Question
 

I'm just now picking up learning the guitar, and in true personal style, I'm looking for used ones at a pawn shop. But I don't wanted to get ripped off, so is there anything should look for to make sure I'm not looking, for lack of a better word, a PoS?

You want to make sure you get a decent wood, and if your looking for electric you want steel strings for a more rock sort of sound, that's if you want a rock sound.

theres very few idiots that put nylon strings on an elecric guitar......

i suggest playing it and seeing if you like it first.. maybe shake it a bit, make sure nothings falling off of it... but for the most part guitars are made to last so if it looks in good condition and doesnt break when you play it then buy it. oh yes, turn the tuning nobs and make sure those arent rusty that tends to be a problem with older guitars i find. If your looking at an electric plug it into an amp to see if she works.

uhm what he said about the strings... forget that as you can get a decent set of strings for under ten bucks.. and you have to replace strings fairly often anyhoo.

here are some things to look for:

first of all, inspect for cracks in the body or neck. you dont want those.

next, plug it in to an amp running on the clean channel, and unless its a ****ty amp, you shouldnt hear a buzzing noise. a little buzz is okay, but not much.

next, inspect the height of the strings from the neck. if they are really high, the neck is probably warped, and it will be difficult to play. if the strings are too low, the strings will buzz against the fretboard and you will not get a good sound. as an unstrict rule, you should be able to fit a quarter under the twelfth fret and it be pretty close to the string.

make sure the tuning pegs work. i have bought guitars that will not stay in tune for anything. listen and see if the strings change pitch as you play.



i recommend going with a mexican strat or telecaster if its your first electric. they sound great and are built to be very sturdy. don't get a squire, and don't get an epiphone, unless its a higher model epiphone.

if youre going for a metal guitar, i recommend an ibanez rg.

if you have any more questions, just ask.

Okay i don't really know much but the main thing is CHECK THE RETAIL PRICE of a guitar before you buy it at a pawn shop. I once found a Squier Bullet in medium used condition and the shop wanted $120 for it. The retail was $100.

Thanks for the advice everyone, I'll be sure to take care while I'm looking around.