Well wierd things can happen when buying used guitars online. Sometimes the guitar you want is located abroad. I live in Sweden. Once i bought a vintage Kramer from the U.S, that guitar took a trip to swaziland (curtesy of UPS) before it arrived but the guitar was great. Another time i bought a vintage charvel from the UK, the guitar had a lot of usage and was in need of minor repairs. That was huge understatement. The wood was so bad it was basically falling appart and when i opened the case it smelled like someones moist cellar. That guitar i sent tight back to the Guy who sold it and got a refund. But yeah, if it’s an option always try before you buy.
Side note - if you buy second hand guitars that have fixable problems (and usually sell for next to nothing because of the issues) and you learn to do setups and repairs, then you can get a really stunning guitar for super cheap. I bought an affinity strat for $50 on an online auction that was advertised with fret sprout. When i got the guitar, i did a full setup on it (because i had already acquired the tools, about $70 worth for everything, including notched straight edge and fret files) and it was great after that. It wound up just needing a truss rod adjustment. Its my test mule now and is still doing great.
I used some cheap files and household tools I already had. Leveled and crowned a few frets on a couple of guitars I bought to learn to play guitar. It takes only about 10 minutes, no need to pay a luthier, and I adjusted everything else too, neck relief, string height, intonation, and I didn't have to buy tools, use your credit card just to check the fret level.
Buying a used guitar unseen is taking a big risk, the seller maybe 100% honest but a lot of online auction sites are full of sellers that are best avoided. My advice is that if it is not possible to see what you are buying study the photo's very carefully, and most importantly are there photo's of all areas, the front may look good but wary if there are no photo's of the back, it may be damaged. Try asking the seller a sensible question and how they reply will give you a clue as to how genuine they are. Now that a lot of the independant guitar shops have closed, it is not easy trying to find a good well cared for used guitar. Use your instincts, if the seller has iffy feedback from more than one customer then keep on looking, there are some genuine sellers.
I've just pulled the trigger on a 2012 Squier Stratocaster in Sonic Blue for £145. I'm going to pimp it up with a Hendrix pickguard, some Seymour Duncans I have lying around and a left handed big headstock maple neck. They're no brainers at those prices. All the best Elmo. Carlo 🎸👍🏼
I love your videos -- way more genuine than most. I just have one comnent about necks warping: by warp, are you referring to neck twist? Because, in my experience, its quite possible that a neck twists but is still quite playable. It really depends how this happens -- where is the twist, how uniform is it, how it affects relief and the frets. Additionally, it has been possible for me to save guitars with (twisted in all the wrong ways!) necks via fret levelling. There's obvious limitations to such methods (for example this wont change the back neck profile, which may be affected by the twist) and you may not even have enough fret to work with. But I believe neck twist cases are often not super "black and white" per se (yes, you also did mention that such issues "may have been fixed"). I mean, hecc! Maybe you'd like to measure the relief from top E to bottom E on your guitars. Fret wear is a factor, but even that notwithstanding, I wouldn't be surprised If you find all kinds of variations, however slight. Most of my freshly leveled guitars haven't been "perfect" in that sense. Ps: cheers from Turku, Finland!
Customer returns and shop demos, as type of second hand, are also good options to save some money plus they are covered with the shop's return policy and warranty. Having the shop's guitar tech do warranty repairs, if any issues arise, is pretty invaluable.
On ebay good idea to check what els they are selling, I bought a cheap guitar to try it out the guy sold Guitar stuff, Very pleased isd description was good action ect. but yes now I buy second hand. Good vid Elmo.
I sell on my local market at about half what i paid. Thats now not cheep enough for people. I do have my guitars set up and checked over. The used stuff i have bought have generally good intonation and or pu upgrades. I am thinking about stopping as all the offers are so low. Last night a guy tried to talk me down to 3 hundred usd for a guitar that goes for 1k usd. Im tired and selling at such a huge loss is dumb
I have found some wonderful older used inexpensive guitars. One of the reasons I like them is the reason you explained: Issues like a warped neck will have already happened or it's been fixed. I found a 2009 left-handed Squier Affinity Strat that sat in the guitar store window for 13 years that had a straight neck and small issues easily repaired and bought it. It's one of my most stable and best guitars I own. I did replace the electronics and the pickups but the neck is astounding and it's a lovely guitar.
