Questions to ask when buying/trading guitar that arent asked

[mooncobra]

Just trying to help out fellow forum members when buying/trading guitars. These have become important questions to ask when acquiring a guitar, and they are out of the ordinary.

1. Do you actually have possession of the guitar?

2. When was the last time you saw it?

3. How old are the pics?

I unwittingly became part of a 3 way trade and did not know it. It turns out the guy I traded with had not seen the guitar in quite some time. Remember to ask these questions. I never would have thought to ask them.

Was it a RT member? Do tell!

 

[JerEvil]

Just trying to help out fellow forum members when buying/trading guitars. These have become important questions to ask when acquiring a guitar, and they are out of the ordinary.

1. Do you actually have possession of the guitar?

2. When was the last time you saw it?

3. How old are the pics?

I unwittingly became part of a 3 way trade and did not know it. It turns out the guy I traded with had not seen the guitar in quite some time. Remember to ask these questions. I never would have thought to ask them.

All very good questions.

How about:
• When is the last time you PLAYED it
• Any shorts/issues with scratchy pots, input, etc.
• What was your guitar maintenance regiment
• How was it regularly stored (case, stand, Air Conditioned or garage

 

[RJF]

I actually don't mind when I find something wrong with a guitar, once we meet up in person. I ALWAYS come out smelling like a rose in that situation, or I walk away.

Met up to buy a Jackson a while back, thread collar on the Floyd was cracked and trem bar wouldn't screw on. Played it off as a big freakin' deal. $100 bucks off originally agreed price.

Met up to buy a BC Rich mockingbird. Guy put Duncans in it, but used a 50mm bridge pickup when it has a Floyd. I was soooo dissapointed. $50 off. Already had a plan on pickup swapping from my own inventory before I even handed the guy the cash.

Have more stories than just that. Don't bring me something not as advertised, I'll work you over.

 

[MrDowntown]

Will the "guitar" intonate?

I bought a guitar once upon a time that wouldn't even come close to setting up....Sham on me for not asking if the guitar would intonate.

 

[steve_k]

Just trying to help out fellow forum members when buying/trading guitars. These have become important questions to ask when acquiring a guitar, and they are out of the ordinary.

1. Do you actually have possession of the guitar?

2. When was the last time you saw it?

3. How old are the pics?

I unwittingly became part of a 3 way trade and did not know it. It turns out the guy I traded with had not seen the guitar in quite some time. Remember to ask these questions. I never would have thought to ask them.

man, you sure seem to get hosed a lot on buying. my advise, know your seller and buy from people with credibility. saving that $100 just isn't worth it sometime.

 

[neilli]

I always ask about fret condition and trussrod function - everybody asks about dings and dents, but if it needs a re-fret or the trussrod is fucked, you really need to know..

 

[fretout]

Yeah, the truss rod is something I also check, along with the neck straightness. Those are way past anything I feel comfortable fixing...

 

[mooncobra]

Just trying to help out fellow forum members when buying/trading guitars. These have become important questions to ask when acquiring a guitar, and they are out of the ordinary.

1. Do you actually have possession of the guitar?

2. When was the last time you saw it?

3. How old are the pics?

I unwittingly became part of a 3 way trade and did not know it. It turns out the guy I traded with had not seen the guitar in quite some time. Remember to ask these questions. I never would have thought to ask them.

man, you sure seem to get hosed a lot on buying. my advise, know your seller and buy from people with credibility. saving that $100 just isn't worth it sometime.

I have only had situations like this a couple times, one time it was bad packaging and that guy refunded me for the amp. Its possible you are referring to when my friend dropped my suhr and a chunk came out of it.

 

[Steinmetzify]

I unwittingly became part of a 3 way trade and did not know it.

You're shitting me. You mean some guy offered to trade you a guitar he didn't even HAVE to trade yours for something else he wanted!? Who the fuck even does this without transparency on exactly what's going on and info provided to every person involved so everybody knows what's happening? I'd be pissed beyond imagining...is this dude on RT?

 

[Chris6870]

Was it ever used as a prop in a Bukkakke film?

 

[RJF]

Was it ever used as a prop in a Bukkakke film?

Nice

 

[BSRIAudio]

I actually don't mind when I find something wrong with a guitar, once we meet up in person. I ALWAYS come out smelling like a rose in that situation, or I walk away.

Met up to buy a Jackson a while back, thread collar on the Floyd was cracked and trem bar wouldn't screw on. Played it off as a big freakin' deal. $100 bucks off originally agreed price.

Met up to buy a BC Rich mockingbird. Guy put Duncans in it, but used a 50mm bridge pickup when it has a Floyd. I was soooo dissapointed. $50 off. Already had a plan on pickup swapping from my own inventory before I even handed the guy the cash.

Have more stories than just that. Don't bring me something not as advertised, I'll work you over.

ITT - Guy with $20,000 in amps routinely busts peoples balls over $50

 

[RJF]

I actually don't mind when I find something wrong with a guitar, once we meet up in person. I ALWAYS come out smelling like a rose in that situation, or I walk away.

Met up to buy a Jackson a while back, thread collar on the Floyd was cracked and trem bar wouldn't screw on. Played it off as a big freakin' deal. $100 bucks off originally agreed price.

Met up to buy a BC Rich mockingbird. Guy put Duncans in it, but used a 50mm bridge pickup when it has a Floyd. I was soooo dissapointed. $50 off. Already had a plan on pickup swapping from my own inventory before I even handed the guy the cash.

Have more stories than just that. Don't bring me something not as advertised, I'll work you over.

ITT - Guy with $20,000 in amps routinely busts peoples balls over $50

How do you think I got here? By paying full price for everything? No.... and flipping for profit to buy what I wanted.

 

[Steinmetzify]

"Are you gonna turn right around and want to return this?!?!"

"When you buy a used guitar do you expect a brand new guitar?!"