Smurfbird Posted October 5, 2012 Posted October 5, 2012 I often watch eBay for used Gibson acoustics and am always a little nervous that someone is pulling a fast one. I did very well with my purchase of a Hummingbird and I've become interested in finding a J-200, but don't have the $$ to pay the full freight. What should one do to safeguard against getting a guitar with issues? Or, worse, a counterfeit? Also, I run across guitars in person from time to time that are in fantastic playing shape -- professionally set-up to play like butter, new frets, straight necks, intonation perfect -- but that are cosmetically beat up. They are usually for sale around the price of a very good guitar. (Who doesn't start at a higher price?) My thinking is that a guitar that's been around the block is a GOOD sign, since it means it's a player, while guitars that are too perfect after all these years could either be owned by someone who really took care of their guitar OR a real stinker that never got used. Obviously, the latter possibility is what worries me. While I personally have no problem paying a decent price for a player, I do worry that if I should have to sell, for unforeseen reasons, that others will not pay up for playability, and discount for cosmetics... Thoughts? Thanks in advance. Great group of folks here!
onewilyfool Posted October 5, 2012 Posted October 5, 2012 Here's a few things I do, when GAS attacks happens and I'm thinking of buying a guitar: 1. Bring along your favorite guitar to compare to all potential purchases. If the potential guitar is not as good as the one you own, why get it. 2. Bring along a friend to play the guitar TOWARDS you....so you can hear it's projection. Then you play it towards your friend, and get an unbiased (non-saleman) opinion on the sound of the guitar. 3. If the guitar is not a 10 out of 10, don't buy it. (my personal GAS rev limiter) 4. Try several models of the guitar you want (at other stores, or from the same store, they often have some in back, although they don't want to bring them out until the previous model sells.) All D-28's are NOT created equal. 5. If you find a guitar that you like, play it for at least 1/2 hour. This lets it 'warm up' and you can hear the full potential of the guitar before buying. 6. Do not let your mind play these tricks on you with 'futuring' about what the guitar WILL sound like..... a. This guitar will sound MUCH better with new strings, or Phosphor Bronze strings, or anything like, new nut, new bone saddle. The guitar should sound GOOD period. If not, hoping for improvement is NOT a good reason to get a guitar. b. When this guitar ages 15 years, it will really sound GOOD!!! While guitars do tend to improve over time (marginally) hoping a guitar will be good in the future is just the mind playing tricks on you. IF a guitar sounds like crap now, it will sound like aged crap in 15 years. 7. If you can, bring an electronic tuner so you can easily tune up the guitar (and see if it STAYS in tune) AND check intonation. A guitar with bad intonation is HARD to fix (you can only do so much with compensated nuts and saddles) I have personally seen a new $2.5K guitar at GC with an incorrect scale length!!! I pointed this out to the sales man, and it was still on the wall when I went back 3 weeks later!!!) . 8. Do a quick check on setup. Hold down the E string on the first fret and the 14th fret. About halfway between those two points the space between the bottom of the string and the top of the 7th fret should be enough for a playing card to slip in. If it is greater, you will probably need a setup (adding cost to the guitar) and if it is less or touching, you will probably get some buzzing on some of the frets. Maximum action should be 3/32" from bottom of E strings to top of 12th fret. You should have at LEAST 1/8" of saddle showing above the bridge. High action and low saddle almost always mean neck reset. I have seen name brand new guitars at Guitar Center, that need neck resets already, so it is not that uncommon. 9. Play each string, from fret 1 to the sounhole and see if there is any buzzing on any of the frets. Buzzing can mean as little as a tweak of the truss rod, to major planing of frets to make the guitar sound good. So this adds to your purchase price. 10.Site down the neck. If the neck is bowed up or down, usually this can be adjusted with the neck rod. HOWEVER, if it is over 1 /16" beware. Make sure the store tech adjusts the neck AND that there is more room for adjustment. Beware of this situation. IF the saddle is high on one side and narrow on the other, this is often done to fudge for a twisted neck. Siting down the neck you can see this but if the action is correct and the saddle is lopsided, this could be a problem. I have seen this on one and two year old guitars. A twisted neck is VERY hard to fix. You might get someone to try to STEAM the neck straight (minimal success) or plane the fretboard to compensate (not ideal) or remove the fretboard and try to straighten the neck by regluing, or finally, a new neck. All very expensive alternatives. Best to pass on this type of guitar. I hope this helps.
