Over the holidays my wife and I were in Hilton Head, SC. The first morning I turned on the television to catch some news and one channel was running a segment titled "ten things to never buy new". One was musical instruments. They were interviewing this guy with an acoustic guitar and case that cost him over $500. His daughter lost interest after a couple of lessons and he was saying he can't get an offer over $100. I buy a lot of guitars on Craigslist and somewhat agree. On Craigslist, I never pay half of what they cost new, but I have also bought new from guitar stores. I think this television advise was very general in that if you have your heart set on a particular instrument just go buy it if you can afford it, you wouldn't be happy with anything else. If you have GAS, and collect, or are just watching your finances, it's best to buy used. Just be patient, something you want always comes along at a great price.

If you're into Picasso paintings or 1954 Strats it was best to buy new. But aside from things like that almost anything you buy will depreciate by a fat chunk even as you are stepping out the door. So buy new because you want the item, not because you think it's an investment - it isn't.

I think it's hilarious when I read guys talking about how this or that guitar model will hold its value. No it won't! If you need an investment to hold its value go to a financial advisor and choose a very safe product such as triple A bonds or a guaranteed savings account. If you want a musical instrument buy it to play it.

Cheers - C

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i bought a fair amount of pedals used. you can always get deals on them, and a pedal that you may not be able to get new because of cost suddenly becomes affordable.

i also just scored a lightly used carvin sx200 amp-with cover and footswitch- for 130.00, which is less than half the cost of a new one.

I only have a couple guitars that were purchased new, one short scale SX jazz bass from Rondo Music and an Epiphone acoustic that stays at our cottage.

Both were pretty inexpensive and I had a purpose for each at the time of purchase so I knew they would get played.

All 4 of my Fender/Squier's were used.

I think if you're buying for a first time student, you should limit the amount you spend, and whether that means getting a new or used guitar shouldn't be as important as finding something that's comfortable to play, help to keep them motivated. There's plenty of stuff out there to choose from.

Hilton Head, S.C. would be a cool place to be over the holidays I think, hope you enjoyed your stay tvr1979. The script writer and the news person that read the story probably spend their time playing video games or watching the boob tube. No musician would have used that information unless to put at the bottom of their birds cage. That said, your observation was spot on and shows that patience can definitely be a virtue when instrument shopping.

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you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.

Ceri: As usual you give sound advice, and I couldn't agree more. When you make that special purchase it's because you want the item. not because you intend to sell it. If selling it is what you have in mind, then your on a bargain hunt. Buy low, sell high, make money.
----Danny,

Your right SKcoppertele, guitar shops that also give lessons around here also rent guitars. He wasn't wise spending that kind of money without a pretty firm idea his daughter was truly dedicated.

Cars... guitars...

I have bought a lot of guitars in the last twenty years and I would guess that about 60% were used, vs the 40% that I bought new. I think 2 or 3 of the ones I bought new have held their value or appreciated, the rest not. On the other hand, I would guess that at least 50% of the guitars I bought used are definitely worth more now than what I paid for them - i.e. 1972 Electra bought used with HSC for $75 in 1995 or my wonderful early 70s Yamaha SG200 (traded back in 3 times by different owners to the same music store in Alexandria, MN), which I bought filthy for $50.



That said, I never buy a guitar with the idea of making money selling it. I buy guitars because I like them, I'm addicted to owning them and it drives my wife a little nuts.

And then cars... I bought this used (I'm the 3rd owner) in 1991 for $6,500 - every available option for an L-82 except power locks and windows, which I truly do not understand, but... I pulled the original engine with about 64,000 miles on it and stuck in a bored out LT-1 and put on the Hooker headers w/ sidepipes. Take my word for it, it is definitely worth more now than what I paid for it.





I didn't buy this '74 Vette with any intention of selling it. It's my very own, personal Bat Outta Hell! All original paint, too, I might add, except for that racing stripe...

