Buying a second-hand instrument

This is uki. I wrote an article about 7-string guitars last time.

I'm still inexperienced, but this time I'd like to summarize the advantages and disadvantages of buying a second-hand instrument, and things to be aware of, including actual experience (It may be a content that is a little gray for Sound House who handles new instruments).

I'm mainly writing about the guitar, but I think that this article can be applied to any musical instrument, not just the guitar, so I started the page. If you can, please take a look.

Flea market and auction sites

Nowadays, the Internet has become indispensable, and flea market sites and auction sites can be easily used by a wide range of age groups.

The big advantage is that you can get cheap rare and expensive guitars that are no longer available.

When using flea market sites, the operation of the site does not take care of everything.
It is still basically a transaction between individuals.

Therefore, although there may be obvious defects, the texture of the grain of the actual item may differ depending on the photo, the angle, the color of the lighting, etc.

Also, since it is equipment that someone no longer needs, there is usually a good reason. There are various "reasons for not needing" something hidden in the explanation, such as "actually the truss rod is limited", "the neck has an uncorrectable warp", or "the electrical system is not in good condition".

The other party may not be a professional musical instrument store, but a faceless individual. Most are subjective and beautified explanations and should be considered carefully.

○ Benefits

・There are times when you can meet rare equipment that is no longer available.
・It is cheaper than buying a new one.

× Disadvantages

・Because you can't see the other person's face, you don't know what kind of person used it.
・It is difficult to confirm the item is the real thing.

Buying and selling between individuals on social media

This is also a form of transaction that has recently become popular due to the spread of the Internet.

I think it's hard to imagine, so to explain it briefly,
It is an equipment transaction between people who meet in a community of followers on social media.

The big advantage here is that there is no fee via the above site, so you can trade quite cheaply depending on the other party's scooping and your own negotiations.

However, it is 100% the buyer’s responsibility, and there is no contact point for inquiries even if there is a problem, so it may be better not to trade unless you have a lot of trust in the other individual.

Also, because you know who you are dealing with in both good and bad ways, you will know how to handle the equipment.

Regarding my own experience, I made a deal with someone I met on social media, and later, I had to give up the guitar when I moved.

At that time, I put the guitar up on an auction site, but it seems that the person I got it from saw the listing page, and wrote a defamatory comment on the site.

In my case, the guitar I traded already became someone else’s, so I didn't really care how they subsequently treat it.
But there are quite a few people who care about that, so it can be said that it is a scary part of this transaction form that is not related only to buying and selling.

○ Benefits

・There are times when you can meet rare equipment that is no longer available.
・It is much cheaper than buying a new one.

× Disadvantages

・There is a high possibility of trouble occurring. Completely your own responsibility.
・Because it is not just a relationship of buying and selling, it is necessary to consider the subsequent treatment and relationship.。

So in the end, new is better?

If you want to get a new instrument at a low price, use Sound House's "Lowest Price Guarantee" to shop well.

[About the lowest price guarantee]
https://www.soundhouse.co.jp/guide/guarantee/index.php

○ Benefits

・There is basically a guarantee.
・Maintains reliable performance of the instrument.
・Various payment methods are available, including installment payments.
・Beautiful & clean!!!!!

× Disadvantages

・More expensive than a used instrument.

Summary

What is the best way to buy a guitar introduced above? I can't say which one is the best (because everyone wants to get a good one at a cheap price).

It depends greatly on your knowledge of guitars and musical instruments and your net literacy.

In my case, I think that the encounter with a guitar is a once-in-a-lifetime encounter, so even if it is a little damaged, if there’s a guitar that I really want, I’ll buy it either used or new.

However, for parts such as replacement parts and electrical equipment that I want to use to make the most of my musical instrument, Sound House purchases new ones and modifies or repairs them.

In particular, I think it is better to purchase new pickups and pot parts as much as possible.
(Of course, consumable strings, and so on as well.)

Also, it seems that a flea market site specializing in music-related items called Sound Mart has begun operating!

There appears to be an assessment service at the time of listing, so being able to sell used musical instruments after being assessed by a third party may greatly improve on the disadvantages of buying and selling used musical instruments as mentioned above.

I would like to try it out in the near future.

【サウンドマート】
https://www.soundmart.co.jp/content/welcome/