Dave F Posted October 5, 2012 Posted October 5, 2012 I agree with you. I recently bought a new J-200 locally for 3K. I've been shopping and looking around for 3 years. 3 years ago I could have gotten a new one for $2400 while mint used ones were going for 1800-2100 and players guitars as you describe were going for 1500-1800. Today - 3K new, 2400 fairly new mint and 1800 for a beater, I mean player. I'm really surprised they're going up in this economy. I've bought a few used guitars off Ebay from supposing top rated sellers. I was a little disappointed, not enough to send them back, but still disappointed. After my experiences I would rather get a used one from GC and fight with them over the price unless an unbelievable deal popped up. If you do buy off Ebay, be sure to get it a few hundred below what they're going for in case you don't like it. I personally preferred paying the extra for a new one if it's within 20%.
GuitarLight Posted October 6, 2012 Posted October 6, 2012 Smirfbird, my best advice would be to know what guitar you want, and why you want that particular guitar. Choosing can be mind boggling because there are so many different kinds. Get one that speaks to you. That sounds the way you want it to. Consider all the Rosewoods, Mahoganys, and Maples based upon which sound most speaks to you. If you find the one that is a custom fit for you, you will likely never want to sell it, for it will give you everything you ask from it, every time you play. I have made many mistakes in my time buying guitars, I admit, because my eyes were bigger than my wallet. It's the ears that give you the answer! My guitars are like puppys to me. They deliver, and they respond to my every touch. My Masterbilts being the most consistent in satisfaction of play and stable tone delivery of every song. My Mahoganys cling to my voice and bond with it. My rosewoods...I let them boast their powerful rich tone even if my voice can't always compete with their rich tone. Find the guitar you truly love, and it will love you back no matter if its used or new, blemished, or show room perfect. Then you are home my friend! Good luck on your search! Let no one tell you which guitar to buy, or when...for your own EARS will do the talking for you!
Bob1825 Posted October 16, 2012 Posted October 16, 2012 Hi! This is my first post and I just bought my first Gibson, an advanced jumbo from GC. Even though I was looking for new acoustic guitar I wasn't "planning" on this past weekend. I went to GC Friday night and walked into the sideroom of the acoustic guitar room and there it was. A used Gibson AJ. I played it and fell in love with it on the spot. It looked brand new and didn't have any scratches. They only "issue" was buzzing around the 15-17th fret on four notes because the guy who owned it shaved the bridge. I was told it is an easy fix. I wasn't 100 percent comfortable with it so I didn't buy it. I had the worst sleepless night in a long time. I tossed and turned, had the cold sweats...it was bad. So in the morning I decided to go back and get it; there is a 35 day waiting period on used instruments so I have to wait until November 16 to pick it up. I thought I would regret it more if I didn't buy it and someone else did. I'm going to have it looked at by Eric and Eric Guitars to see if it is in good condition and an easy fix. If not, I'll just return it within 30 days. But I think it will be great and can't wait to actually get it in my hands. According to the serial number it was produced in September 2010. Price $1499. I look forward to getting to know all of you. Jason
BigKahune Posted October 16, 2012 Posted October 16, 2012 .... They only "issue" was buzzing around the 15-17th fret on four notes because the guy who owned it shaved the bridge. .... Welcome. Guess: Maybe neck hump. If so, at least a fret level or possibly a fretboard level. Easiest fix is to raise the action, if you can handle it. .
