Finding a fault-free used vintage guitar has nothing to do with luck and everything to do with applying good research and investigative skills. If you are looking for a specific guitar, chances are you will not find it locally but rather online on sites like eBay or Reverb. These sites provide the level of service needed to technically complete the purchase, without actually playing the guitar. But while buying is easy, avoiding disappointments may be a bit harder.
Knowing how to remotely spot potential problems and determining how playable a used guitar is can save you from expensive repair headaches down the road. The following advice can help you in both avoiding disappointment and in finding online a guitar of good value, both musically and economically.
The Burden Is on You to Run a Remote Inspection
This means the burden is on you to do your research online, and communicate with the seller by email, phone, or text. Understand that most private sellers might not want to have the guitar inspected by a local luthier as it may be too much of a disruption to their daily routine. So, you’ll have to decide whether you are okay with that. But even if that is the case, still it is reasonable to ask for as much information as needed to be able to inspect the guitar remotely before completing the purchase.
The following guide will help you identify the complete set of information required for a remote inspection. Regardless of whom you buy from, be it an online store or a private seller, always look over the guitar thoroughly. If it is not possible to check the guitar locally, with this set of data on hand, you can do your own inspection or approach an expert luthier for a complete virtual inspection.
1. Ask For Plenty Of Guitar Images
High-quality images go a long way in conveying many of the issues a vintage guitar may have. Images of the front, back, and side provide a 360 degree view that covers nearly everything. Then separate body and neck images provide even greater detail and resolution, with close-ups of items of interest such as defects, labels, serial numbers etc. completing the set.
A solid set of high-quality images will tell you the seller is honest and forthcoming, while allowing you to give the guitar a proper, even if remote, inspection.
To make image diagnostics both simple and effective, ask the seller to use natural light, and to place the guitar on a horizontal surface with a uniform background (e.g. a sofa or a bed). Then ask for the following set of images:
3 Front Images:
- Full body
- Body (w/o neck)
- Neck
3 Back Images:
- Full body
- Body (w/o neck)
- Neck
3 Side images At the guitar level:
- Full body
- Neck from side
- Neck from headstock
- Truss rod cavity\bolt
- Truss rod tool
- Serial number
- Inside label
- Paperwork
- Any scratches, breaks or other visible defects
Now that you have the images, The first thing to do is to give your guitar a visual and mechanical check to identify problems. This could be as simple as noticing missing screws, corrosion, body damage, hardware malfunctions, or neck problems.
The neck of a guitar plays an essential role in maintaining the tension needed for the guitar strings to play sounds in tune. The first step in checking the neck is visually inspecting it. A guitar neck should be virtually straight, although a little bowing is still acceptable. The neck joint, which attaches to the body of the guitar, should be flush.
Another common sign of wear and tear is with the frets. Take a close look at the frets. Look out for little grooves or dips.
2. The Guitar Specs
While you may or may not think you know what the guitar specs are, it is a very basic step to cover your bases, ask the seller to provide them. At the minimum ask for the following:
- The guitar weight – keep in mind, weight units vary by country and region, so make sure you understand the weight units used by the seller (e.g. lbs or kgs).
- Country of origin – ask for documentation that supports this data.
- Manufacturing year – ask for documentation that supports this data.
- The guitar condition – see below for further instructions.
Go over the seller’s specs to make sure it is everything you expect. Especially make sure the seller’s specified condition matches what you see in the images and video. To ensure both you and the seller mean the same thing when you say “Excellent” or “Mint”, we recommend you both use Reverb’s gear condition definitions:
- Mint condition items are completely blemish-free and have not been modified in any way.
- Excellent is when an item has been used, but only has minor cosmetic defects.
- Very good describes items with more cosmetic imperfections than Excellent, that are still in great condition overall.
- Good condition includes items that are in fine working order but have significant cosmetic imperfections.
- Fair condition items have various imperfections that impact the function of the item.
- Poor condition items have clear functional problems that will generally require repair.
- Non-functioning condition items include instruments and other gear that simply do not work.
Source: reverb.com
3. Seller’s Walkthrough Video
While images can do an excellent job at revealing visual defects, cosmetics, and overall look, there is no alternative to a good walkthrough video to demonstrate that all the electronics work properly and that the guitar is playable.
Usually, a walkthrough video would be about 2 minutes long. As you approach the seller asking for it, make sure to provide the following guidelines:
- Strictly use a clean sound with no effects.
- Recording the video and audio with your phone should suffice.
- Make sure you have plenty of light when filming and keep the guitar fully visible.
- Amateur-level playing is absolutely fine!
Then, ask the seller to use simple chord strumming while:
- Demonstrating each pickup.
- Demonstrating each switch and knob functionality.
- Highlighting faults if applicable.
As the video file can get pretty large, you may suggest they share it with you via any sharing service or even by uploading it to YouTube.
Now go over the video carefully. Does everything look and feel OK? As the chords ring out, the knobs are tuned, and the pickup selector is adjusted, listen for any cracking in the signal. Listen for any volume drops or loud pops as the seller switches between pickups. Don’t worry about what’s playing at this stage, just focus on making sure all the electronics work.