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Dennis in CR
Rockin' since 1963

$@!& people who buy for monetary value. I've bought tons of new gear and the only ones I regret are the ones I left in the store.

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Outside of accessories/necessories, of the many guitar-related purchases I have made in my life, only three guitars, one amp and a couple of pedals were bought new...and two of those guitars were only $99 each (a floor demo Danelectro DC3 Pro and an Epiphone P-90 Special Ltd. Ed...and I'm not sure if a floor demo axe truly constitutes a "new guitar").

I sold the Dano four years later on EBay for close to $300, and I have already had a $150 offer for the Epiphone.

My Strat, which I bought new back in 1993, may or may not have more street value than when purchased new, but I don't care. I got a killer deal on it...a US Vintage '62 Stratocaster in Fiesta Red (rarest color) for $750, tweed case included...at the time, it listed for around $1150.

Likewise, in 1992 I paid only $500 for my '63 reissue Vibroverb, and it was still new in the cardboard shipping box!

I buy what I like to play, and if I can make a dime off of it, that's just gravy. If it loses value (new or used), that's ok, because I'm getting cheap entertainment by owning and playing the instrument.

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Good Vibes To Y'all!



Screamin' Armadillos
Texas Roadhouse Music
Guitar/Slide Guitar/Harp/Vocals

I bought the Yamaha new at MF. It was a discontinued floor model that I got for 1/2 price. All the rest are CL beauties!

I tend to buy brand new only because I really baby all of my stuff and I always have. That said there is a certain charm to a used musical instrument. I'd have no issue buying used amps or effects either.

I have bought a lot of used guitars that were in better shape than the "new" guitars at GC. Just because something is used doesn't mean it's beat up or has issues. I have been picking up a few guitars lately at the local Music-Go-Round and I check those babies over very closely before they come home with me. I don't buy beaters, just well cared for guitars that someone, for some reason, sold for 25% of its value. Their loss, my gain. I'll take very good care of their "used" guitars.

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Dennis in CR
Rockin' since 1963

CRGuitarMan I love your choice of color on that L82! I bought both of these used, let the first owners take the deprciation! The 97 I bought in '04 for $20K with 19K miles, and the 05 this past year for $31 with 10K miles and both were loaded with nearly every option. Waited many months to find both.



As for guitars and amps, I have bought new and used...but always bought what felt and sounded good that I wanted. I prefer to buy used, but sometimes they come out with stuff you just gotta have, especially when GAS hits! All my Fender Guitars were bought new, and all my Gibsons were bought used. All my Gibby's were under or at $1K and all were as new when I got em...patience does pay off, whether it is guitars or cars.



T2

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What time is it? It's Fender Time.

Some guitars work for investment and some will appreciate in value a great deal - others will not. It's all about supply vs demand. That's all it is. But personally - I don't think a guitar should be bought and not played. I only buy guitars I play - because that's what they're meant for.

Buying new vs used is all preference... Some guitars you simply can't find new. Some guitars if you don't buy new, you won't be able to find used very easily. Just depends. The thing about a new guitar is that it's completely yours. No one else has played it, and no one else will. It is 100% yours. But a used guitar has a history that you may or may not know about. Who knows who has played that instrument before you. For all you know, if you buy a 1997 Fender Strat used at a guitar store, it's a little beaten up, but plays and sounds like a dream - it could have been played by your favorite musician! Who knows. That's a fun part about it.

Anyway - if you like the guitar, who cares if it's new or used. As long as you love playing it and have the money set aside to buy it, then it's a great buy.

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FCS JM BLACK1, FCS SRV #1, FCS Hendrix Monterey, FCS La Cabronita, JM Sunburst Strat, Martin 00-45SC, Martin Bellezza Bianca, Martin Bellezza Nera , Martin OMJM, Gibson 1960 50th Anniv LP, Dumble SSS, Two-Rock JM Sig Proto, Two-Rock Studio Pro.