Should you ever buy a guitar online without playing it?

[sax4blues]

I just ordered an EJ Strat from a southern California Guitar Center for $999.

If I like it I just bought a $1,700 guitar for $999.

If I don't like it I can return to my local GC for refund except $15 shipping.
or
I can probably sell it for $1200 used.

So sight unseen does not seem an issue for me.

 

[K2BT]

I bought an amer deluxe ash strat from MF in Sept and couldn't be happier with it. It was close to $1400 but they give you 45 days to return it if you don't like it. It wasn't set up the way I like it but thats no big deal. The local shops have nothing like it and for them to order it cost $100 more then MF. I also bought a valveking 212 from them that crapped out 2 weeks later. I traded it for a windsor half stack without any problems. A good Fender dealer is about 90 miles one way - so online is better for me.

 

[bek]

I've bought both new and used from ebay and Craigslist, but I'm pretty careful and have been very happy. I check mentions of an instrument on Harmony Central reviews, here and the Gear Page, and players I know. If it seems really good and the ebay feedback is good, I risk it. I bought a Michael Kelly a/e bass (ebay, new from a dealer, excellent), an Epi LP (ebay, used from an individual, excellent -- for sale here in Classified!), a Republic tricone (ebay, new from the company, excellent), a Lindert (new, ebay from Chuck Lindert himself, excellent), a Lindert (ebay, used, excellent), a Washburn Laredo (ebay pawnshop, used, excellent), an Industrial LP (ebay, used, excellent), and last, an 1983 Guild 12-string (Craigslist, but close enough to drive and check it out so it wasn't unplayed [I would have taken a chance anyway],excellent). Everything was not necessarily perfect on the used stuff (stripped screws on bridge saddles on the Washburn, the used Lindert was pretty beat and needed work), but nothing major.

 

[Rob DiStefano]

For a true acoustic (or acoustic-electric), it'd be a full on gamble. For any electric, lots less of a gamble. For a cheapo (i.e. - BUllet, etc.) it's a no-brainer, IMO. In any event, make sure there's a solid return guarantee and you'll only lose the return shipping dollars.

 

[neocaster]

buying stringed instruments sight unseen/unplayed is a complete crap shoot imho...

+1

Like any gamble, there are a lot more possibilities. Some bad, some good. I've only done this twice and luck smiled on me both times. An affinity Squier Tele for $120 shipped (older, black w/ rosewood board. Nice look) and a CIJ Antigua Tele (through TDPRI classifieds). If you see something you want and are not very averse to risk, it's a perfectly good option. Just like Vegas though, once you lay your money on the table it's theirs.

 

[mysticguitar]

T

I don't have a lot of choices where I live, which is about 65 miles from the closest shop with a Fender in it, and it's a dual purpose pawn shop at that.

I'm on my 5th strat in under 2 years, 1 from that shop, one I traded local work for, 2 from ebay, and the last one from ebay parts that totally came together nicely. I played two of them before buying and still sold them.

And now I'm having some parts built at USACG (Tommy seems to be one heck of a guy), so I'll probaly eBay these parts back, or keep it.

Shipping kills me though. I've spent probably enough money to just drive the 250 miles and get a room and check out shops in Albuquerque or Tucson.

It's my latest passion in life, so I don't even consider the expense, to tell the truth. I'm simply in search of that 'one' guitar that has it all.

Besides, when Postal Claus is on the way, it's hard to sleep that night

This threads so old....but I'm going thru same thing, very limited access to choices of guitars, need to buy online and if the guitar first work for me, I pay the shipping....but it's also a passion for me and I try to accept that's part of the process of finding what works, what doesn't and I'm whittling down the choices.

 

[Henley]

Buying online is the way to go if you are left-handed. If right handed I would compare and contrast in person. Do your homework and check the seller...like mentioned. Most times a guitar that is well photographed is what it is...I'd be suspect of bad or incomplete pictures.

Support your local music shops !

Can't tell you how many times after walking around for 20 min in most music stores not named "southpaw guitars" that I found the manager and let him know since they think left handed players only play Indonesian strats I wont be buying anything there.

