New Gear vs Used Gear

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cphr3d

cphr3d

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Just out of curiosity.... When the GAS bug is biting, do you guys lean towards new gear or used gear? Or does it depend on the piece of gear in question? Some of my buddies avoid used gear like the plague and prefer to pay the premium for something "new". However, there are some absolutely killer deals out there for used gear (in some cases).

Personally, all of my gear was purchased new. However, I dont have any issues with a lightly used or well cared for piece of gear. Just curious what you guys generally lean towards?
 
Something that I won't bother trying to sell back and is hard to find: new
Everything else: used, and I make sure I can eventually sell it back without taking a hit
 
For me when I was wanting to check out a bunch of different amps that werent readily available in my area....
used all the way. Pretty easy to buy.....and to sell without costing an arm and a leg.
 
There are two things I will ALWAYS buy used when possible: speakers and microphones. IME, they - in almost every case - sound SO much better after being properly used for years and years. Speakers open up and become more vocal, microphones have far fewer standing frequencies; they're just better with the passage of time. Again, this is just my own findings, but it's been pretty consistent.

I'd do the same for guitars, but whereas speakers and microphones don't wear, guitars do. Frets get eaten up, finishes get scratched, etc. I honestly like guitars in nice shape, so I'll get them new (or close to it) more often than not. This way, any wear is my own doing and it feels more personal.

Amps I don't care much about, new or used. I usually go with what sounds better, though lately I've been building my own amps.

So I suppose in summation, the further down the signal chain I am, the more likely I am to buy something well worn in.
 
The only time I will buy new is when I absolutely can't wait until I can pick it up used. There is absolutely no reason in my mind to buy guitars, amps, cabs or effects new especially if you can inspect it or test it first...
 
Unless it's picks or strings or something small... I've honestly reached the point where new gear doesn't even really "exist" to me any more... best way I can explain it... I've found so many great deals and used stuff that it just doesn't make sense to me any more to pay crazy prices for something you can find used for hundreds less...

...granted I understand the risk etc... and this is just my opinion obviously, but yea... used all the way for me for quite a long time...
 
I never buy a piece of gear that I cannot sell for more money later. I have my personal favorite pieces that I have no intention of ever selling, but cycling through around 25-30 guitars over the years now, I try to stick with that rule. I prefer used.
 
Used.....no point in buying something new when you'll almost always take a hit if you hate it...once you open/play it, it's used anyway as far as buyers are concerned. I'd rather pay $1.2k for a guitar slightly used and sell it for around the same price than $2k new and sell it for $1.5k.
 
Used, as stated once I play it it's used as far as the rest of the world is concerned. I'm not so picky that I need something new.There is so much gear out there that is just like new at a fraction of new prices. Last two amps I bought used still had hang tags on them. Only time I buy new is if it's at a blowout price.
 
Used always seems to be such a better value, well, normally. Now that there's wait times for gear a used piece might cost more. But I like used unless it's a custom piece just for me.
 
Used is much better value, especially if I am testing something out for the first time; if I could take a hit of more than 25% on something I would really want to have it to buy it. Not a blanket rule of course, just bought a torpedo CAB new just b/c w/ a coupon it was jsut slightly more than the used ones are going for; otherwise would have definitely gone for a used model. I recently bought a pair of HS80M monitors and got those new, b/c like magic8 said, speakers (at least monitors) are one thing you're better off getting new I think.
Guitars however I always prefer to buy used, b/c new guitar [rices are getting ridiculous.
 
New - unless they just don't make it anymore. Too many issues buying used gear. If I'm buying new I'm not buying off the shelf though, but usually customizing it a little. But really 75% of the gear I like they don't make anymore. If I just want to try something out then I'll get it used to try it out because as said I can flip it and not eat too much. But I usually under sell just to not have to deal with the haggling so I eat a little anyway. :lol: :LOL:
 
Used.
People make very little money off me. From car dealers to guitar gear to credit cards to just about everything.
I will not pay more than I want to for anything. Just the way it is.
 
Usually new, this way I can try the item and get refund if I don't like it.
I buy used items only if I know it can be repaired easily, or if I have a killer deal. Unfortunately here in Romania shipping rates are often a killer deal for used items in Europe, and the local market is quite poor.
 
It depends on what it is and even the rarely buy new. Bought a Nocaster new and Gibson used. I have a from new Cornford and a used Bogner. Effects are dependent on availability and type. I'll buy used Boss and Ibanez but others only new.

Mics I'll only get new as I don't want everyone else's spit, thank you very much!!
 
Guitars I'll buy used because it either works or it doesn't and you can inspect everything for yourself before buying or keeping past the return period.

Pedals (if its simple on a nature) I'll buy used. More complicated pedals like eventides line, I'd buy new.

Rack Effects processor I try to buy new because there are a lot of people who sell back broken gear to used dealers. Most dealers do not test all the functionality, (knobs, battery for user presets, overheating issues, etc) and I really don't want to go though the hassle of doing the QA.

Amps, I try to buy new because You really never know how much use it's gone through and if it's gonna need a recap job soon (if its 10 years old) And by the time you retube most high end tube amps, i.e. 4 power tubes and 5-7 preamp tubes, the money you save on a used amps is usually cut in half anyways. that's not to say that I didn't buy my Mesa studio preamp or a Marshall 6100lm used because there's no option but I'm less likely to gig with it.

Of course if you gig, reliability is less of a concern.
 
i buy everything used, the only exception i might make would be a special guitar you try out new, that ticks all the boxes, or something that has maybe just been released on the market, but even then you can generally find it used after a while

that being said the return policy of some online stores over here (30 day money back guarantee) is pretty cool, but if i'm buying anything anyway i'll check the used market first, there's some killer deals to be had
 
Generally used gear that's in very good condition or better. For items that are difficult to find used, or have high resale value, I'll buy new.
 
Used is the way I go for most things. I always look on ebay, see what they are going for, especially in progress auction, and price a little lower. I try to not take a massive loss if I don't like it.

Used is almost like a buy and try thing to me. For new, it is something I know I will keep and usually it will be a custom order.
 
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