Buying a new Guitar?

Have you ever seen a guitar on eBay, Craig's List or local pawn shop and thought "man that looks like a good deal". Well surely you can find a really good deal on a nice guitar but you really want to look for a few things so you don't end up with a piece of firewood.

1. Know your product.

Knowing what you are looking for is a big step in the right direction. I've browsed eBay in the past and found fakes. One such fake was supposed to be a vintage Gibson. Upon closer inspection of the pictures it was obvious the guitar was not a Gibson. A while back they were having such a problem with fakes that they posted information on how to spot one one their website. You don't want to pay more for something than what it's worth.

2. Check the neck.

Check the neck for straightness. A little bow in the neck is normal and even recommended for proper setup and playability. The neck should not be over-bowed nor should it be twisted. I saw a guitar in a pawn shop once that almost looked like a screw (exaggeration but it was noticeable). Hopefully some unknowing soul didn't "get screwed".

3. Play with it.

If at all possible play the guitar before you buy it. Of course this is not always possible with online purchases but to be truly satisfied and informed you need to pick up the thing and jam a bit. Doing so will reveal any fret buzzes and other issues. Strum chords and play single notes in different playing styles. Listen to the notes.

4. Action!

Check the action (string height). Really high string height could mean a number of problems including a bent neck or fretboard.

5. The Bridge and the Nut.

Check the bridge for issues such as chips dings etc. Likewise check the nut too. A buzz on an open string could mean string nut slots are too low which could require a new nut. Not really an expensive fix but something to look for.

6. Watch the Cracks!

Check the body and neck for any cracks. Strings put a lot of tension on the guitar so cracks could turn out to be a BIG problem.

These are just a few tips that can help save you time and money. Really good deals are to be had and folks have in fact did just that. Unfortunately some have also found out the hard way that really bad deals are also out there. Hopefully armed with a little information will help save you misery down the road. Good Luck!