No strings, no picks, no amps, cords, stomp-boxes.....nothing.

They usually say,..."well we could order it"....yea you go ahead and do that...let me know when you hang it on the wall.

online rules.

 

[fender4life]

I try not to, but there are times it's your only choice. Models that are hard to find for one. There have been a couple like that recently that i haven't been able to find locally for years at a time and if i want one i can find plenty online. So i have no choice really. I just try and pick one that seems good based on condition, age i ask the weight and what issues it has. Then if i think i can sell it for the same as i paid or close locally i may do it. Places with return policies are worthless because u lose shipping both ways, as most if not all will charge u shipping costs even if initial shipping is free. It;s usually only free if u keep the guitar. So 2 way shipping even relatively close by will cost you about $120-180.

So thats the way i look at it. Local if at all possible. But at the moment i am on the blood trail of a certain model that i can only find online so it's that or nothing.

 

[FortyEight]

I don't like the idea of buying guitars online. That's just my thing cuz I've been told it's not how it feels int the store that matters. But for me it's too much of a risk to take one that doesn't feel right to me, and try and set it up at home. Seems like it could still feel like a turd and I'd regret it. On the other hand there is s possibility that I'm not going to like how something feels in the store because of a bad set up or I use .11's. But USUALLY, I find guitars I like even though they have smaller strings. And I feel like I can tell what I think is a good guitar.

 

[Wayne Alexander]

I've bought almost all the guitars I've bought, new or used, online. It's never been a problem for me. But I know EXACTLY what I want, and I know a lot about guitars - I know exactly what neck dimensions/profile/frets make me happy, what weight ranges are necessary for me to be able to play and keep a guitar, what various hardware options behave and sound like, what various pickups sound like, what body and neck finish options feel and look like. I only buy something if it fits my preferences. If you are a novice, I wouldn't suggest buying remotely.

 

[bsman]

Good luck finding a Ron Kirn or the equivalent you can check out before you buy... I have bought numerous guitars (electric) without playing them first and have rarely been disappointed. However, I would probably not buy an acoustic that way without a generous return policy.

 

[Ron C]

I know exactly what neck dimensions/profile/frets make me happy, what weight ranges are necessary for me to be able to play and keep a guitar, what various hardware options behave and sound like, what various pickups sound like, what body and neck finish options feel and look like. I only buy something if it fits my preferences.

I agree - if you're primarily a player, not a collector, it's a lot easier to buy an electric guitar online when you're very confident about the specs you prefer. Acoustics are more of a gamble but it can still work. (IMO, if you're primarily a collector I can't picture it mattering as much...who cares how much a guitar weighs or how it feels if it's not going to be played a lot?)

After lots of instruments bought and sold in person and online over decades, I own and am really happy with four (two acoustic, one hollow electric and one partscaster), three of which were bought online and one in person. And brand/quality/price didn't really matter, it's all about matching up with my preferences.

You can still get disappointed or happily surprised due to things that are harder to describe in the specs, though. Take neck width for example. Lots of us have preferences for narrower or wider nuts. But what we're reacting to is string spacing at various points, which is influenced by additional factors (e.g. where the nut slots were cut, how large a bevel the fret ends have, spacing at bridge, etc.). So I've played wide nut guitars that felt cramped to me, and narrow vintage style Fender necks that felt spacious due to these other factors.

So - while try-before-buy is always preferable, if you're VERY confident in the specs you prefer, go for it online. If not, and you don't have an in person option, just factor possible return or resale costs into the equation.

 

[Mr. Lumbergh]

I'm new to this whole online guitar world and this forum
I would like to ask for some advice about purchasing a guitar online...



Would it be INSANE to purchase a guitar online without ever playing it?
i know if it's built by Fender or a good company with a great reputation..


But what about some of these Custom Shop guitar builders online who only have website to showcase the guitars they have?

How do you know the guy who is building these guitars is not just some hack building them in his garage??/

You know?

PLEASE HELP!

If whoever you get it from has a decent return policy, no big deal. I've made a few purchases of guitars that I hadn't played first, and only one wasn't a player.

