Buying used

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• 12 common checks
• 1. Neck bow — look down the neck from the bridge end toward the headstockNormal: the strings run almost parallel to the neck, with just a very slight forward bow. Avoid it if the neck bows backward (back bow), bends on one side only (twist), or looks wavy.
• 2. Fret wear — are there grooves in frets 1–5?Dents in the frets under the strings mean the guitar has been played a lot. Shallow ones are fine; deep ones need a fret dress ($150–190) or a refret.
• 3. Sharp fret ends — run your hand along the side of the neckWhen the fingerboard shrinks from dryness, the fret ends stick out and scratch your hand. They can be filed down, but it's a sign the guitar wasn't looked after.
• 4. Fret buzz — fret every string at frets 1–12, one at a timeIf it buzzes only at certain frets, that fret is high or the next one is low. If it buzzes all over, it's a setup issue (action too low).
• 5. Cracks at the headstock and neck joint — tell finish cracks from wood cracksHairline cracks in the finish don't affect the sound. Avoid signs of a broken headstock, a gap where the neck meets the body, or repair marks in a different color. LP-style and SG-style guitars often have a history of headstock breaks.
• 6. Electronics — plug into an amp and turn the volume and tone knobs all the way (electric, bass, acoustic-electric)Crackling as you turn means worn pots (contact cleaner sometimes fixes it; otherwise replace them). If the sound cuts out at certain points, replace them.
• 7. Pickup selector — does every position make sound? (electric, bass)If one position is silent, a pickup wire is broken or the switch is faulty. If the volume differs a lot between positions, the pickup height needs adjusting.
• 8. Jack — plug in a cable and wiggle it gentlyIf the sound cuts out or pops when you wiggle it, the jack has a bad contact. Replacing it is a minor job, so it's not a big problem, but it's grounds to ask for a lower price.
• 9. Tuning pegs — do they catch or slip when you turn them?They should turn smoothly and hold when you let go. If they slip, they need replacing.
• 10. Bridge and saddles — rust, saddle wear, tremolo conditionBadly rusted saddles break strings often. If there's a tremolo, press the arm and let go, and check that the tuning comes back.
• 11. Intonation — compare the open string and the 12th fret on a tunerFretting at the 12th fret should give the same note, one octave up. Small errors can be fixed with a setup. If it's still off with the saddle moved all the way, avoid it.
• 12. Authenticity and serial — check on anything over $600Look up the serial on the back of the headstock on the brand's site. Be suspicious if the logo's font or position looks off. Fakes are rare among beginner-priced Korean brands and Squier.
• Extra checks: acoustic and classical
• A1. Top cracks and bulging — look along the top at an angle from the sideIf the area behind the bridge bulges up (belly) or there's a split line along the grain of the top, that's humidity damage. Unlike a hairline crack in the finish, if your fingernail catches, the wood itself is cracked. That means a repair.
• A2. Bridge lifting — does a sheet of paper slide under the back of the bridge?A gap between the bridge and the top means the glue is letting go. It needs regluing. If the gap is large, pass.
• A3. Neck angle and string height — the gap between the 6th string and the fret at the 12th fretIf it's over 3mm (about two coins thick) and the saddle is already shaved low, the guitar needs a neck reset ($400–750). At a beginner price, don't buy it.
• A4. Humidity history — ask about a case, a hygrometer, and where it was kept"Hung on the wall" or "kept on the balcony" are bad signs for a solid-wood guitar. If the fret ends also stick out (item 3), it's dryness damage.
• Extra checks: bass
• B1. Recheck neck bow — bass strings have high tension, so item 1 matters twice as muchThe long neck makes bowing easy to see. Check whether the truss rod is already tightened all the way (ask the seller about past adjustments). If it's tightened all the way and still bowed, avoid it.
• B2. Active electronics — check sound and noise with a fresh batteryWith a weak battery, an active bass distorts and gets noisy. Bring a new 9V battery and swap it in. Also listen for crackling when you turn the EQ knobs.