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How to Get the Best Bang for Your Buck When Buying a Guitar
My friends are always amazed at my wife’s and my ability to find deals.
One of our favorite activities is to drive over to Value Village and look for deals. Then later, something will come up in a conversation and we’ll say, “Oh, yeah, I got [that thing worth $50 new] from the thrift store for $5.”
People think we’re just lucky. It is true that luck may play a part in our ability to find bargains, but I would argue the truth is we put ourselves in a position to take advantage of luck when it happens.
The same goes for my ability to score deals on guitars. Today, I’d like to share with you some of my secrets, in the hopes that one or more of these tips can save you a little extra cash the next time you are in the market for more gear.
Research, research, research
There is simply no substitute for research.
Only once in my life have I gone to a guitar store with the intent to make a purchase without having a good idea of what I was looking for. That was special — it was my fortieth birthday. (I ended up with a very nice Ibanez semi-hollow body, by the way.)
In every other instance, I spend a lot of time researching before getting serious about buying. What kind of guitars are out there? Which type of guitars would complement my collection, rather than duplicating an instrument I already own? What are the quality brands that fly under the radar?
I spend a lot of time researching before getting serious about buying.
When I bought my SX earlier in the year, I knew exactly what I was looking for: a Strat-style guitar with a natural finish and a maple fretboard. I’d been on the lookout for months, and so when I stumbled across the SX — a brand I knew was good despite the low price — that matched my specs exactly, it was an absolute no-brainer.
Understand the law of diminishing returns
Based on years of experience, I am firmly convinced that you can buy an incredible electric guitar without breaking the bank.