 

[strat a various]

I'm new to this whole online guitar world and this forum
I would like to ask for some advice about purchasing a guitar online...



Would it be INSANE to purchase a guitar online without ever playing it?
i know if it's built by Fender or a good company with a great reputation..


But what about some of these Custom Shop guitar builders online who only have website to showcase the guitars they have?

How do you know the guy who is building these guitars is not just some hack building them in his garage??/

You know?

PLEASE HELP!

If whoever you get it from has a decent return policy, no big deal. I've made a few purchases of guitars that I hadn't played first, and only one wasn't a player.

I've had fairly good luck buying on line, but these days ... the seller could drop dead between the time you order and ... oh, never mind. I don't want to open a can of worms.
I try to pay with paypal or a credit card, at least you have some possible recourse.
Nothing is perfectly secure. We can just do our best and check reputations, cross our fingers.

 

[Ronzo]

I’ve bought a few guitars online, brand new, sight unseen:

1. DeArmond M-72, Crimson Red Transparent - completely satisfactory.
2. Steinberger Spirit XT-2 Bass (MusicYo), black - completely satisfactory.
3. Steinberger Spirit GT-PRO guitar (MusicYo), black - completely satisfactory.
4. Wolf 540TM, LP copy, Cherry Sunburst with Ebony fretboard - completely satisfactory.
5. Gibson SG Special Faded, Worn Cherry, Ebony fretboard with Crescent inlays - completely satisfactory.
6. Squier Stratocaster FSR, Aztec Gold, HSS -completely satisfactory.
7. Glarry P-bass copy, sunburst - satisfactory.
8. Glarry J-bass copy, sunburst - needed neck shim, new nut.
9. Jackson Rhoads JS32T FSR, Natural Oil - completely satisfactory.
10. Squier Affinity Telecaster FSR BSB - first one received from Amazon had a crooked tuner, returned and replaced in two days. Replacement was completely satisfactory.
11. Epiphone Flying V Korina Antique Natural - completely satisfactory.

Overall, my experiences with GC/MF, Sam Ash, AMS/Zzounds, etc. have been excellent. Add 3 new amp purchases with no problems plus other PA and recording equipment purchased online, and I have few qualms about online purchases.

 

[driver8]

In an ideal world, I'd say no one should ever buy a guitar without playing it first. Unfortunately, we don't live in an ideal world, so online buying is often necessary. Most guitars that start out halfway decent are going to be workable, but nothing really compares to demoing guitars in person and you just "know" you've got a good one.

 

[Nubs]

Buying online is the way to go if you are left-handed. If right handed I would compare and contrast in person. Do your homework and check the seller...like mentioned. Most times a guitar that is well photographed is what it is...I'd be suspect of bad or incomplete pictures.



Can't tell you how many times after walking around for 20 min in most music stores not named "southpaw guitars" that I found the manager and let him know since they think left handed players only play Indonesian strats I wont be buying anything there.

No strings, no picks, no amps, cords, stomp-boxes.....nothing.

They usually say,..."well we could order it"....yea you go ahead and do that...let me know when you hang it on the wall.

online rules.

Took the words out of my keyboard. If you're a lefty, it's almost standard practice. Unless, you're lucky like me and live close to a lefty guitar shop called "Southpaw Guitars".

 

[Texsunburst59]

I have 50+ guitars/ basses in my collection, and ALL have been auditioned and bought in person.

I want to be able to put a guitar through its paces and make sure I like the neck, the weight, and makes sure it sounds and plays great.

This is the only way I will buy any instrument.

To me it seems when you buy online, it's the luck of the draw that you're getting an instrument that sounds and plays good.

I have a great track record of buying in person, so I'm sticking with it.

 

[Southpaw Tele]

As a lefty, I absolutely have to buy online. I love Sweetwater because I can choose the guitar I want and they have pics of each particular guitar in stock.

 

[fjblair]

Thirteen year old thread! Almost all of my guitars and gear has been bought online or without the benefit of trying it out. New and used. Started doing it in the 90's. No issues whatsoever.