fortyearspickn Posted October 16, 2012 Posted October 16, 2012 Hi! This is my first post and I just bought my first Gibson, an advanced jumbo from GC. Even though I was looking for new acoustic guitar I wasn't "planning" on this past weekend. I went to GC Friday night and walked into the sideroom of the acoustic guitar room and there it was. A used Gibson AJ. I played it and fell in love with it on the spot. It looked brand new and didn't have any scratches. They only "issue" was buzzing around the 15-17th fret on four notes because the guy who owned it shaved the bridge. I was told it is an easy fix. I wasn't 100 percent comfortable with it so I didn't buy it. I had the worst sleepless night in a long time. I tossed and turned, had the cold sweats...it was bad. So in the morning I decided to go back and get it; there is a 35 day waiting period on used instruments so I have to wait until November 16 to pick it up. I thought I would regret it more if I didn't buy it and someone else did. I'm going to have it looked at by Eric and Eric Guitars to see if it is in good condition and an easy fix. If not, I'll just return it within 30 days. But I think it will be great and can't wait to actually get it in my hands. According to the serial number it was produced in September 2010. Price $1499. I look forward to getting to know all of you. Jason Congrats! Sounds like love. And, you paid a good price for it!
JohnnyReb Posted October 16, 2012 Posted October 16, 2012 Hi! This is my first post and I just bought my first Gibson, an advanced jumbo from GC. Even though I was looking for new acoustic guitar I wasn't "planning" on this past weekend. I went to GC Friday night and walked into the sideroom of the acoustic guitar room and there it was. A used Gibson AJ. I played it and fell in love with it on the spot. It looked brand new and didn't have any scratches. They only "issue" was buzzing around the 15-17th fret on four notes because the guy who owned it shaved the bridge. I was told it is an easy fix. I wasn't 100 percent comfortable with it so I didn't buy it. I had the worst sleepless night in a long time. I tossed and turned, had the cold sweats...it was bad. So in the morning I decided to go back and get it; there is a 35 day waiting period on used instruments so I have to wait until November 16 to pick it up. I thought I would regret it more if I didn't buy it and someone else did. I'm going to have it looked at by Eric and Eric Guitars to see if it is in good condition and an easy fix. If not, I'll just return it within 30 days. But I think it will be great and can't wait to actually get it in my hands. According to the serial number it was produced in September 2010. Price $1499. I look forward to getting to know all of you. Jason Wow that was a good price considering you bought it from a retail store and not private.
modoc_333 Posted October 16, 2012 Posted October 16, 2012 Explain to me...... they put the guitar out for sale, but you can't have it?
j45nick Posted October 16, 2012 Posted October 16, 2012 Explain to me...... they put the guitar out for sale, but you can't have it? I found that comment pretty bizarre as well. Ya payz yer money, and ya walks out the door with the guitar, in my experience. Worst case, you pick it up the next morning after they've set it up for you.
Bob1825 Posted October 16, 2012 Posted October 16, 2012 Thanks to everyone for the welcome. To answer the question about the waiting period...guitar center is required by law (that's their explaination) to hold onto any used item brought in to be sold for 35 days from the day it is brought in. I happend to buy the used guitar 2 days after it was brought it so now I need to wait the remaining time for it to clear the "police" hold to pick it up. Technically its on layaway so that no one else can come in and buy it while I wait. 30 more days to go. arrrggghhh.
modoc_333 Posted October 16, 2012 Posted October 16, 2012 Some places have laws like that..... but they don't DISPLAY the guitar until it has cleared. They should do the same here.
sjl200 Posted October 16, 2012 Posted October 16, 2012 Who ever traded the AJ In would have 30 days to return what they purchased, is my guess. So GC keeps the trade in on the shelf so to speak...
Bob1825 Posted October 16, 2012 Posted October 16, 2012 I sure hope they don't come back! They put the guitar in the back and off the floor. maybe I'll sneak over there and see if it is still in the back. I wonder if they would let me come visit my guitar?
j45nick Posted October 17, 2012 Posted October 17, 2012 I sure hope they don't come back! They put the guitar in the back and off the floor. maybe I'll sneak over there and see if it is still in the back. I wonder if they would let me come visit my guitar? That situation would drive me absolutely nuts......
Bob1825 Posted October 17, 2012 Posted October 17, 2012 Trust me, it is. I'm just going to put that energy into practicing and playing so in 30 days from now I'm ready!
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