Great video. I think part of the reason people are selling guitars so much now too is that they are aware that selling things either on Facebook or Reverb or whatever is easier than ever, so why not make some cash?
Preach on man! Most of the guitars I have bought are used. However, in the strange guitar market we are currently in, I've noticed some deeply discounted new guitars from major brands (like over half off - these are certain models that are not the most popular ones, and maybe a year or two old) and I've bought them (the idea of new frets is pretty sweet, as you said). These sales are in places like Adorama, and my shopping experience was great.
I haven't bought a new guitar in ages. In all honesty, I prefer used not only for the reasons you gave, Jake, but because (if they weren't case queens,) they already feel broken in and they have a bit of (admittedly probably imagined) mojo already there.
Fender has just released the new American Ultra II series...... but you can get a slightly older, but fully capable American Deluxe at or below the price of an American Pro II.
I agree, Jake. I would buy a used guitar over a new one. I like rosewood. The rosewood on my older guitars just feels good. I have 11 guitars. The only new guitar out of that bunch is a 2014 Bullet Strat. To be fair, I haven't tried any new Fender Strats because they are just more than I care to spend. But the Squiers? The new ones I tried in my local music shops suck. I have too many guitars right now. But, If I was going to buy another one, It would definitely be pre-owned. I hope all is well with you and your family. I hope you guys are feeling better. Danny...
A lot of good takes here, Jake! 99.9% of every guitar I've ever bought has been used. You just have to research what you want, and stay on the hunt. Eventually you'll find what you want at a great price used. Sometimes you gotta pony up and pay top dollar for something, but if it's a rare, holy grail item for you, then you gotta pounce. Most of the time, you're saving enough on a guitar to be able to buy 2-4 other guitars, instead of paying full price new for the first guitar
As a lefty...I've bought LOTs of guitars....otherwise life ain't worth living. I only buy new if discounted or a decent BStock marked down (or a HarleyBenton/Squier I intend to mod for kicks)...otherwise, too many used ONLINE options, even for a lefty. Got my new lefty PRS SS SE last week for $700 total cost (no tax, no ship) and PLEK'd,... BTW, LOVE it. Hard to sell these days....but, it should pick up...
The only brand new guitars I buy are the ones priced 69% of retail and marked as open box ! 😂n it's worked for me to get brand new at less than reverb used prices !
I bought a Gibson SGJ for 500 bucks. A Rick 360 maple glow for 1500 bucks. Now is the time to snag a new guitar. I did buy a 50’ double esquire custom shop. It took fender 1.5 years to make.
Great video. Only thing I would have added was mention store vs marketplace although you touched on taking a chance on having to do work. Used stores like your friend I would expect consistent quality used. Marketplace and eBay way more easy to get fucked for time and money. I personally have great luck with both markets but your mileage may vary.
Out of 37 guitars, I only bought 2 new guitars ($350 total). I have put together a few guitars over the last 8 years and the used guitars I bought that needed a lot of missing parts, are the ones that I invested the most money into to bring them back to life. I tend to buy new parts mostly so that I have a very nice guitar in the end. I also buy extra parts that I don't really need so I can put different colored screws or parts to be able to produce the vision I have for the guitar when its build parameters are in the making. I have several that I have spent $300-$500 to put together, which includes the price of the used guitar for each build. These guitars are also ones that I have repainted so that adds between $36 - $178 for paint. I have noticed that the new parts prices have jumped up considerably in the last three years. More often now, I have to buy all my parts over a few months or more, in order to be able to afford them. Next spring, I am repainting and putting together a Strat with Forest Green Pearl Dupli-color Acrylic lacquer paint with a green perloid pickguard and back cover, gold Fender Tremolo with black mounting screws, gold neck plate with black neck screws, black and white knobs with black tremolo bar tip and switch tip, gold and black auto-trim locking tuners, gold pickguard and back cover screws, gold jack plate with black screws, gold switchcraft jack, gold roller string trees with black screws, G.M. Fat Head SSS (Neck 5.8k, Middle 6.1k (RWRP), Bridge 6.3k) Invader style pickups with black pole screws, gold pickup covers, gold pickup screws and gold Loxx strap locks. New Fender Pure Vintage 250k cts volume and tone 1 pots with a tone 2 push-push Alpha pot for adding in the bridge pickup, an Emerson Oak Grigsby 5-way switch, and copper shielding tape for the electronics cavities. I will individually shield each pickup also. This is one I am building for myself with an unknown brand used strat body (1 11/16" thick) and an SE Squier maple with rosewood fretboard neck with leveled frets. I will have both 0.47 and 0.22 caps wired in series so each pot can be used alone or the two together and all pickups get a tone adjustment. Total cost of this build will be $507.28. I won't be selling this one, so I am not concerned that I will never get my money back on it. I do all my own work so there are no luthier costs for me. I'd hate to see those costs to have someone build this guitar for me. The neck I had and the body I paid $30 for. The rest is paint ($38.52) and parts. Generally, guitar mods, restorations, and upgrading are costing more these days. But a guitar of these specs made by Fender would probably cost at least $3000. Their mod shop build your own with as many similar options is $1899. No gold hardware option, no dark green paint, no different colored screws (black, gold) for hardware, no push-push tone for adding the bridge, single tone cap value, no tone for the bridge pickup, no auto trim on the locking tuners, no roller string trees, and no green pearloid pickguard or tremolo back cover
You're spot on. I see amazing deals every day on my local auction site. At the same time I'm contemplating on a new Schecter 7 String. I have to sell 2-3 guitars (calculating what I can assume to get for them in this economy) to purchase that new guitar. It's a great buyers market on used instruments right now if you have the cash.