Also, as you look at the video, think about how the guitar looks and feels comfort-wise, and pay attention to any issues, no matter how small.
4. The Guitar’s Description
If it wasn’t provided already, ask for a detailed written description of the guitar and a link to the manufacturer’s guitar specs page. Read the description carefully, especially to determine if repairs will be necessary and to confirm that both the description and manufacturer specs match your expectations.
Typically, a seller would highlight in the description the guitar virtues enthusiastically and play down any issues. Furthermore, buyers that have already set up their minds on buying something, tend to disregard these played-down issues while focusing on the highlighted virtues. Try to avoid this psychological trap and be as objective and as prudent as possible.
As with any of the previous steps, take note of any question marks that come up. In the next section, the “Seller’s Checklist”, you’ll ask the seller to address them all.
5. The Seller Checklist
Last, but not least, is the seller’s checklist. Here you will ask the seller very specific questions. As mentioned before, sellers tend to play down or even “forget” potential issues. However, when asked directly most will provide an honest and even detailed response. To be effective, guide the seller to provide details any time the answer is not a positive one.
Here’s our recommended list of detailed questions for the guitar seller. Do add to this list any issues and question marks that came up during the previous steps.
- Are you the 1st owner of the guitar? If not, please describe ownership history to the best of your knowledge.
- Do all electronics, knobs, switches, etc. work well? If not, please elaborate.
- Did it have any major repairs? If yes, please elaborate.
- Is the neck straight? If not, please elaborate.
- Does the guitar come with a case and/or any accessories? If yes, please elaborate.
- Does the guitar have any faults? If yes, please elaborate.
- Was it set up professionally in the past 2 years? If not, when was it last set up professionally? Also, who did the last set up? What did it include?
- Have any parts of the guitar been replaced? If yes, please elaborate.
- Is there any fret wear? If yes, please elaborate.
- Is there any cosmetic damage to the guitar? If yes, please elaborate.
- Please describe in detail the packaging the guitar will be shipped in.
That concludes the information-gathering process. Now use the cheat sheet below to sum up your findings.
6. Sum Up Your Findings
Headstock Inspection
- Are there hairline cracks at the headstock area?
- Does it look like it has been refinished?
- Does the serial number match the guitar description?
Nut Inspection
- Are there any visible gaps or cracks between the neck and nut?
- Are there any deep slots in the nut? Deep slots could mean an aftermarket replacement.
Neck Inspection
- Are there damaged inlays or any gaps in the inlays?
- Does the neck joint have any cracks or refinish work?
- Is there a twist or a bow in the neck?
- Did you notice any dead notes or excessive rattle sound when played?
- Are there any divots in frets or excessive fret wear?
- Is the neck relief (1) back bow (2) forward bow (3) or straight?
Body Inspection
- Are there cracks in the binding?
- Do all the switches work properly?
- Is there excessive damage to the front or back?
- Are the sides smashed or broken?
- Are there any missing screws?
- Are the pickup rings cracked?
- Any over-oxidized parts?
Electronics Inspection
- Do the pickups seem original to the guitar?
- Do the volume or tone pots have a scratchy sound?
- Push-pull pots engage the correct functions?
Case Inspection and extras
- Is the case original?
- Is the original paperwork included?
- Is the correct truss rod tool included?
That’s it. You have concluded your inspection! Now sit back, reflect, and think things over. If you are very comfortable with your findings, close the deal. Otherwise, it may be time to bring in the pros.
7. Take It to Your Guitar Luthier
In case of doubt, before you close the deal, have the guitar checked by a repair shop that routinely does guitar inspection work. A local seller should have no problem accompanying you, and the guitar, to have it inspected as long as you are serious about buying it.
If a seller, be it a private seller or a guitar shop, tells you that an independent inspection is not necessary because they have already done it, insist on having your guitar luthier look at it. If a private seller is reluctant to meet you at the guitar shop, offer to pick up the guitar and bring it back once done.
A thorough diagnosis should cost around $100 to $150, but check the price in advance. Ask the luthier for a written report detailing the guitar’s condition, noting the problems found and the cost to repair them. You can then use the report when you negotiate with the seller.
If you don’t know of any local repair shops, or if you are shopping online you can use TrueRelic’s services which are tailored for online guitar inspections. We will work with the seller directly to obtain all the data and analyze it for you.
Last but not least, check the seller’s credibility on Reverb, eBay, and even on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. If you buy from a private seller and they have a genuine Facebook profile with images of them playing guitars, it may be a good sign. If they have a shady profile or none at all, it may be a warning sign.
Vintage Guitar Online Inspection FAQs
You ask, we answer
The serial number of an acoustic guitar may be on the back or on the label in the sound hole. An electric guitar serial number is usually stamped on the back of the headstock. Find it and check if it matches the guitar. Checking serial numbers can typically be done at the manufacturer’s website and the lookup would result in the model and production date. You can also use our Fender and Gibson serial number crawlers.
1 thought on “How To Inspect A Used Vintage Guitar Before Buying It Online”
As someone who is fond of guitars and constantly looking to expand my collection, this article provides valuable advice on inspecting used vintage guitars before making an online purchase. Requesting high-quality images and a detailed description, along with a walkthrough video, ensures the best guitar parts and overall condition.