Buying a new guitar in 2025?

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tommythelurker

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For the first time in about 17 years I'm seriously considering buying myself a new guitar. It seems the days of being able to try out in person are gone. I'm feeling very apprehensive about buying online.

First guitar was in '96, Ibanez S540 LTD from Guitar Center. Was able to have them pull a few off the wall for me to choose from.

Second guitar was 2008, Jackson SL1. Had to special order but at least I was able to pick up in person and inspect it before accepting and paying the balance.

The Ibanez has been my main guitar since I got it, played for hours very nearly every day. Unfortunately the wear has caught up with it and I think it's time to replace, so I'm looking at getting an S series prestige. Pretty much set on a S6570Q.

Sweetwater has been my usual go-to for gear. Apparently they don't even keep this guitar in stock and have to order it.

It's not that I don't trust Sweetwater, but buying a guitar this way just feels wrong. :(
 
Some of the better stores are Wildwood, Chicago Music Exchange, Cream City Music. These stores seem to have good guitars in their inventory. I had really good luck with them so far, and Sweetwater too. I never had to send one back yet, knock on wood.
 
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tommythelurker said:
For the first time in about 17 years I'm seriously considering buying myself a new guitar. It seems the days of being able to try out in person are gone. I'm feeling very apprehensive about buying online.

First guitar was in '96, Ibanez S540 LTD from Guitar Center. Was able to have them pull a few off the wall for me to choose from.

Second guitar was 2008, Jackson SL1. Had to special order but at least I was able to pick up in person and inspect it before accepting and paying the balance.
Click to expand...
So, I was off 1 year on both my new guitar purchases, with almost the same guitar the 1st time like yours! :cheers:
Got my (still made in Japan) Ibanez S540FM in '97 and in 2009 a Charvel So-Cal Pro Mod.

Like yours, that Ibanez has been my main guitar for a very long time...and aside from some cheapies (Aria ProII, GrassRoots) somewhere around 2001 or so I started adding a few quality (Japanese) used guitars.
These days, it amazes me the high price you got to pay even for Korean guitars, like the ESP '87 Horizon Custom I've been eyeing to add. $1500 or so...
I'm old enough that paying $1500 for a Korean made guitar just irks me. Like, Samick/Vantage/Action old. :LOL:
 
tommythelurker said:
For the first time in about 17 years I'm seriously considering buying myself a new guitar. It seems the days of being able to try out in person are gone. I'm feeling very apprehensive about buying online.

First guitar was in '96, Ibanez S540 LTD from Guitar Center. Was able to have them pull a few off the wall for me to choose from.

Second guitar was 2008, Jackson SL1. Had to special order but at least I was able to pick up in person and inspect it before accepting and paying the balance.

The Ibanez has been my main guitar since I got it, played for hours very nearly every day. Unfortunately the wear has caught up with it and I think it's time to replace, so I'm looking at getting an S series prestige. Pretty much set on a S6570Q.

Sweetwater has been my usual go-to for gear. Apparently they don't even keep this guitar in stock and have to order it.

It's not that I don't trust Sweetwater, but buying a guitar this way just feels wrong. :(
Click to expand...
Used to be the same way but the last three guitars I have bought online and they were fantastic. As has been said, just make sure the store has a good no BS return policy.
 
My USA Jackson was $1800. Apparently Ibanez Prestige are made in Japan?
Yeah, my impression is that quality has gotten more consistent (Gibson notwithstanding), particularly with the prevalence of CNC. But fretwork is still a thing and I would like to be able to try a few to pick one that resonates with me.
I bought a Gio for my nephew online, I didn't like the thicker neck but otherwise really couldn't complain for a beginners guitar. It was surprisingly resonant too.
Guess I just have to accept that this is how it is now.
 
tommythelurker said:
For the first time in about 17 years I'm seriously considering buying myself a new guitar. It seems the days of being able to try out in person are gone. I'm feeling very apprehensive about buying online.

First guitar was in '96, Ibanez S540 LTD from Guitar Center. Was able to have them pull a few off the wall for me to choose from.

Second guitar was 2008, Jackson SL1. Had to special order but at least I was able to pick up in person and inspect it before accepting and paying the balance.

The Ibanez has been my main guitar since I got it, played for hours very nearly every day. Unfortunately the wear has caught up with it and I think it's time to replace, so I'm looking at getting an S series prestige. Pretty much set on a S6570Q.

Sweetwater has been my usual go-to for gear. Apparently they don't even keep this guitar in stock and have to order it.

It's not that I don't trust Sweetwater, but buying a guitar this way just feels wrong. :(
Click to expand...
I hate to be the bearer of bad news but the new guitar, although will play better, I can almost guarantee you will like the sound of the old one better.

If I were you, I would refret, or whatever you have to do, and buy something completely different like a Les Paul or Tele.
 
Geo said:
I hate to be the bearer of bad news but the new guitar, although will play better, I can almost guarantee you will like the sound of the old one better.

If I were you, I would refret, or whatever you have to do, and buy something completely different like a Les Paul or Tele.
Click to expand...
Oh, it's even worse than that. I'm looking at replacing the trem, getting a back bow out of the neck (how in the world did that happen) and possibly even replacing the fret board (again). I've also tried buying a replacement neck for it but that's hasn't worked out either (when did these have a compound radius fret board??). I do want to try and save it, but I've decided it's going to take more time and it plays so bad right now. It's really comfortable though, I don't really want any other style.
Is it really going to sound that different because of the build? It's mostly got the same type of wood and even pickups as what I have now.
 
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tommythelurker said:
Is it really going to sound that different because of the build? It's mostly got the same type of wood and even pickups as what I have now.
Click to expand...
The older wood is going to sound different and your ears are used to it. Been there, unfortunately.

But, from the sound of it, you don't have much a choice.
 
Geo said:
The older wood is going to sound different and your ears are used to it. Been there, unfortunately.

But, from the sound of it, you don't have much a choice.
Click to expand...
Yeah, what can you do. It's been a great guitar. Actually I'm OK with a new guitar sounding different as long as it sounds good and inspiring, not expecting it to be identical. Just wish I could pick out one I liked the most instead of playing the lottery.
 
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