I've played guitar for over 30 years and I've only bought 1 new instrument over all of those years.that was a Peavey Cirrus bass .I refuse to pay new prices for a guitar that I know is not worth the money they ask for it.
Your absolutely right. Last month I was looking at new Gibson Les Paul guitars and you know what they are going for so I got on Reverb for the first time and found a 2017 Gibson Les Paul Traditional for $2000.00 and its in excellent condition.You have to buy what you can afford.Thanks for the video.
Except for m acoustic, both my electrics are used (they don't make them anymore). I try to buy used whenever possible or blemished. I saved a cool $125 off my JC40 from AMS because it was missing a screw. Found the screw in the box, bolted it in as it was a cosmetic blemish.
So I agree with you with a few caveats. Buying used takes some knowledge and guitar experience for sure - and you do touch on this in your video. To expand on this, a buyer needs to understand the used guitar's position in the new market to determine if a used guitar is priced at a deal or not. Also, you need to have basic functional guitar experience to be able to understand a defect from a setup adjustment - the used market can be a costly risk as there is no warranty or return policy (if buying from a private seller). You have to be willing to make some concessions for the the deal; its not the color or the exact option combination you wanted. Lastly - and what I find most important - you have to be patient. I find the best deals when I dont really care if I buy the guitar or not. All this being said, I have a fairly sizable collection that cost me about a third of what I would have paid buying my guitars new - and I have a good buy/sell side gig that allows me to buy what I want without spending any of my own money. To your point, as a seller, I am selling professionally set up used guitars that are in great condition and ready to play for half of what people are paying for them new. I giggle to myself every time I am in the guitar store to buy strings or something like that and see someone paying $350 for a new Squier guitar when I have 3 of them listed for sale used in as good condition - and - ready to play for less than $200 - also knowing that in 6 months I will probably buy that guitar from them for $50. If you browse FB Marketplace or Craigslist, sellers (of anything - not just music gear) have a "language" and if you take the time to learn the "language", you can spot good deals with little to no effort. Happy Hunting.
I look on Marketplace and other places online - and people are asking $50 to $150 OVER NEW prices… Like somebody listing a Firefly LP for $100 over MSRP? Hell no. Or how about people selling their dead dad’s Telecaster and the thing is banged up, and you can see the cockroaches and cirgarette ashes in the trailer home in the background - I don’t want some smelly POS with chewed up frets and might come with a cockroach egg sack inside the wiring cavity… Nope nope nope. Guitar center is listing as Used PRS for the only $50 less than a new near equivalent. Nope. There are a few things worth buying new in life… Firearms and Guitars are among that list.
Bought a used custom shop strat a few months ago. Made an offer pretty below the shop’s asking price on reverb and got it right away. Feel I should have been a bit more agressive. At least it was really the specs I wanted and it looks fantastic.
Always weary of fakes or something that has issues when I buy online. That said most my guitars are used. Somehow my 3 strats were all bought new. 1 beginner, 1 intermediate and 1 pro level strat. 2 prs and epiphone LP are used. The $400 CAD prs soapbar is one of my faves.
I’ve always wanted to buy some cheap guitars (used or new) and make a frankenaxe like Eddie or Eric. Find a piece from each that’s just really nice for some reason and slap it all together. I feel a guitar like that could outshine any top range flash
None of the guitars I see on the used market are the ones I'm looking for, hence the brand new guitar purchases. Used guitars are often more expensive than new because of shipping on reverb so that isn't an option either. If the used market has what your looking for it's great, otherwise, the new market might be your only option.
I usually get myself a used guitar now and then. But the last couple of guitars I've bought, had a few issues. From a stripped out truss rod, or a strat with a $20 pre loaded Chinese pickguard. Now that ive come across a sweetwater credit card. I can pay $20 a month for something really nice, and not have to worry about someone else's problems or having to pay for their upgrades that i dont want.
I got two glarry 335 style guitars from eBay for like 148.00 each On RUclips they said they was so bad that the guitar was discontinued one is purple one is black now i can't even find one . Is it valuable now?
I tend to buy both new and used. New if its an interesting starter. Pre owned in case of premium flagships like top of the line. An example got myself two new guitars Yamaha Pacifica 611HFM and a PRS SE custom pre-owned. And l a Pacifica 112J and a Fender Telecaster MIJ.
Bought a 15 Gibson Les Paul jr for 900 and a 12 Fender Stratocaster for 850 on the same day ps my last new guitar was a 76 Yamaha fg160 my parents got me
currently a buyers market in the uk,bargains everywhere,problem is ,though cheaper,currently the uk economy is fecked,high fuel prices,constantly rising food prices.and people simply dont have the disposable income.everyones selling shit,not just guitars simply to pay bills.so even the bargains take a while to shift,or the guitar stores/online sellers with a buying float,buy up all the bargains,then relist them 2 weeks later at double the price,as for new guitars,i think its the same with everything cars,food etc for instance ive switched to supermarket brands,because name brands cost 3 times as much.no disposable income/no sale.the guitar companys do not seem to realize this
I think financing is a huge influence. Kind of hard to say no to the upgrade when they're offering interest free 48 month financing. All of those guitars that used to be a stretch become basically a water bill tgat you can set up an autopay.
