Advice on purchasing Used Guitar

[wjs1820]

I'm planning on picking up a lightly used SAS36 (Korean made ~$400) from a local shop as my first guitar this Wednesday. I've done some research on what to look for when buying used but without prior experience... I guess I'm looking for some tips on what to look out for so I don't wind up with an electrified crossbow.

I've also read that the pro sat bridge has been known to lose their tune, have sharp edges, etc. Whats a good bridge look like compared to an abused one?

MY hats out, tips are very appreciated.

[t1r12003]

Some basic things I do when looking at any used guitar is to play it unplugged, and make sure there aren't any uneven frets that would create major buzzing problems.

Playing it unplugged with open strings will also show you if there's any wierd buzzing at the nut or bridge. I always play each string individually and listen for that wierd twang or buzz.

Also, test out the electronics fully, wiggle stuff lightly to check for loose connections etc.

Obviously, play it through an amp to see if you like the pickups and tones.

Sorry, I don't know about that specific bridge.

[kspeed]

That's some good advice from t1r12003. Make sure the volume and tone knobs work properly, meaning they scale gradually and don't go straight from full to zero. A little buzz won't kill you as long as it doesn't make it thru the amp.

Whatever you pick up, get a set of new strings and ask the shop to set it up for you (this should include slapping on the new strings, setting the action to however you want and making sure it's properly intonated). Many places will do this for free.

[Dave67]

I had an SA120 with the SAT bridge, the bridge was not my problem the plastic nut was. The string would get stuck in the nut, a $10 Graphtec nut solved this problem.

[bdk]

Originally Posted by wjs1820

I'm planning on picking up a lightly used SAS36 (Korean made ~$400) from a local shop as my first guitar this Wednesday. I've done some research on what to look for when buying used but without prior experience... I guess I'm looking for some tips on what to look out for so I don't wind up with an electrified crossbow.

I've also read that the pro sat bridge has been known to lose their tune, have sharp edges, etc. Whats a good bridge look like compared to an abused one?

MY hats out, tips are very appreciated.

FRET BUZZ is the most important thing. As others have said, play the guitar acoustically, EVERY SINGLE FRET and make sure there is little to no buzz. Also make sure the neck is STRAIGHT. Bring a ruler and place it on the frets. Truss rod adjustments are easy, but who knows if it works!

The neck / frets are the most important tome because they are the most expensive to repair.

[rty13ibz98]

i've got an sa120 as well. for me its a really low end axe, but it was awesome to play in the store. one of the things that compelled me to buy it was the trem. i was diving with it an it was coming back in tune. flutters were even decent on it. after a pickup swap, it is a smoking axe. has a really cool pseudo-strat vibe to it. i have several strat-like ibanez's and this one is really a welcome addition. i like the sas36 alot. i would have got it, but the store didn't have it. its all good as i'll probably find one cheap later. played one, tho. cool axe! just make sure its a solid guitar when you buy it. pickups can change, although the tru-duo is cool, not a deal breaker. all the pointers in the first thread were pretty spot on. just giving a bit more insight on the trem.


rich

[wjs1820]

Thanks, guys. I appreciate the help. I'll post on the condition of it on Thursday. Hopefully everything goes well.

[wjs1820]

So I picked it up Thursday nite with a Vox AD30VT amp. I did my homework checked it all out and it looks and sounds great, all the electronics work too. It holds tune, etc. The store is trying to sell me an extended warranty for $50. Is it worth it.

Also, and this is to all the other nooby's out there. I obsessed over this purchase for at least 3 months wondering how this was all going to sound together. I worried over single coils vs. humbuckers...Tube amps, SS combo's, modeling vs. pure. In the end I realized that one key component made all the difference. I don't know S$%T yet about how to play.

My recommendation, dont buy an amp until you can string some cords together because you just cant make "twinkle twinkle little star" sound good no matter how much gain, wattage, you got. Save your money for lessons.

[screamndemon69]

Congrats on your purchase.

I teach guitar lessons and I hear students talk about gear and guitars like they know what they are talking about but haven't learned to play yet. It's fine to read and learn as much as possible but it is truley hard to form an informed opinion about something until you have grounds to base it on. It takes years of playing as many guitars and amps to start getting a good base-line on what is good or bad for you.

Good luck in your quest. Loads of info around here but PLAY as much gear as possible and GET lessons, the days of the uneducated guitarist are gone IMHO.

[jim777]

Originally Posted by wjs1820

My recommendation, dont buy an amp until you can string some cords together because you just cant make "twinkle twinkle little star" sound good no matter how much gain, wattage, you got. Save your money for lessons.

Very good point I wish I had seen this a little earlier. My advice here is always the same, bring someone with you who knows how to play the guitar. It's an easy way of finding out if a guitar is any good or not if you're just starting off. It's sound advice on any new instrument purchase, from flute to xylophone.

[wjs1820]

I must admit that the place I bought it from was very helpful (dont think the rules allow me to mention the name) and the salesman kindly played it for me and it did soud awesome. I'm not disappointed in the gear I bought.

The point I'm trying to make is that I realize now that it was truly a waste of money to buy a component that amplifies my current lack of talent. Everything I'm learning at this time (finger exercises, notes, basic cords and scales) is practiced unplugged.

On a positive note, the salesman showed me the potential that my gear had and that has become my driving force.