Buying used stuff as gifts

Deacon_Blues · #1 05-11-2009, 01:18 AM

Hi,

I was wondering what TB's view is on buying used instruments, pedals etc. as gifts. My younger brother is finishing high school in a few weeks, and he's a guitarist aiming to become a pro musician/guitar teacher in the future. I've been thinking about buying something second-hand for him, because the prices are lower and the equipment often as good as new. I think I'll end up participating in my parents' gift for him - a pair of custom-molded earplugs, but I thought this would be an interesting question to ask here anyway.

So, what's your view on this?

I'm posting a poll to this soon and write my own thoughts too...

Deacon_Blues · #2 05-11-2009, 01:36 AM

I would like to vote for the first option, as I think there's nothing bad with it, but I'd still hesitate doing that so I vote for the second alternative.

troy2003 · #3 05-11-2009, 07:21 AM

Personally-great idea for me.You have a certain dollar amount to spend,so you can probably get "more" or another item that is out of your price range if it were new.Of course,I would feel kind of weird if the thing breaks or has nothing but problems with it right off the bat.

two fingers · #4 05-11-2009, 07:25 AM

My older brother hooked me up with my first real bass and amp (he paid for part and I paid for part). It was a Steinberger (sp) and a Peavey TKO combo. One of the best gifts I ever got! I say go for it! If you know it's something he wants, he will probably be thrilled with it!!!! BTW I went with option 1.

grovest · #5 05-12-2009, 08:43 AM

I answered before reading. I guess it's good for a beginner. If the recipient is well-experienced, though, I wouldn't chance it.

Memitim · #6 05-12-2009, 07:35 PM

Eh, I'm not really sure. Buy me a used 4x10 cab and I'll be able to give you an informed opinion.

Seriously, if your brother has been playing for a while, don't get him an instrument unless, a) you are taking him out to choose it, or b) he has specifically told you recently exactly what guitar he is GASsing for and you are getting that exact guitar.

I'm not a bass expert (yet) but I have been a computer nerd for over 20 years and the most useless gifts that I ever get are computer related because they are rarely anything that I would ever actually want. You mean well by getting something related to his passion, but odds are that if you go that route that you'll just get something that he really isn't into but will now feel obligated to stick with it to assuage your ego.

As for the part about it being used, he's a guy so it's fine. Just don't try it with your girl.

Deacon_Blues · #7 05-13-2009, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Memitim

Eh, I'm not really sure. Buy me a used 4x10 cab and I'll be able to give you an informed opinion.

Seriously, if your brother has been playing for a while, don't get him an instrument unless, a) you are taking him out to choose it, or b) he has specifically told you recently exactly what guitar he is GASsing for and you are getting that exact guitar.

I'm not a bass expert (yet) but I have been a computer nerd for over 20 years and the most useless gifts that I ever get are computer related because they are rarely anything that I would ever actually want. You mean well by getting something related to his passion, but odds are that if you go that route that you'll just get something that he really isn't into but will now feel obligated to stick with it to assuage your ego.

As for the part about it being used, he's a guy so it's fine. Just don't try it with your girl.

I definitely don't plan to buy him an instrument, as he's a way too good guitarist for someone else to tell what he should play. He knows what he likes and don't like. (You don't decide going pro unless you're quite experienced already...) I'm thinking here of effects, PA stuff, mics etc. I know quite a bit more than him about these things... A couple of years back, I bought him a Behringer Digital Delay pedal, because that was in my budget range (my family don't buy stuff costing several hundred euros as gifts, at least not between us siblings). However, I could probably have gotten a used delay pedal of a better brand for a decent price.