I buy both used and new. If I want something badly, I'll look for a good used one first. If I see something close enough to what I want at a good price, Ill buy it. If not, I may go new. If im browsing and see some great deal on a guitar I like, its not really a risk if I can break even reselling.
I haven’t seen particularly low prices on the used guitars I’m typically looking for. I won’t count you out though because there’s a very good chance we aren’t searching for the same ones……obviously. I see Epiphones in your background so that’s possibly why although I don’t know what you own in its entirety either.
On another note, I purchased a new Gibson LP roughly 4-5 years ago when they ‘upped’ their QC ( supposedly, I’m sure there’s people who will say otherwise lol ). I did a complete setup on it and it plays literally flawlessly. I managed to order the guitar roughly 300 off the price it was advertised for as well, I waited and waited until I saw one with the top I was looking for as well. Mine is heavily figured flame top, if I threw this one on the market to sell I’m pretty sure I can get approximately about 3-400 less than what I had paid for it because the prices have rose considerably in this fairly short time. With that being said, that’s not a ‘bad deal’ if you consider all the use I’ve gotten out of it since I’ve made the purchase although I don’t use this one to gig with either so it’s in excellent condition as well. That is the one saving grace on a brand such as Gibson imo. Lastly, to answer your question at the end of your video…..wouldn’t I rather own 3-4 used guitars instead of the one I own, I can honestly say no. I’d rather have this one rather than 3-4 Epi’s and I’m using Epiphone as the brand since they relate to Gibson obviously. They DO make some nice replicas too and if you take your time you can certainly find one that plays nicely so I’m not bashing Epiphone ( I do own one Epi, it’s a sunburst style Firebird and it plays ok for the moneys I spent on it ).
There’s a sixth reason you don’t consider: payment plans. Rarely do I have $1500 for the used guitar but I can pay $90 or whatever per month and get the guitar albeit at the higher price. Some retailers will finance used guitars but for no interest no credit plans like zzounds offers, new is the only way for some of us.
Many people were out of work during covid and only stores carrying essentials were open so music stores and all other non essentials were not moving at all! So I don't believe Fender and Gibson, Martin and Taylor and others were lifting production if they couldn't move them! The craftsmen were out of work! What caused the congestion in the distribution networks was nothing moved for nearly two years of covid restiction measures!
Used prices are certainly down. Most sellers are looking to make a deal, and get rid of their excess gear. In the past month I've bought four guitars at what I consider very fair prices. Please, make it stop! j/k might as well grab a deal now while you can.
Too late, I just got the other day a $5500 brand new custom shop Gibson Les Paul custom 😂... But only after I sold my '91 Gibson Les Paul classic and '97 Gibson Les Paul standard.
Paranormal confabulations got the juice to produce fooling around with sibling rivalries and adolescent attention spans with free money to spend . . the used market’s flooded with these horrors . . while brands then use this perverse array to inflate the real thing further skywards . . it’s new old stock with a greedy twist
@@jasontaylor4799 In my opinion, those are fringe. I think they are mostly ok, but generally speaking I think a preowned (*whatever the IYV/HB/FireFly is copying*) by a licensed brand like Epiphone is going to be better 99% of the time and cost close to the same price(if not cheaper). At least the licensed version will hold its value better. A FF/HB/IYV will not have much resale value at all.
Buying a used guitar means you got a real (slightly or heavily) relic one. I've got 10 guitars (too many in fact) of which only the first one, a Squier Chinese affinity strat I bought new from a shop, all the others I got used. The problem with used: You can't usually check them out, so you are at risk to get some shit. That happened once to me, fortunately it was a really cheap one, but the neck was twisted and not reparable. On the other hand I found a Gibson tribute for 500 Euros (with a small irrelevant crack on the headstock) and a fender USA strat for 400 Euros. I wouldn' pay more than 500 Euros for a guitar as I am no pro. Talking about guitars for pros/gigging guitarists is a completely different story.
The used prices went way up after the pandemic - and it was entirely sellers being greedy. The used prices are now close to what they were but will surely drop even more and even below. The years of gouging made all the knockoffs the new way to go - and that is the way it will be. My next guitar purchase would surely be a knockoff - I just can't decide which as I've yet to see all the choices. Stop buying used guitars that have been marked up, let those dudes eat those guitars...
The only used Les Paul Standards that I see for $1,500 have cracked headstocks or serious damage. $2,200 is more realistic for a used LP Standard. Gibson, that is…..
All comes down to people caring more about gear than actual music. Thats why you see people like the Beatles or Jimi Hendrix they were associated with very few instruments.
