Used Acoustic Guitars – How To Get A Great Buy!

Trying to find the perfect used acoustic guitar takes a little know how and a big heap of patience. You are likely to come across a great number of used acoustic guitars in your search, but you should keep the following things in mind…

- What kind of neck would you like

There are several different kinds of wood that can be used to make a guitar neck. If you want a nice and warm ‘woody’ sound, you should go with a Mahogany neck. However, the most popular may be necks made of Rosewood, which give the instrument a brighter sound.

- Check the bridge pegs

The strings of an acoustic guitar are often held down by pegs that go into the bridge. If these pegs are damaged on a used acoustic, the strings may not hold properly. This can cause them to go out of tune and even break. The pegs can be replaced, but it’s best to find an instrument with these intact.

- Take a look at the action

‘Action’ refers to the space between the strings and the fretboard. If the action is too high, more than a quarter of an inch, the instrument may be very difficult to play. High action can also be the result of a bad neck. The stress from the strings can actually bend the shape of the guitar so it looks like a bow, which results in higher action. This should be avoided as it is a result of a damaged instrument.

- How are the tuning pegs?

The tunings pegs are located on the very top of the guitar. They are used to tune the strings. If you have problem twisting the pegs, then you may want to search for another guitar. Tuning is a major issue with a used guitar, and if the pegs are not working properly the instrument will be hard to keep in tune. Sometimes you can oil the tuning pegs to make them twist easier, but it’s best to find one with nice pegs to begin with.

- Is the pickguard still attached?

The pickguard is an important part of the instrument. It protects the finish from being scratched by the pick when the acoustic guitar is strummed. A lot of used guitars may have a damaged or completely removed pickguard.

If you use a little common sense, then you should not have any problems in deciding which used acoustic guitars are worth buying and which ones are just a waste of time and money. Just stick to these principles and you shouldn’t have too much trouble.

Article Tags: used guitars acoustic

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