This is a debate I haven't seen brought up in a while, possibly not ever (at least directly as a thread). There are many guitar collectors out there that believe in buying new guitars because no one else has touched their guitars. Then again, there are many guitarists out there like myself believe that a used, even well worn, guitar has lots of mojo in them and those are the guitars they must have. However, there are many who like both. So here's my question to all of you (no, I'm not looking to buy a guitar), do you have to or prefer a new guitar over used and why? Does it matter the type of guitar, i.e. Fender, Gibson, Heritage, or G&L..etc.?

I actually prefer used because my tastes often change and cannot afford to have everything I want at one time. That way if or when I part with a guitar, my losses will be minimum at best. However, I've also found letting go of a used guitar is much easier then selling one bought new....

_________________
"Epitaph on a blues musician’s tombstone: “I didn’t wake up this morning”" Davy Knowles


facebook.com/313DBC

I own a lot of guitars. I would say that the used vs new split is probably close to 50-50. I buy guitars that I like that are at the right price, but I never buy a guitar that looks really used. I like my guitars clean and pretty - I have no interest whatsoever in a relic or a beater.

The worst condition guitar I ever bought was a used, 70s vintage Yamaha SBG200. It took me hours and hours to clean it up, but it was mostly just incredibly dirty, no, make that filthy. The shop selling it didn't spend one minute trying to clean it, said it wasn't worth the effort.





I bought it in 1994 for $75. I used it as my #1 non-Fender gigging guitar for years. It is in very nice condition and all completely original. I still have it and it is near and dear to me and worth many times what I paid for it.

_________________
Dennis in CR
Rockin' since 1963

I have only two used guitars, but both were as new when I got them. So I guess I am a new guitar kind of guy. I prefer to break em in myself. But am not opposed to buy a used guitar, but I won't buy one that is a beater...unless someone wants to offer me a '57 Strat that is in ruff condition for around $1K

T2

_________________
-----------------------------------------------------------
What time is it? It's Fender Time.

I love used guitars - they just seems to have a bit more character to me. Always interesting thinking about what stories they could tell!

Also, a slightly pre-dinged guitar saves the heartbreak of that first little ding which I'm sure all owners of brand new instruments are familiar with.

If I can find a used one at some old grannys garage sale yes,after looking around craigslist the last month or so I've seen some sketchy stuff.I would'nt know a conterfeit if it bit me in the butt,however I've seen the same squire go from an" i'm not sure what model"80 dollar git to a 170 dollar affinity git over night. Also lots of hundreds of dollars worth of mods. I got lucky awhile back and got a double fat strat standard squier for 75 bucks,from a teen girl at family moving sale.I do like new but will take new if it feels right.

Mark my ballot as "used" as well. I prefer to let someone else eat the depreciation of a new instrument's cost.

Arjay

_________________
"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

Good point, but then you don't get that new guitar smell Nothing like the smell and look of a brand new guitar when you get it home and open that case for the first time!

T2

_________________
-----------------------------------------------------------
What time is it? It's Fender Time.

They have no soul......no "mojo"!

And the "smell and look of a brand new guitar" does not feed the bulldog IMO.

Not when you're constantly jonesing for a "new" old amp.

Like me!



Arjay

_________________
"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

If it sounds right, and - more importantly - feels right, then i'm buying it regardless of where it came from or whether it's new or second hand.

One of my absolute favourite guitars came from Cash Convertors, back in the days when they were selling good used instruments at stupid prices. They seem to have gotten a bit wiser since then..

_________________
Fender Highway & Classic 60s Strats, Fender Toronado, Telecaster, Gretsch Projet, Charvel 3, PRS SE Soapbar II & Custom 24, Burns Batwing and many others!

Entirely dependent upon what I come across....
My 56 NOS CS was preowned ( Fender Rep )
the 04 MIM Power Deluxe Preowned
The Smashingly Pumpkin Strat was preowned ( Now Gone )
The Aerodyne is Brand new ( no one wanted it )

Amps...HRD Blck + Tn was new ( Sam Ash
Champ 600 ( new )
410 Custom Classic Magnatone ( most definitely preowned )

As I said it really is what I happen to look and luck into on that day....

_________________
"C'est parti mon Kiki "

If it works, I'll play it.

_________________
1984 Squier Contemporary Stratocaster
1986 Peavey Envoy 110
1967 Kingston Acoustic

Buy a "new" guitar off the floor @ a GC/SA store and there's a good chance are it's a return... or been "played"(if that's what you call the musicless masterbation you hear in every GC across the land) a number of times before you ever get your hands on it...unless it's come straight off the delivery truck.

I read somewhere that 3.5 million guitars are sold in the US every year, so the chances of finding a good s/h guitar, particularly in the six weeks after Xmas - just long enough for some kid to decide it's too difficult to play guitar, too late for a refund

However, with all the Gender and Fibson fakes flooding the second hand market it is getting harder to find a good used guitar.

Stubbed your toe getting out of bed this morning....

Chill out....Even in a so called Mom and Pop store, the guitar you choose will have been played by many potential buyers before you or I....Really not a big deal...

_________________
"C'est parti mon Kiki "

I look at each guitar as an individual,if it feels good,looks good,and plays good....I can take it from there and make it fit my style of playing,new or used.

Gorgeous guitar there. I bought one for a friend around '93. Dimarzio Super Distortion pickups as standard, if I remember right.

Anyway put me down as a don't care. I don't buy guitars thinking of selling them on. I buy em to play em, so cost appreciation or depreciation doesn't come into it.
If it plays right, then everything else is very secondary.

_________________
No no and no