Please let me say this: Learn to do fret work. It's worth it. There are videos all over RUclips that teach methods of fret work, tell what's needed -- they get you through the whole process. Some careful shopping for tools and some elbow grease will empower you to make your guitars play, sound and sustain better than they did when they were brand new! Round out that new "playing surface" with a full-on setup and you can make your own guitar feel like an actual custom shop creation for astonishingly little money. Remember that you can pay $300 for this kind of work and you can see how much money you can save(💲‼) on each of your guitars. Remember also that that pawn shop prize or that super-cheapo over on Amazon holds no terrors for you; you don't have to care if they need work. They're not losses unless and until you destroy them, which is possible but low cost (and instructive) when it happens and remains less than likely. You can go either used or cheap new, but yes, the used guitar shows wear and tear and therefore won't show less-than-fatal damage all that much or you won't need to care. Last, look at Les Paul's prototypes (I'm talking about the guitars HE PERSONALLY tinkered around with.) and bunches of Eddie Van Halen's stage guitars. If your efforts play well, sound good, do what you want and look better than the most janky of Edward's stage axes, you're doing fine!
I quit buying used because I have ran into too many A Holes that lie or cover up damage or replaced components. I now only have 3 and will not buy anything unless I know all the facts and it is the right price. On the flip side, if you know what you want, do your homework. In many cases, there are some better quality depending on a time period. Take all that info and make an informed decision.
Collapse the builders enterprise. Do the same with other products. No new clothes,shoes,etc. Same on cars, refrigerators, and toothbrushes. REALLY? Buy what you can afford. If you're hanging it like a trophy, do the same with your Mustang, your Levis, your minty Crest.
Buying new (from a big place like GC) is useful if you need the security of knowing you’re not buying a fake. Scammers be scamming like a mf these days. I bought a LP from GC, partially for that reason. And I knew if something wasn’t right I could return or exchange it. Every other guitar I’ve bought has been used.
13:18 we have to band together and stop buying guitars however use my link if you are buying a guitar. What a silly young man 😂😂😂 I have socks older than this wise fellow 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Have you seen the low prices these Chinese brands are selling for? Sure they aren't named brand, but its good enough quality for most to practice on and even gig with. Even some have established themselves as a brand, and still sell knockoff guitars better than ever, obviously with their own brand name and slight changes in design. Why am I going to buy an expensive guitar, for it just to lose value in the used market, when I can pay way less for something just as good, for the avg player. Then you reach a point where you have too many cheap guitars and reach Nirvana.
Literally have never came across a real $500 guitar for $50-100. I might find a pedal for a steal. But people have the internet, they'll just search for the one they have and then try to high bid it out. I think a lot of the time, you're not getting crazy deals on marketplace without being super fast or super lucky. Most deals I've actually had were from offering on reverb or finding something no one wanted at guitar center and making an offer. There's a local shop near me that has good offers too.
Depends on the manufacturer, but none of my faves are in business anymore. First, I'd never buy a Gibson or Fender - new OR used. Gibson stopped making quality instruments decades ago. Yes, I have two Les Paul's. BURNY Les Paul's - one with a Sustainiac and Floyd Rose, another with triple humbuckers and Bigsby. Fender ceased to be legit when Leo left. Give me a G&L any day (like an 80's Broadcaster). Strat? Please - gimme a Parker Fly, any day. Basses? Parker, Ernie Ball, or G&L IDIOTS buy new. BIGGER idiots by "names."
Let's not forget you can make payments on new guitars these days you going to let me make payments if I buy guitar from you, I highly doubt it, good luck good video
In 2019 during guitar centers guitarathon month I was able to buy a brand new never opened in the box still Gibson Les Paul Standard blueberry burst by calling the main corporate number off of the website and telling them I have $2100 in cash/debit not credit or loans. It was $2,299 advertised online. They put me on hold and connected me with a manager and he discounted it down to $2100 after tax or whatever for me. With no hassle. Haven't bought a guitar since. I only own 2. A bottom tier 90s American made white hard tail strat. I can't for the life of me imagine buying a guitar at today's cost. I didn't want to pay the $2,300 at the time for the LP-S which is why I went the route I did. P.S. edit : I live in Massachusetts and had to drive to Rhode Island to pick it up.
Great video. I think part of the reason people are selling guitars so much now too is that they are aware that selling things either on Facebook or Reverb or whatever is easier than ever, so why not make some cash?
Preach on man! Most of the guitars I have bought are used. However, in the strange guitar market we are currently in, I've noticed some deeply discounted new guitars from major brands (like over half off - these are certain models that are not the most popular ones, and maybe a year or two old) and I've bought them (the idea of new frets is pretty sweet, as you said). These sales are in places like Adorama, and my shopping experience was great.
I haven't bought a new guitar in ages. In all honesty, I prefer used not only for the reasons you gave, Jake, but because (if they weren't case queens,) they already feel broken in and they have a bit of (admittedly probably imagined) mojo already there.
This is great advice ive been screaming this
Fender has just released the new American Ultra II series...... but you can get a slightly older, but fully capable American Deluxe at or below the price of an American Pro II.
I agree, Jake. I would buy a used guitar over a new one. I like rosewood. The rosewood on my older guitars just feels good. I have 11 guitars. The only new guitar out of that bunch is a 2014 Bullet Strat. To be fair, I haven't tried any new Fender Strats because they are just more than I care to spend. But the Squiers? The new ones I tried in my local music shops suck. I have too many guitars right now. But, If I was going to buy another one, It would definitely be pre-owned.
I hope all is well with you and your family. I hope you guys are feeling better.
Danny...
