Buying Musical Instruments on Ebay

[LakerGod]

I just wanna get a normal acoustic guitar to mess around with. I've noticed a lot of people on Ebay are selling intstruments for super cheap. For example, some dude is selling a 38 inch brand new guitar for 20 bucks with 12 dollars shipping. He has a lot of positive feedback too. Are these good deals, or are the guitars horrible quality? Any advice is appreciated.

 

[Hagau]

It depends on who the seller is. Most of the power sellers are legit, since they're from an actual music store that are simply trying to sell some of their stuff online. However, I wouldn't trust the other bids that are posted as much. Whatever you do, I'd try to get in contact with the seller first (phone call, preferably over email.) Plus, if the guitar isn't shipped insured, you might get your purchase all screwed up. It's really not worth the risk unless you pay a good deal for overnight, insured shipping.

The safest and best thing to do when actually buying any instrument is to try it out yourself. Of course, you can't do that online, so it's all based on faith...kind of a gamble if you ask me.

Instead, you can go to a Mars Music Store or a Guitar Center near you to find a good beginners guitar to start messing with. I'm sure they could cut you a deal on maybe a free case or something to go with your guitar.

Hope this helps some. Just remember, overall, I wouldn't trust buying from ebay unless they're originating from an actual music store. Whatever you do, get in contact via phone with the seller(s) to see if they're honest and legit. Best of luck! 🙂

 

[LakerGod]

Thanks for the reply. This dude is a powerseller who is trying to liquidate his overstocked guitars.

Here is the link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=852217663


I really don't want anything more to just pluck around and hopefullly teach myself, until i get motivated enough to get the real thing. Let me know what you think. Thanks for all the replies in advance.

 

[Spendthrift]

go grab one from your local pawn shop. that way you at least know what youre getting. if you want something a little higher quality that youll still be happy with 3 months down the road, spend $150 at Musiciansfriend.com and buy a beginner guitar.

musiciansfriend has great customer service, no tax (cause theyre in oregon), and totally reliable. my friends and i have had great experiences with them.

you could also just walk into a guitar center store and grab one.

the $600+ dollars i spent on my first guitar was some of the best money i ever spent

 

[Kerouactivist]

I have a friend who buy's expenxive electric guitars off of ebay all the time, he will keep them for a couple of months and if he doesn't like it the guitar or needs some cash he will sell them back usually for as much as he paid for it less the listing fees. It's kinda of a neat way to try out some kick @ss guitars!!

 

[LakerGod]

Can anybody tell from the picture in the link if that is a decent guitar?

 

[ThaGrandCow]

I think my dad has 2 just like that. For a beat around guitar they're not bad.
Replace the strings asap though

 

[Hagau]

First off, that guitar that you posted on ebay is NOT an acoustic guitar as the seller is stating. It is a classical guitar. I don't know all the specific differences, but classical guitars have much wider necks and use nylon strings, whereas a true acoustic guitar would have narrower necks and steel strings.

Nylon strings are much easier to play than steel strings, but in the long run, you won't build those lovely necessary callouses that are required in guitar playing.

Secondly, I don't even see a brand label on the guitar. If you're not picky or anything, I guess it'd be ok, but personally, I wouldn't go for this sale.

I recommend buying a true acoustic guitar if you want to start learning, but if you were to intend on learning classical style, then this guitar would be good. Hope this helped...I know I rambled for a bit. I also agree with what Spendthrift posted. Pawnstores might have some good deals to boot, and musicianfriends.com is a superb online music store.

 

[Pastfinder]

See where the instrument is being sold from. Check out the guy's/girl's user rating, and then see if they have a return policy. Their is one guy selling Euphoniums on eBay from India and I have heard more darn complaints about the quality then anyone else I know of.