Do you buy your pedals used or brand new?

[cowie86]

I know most people will have a mix of both, but what's your ratio? What do you prefer? And why?

I've only ever bought 6 pedals from new in a shop in my life, mostly because I'm never sure if I'm gonna like them and returns policies often suck in the UK.

I know a lot of people enjoy pawn store bargains but MANY people on here like to have new pedals on their boards as soon as they hit the stores.

[Big_Bend]

Mostly used whenever possible. I only buy new when I'm in a big hurry to get something quick. The last few pedals I bought were at Guitar Center, but in their used pedal display. Found a couple of great deals.

[imsilly]

I buy whichever is cheapest. Some pedals are cheaper second hand and others are cheaper new. The stuff on long waiting lists is all new, but the stuff you can get right away always second hand. There are some great bargains in second hand pedals and money in flipping long waiting list ones.

You'd be surprised if your timing is right or it's a specific pedal you'll either pay virtually nothing or have to take out a mortgage.

[TaylorPlayer]

I have 8 pedals currently and have owned slightly over 15 over the last couple years. All were used that were obtained by trading other stuff on Craigslist. It helped me to figure out what pedals I really liked and what didn't work for me. Maybe someday I will buy a "New" pedal, but I certainly will look for used first. I am a cheap bastard!

[JoshuaCLS]

I'm totally fine buying most pedals used.

The only thing I've bought new/full price was my Ernie Ball Vol Jr, I felt a little weird about buying something held together with a kevlar string used/without warranty.

[artdecade]

I'll grab whatever one is cheapest at the moment when I need one.

[RockerDuck]

Mostly used, but some I've gotten are bad in some way and I've returned them.

[sax4blues]

I always look used first but if I really want something and it's not showing up or if the used pricing is to high I'll go ahead and buy new.

Used - Boss CS-2 obviously
New - Boss FRV-1 I wanted this right when it came out
Used - Zendrive I got lucky on CL, good price
New - Ekko 616 I looked for used but the prices were just too high
New - Sparkledrive again, I just wanted it and couldn't find used
Used - TC Electronic Tremolo not in production

[JoshuaCLS]

I also think it also depends on where you live.

If there's a bigger market, chances are you can find used stuff on CL, and at a local shop. But if you're in a more rural location, and have to pay shipping and all of that anyways, it might just be worth it to pick up a new box with warranty for a few bucks more.

[vedt]

10 years ago, when I was in high school, I bought everything used, paying no more than 70% of the new price for a used pedal. But, in the last year, I've bought about 5 used pedals, and 2-3 of them have had issues within months (scratchy pots, scratchy jacks, power supply issues).

Overall though, of the 11 pedals that I own, 5 of them are used. So about 50%.

But I do use a few rules.

1. If I know I'm going to have the pedal for life (Fulldrive 2), I'll generally buy new.
2. If it's a pedal that's had issues in the past (bad switches, pots going out) or is known for wearing out, like a volume pedal, I'll buy new.
3. If it's just a back-up pedal, or one that won't be a regular on my board (extra overdrive), I'll buy used.
4. If it's over $200 new (Fulltone Clyde Wah), I will generally buy used.
5. If it's boutique, chances are there are very few used ones for sale, so I have to buy new.
6. If it's built like a tank (Rat), I'll buy used.

[texasteleman89]

I just scored a boss GE-7 at the guitar centers used pedal section for $40 while the new one is $99. But if you set it next to a new one you couldn't tell the difference even came with the original box and paperwork.

[Lefty138]

2 of my 6 are used, i usually get new cuz im too impatient and/or like knowing i have a warranty

tc electronic polytune, mxr dyna comp, coffin blood drive, boss ac-3 :new
boss ce-3, bbe boosta grande:used
side note about the bbe, it was "used" the shop that sold it was selling it at used price cuz it was the old blue one instead of the new paint job with the bull on it, but it was still in the original box with all the paperwork n adapter stuff

[ChipOnly]

Some of the used stuff - at least the popular stuff - can end up selling for not too much less than the best price I can find for the same item new.

In situations like that, for another 10 or 20% of the price of a used pedal, I feel the peace of mind a manufacturer's warranty (and return policy!) gives me is worth the added expense.

I take full advantage of sales, rebates, loyalty perks, price matching policies, and coupon codes, and I end up buying 90% of my gear new.

[jjkrause84]

Used whenever possible. I just bought a Lovepedal Amp 11 new, though, because with the PGS sale I could get a new one cheaper than a used one....made sense.

[Thighbanez]

I get em used if I can.
Mostly for cost reasons.
Just missed a slightly used "Neunaber WET" for $100 by 5 minutes...I almost cried.

[DOGMA Dunn]

I only buy a pedal used if there is an outragous low price on them. I'm not into all the name brand mass market or boutique stuff. But my main pedals are kit DIY.

[Chiogtr4x]

As I won't buy anything for over $100 I just look for the best deal from either CL or just buy new online, or GC, once in a while.

[dreamingtele]

I'd buy new if I can't find one used, or if the price of a used unit is very close to the new price... and if I know I'm going to keep them forever...

My two pedals, I bought them new... My Boss DD7 and my Danelectro Cool Cat Transparent Overdrive V1... In this case, my Boss DD7 was bought new because my girlfriend gave it to me as a gift.. She knew I wanted a delay pedal for so long and I cant find one that is used and meets what I need...

[Mike Eskimo]

Heck - I even buy shoes used - so there's your answer...

[smoss469]

Depends on what it is. I've went used quite often and gotten a few nice deals:

A NYC Big Muff for $30
A Monte Allums modded DS-1 (Mint) for $25 shipped
A Boss CE-5 and Morley Power Wah for (I think) $50 total.

etc etc.

I love a nice used deal, but I'm not opposed to buying new either. (If the price is right)