A lot of good takes here, Jake! 99.9% of every guitar I've ever bought has been used. You just have to research what you want, and stay on the hunt. Eventually you'll find what you want at a great price used. Sometimes you gotta pony up and pay top dollar for something, but if it's a rare, holy grail item for you, then you gotta pounce. Most of the time, you're saving enough on a guitar to be able to buy 2-4 other guitars, instead of paying full price new for the first guitar
As a lefty...I've bought LOTs of guitars....otherwise life ain't worth living. I only buy new if discounted or a decent BStock marked down (or a HarleyBenton/Squier I intend to mod for kicks)...otherwise, too many used ONLINE options, even for a lefty. Got my new lefty PRS SS SE last week for $700 total cost (no tax, no ship) and PLEK'd,... BTW, LOVE it. Hard to sell these days....but, it should pick up...
The only brand new guitars I buy are the ones priced 69% of retail and marked as open box ! 😂n it's worked for me to get brand new at less than reverb used prices !
I bought a Gibson SGJ for 500 bucks. A Rick 360 maple glow for 1500 bucks. Now is the time to snag a new guitar.
I did buy a 50’ double esquire custom shop. It took fender 1.5 years to make.
Great video.
Only thing I would have added was mention store vs marketplace although you touched on taking a chance on having to do work.
Used stores like your friend I would expect consistent quality used.
Marketplace and eBay way more easy to get fucked for time and money.
I personally have great luck with both markets but your mileage may vary.
Out of 37 guitars, I only bought 2 new guitars ($350 total). I have put together a few guitars over the last 8 years and the used guitars I bought that needed a lot of missing parts, are the ones that I invested the most money into to bring them back to life. I tend to buy new parts mostly so that I have a very nice guitar in the end. I also buy extra parts that I don't really need so I can put different colored screws or parts to be able to produce the vision I have for the guitar when its build parameters are in the making. I have several that I have spent $300-$500 to put together, which includes the price of the used guitar for each build. These guitars are also ones that I have repainted so that adds between $36 - $178 for paint. I have noticed that the new parts prices have jumped up considerably in the last three years. More often now, I have to buy all my parts over a few months or more, in order to be able to afford them. Next spring, I am repainting and putting together a Strat with Forest Green Pearl Dupli-color Acrylic lacquer paint with a green perloid pickguard and back cover, gold Fender Tremolo with black mounting screws, gold neck plate with black neck screws, black and white knobs with black tremolo bar tip and switch tip, gold and black auto-trim locking tuners, gold pickguard and back cover screws, gold jack plate with black screws, gold switchcraft jack, gold roller string trees with black screws, G.M. Fat Head SSS (Neck 5.8k, Middle 6.1k (RWRP), Bridge 6.3k) Invader style pickups with black pole screws, gold pickup covers, gold pickup screws and gold Loxx strap locks. New Fender Pure Vintage 250k cts volume and tone 1 pots with a tone 2 push-push Alpha pot for adding in the bridge pickup, an Emerson Oak Grigsby 5-way switch, and copper shielding tape for the electronics cavities. I will individually shield each pickup also. This is one I am building for myself with an unknown brand used strat body (1 11/16" thick) and an SE Squier maple with rosewood fretboard neck with leveled frets. I will have both 0.47 and 0.22 caps wired in series so each pot can be used alone or the two together and all pickups get a tone adjustment. Total cost of this build will be $507.28. I won't be selling this one, so I am not concerned that I will never get my money back on it. I do all my own work so there are no luthier costs for me. I'd hate to see those costs to have someone build this guitar for me. The neck I had and the body I paid $30 for. The rest is paint ($38.52) and parts. Generally, guitar mods, restorations, and upgrading are costing more these days. But a guitar of these specs made by Fender would probably cost at least $3000. Their mod shop build your own with as many similar options is $1899. No gold hardware option, no dark green paint, no different colored screws (black, gold) for hardware, no push-push tone for adding the bridge, single tone cap value, no tone for the bridge pickup, no auto trim on the locking tuners, no roller string trees, and no green pearloid pickguard or tremolo back cover
You're spot on.
I see amazing deals every day on my local auction site. At the same time I'm contemplating on a new Schecter 7 String.
I have to sell 2-3 guitars (calculating what I can assume to get for them in this economy) to purchase that new guitar.
It's a great buyers market on used instruments right now if you have the cash.
I've played guitar for over 30 years and I've only bought 1 new instrument over all of those years.that was a Peavey Cirrus bass .I refuse to pay new prices for a guitar that I know is not worth the money they ask for it.
Your absolutely right. Last month I was looking at new Gibson Les Paul guitars and you know what they are going for so I got on Reverb for the first time and found a 2017 Gibson Les Paul Traditional for $2000.00 and its in excellent condition.You have to buy what you can afford.Thanks for the video.
Except for m acoustic, both my electrics are used (they don't make them anymore). I try to buy used whenever possible or blemished.
I saved a cool $125 off my JC40 from AMS because it was missing a screw. Found the screw in the box, bolted it in as it was a cosmetic blemish.
Reverb suggests undercutting the lowest priced posting. Add that to lots of people feeling cash crunch due to rising costs and interest rates...
