Buy Used Stuff

[Fletz]

For some reason, maybe I'm a snob or an elitist or fool, I never bought used equipment. Never. Not guitars, not amps, not cabs. I think I didn't like not having the safety net of a warranty or missing that new equipment smell ...

I have changed my mind after completing my Ampeg rig. Many of you may have been irritated by my recent million+ questions, comments and insecurities about my amp issues. I will boil it down: in the last three months I have sold my Hartke 3500, bought a GK Backline 600, owned a Peavey Tour 700 for three days and an Ampeg BR2E for seven. I either have serious GAS issues or schizophrenia. Once I realized I was actually just looking for an Ampeg that had Ampeg character (the reason I dumped the B2RE) and that was it. I learned to play on my Dad's fliptop and I think it may actually be the Ampeg logo more than anything else I was longing for (I am kidding, I think...)

Anyway, the long and the short of it is I was able to pick up my SVT-410 HLF with a trade in used at one Guitar Center for $350. I then used the President's Day weekend 15% off deal at a different Guitar Center to get an SVT-3PRO head for $550. It was covered in dust and had some surface scum on it, but it cleaned up really nice (see pic below).

For $900 I finally got my lifelong desired Ampeg Halfstack rig. If I bought it new from Musiciansfriend or something it would have been about $1750! So far, I am loving it. I cleaned it all up and attached the picture below.

I still can't get my head around buying a used bass. Maybe that's more of a tactile thing.

What do you guys think about used vs. new? Amps? Cabs? Guitars? Just curious. Discuss...

The only thing new in this rig is the Furman power strip. The case is even my old one from my Hartke rig so it's at least 16 years old.

 

[ChrisB2]

Nice rig, congrats!

I have no problem buying used amps and basses. However, I shy away from used cabinets. I don't like not knowing how much abuse they've had. But that's just me.

 

[Marko 1]

If the price is right and I can try it out, I’ll go for used gear. I am a bit leery if I can’t try it out, though; I’ve never purchased used gear that way, at least not yet.

I’ve gotten a few things from GC used dept, because the prices aren’t bad, and I do have that safety net that I can return it.

I wish I'd have been turned on to it sooner; I'd have saved a lot of money.

 

[KramerBassFan]

Buying new is just silly.

 

[Jaco who?]

I go used whenever possible, but only after much research about reliability/idiot proof-ness. I much prefer used basses, they aren't really all that complicated when you think about it, and I'll admit I like the corny "mojo" factor they tend to have.

I used to buy used cabs all the time, but TB posts from people with no concept of EQ has left me wary about it. New or DIY now.

 

[GregC]

The only things I've purchased new have been two cabs and a bass that were marked down a whole lot from the going street price.

The used market has been so good for buyers over the past year or so, it's hard not to go that route. That's how I've bought most of my gear--primarily through folks on TB who I really trust because I know them personally or they're friends of friends. But I've also bought a couple used things off of eBay with no issues (luck, perhaps?).

 

[jgsbass]

Since I can deal with setting up a bass, my last 6 basses have been used. They were all Peavey foundations so I had no choice. I am very leery about buying amps or cabs used. Harder to see if there's any immediate problems and you would find out on a gig that there's a problem. Rather have a warantee on the electronics, easy enough to check out a bass

 

[Mekanic]

I'm broke as hell.. everything I've got, and plan to get has to be used

 

[steveinohio]

No problems buying anything used. I prefer stuff to be broken in. I dont really care for the new look of cabs/most guitars. I like em better with some wear showing. A warranty is pretty much a non factor in a purchase for me. I will buy new gear, just not often.

 

[username1]

I like buying used because if it had issues it would have usually shown up by now. I especially like buying my basses used because chanches are if the neck is good on an older one it will stay good, you never know how good the wood is on a new one and if it will develope problems as it settles in. I like my equipment settled in.

 

[bassmanrocke]

I've always preferred used Basses, I don't mind a few dings, and the price is so much better. To be honest, many models I really like aren't produced anymore(or aren't built like they used to be). I am less likely to buy used amps as it is easier to damage an amp, but that said, all my current amps I purchased used, and have not had any problems with them.

 

[capnsandwich]

When it comes to amps I could go either way but with basses it's usually a much better deal when you buy used. They're usually broken in with the neck settled into place, usually set up decently, and they usually have a few nicks so you don't have to worry about playing it and hurting it because it's already hurt.

 

[Mulebagger]

I just got my first new bass 2 weeks ago after playing bass for 20 years! Of course I try to get gear that is in the best possible condition, but never concerned about buying used gear. About the only part of my set up that I like to buy new would be my cabinets. Unless I get a great deal or know their history, I'd rather buy new cabinets because it's hard to tell the abuse they have been through until you take them out on a few gigs or even sooner.

Congrats on the SVT3 pro. I had an older version and it was my favorite ampeg head of the half dozen I have owned.

 

[Fletz]

This is some great insight. I'm loving the read.

 

[georgestrings]

I especially like buying my basses used because chanches are if the neck is good on an older one it will stay good, you never know how good the wood is on a new one and if it will develope problems as it settles in.

Exactly - and regarding amps, I prefer to pay 1/2 price or lower - I buy ONLY used, after some research and waiting for a good deal on stuff in "like new" to "very good" condition... Pro grade gear is built to last awhile - so buying used gear with a rep for reliability isn't much of a gamble at all, IMO...



- georgestrings

 

[lpdeluxe]

I'm not a new vs used snob: my approach is to buy the gear I want, whether it's available used or new. Some items, like my Mesa/Boogie Walkabout Scout 1x15, are difficult to find used; others, like my (now sold) '63 Gretsch Chet Atkins Country Gent aren't available new.

So the "used vs new" is a highly artificial distinction: if you gotta have new, or gotta find it used, you're limiting yourself.

 

[coreyfyfe]

My only new stuff right now are a few pedals, otherwise everything is used. In fact, most of my major gear is older than me! Buy what is going to get you the tone you are searching for, forget about everything else.

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[levis76]

I have two kids and my wife doesn't work, so yeah I buy used exclusively. Otherwise I'd never be able to afford the stuff I like. I'd be stuck playing a low end Ibanez thru a combo amp for the next 20 or so years.

 

[lindseyp]

I buy used if I can find something. The neck on my Omen-6 was enough for me to purchase that guitar and change the pickups to cool it off; I got a couple of used PRS and a couple of used Fender guitars for good prices. Used basses tend to go fast though, regardless of the store. I have never been able to get an affordable, great used bass near me.

 

[Gearhead43]

Exactly - and regarding amps, I prefer to pay 1/2 price or lower - I buy ONLY used, after some research and waiting for a good deal on stuff in "like new" to "very good" condition... Pro grade gear is built to last awhile - so buying used gear with a rep for reliability isn't much of a gamble at all, IMO...



- georgestrings

I agree, and I buy used most of the time. I will buy new if I happen to have the money and the item is something new that I can't live without.