how to examine or check a guitar


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Posted 1/25/2008 11:41 AM
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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


zapakzz
Post #34353
Posted 1/26/2008 9:43 PM


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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.) 

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Post #34368
Posted 1/27/2008 12:53 PM
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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..........

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


zapakzz
Post #34380
Posted 1/28/2008 9:05 PM
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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


check out my band@ www.myspace.com/broscoreband
Post #34414
Posted 1/30/2008 2:01 PM
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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


zapakzz
Post #34436
Posted 5/9/2008 5:24 PM
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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 no one said anything about how much some of theses aze,s hang on your body ,let alone how much some of these axe;s  are so freaking heavy on your shoulder ..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


lespaul57
keep the music in your ear and the wind in your hair *****

Post #35805
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