So I agree with you with a few caveats. Buying used takes some knowledge and guitar experience for sure - and you do touch on this in your video. To expand on this, a buyer needs to understand the used guitar's position in the new market to determine if a used guitar is priced at a deal or not. Also, you need to have basic functional guitar experience to be able to understand a defect from a setup adjustment - the used market can be a costly risk as there is no warranty or return policy (if buying from a private seller). You have to be willing to make some concessions for the the deal; its not the color or the exact option combination you wanted. Lastly - and what I find most important - you have to be patient. I find the best deals when I dont really care if I buy the guitar or not. All this being said, I have a fairly sizable collection that cost me about a third of what I would have paid buying my guitars new - and I have a good buy/sell side gig that allows me to buy what I want without spending any of my own money. To your point, as a seller, I am selling professionally set up used guitars that are in great condition and ready to play for half of what people are paying for them new. I giggle to myself every time I am in the guitar store to buy strings or something like that and see someone paying $350 for a new Squier guitar when I have 3 of them listed for sale used in as good condition - and - ready to play for less than $200 - also knowing that in 6 months I will probably buy that guitar from them for $50. If you browse FB Marketplace or Craigslist, sellers (of anything - not just music gear) have a "language" and if you take the time to learn the "language", you can spot good deals with little to no effort. Happy Hunting.
I look on Marketplace and other places online - and people are asking $50 to $150 OVER NEW prices… Like somebody listing a Firefly LP for $100 over MSRP? Hell no.
Or how about people selling their dead dad’s Telecaster and the thing is banged up, and you can see the cockroaches and cirgarette ashes in the trailer home in the background - I don’t want some smelly POS with chewed up frets and might come with a cockroach egg sack inside the wiring cavity…
Nope nope nope.
Guitar center is listing as Used PRS for the only $50 less than a new near equivalent. Nope.
There are a few things worth buying new in life… Firearms and Guitars are among that list.
Oh that definitely won’t be a hard task. Does music keep getting worse or do we just get over it as we grow older?
Hey BJ ! Youi have a new sub here from Quebec ! 😊
Bought a used custom shop strat a few months ago. Made an offer pretty below the shop’s asking price on reverb and got it right away. Feel I should have been a bit more agressive. At least it was really the specs I wanted and it looks fantastic.
Always weary of fakes or something that has issues when I buy online. That said most my guitars are used. Somehow my 3 strats were all bought new. 1 beginner, 1 intermediate and 1 pro level strat. 2 prs and epiphone LP are used. The $400 CAD prs soapbar is one of my faves.
I’ve always wanted to buy some cheap guitars (used or new) and make a frankenaxe like Eddie or Eric. Find a piece from each that’s just really nice for some reason and slap it all together. I feel a guitar like that could outshine any top range flash
None of the guitars I see on the used market are the ones I'm looking for, hence the brand new guitar purchases. Used guitars are often more expensive than new because of shipping on reverb so that isn't an option either. If the used market has what your looking for it's great, otherwise, the new market might be your only option.
I usually get myself a used guitar now and then. But the last couple of guitars I've bought, had a few issues. From a stripped out truss rod, or a strat with a $20 pre loaded Chinese pickguard. Now that ive come across a sweetwater credit card. I can pay $20 a month for something really nice, and not have to worry about someone else's problems or having to pay for their upgrades that i dont want.
I got two glarry 335 style guitars from eBay for like 148.00 each
On RUclips they said they was so bad that the guitar was discontinued one is purple one is black now i can't even find one .
Is it valuable now?
I have 18 guitars and basses..some new some used..i love a good used guitar..always fun to go look😂
I tend to buy both new and used. New if its an interesting starter. Pre owned in case of premium flagships like top of the line. An example got myself two new guitars Yamaha Pacifica 611HFM and a PRS SE custom pre-owned. And l a Pacifica 112J and a Fender Telecaster MIJ.
Bought a 15 Gibson Les Paul jr for 900 and a 12 Fender Stratocaster for 850 on the same day ps my last new guitar was a 76 Yamaha fg160 my parents got me
currently a buyers market in the uk,bargains everywhere,problem is ,though cheaper,currently the uk economy is fecked,high fuel prices,constantly rising food prices.and people simply dont have the disposable income.everyones selling shit,not just guitars simply to pay bills.so even the bargains take a while to shift,or the guitar stores/online sellers with a buying float,buy up all the bargains,then relist them 2 weeks later at double the price,as for new guitars,i think its the same with everything cars,food etc for instance ive switched to supermarket brands,because name brands cost 3 times as much.no disposable income/no sale.the guitar companys do not seem to realize this
I think financing is a huge influence. Kind of hard to say no to the upgrade when they're offering interest free 48 month financing. All of those guitars that used to be a stretch become basically a water bill tgat you can set up an autopay.
You got a link for Torsten’s guitars?
Send me an email, jake@bigjakemusic.com, and I’ll get you in contact with him!
I buy both used and new. If I want something badly, I'll look for a good used one first. If I see something close enough to what I want at a good price, Ill buy it. If not, I may go new. If im browsing and see some great deal on a guitar I like, its not really a risk if I can break even reselling.
I haven’t seen particularly low prices on the used guitars I’m typically looking for. I won’t count you out though because there’s a very good chance we aren’t searching for the same ones……obviously. I see Epiphones in your background so that’s possibly why although I don’t know what you own in its entirety either.