Thank you for advise. The reality in my area that people are asking the same price for used gear as for new in store. Even for low end HB's and Squiers. And the real deals are flying so fast.
I bought a 'used' Ibenez EX350 from seeing it on a youtube video (ZIMMS GUITARS). It has been a 'gem'! We have a lot of Pawn Shops here in the States and they all have used guitars. Some at good prices. Just have to check them for neck straightness and other weird things that might be showing. Electric components need to be looked at also. Skål!
Wood shrinks always check floyd studs if they are firm, I got multiple new guitars with this issue, until I brought an old Charvette and the stud inserts were stable (still could be just glued in XD).
Great channel, Elmo! Your videos are definitely helping me in the way to look at my next purchase. And superb playing, btw. I moved to Helsinki almost 3 years ago, and I have already realized the great level of musicianship you find in this land. Great artists/musicians with very good taste --and very humble. jatkaa hyvää työtä!
Very good topic: I don't like buying 2nd hand guitars on the one hand, because the idea of other (less clean) people having used this guitar, turns me off (that's something personal, haha), but on the other hand: I like trying various brands and sometimes I sell them after a few months (unless I'm in love with them). But, most interesting: Try before you buy, is something that I want to live up to, but... a lot of guitar stores are not around the corner and don't have much in stock. Thus, many guitars can't be tried in advance, so you Have to buy them online and be surprised (in a good or bad way). Sometimes a guitar really disappoints, and you always write off 33% (what you say) when you sell them again...
In Ireland people think a used item its just 20 or 30 EUR less for everything, its freaking ridiculous 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 I miss the US in that sense, there if its used usually is around 40% depending on condition a little more a little less, but here in Ireland (not sure for the rest of EU) but it's bonkers people really think the value should be almost the new less shipping.
The only thing I kind of disagree with you on is the eBay thing! The reason; What if the person just opened an eBay account and it’s their first sale ever!?!? Otherwise I whole heartedly agree with you, but I also say contact the seller and make sure they know what they’re talking about, etc…… cause if not, those are also red flags! Do the research! Like I would never buy from someone who makes youboob videos about “sharpen your axe” and “know your gear” and you catch them in not knowing their gear! (This has happened too many times! I asked him to stop but he won’t!) do the sue diligence !
HUGE rant against all of your guitar review videos! I always wanted to write this down, let's just start that I'm a special kind of animal which likes to hear your opinion on a guitar more than the playing+sound of the instrument, because it is hard to get the real sound through youtube+laptop speakers and stuff, also hard to separate the player from the sound. My tip would be to somewhat standardize a guitar review process like do a quick impression without setup, just tune it play it, feel it, look for visible flaws, check electronics and so on, then a basic setup like truss rod, string high at the bridge, intonation, streching strings and then a more deep testing, tones and the whammy bar, especially the whammy test without string stretching can be very hit or miss, maybe cut some playing keep it under 15mins and then probably die from boredom after the third vid XD anyway just some tips, no offense ofc ;-)
Check out some good cheap alternatives: ruclips.net/video/MsEp-yPTRWo/видео.html
My 98 Ibanez turned vintage this year so now I can ask the big bucks. 😂
Haha :D
Well wierd things can happen when buying used guitars online. Sometimes the guitar you want is located abroad. I live in Sweden. Once i bought a vintage Kramer from the U.S, that guitar took a trip to swaziland (curtesy of UPS) before it arrived but the guitar was great. Another time i bought a vintage charvel from the UK, the guitar had a lot of usage and was in need of minor repairs. That was huge understatement. The wood was so bad it was basically falling appart and when i opened the case it smelled like someones moist cellar. That guitar i sent tight back to the Guy who sold it and got a refund. But yeah, if it’s an option always try before you buy.
Side note - if you buy second hand guitars that have fixable problems (and usually sell for next to nothing because of the issues) and you learn to do setups and repairs, then you can get a really stunning guitar for super cheap.
I bought an affinity strat for $50 on an online auction that was advertised with fret sprout. When i got the guitar, i did a full setup on it (because i had already acquired the tools, about $70 worth for everything, including notched straight edge and fret files) and it was great after that. It wound up just needing a truss rod adjustment.
