less then what I paid for it. So when you think about it, I used it for 4 years and only had a net loss of $50. Just like a car, "most" instruments will depreciate with age, (unless you have a vintage instrument).

I bought some decent used gear on Ebay -- two Lakland basses, a very slightly used Hofner and some effects. One slightly used Mesa Boogie Walkabout that just didn't live up to its reputation, but I turned that around maybe two moths after I bought it.

`

I always considered buying new as a
last resort for when you just reeeally
gotta have it now and you've already
hunted several lifetimes in vain for a
good used one [or pair, or set, herd,
or whatever].

Before I got a regular job, I used to
wonder like "Where does used stuff
come from ?" You know, you might
work in a factory where they made
new stuff, but nobody I ever knew
worked in any factory making used
stuff. I guess there was not much
profit in it. Well, *almost* nobody
I ever knew made used stuff ...

Acoarst there's always an exception.
My great-uncle-in-law made rags. It
wasn't exactly a factory, but he had
employees and they made rags so I
know that somewheres, and NOT in
the Fender "Relic" shop, other folks
are busy making making used stuff.



`

How many Lakland basses do you own now, Dave? You may have single handedly kept that company alive.

No, I own only one now. Over the last six years I've owned four. I'd still like to get one of their P basses. I know guys who literally own one of everything they made.

I used to be that way. Trying to own one of everything...

...then I stopped playing with Magic: the Gathering cards.

I can't imagine what that would be like collecting basses like that. Then again, given how much some Magic cards will go for, I'm not sure it would actually be more expensive.

Funny thing is, the entire time I played full time, I usually owned only one bass. Most I ever took to one gig was two -- a P and a Rick 4001. Later, I retired the P and used a Ripper or a Steinberger.