I have close to 40 guitars. Almost all bought used. The 1st thing I do is look at the cosmetics, especially inspect the neck for any defects, including fret wear, and then neck pockets for cracks (esp.on Fenders). If not able to bring back to near mint I pass. Only then will I check out the pots and sound of the guitar. I've passed on real deals because of a minor chip on the body or head stock. What's most important to you after you decide it's the guitar your interested in?

Cosmetics are the last thing I consider, unless its really bad. Its got to be playable and everything has to function on it. I have only purchased 2 used guitars. My Strat, which aside from some paint swirls was in really good shape, and my Squier P Bass, which had a few good dings, but I was looking for a cheap bass anyway so it didn't matter.

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Beyond serious structual damage, I look for irreversible mods -- ie: enlarged tuner holes in the headstock, non-spec pickup routs in a body, amateur "relic" finishes, any other wonkiness.

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

√√√ Way cool advice Arjay! Thanx!
Wonkiness.
...Checking MIJ 89 Strat for wonkiness...
All clear, except for Greatful Dead sticker.

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FIGHT!

I agree with Arjay on everything he stated plus one other thing to include complete refin. if there is something that will take a guitar and kill its value is refinish for the most part.
Cheers

Dead Head stickers are of course exempt.



Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

when i look at guitars i browse quickly until one just catches my eye on looks alone, and then inspect it for neck straightness, obvious mechanical flaws (drives me insane to try a used guitar out that has pots that are so loose you can't turn the volume up), any kind of modifications that have been done and if they're acceptable or reversible, and then the final test is to sit and noodle around for a minute. it's ultimately all about the feel to me. if it doesn't feel right, its a no - go, no matter how pretty it might be.

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~Dan

Bought one used guitar out of 4. I took a serious risk because it was in unplayable condition because it had bad strings. The owner was this very weird dude, but he took care of his instruments. So I took his word (and I couldn't wait to leave his place!) and bought the guitar for near the asking price (280 from his asking price of 300). Went home, cleaned those frets, polished the body, and cursed at that Floyd Rose bridge, then I played it, and she played great!



Other than some rust on some of the bridge screws, this guitar looks in near-showroom condition. Not bad for a guitar from the late 90's!

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"Music is what feelings sound like"

I too try to avoid "Wonkiness"
As long as there are no un reversible mods to the lumber, anything else is fair game.

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"Where would rock and roll be without feedback?"

I'm pretty much with the OP on this one. I have bought dozens of used guitars through the years and cosmetics is the FIRST thing I check. I've seen some great guitars with one big chip out of the body paint (several hanging at the local GC for months now) and that's it for me - don't care how great the guitar is otherwise, I won't buy obviously damaged goods.

And other "wonkiness" is also to be avoided. Pickup changes aren't a turnoff for me, as long as they can be reversed, should I decide to do so down the road. Messed up or non-functional knobs, modified bridges, these are things I don't want to deal with. Of course, the guitar has to be a good player and have some special features that attracted me to it in the first place. Oh yeah, I also hate screw holes in a guitar's body where someone attached a Bigsby or other tailpiece, then removed it.

And then there's the price point! When I see a used guitar that I like, I usually check it out carefully, then, if I know enough about the guitar to know that the price is right, I'll usually buy it on the spot. If I don't know enough (case in point, a recent 70s Hohner LP) I'll leave the guitar and go home and do my research. If the price looks right and the guitar is still there when I come back, I know it was meant to go home with me. I passed on the Hohner.

Generally speaking, I'd rather buy used than new.

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Dennis in CR
Rockin' since 1963

i'm easy like a sunday mornin'. if its got a hot p/u, volume knob, good action and it stays in tune, i'll pretty much take it. i haven't bought used in a long time.
about the floyd rose, if anyone here starts cursing them, please be kind enough to inform me. i'll gladly join you.

Haha I don't curse at it anymore. After I set up the bridge the first time, now string changes are a breeze. That's a very stable guitar, she rarely goes out of tune even if I yank the hell out of the whammy bar. Try do that with a strat tremolo bridge.

The only thing that annoys me is that I can't go into alternate tunings.

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"Music is what feelings sound like"