Its my test mule now and is still doing great.
I used some cheap files and household tools I already had. Leveled and crowned a few frets on a couple of guitars I bought to learn to play guitar. It takes only about 10 minutes, no need to pay a luthier, and I adjusted everything else too, neck relief, string height, intonation, and I didn't have to buy tools, use your credit card just to check the fret level.
Yeah Elmo I second that.
And Appreciate the UNBIASED content.
Ride on Elmo , Ride on !
Thanks!
Very good advice for everyone.
I just bought an 87 Ibanez RG550 that had a bad jack…I replaced all the electronics it plays like a dream.
Of course it is shred machine and good year.
Buying a used guitar unseen is taking a big risk, the seller maybe 100% honest
but a lot of online auction sites are full of sellers that are best avoided.
My advice is that if it is not possible to see what you are buying study the photo's
very carefully, and most importantly are there photo's of all areas, the front may look good
but wary if there are no photo's of the back, it may be damaged.
Try asking the seller a sensible question and how they reply will give you a clue as to
how genuine they are.
Now that a lot of the independant guitar shops have closed, it is not easy trying to find
a good well cared for used guitar.
Use your instincts, if the seller has iffy feedback from more than one customer then keep
on looking, there are some genuine sellers.
I've just pulled the trigger on a 2012 Squier Stratocaster in Sonic Blue for £145. I'm going to pimp it up with a Hendrix pickguard, some Seymour Duncans I have lying around and a left handed big headstock maple neck. They're no brainers at those prices. All the best Elmo. Carlo 🎸👍🏼
I love your videos -- way more genuine than most. I just have one comnent about necks warping: by warp, are you referring to neck twist?
Because, in my experience, its quite possible that a neck twists but is still quite playable. It really depends how this happens -- where is the twist, how uniform is it, how it affects relief and the frets.
Additionally, it has been possible for me to save guitars with (twisted in all the wrong ways!) necks via fret levelling. There's obvious limitations to such methods (for example this wont change the back neck profile, which may be affected by the twist) and you may not even have enough fret to work with. But I believe neck twist cases are often not super "black and white" per se (yes, you also did mention that such issues "may have been fixed").
I mean, hecc! Maybe you'd like to measure the relief from top E to bottom E on your guitars. Fret wear is a factor, but even that notwithstanding, I wouldn't be surprised If you find all kinds of variations, however slight. Most of my freshly leveled guitars haven't been "perfect" in that sense.
Ps: cheers from Turku, Finland!
That's what I was referring to. I've heard they become totally useless at that point.
Thanks again, bro! You're awesome.
Thanks!
Customer returns and shop demos, as type of second hand, are also good options to save some money plus they are covered with the shop's return policy and warranty. Having the shop's guitar tech do warranty repairs, if any issues arise, is pretty invaluable.
On ebay good idea to check what els they are selling, I bought a cheap guitar to try it out the guy sold Guitar stuff, Very pleased isd description was good action ect. but yes now I buy second hand. Good vid Elmo.
I sell on my local market at about half what i paid. Thats now not cheep enough for people. I do have my guitars set up and checked over. The used stuff i have bought have generally good intonation and or pu upgrades. I am thinking about stopping as all the offers are so low. Last night a guy tried to talk me down to 3 hundred usd for a guitar that goes for 1k usd. Im tired and selling at such a huge loss is dumb
I have found some wonderful older used inexpensive guitars. One of the reasons I like them is the reason you explained: Issues like a warped neck will have already happened or it's been fixed. I found a 2009 left-handed Squier Affinity Strat that sat in the guitar store window for 13 years that had a straight neck and small issues easily repaired and bought it. It's one of my most stable and best guitars I own. I did replace the electronics and the pickups but the neck is astounding and it's a lovely guitar.
Thank you for advise. The reality in my area that people are asking the same price for used gear as for new in store. Even for low end HB's and Squiers. And the real deals are flying so fast.
I bought a 'used' Ibenez EX350 from seeing it on a youtube video (ZIMMS GUITARS). It has been a 'gem'! We have a lot of Pawn Shops here in the States and they all have used guitars. Some at good prices. Just have to check them for neck straightness and other weird things that might be showing. Electric components need to be looked at also. Skål!
