buying a guitar online....whats your opinion...

[AaronK]

ive purchased at online stores and ebay more than i have at regular places.

Ive had VERY good luck buying electric guitars on ebay, better actually than i have with face to face transactions. but i'd say that it IS something of luck because you just cant see everything. if youre buying an instrument on ebay, make sure they've got good pics. almost no instrument is flawless, you should ask to see pics of these scratches, even if they're little. ask for a picture of the action, nut, bridge.

wouldnt hesitate at all from buying at MF, sweetwater, etc.

good idea to try to get a local store to deal. even guitar center will often price match MF or other online stores.

this all said, I would never ever buy an acoustic instrument on ebay.

 

[typi]

After looking all over for a certain model strat with a certain configuration and not being able to find it locally, I ordered one from Musicians Friend, being totally prepared to send it back for even the smallest of problems or reasons.

As it turned out, probably THE nicest strat I have ever played. (Not that I have played on THOUSANDS or anything, but enough to know the difference. I think you'll find that these online places need to offer very liberal and flexible return policies in order to induce people to purchase this way.

Got to admit ---- it was a little nerve-wrenching considering what I paid, but I would not hesitate to do it again. As for ebay, I might want to do one of those escrow things, depending on the seller.

Good luck!

 

[SilverSurfer]

I've purchased four guitars on eBay and I've been pretty lucky in that all of them were exactly what they said they were. A Gibson Flying V, a Jackson Soloist, Ibanez DT-555 (for sale!) and a Hamer bass. All nice stuff and worth what I paid for them.

 

[mharr552000]

The last guitar I bought(natural BC Rich NJ Warlock bass) I picked up brand new off of ebay for $400. The best the locals could do was around $600.
All of my other shit(of which there is a lot of) was purchased from Musicians Friend. They kick ass.

 

[DaveM]

I second the small music stores. I bought my 1957 Reissue Les Paul from a small dealer after looking online. I brought cash and made him an offer. I got a great guitar at a great price.

 

[lpdeluxe]

I always go to the dealer first. If he's got (or can get) what I want, then I buy it. If his price is out of line, I tell him what I can get it for online and he will usually accommodate me. I have bought several guitars and amps this way, and I always know what I'm getting, and I have a great relationship with a local who now automatically gives me discounts.

Beyond that, I won't buy a guitar unplayed. I'm not willing to buy one and return it to get what I want because in my experience the right guitar will speak to me when I play it: that's usually why I buy one. The idea of trolling the internet for guitars isn't my thing, I guess. Pretty pictures mean nothing.