On another note, I purchased a new Gibson LP roughly 4-5 years ago when they ‘upped’ their QC ( supposedly, I’m sure there’s people who will say otherwise lol ). I did a complete setup on it and it plays literally flawlessly. I managed to order the guitar roughly 300 off the price it was advertised for as well, I waited and waited until I saw one with the top I was looking for as well. Mine is heavily figured flame top, if I threw this one on the market to sell I’m pretty sure I can get approximately about 3-400 less than what I had paid for it because the prices have rose considerably in this fairly short time. With that being said, that’s not a ‘bad deal’ if you consider all the use I’ve gotten out of it since I’ve made the purchase although I don’t use this one to gig with either so it’s in excellent condition as well. That is the one saving grace on a brand such as Gibson imo.
Lastly, to answer your question at the end of your video…..wouldn’t I rather own 3-4 used guitars instead of the one I own, I can honestly say no. I’d rather have this one rather than 3-4 Epi’s and I’m using Epiphone as the brand since they relate to Gibson obviously. They DO make some nice replicas too and if you take your time you can certainly find one that plays nicely so I’m not bashing Epiphone ( I do own one Epi, it’s a sunburst style Firebird and it plays ok for the moneys I spent on it ).
There’s a sixth reason you don’t consider: payment plans. Rarely do I have $1500 for the used guitar but I can pay $90 or whatever per month and get the guitar albeit at the higher price.
Some retailers will finance used guitars but for no interest no credit plans like zzounds offers, new is the only way for some of us.
Many people were out of work during covid and only stores carrying essentials were open so music stores and all other non essentials were not moving at all! So I don't believe Fender and Gibson, Martin and Taylor and others were lifting production if they couldn't move them! The craftsmen were out of work! What caused the congestion in the distribution networks was nothing moved for nearly two years of covid restiction measures!
Unless its a St. Blues guitar check them out guys they're amazing and priced fair made in nashville and memphis!
watch the short 10-20 min video on youtube about those guys theyre bad ass
I buy used all the time. U can score a PRS for $300/$400 which is really a great deal!
I can’t find the guitars I want, used. Especially in my area. 🤷🏽♂️
I buy what I like, when I can. Used, new don't matter. If the price is right, I'll take it.
Used prices are certainly down. Most sellers are looking to make a deal, and get rid of their excess gear. In the past month I've bought four guitars at what I consider very fair prices. Please, make it stop! j/k might as well grab a deal now while you can.
most discounts local buys are discounted for fees that they don't have to pay so they get a quick sale and it looks cheap
I know some buy new,just because they can pay it off monthly,great video's,interesting topics 👍🏻
Thanks Jake.
Too late, I just got the other day a $5500 brand new custom shop Gibson Les Paul custom 😂... But only after I sold my '91 Gibson Les Paul classic and '97 Gibson Les Paul standard.
Alot of used guitars..feel broken in and ready to go..awesome !!!
Paranormal confabulations got the juice to produce fooling around with sibling rivalries and adolescent attention spans with free money to spend . . the used market’s flooded with these horrors . . while brands then use this perverse array to inflate the real thing further skywards . . it’s new old stock with a greedy twist
What is your opinion about on comparison between Chisbson and brands like iyv on Amazon or a brand like Harley Benton?
Chibsons are the scum of the earth. I’ve done multiple videos about them.
@@BigJakeMusic I get that , you failed to answer the question , what about brands like iyv or Harley benton.???
@@jasontaylor4799 In my opinion, those are fringe. I think they are mostly ok, but generally speaking I think a preowned (*whatever the IYV/HB/FireFly is copying*) by a licensed brand like Epiphone is going to be better 99% of the time and cost close to the same price(if not cheaper). At least the licensed version will hold its value better. A FF/HB/IYV will not have much resale value at all.
Buying a used guitar means you got a real (slightly or heavily) relic one. I've got 10 guitars (too many in fact) of which only the first one, a Squier Chinese affinity strat I bought new from a shop, all the others I got used. The problem with used: You can't usually check them out, so you are at risk to get some shit. That happened once to me, fortunately it was a really cheap one, but the neck was twisted and not reparable.
On the other hand I found a Gibson tribute for 500 Euros (with a small irrelevant crack on the headstock) and a fender USA strat for 400 Euros.
I wouldn' pay more than 500 Euros for a guitar as I am no pro. Talking about guitars for pros/gigging guitarists is a completely different story.
nobody is selling 500$ guitars for 50$ on FB marketplace. I look, more like 300-400.
I'm with ya bro. I never buy new.
Some of the greatest songs ever written were made on guitars that came from pawn shops.
The used prices went way up after the pandemic - and it was entirely sellers being greedy. The used prices are now close to what they were but will surely drop even more and even below. The years of gouging made all the knockoffs the new way to go - and that is the way it will be. My next guitar purchase would surely be a knockoff - I just can't decide which as I've yet to see all the choices.
Stop buying used guitars that have been marked up, let those dudes eat those guitars...
All i want is a cheap low action non buzzing guitar😢
I'm trying to chase down a Korean or Indonesian ltd guitar, used. People want like almost retail.
Only buy guitars from the pawn shop or used. I've bought new and I'm never satisfied.
The only used Les Paul Standards that I see for $1,500 have cracked headstocks or serious damage. $2,200 is more realistic for a used LP Standard. Gibson, that is…..