6 months to 1 year "curing time". I have a boat load of budget guitars, and many need to be re-set up after they get done curing. Great channel!
Thanks!
Wood shrinks always check floyd studs if they are firm, I got multiple new guitars with this issue, until I brought an old Charvette and the stud inserts were stable (still could be just glued in XD).
Great channel, Elmo! Your videos are definitely helping me in the way to look at my next purchase. And superb playing, btw. I moved to Helsinki almost 3 years ago, and I have already realized the great level of musicianship you find in this land. Great artists/musicians with very good taste --and very humble. jatkaa hyvää työtä!
Thanks man!
The end message about all guitars being different- yes.
Very good topic: I don't like buying 2nd hand guitars on the one hand, because the idea of other (less clean) people having used this guitar, turns me off (that's something personal, haha), but on the other hand: I like trying various brands and sometimes I sell them after a few months (unless I'm in love with them). But, most interesting: Try before you buy, is something that I want to live up to, but... a lot of guitar stores are not around the corner and don't have much in stock. Thus, many guitars can't be tried in advance, so you Have to buy them online and be surprised (in a good or bad way). Sometimes a guitar really disappoints, and you always write off 33% (what you say) when you sell them again...
Fender USA and Gibson do not go down in value. The deals are on PRS and Ibanez when it comes to the big names.
And both are great brands, but if people want to put Fender and Gibson on a pedestal so be it.
Instant like and start watching :)))
Cool bananas :)
Thank You 🙏 as always Elmo! Cheers 🎉
Cheers Rick!
In the words of the immortal Frank Zappa: "And a second-hand guitar, it was a Stratocaster with a whammy bar!" 🤘😎
Spot on 😊👍
Joe's Garage song 🎸.
@@kipponi ruclips.net/video/tq0QCWZ9TP8/видео.html
I have many guitars for sale. So thank you for this video, Elmo! Not sure how many people around here will see it, though! 😃
😀
My 2018 Gibson Flying V cost me under£1000 new and used, currently sells for up to £1600
Those are the best deals but those are a must try
Thanks for the advice Elmo. You should sell the two guitars at a low price as a project guitar
Cheers!
In Ireland people think a used item its just 20 or 30 EUR less for everything, its freaking ridiculous 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I miss the US in that sense, there if its used usually is around 40% depending on condition a little more a little less, but here in Ireland (not sure for the rest of EU) but it's bonkers people really think the value should be almost the new less shipping.
Here the general rule is that you knock off a third of the price if it's used.
I think nowadays the biggest difference in quality is in the QC.
"Bigger" brands have ( or should have) better QC than a lesser-known starting brand.
They often don't it seems.
The only thing I kind of disagree with you on is the eBay thing! The reason;
What if the person just opened an eBay account and it’s their first sale ever!?!? Otherwise I whole heartedly agree with you, but I also say contact the seller and make sure they know what they’re talking about, etc…… cause if not, those are also red flags! Do the research! Like I would never buy from someone who makes youboob videos about “sharpen your axe” and “know your gear” and you catch them in not knowing their gear! (This has happened too many times! I asked him to stop but he won’t!) do the sue diligence !
Fair enough.
i prefer older ones
When you buy a guitar off the wall from a guitar shop you are buying a used guitar.
What does it say about a guitar that it was put back up on the wall?
Watch out for broken truss rods . Watch out for sellers who want you to perform for them 😂
Hello Elmo, my gems..... 1997 s.r.v. strat, 2 Hohner steinberger guitars and an Katana from 1987..... what do you think? 😮
Cool :)
HUGE rant against all of your guitar review videos! I always wanted to write this down, let's just start that I'm a special kind of animal which likes to hear your opinion on a guitar more than the playing+sound of the instrument, because it is hard to get the real sound through youtube+laptop speakers and stuff, also hard to separate the player from the sound. My tip would be to somewhat standardize a guitar review process like do a quick impression without setup, just tune it play it, feel it, look for visible flaws, check electronics and so on, then a basic setup like truss rod, string high at the bridge, intonation, streching strings and then a more deep testing, tones and the whammy bar, especially the whammy test without string stretching can be very hit or miss, maybe cut some playing keep it under 15mins and then probably die from boredom after the third vid XD anyway just some tips, no offense ofc ;-)
👍