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RE: how to examine or check a guitar

lespaul57 — Fri, 09 May 2008 17:24:13 GMT

is ok that a old player gives his 2 cents????????alot of good things have been said and well respected as well...but an old fart like me:w00t: no one said anything about how much some of theses aze,s hang on your body:cool: ,let alone how much some of these axe;s are so freaking heavy on your shoulder:w00t::w00t: ..trust me i have had real lp for over 30 years ,,play them for 3 4 sets,and tell me how your back feel,s.....lol should be able to jump around with that axe hanging well on your shoulder as well.me my sg is just what the old man needed.......lol..but alot of things ,the tones are a factor for me ....the neck ,,thin or thick ,,rose wood freets for me ,not maple.but to each his own ....plus think about how this is built,,,,bolt on neck ..or not..will it last 30 40 years???????any hey it is your pick ,on one but you ...pl;us pick ups ,alot to pick from .......plus ask aolt of the history ,how long they have been around .....ect,,,,, my 2 cents lp57

RE: how to examine or check a guitar

zapakzz — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 14:01:20 GMT

hay

many many thanks for ur detailed descriptions. hopefully it will help a lot ........

i think those who are trying to buy a used one (or a new) should follow these rules....

but i think there are no thumb rules or must stuffz.....but some primary rules should be followed.....
i have noticed that many don't know how to chk the sound of wammy or tremolo and floyed rose bridge.
i hope everybody will share something more about this matter too.....

keep doin music.....and make ur mind rich.... :)

thanks

RE: how to examine or check a guitar

Michael D. — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 21:05:31 GMT

I have purchased about 50% of my collection used and the others are new...
I have 2 new Epiphones. 1 Les Paul Custom and the other a G400. My used Epiphone is a slightly used Les Paul SG Custom. As you look at and feel the guitar before you even play it look up and down the neck from both ends. You will see any "warping" in the neck very clearly. Look for hairline cracks at the neck to body joint and neck to headstock, around the nut, bridge mounts, etc. My baases are 1 new Musicman, and 2 used Fender's, a Jazz and a Precision. Check your basses the same way. Plug in and check any noises coming from the input jack, pods, buzzing on the bridge, etc. Just listening very closely for any unusual noises and "feel" for anything that may seem different from a "new" axe! Also read and study about setting and getting the Intonation correct. This must be set-up correctly or your axe will never play correctly, that is play in tune, especially if you capo from time to time. Play some new ones, get the way a factory axe should "feel" that will be a good starting place for you before you buy used. Find a trustworthy luthier, and when you explain to him what you are looking for in your set-up, be very detailed and settle for nothing less than EXACTLY what you want!!:)
GOOD LUCK :cool::cool:

RE: how to examine or check a guitar

zapakzz — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 12:53:26 GMT

hay.....

thanks for sharing ur opinions.

ya i know what u r saying..... how to chk the alignment of the fretboard......ok.... i know that's a way......
and...... with my ear..... hahaha..... ya this is obvious stuffzz......:P....

hope to see ya all again with sharing experiences....u all are encouraged to write anyting else u have noticed about this matter.

thanks

bye

RE: how to examine or check a guitar

Dulcimerist — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 21:43:53 GMT

I've never bought a used guitar before, but I've inspected other stringed & fretted instruments. Hopefully some of our guitar gurus will chime in here.

My first advice would be to buy from a reputable source. A music shop might be the best, although you might get a better price through buying directly from the instrument's previous owner. Of course, there can be a greater chance of getting ripped off by an individual, than from a store that has a reputation to uphold in order to ensure future business from customers. I would shy away from pawn shop guitars.

The best way to test out a guitar is to play it! You're in luck if you're buying from a music shop, as they'd gladly allow you to play guitars through various amps that they have. Your ear can be a good judge of tone and "feel" on an instrument.

If you hear some string buzz, that could mean that the neck is warped. It could also mean that the bridge needs a simple adjustment. Check the frets for wear, which would be indentations where the strings cross the frets. Too much wear isn't cool, although you could always re-fret the instrument. Check the body for cracks and other damage as well.

If you know an expert guitar player, have him come along with you to check out a guitar you're thinking of buying! This expert opinion is super valuable! (It's much like bringing along a mechanic friend to check out a used car that you're thinking about buying.) ;)

how to examine or check a guitar

zapakzz — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 11:41:10 GMT

hay everybody

how is goin on??.....hope.... fine......:)

how to check a guitar when u r buying it??...... guitars may be new or used. What are the basic way of testing??
like..... how to chk it's fretboard and pickups,sounds etc..........
i think this is a crucial issue in terms of buying a guitar...... hope everyone who knows the secret will share their
experiences here.

thanks