I dream of someday having the money to walk into a guitar store, point at a guitar high up on the wall (you know the ones), and hand over my debit card without breaking a sweat.
Until that day happens, the price tag matters.
If you’re like me and still not independently wealthy (despite wishing really hard), you’ll be guitar shopping on a budget for the foreseeable future too.
And that means you want your dollar to stretch as far as it can.
The good news is that you can find good deals on quality gear. But how do you do it? What are the tips and tricks? How can you get solid, playable gear while on a tight budget?
Here are five strategies to get you there.
Sleep on it
It’s important to remind ourselves often that guitars are a luxury. We don’t really need them; as strange as it sounds, billions of people have lived fulfilling lives without them (I know — I don’t get it either).
That truth, as uncomfortable as it is, can help us. Even though we might feel an incredible urge to buy a specific guitar after watching a YouTube demo (or 10…okay, 50), we don’t ever need to make a purchase right away.
This can help us avoid overpaying because of our emotions. At the very least, if you plan on buying a guitar, sleep on it. Maybe even put it in the back of your mind for a week or a month.
I’ve found that for most guitars, my interest level waned considerably after sitting on the idea for a few days.
In fact, I’ve probably saved more money not impulse buying guitars than by any of the other strategies below — combined.
Research, research, research
But say you’ve got a guitar living rent free in your head. You’ve slept on it, considered it, and you still really, really want it. (Don’t feel bad; I’ve got two of ’em right now.)
At this point, it’s time to research.
What exactly is it about this guitar that piques your interest? Is it the color? The pickups? The carve of the neck?
Moreover, are you in love with just the style or look of the guitar, or does it matter what brand it is? Is there a certain production year or years you’re looking for? Do you want to mod the guitar in any way? Are there any defects you are willing to live with or that won’t bother you (or that you can easily fix)?
Additionally, what do other guitarists who own the guitar say about it? What are its pros and cons? Are there mods that everyone seems to do, and if so, why might that be the case?
Furthermore, how much does it cost? What are similar models selling for on the open market? Are you in a buyer’s or seller’s market, and might things change in a few months?
The more information you can gather, the better. The more you can dial in exactly what you’re looking for, what the consensus about the guitar is, and what prices the market will bear, the better you are setting yourself up to find and pounce on the right deal at the right time.
Consider lesser-known or less expensive brands
Even if you do have your heart set on a very particular guitar, if you’re open to it, you can find some great deals for lesser-known brands.
If you are dying for a Stratocaster, it’s worth checking out the Godin Progression, for example. Or you just might find a comparable G&L on Reverb that could be just as good as a Fender.
Likewise, if you have your eyes set on a Gibson SG, you can do yourself a favor by trying out a similar Epiphone model. You could end up walking out of Guitar Center with a $400 guitar that you liked better than the $2,000 one you thought you wanted. (Or maybe not, but the point is it’s free to try, so what’s there to lose?)
The downside here is the resale value. The reality is Fender, Gibson, and PRS are going to hold their value better over time than other, less common or less expensive brands. It’s just the nature of the beast.
So if resale value is important to you, this may not be the best route to take. But if you’re willing to potentially lose a little on the back end, it’s a great strategy to spend less.
Buy used
This is the no-brainer tip. Buying used is almost always cheaper than buying new.
I have had a great deal of luck buying used over the years. I’ve bought multiple “used” guitars — at used prices — that, for all intents and purposes, were new. Some of them still even had the original plastic covering the pickguard, tuners, etc.
There are also some real clunkers on the market, of course. But if you have a discerning eye and are willing to be patient, you can find amazing used guitars at amazing prices.
Ask for a discount
YouTuber Phillip McKnight (if you don’t subscribe to his channel, seriously — just do it) recommends that anytime you buy a guitar, ask for a discount. It doesn’t hurt, and as long as you are respectful about it, the seller just might say yes.
In fact, a lot of sellers are willing to cover sales tax or give you a 10 percent discount just to get the guitar out the door.
Obviously, you don’t want to be silly about it — no one is going to knock 50 percent off their advertised price. But it is possible to save a little scratch just by asking. And even if it’s only $50, that’s still $50 in your pocket!
There are always deals to be had
Buying guitars on a budget is doable. And there is always another deal. If you know how to look, you can amass a very nice collection without breaking the bank. But it does require patience, knowing your stuff, being willing to expand your options, and a bit of boldness.
What are your tips for guitar buying on a budget? What have you found that works that I didn’t cover? Let us know in the comments.
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