Buyer Checklist

We’re all obsessed by price, but sometimes the cheapest deal, especially on a used guitar, may end up costing you a lot more in the long run. Like cars, guitars need maintenance – the more they’re played, the more likely things will wear out or stop functioning. Buying used from a good dealer should ensure that the guitar has been looked over, restrung and set up. Buying privately or online, however, you’re on your own. Whichever route you choose, it’s time for head over heart. And if you buy blind, you’re open to all sorts of problems – we’d never recommend that, even though plenty of us do it! If you can, play the guitar and adopt a more thorough, cynical approach.

TUNE UP

First off, tune up with a tuner and stretch the strings. Double-check your tuning. Play, for example,