All comes down to people caring more about gear than actual music. Thats why you see people like the Beatles or Jimi Hendrix they were associated with very few instruments.
Please let me say this: Learn to do fret work. It's worth it. There are videos all over RUclips that teach methods of fret work, tell what's needed -- they get you through the whole process. Some careful shopping for tools and some elbow grease will empower you to make your guitars play, sound and sustain better than they did when they were brand new! Round out that new "playing surface" with a full-on setup and you can make your own guitar feel like an actual custom shop creation for astonishingly little money. Remember that you can pay $300 for this kind of work and you can see how much money you can save(💲‼) on each of your guitars. Remember also that that pawn shop prize or that super-cheapo over on Amazon holds no terrors for you; you don't have to care if they need work. They're not losses unless and until you destroy them, which is possible but low cost (and instructive) when it happens and remains less than likely. You can go either used or cheap new, but yes, the used guitar shows wear and tear and therefore won't show less-than-fatal damage all that much or you won't need to care. Last, look at Les Paul's prototypes (I'm talking about the guitars HE PERSONALLY tinkered around with.) and bunches of Eddie Van Halen's stage guitars. If your efforts play well, sound good, do what you want and look better than the most janky of Edward's stage axes, you're doing fine!
Not on reverb...used still hot
On the other hand collecting and incapsuling mushrooms isn't that same satori. Namastè.
I quit buying used because I have ran into too many A Holes that lie or cover up damage or replaced components. I now only have 3 and will not buy anything unless I know all the facts and it is the right price. On the flip side, if you know what you want, do your homework. In many cases, there are some better quality depending on a time period. Take all that info and make an informed decision.
Collapse the builders enterprise. Do the same with other products. No new clothes,shoes,etc. Same on cars, refrigerators, and toothbrushes.
REALLY?
Buy what you can afford. If you're hanging it like a trophy, do the same with your Mustang, your Levis, your minty Crest.
Buying new (from a big place like GC) is useful if you need the security of knowing you’re not buying a fake. Scammers be scamming like a mf these days.
I bought a LP from GC, partially for that reason. And I knew if something wasn’t right I could return or exchange it.
Every other guitar I’ve bought has been used.
Blocked 🥴💀
13:18 we have to band together and stop buying guitars however use my link if you are buying a guitar. What a silly young man 😂😂😂 I have socks older than this wise fellow 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
If people were selling their guitars after covid, would it not have already happened by now
Have you seen the low prices these Chinese brands are selling for? Sure they aren't named brand, but its good enough quality for most to practice on and even gig with. Even some have established themselves as a brand, and still sell knockoff guitars better than ever, obviously with their own brand name and slight changes in design. Why am I going to buy an expensive guitar, for it just to lose value in the used market, when I can pay way less for something just as good, for the avg player. Then you reach a point where you have too many cheap guitars and reach Nirvana.
Literally have never came across a real $500 guitar for $50-100. I might find a pedal for a steal. But people have the internet, they'll just search for the one they have and then try to high bid it out.
I think a lot of the time, you're not getting crazy deals on marketplace without being super fast or super lucky. Most deals I've actually had were from offering on reverb or finding something no one wanted at guitar center and making an offer. There's a local shop near me that has good offers too.
Stop buying guitars full stop if you already own a handful. It's completely unnecessary and some would say a sickness. Hoarding disorder.
Depends on the manufacturer, but none of my faves are in business anymore. First, I'd never buy a Gibson or Fender - new OR used. Gibson stopped making quality instruments decades ago. Yes, I have two Les Paul's. BURNY Les Paul's - one with a Sustainiac and Floyd Rose, another with triple humbuckers and Bigsby. Fender ceased to be legit when Leo left. Give me a G&L any day (like an 80's Broadcaster). Strat? Please - gimme a Parker Fly, any day.
Basses? Parker, Ernie Ball, or G&L
IDIOTS buy new. BIGGER idiots by "names."
Going down? Where and what Brand? You are far from reality. The right is Chinese Guitar at 1600 USD? Like Gibson no fucking way
Nice crucifix, brother, are you Cathoilic?
Yes, I am. ✝️
I buy New, not used. WHY: because used is just about the same price as new. This is from my experience.
Too many guitars being made. Not enough people playing guitar.
Jackson guitar ill be buying it lol
Let's not forget you can make payments on new guitars these days you going to let me make payments if I buy guitar from you, I highly doubt it, good luck good video
Yeah, stop buying new guitars... you can buy more when they're used.
Never liked the idea if buying used things. So no thanks mate
Nice 15 min video of stating the obvious.
Can if I want to. Your not the boss of me.
You're
In 2019 during guitar centers guitarathon month I was able to buy a brand new never opened in the box still Gibson Les Paul Standard blueberry burst by calling the main corporate number off of the website and telling them I have $2100 in cash/debit not credit or loans. It was $2,299 advertised online. They put me on hold and connected me with a manager and he discounted it down to $2100 after tax or whatever for me. With no hassle. Haven't bought a guitar since. I only own 2. A bottom tier 90s American made white hard tail strat.
I can't for the life of me imagine buying a guitar at today's cost. I didn't want to pay the $2,300 at the time for the LP-S which is why I went the route I did.
P.S. edit : I live in Massachusetts and had to drive to Rhode Island to pick it up.