Knowing what to look for when buying an antique guitar can be advantageous. Look for these signs when spending large sums on antique treasures. You can find a lot of good information online by searching for your guitar’s serial number. This is where the internet’s little detective comes in. In addition to this basic research, there are a few other things to look for when researching guitars.
- Never buy one without strings. This sounds basic but it’s still essential to buying a guitar even if it’s antique. Your guitar needs strings to get the right tone.
- Check and test its body to ensure it works best. There is a reason why so many classical guitars have necks that are not tuned well. This also allows you to check if the truss rod is broken. Nothing is worse than having a guitar technician tell you that you need a new strut to play your guitar.
- Make sure there is some wear on the guitar’s frets. Old-fretted guitars do not play like new ones. Guitars that don’t play or look good are usually kept in cabinets and show little or no wear.
- Gently hit the front and back of the body. This applies to both acoustic and semi-hollow guitars. Listen for loose brackets or components. Many old guitars produce a strange resonance in addition to the usual vibrations caused by loose keys. Flipping the front and back of the guitar reveals loose frets and bridges. This step is easier to do at first as it requires no special tools and can be done with just your hearing.
- If possible, remove the pickguard and check the guitar’s original finish. Many restored guitars from the 70s and 80s have acquired enough patina to fool most people. The easiest way to check the finish is to remove the protective agent and see the colour underneath. You can check the control hole for the original finish if your guitar does not have a screen. On electric guitars, remove the pickup to see the actual colour. The paint will fade over time, leaving your guitar covered in dirt and grime, or worse, repainted.
Buying a used guitar can be a game of crap. Buying a used guitar online can be a daunting experience. Try to take as many pictures of your guitar as possible. Feel free to ask the seller for as much information as possible. If you still need to figure it out, have a local guitar technician examine the guitar. Please take all necessary precautions to protect your investment.
Reasons for the Guitar’s Popularity
Portability
Modern Acoustic or Vintage Guitars are hard to top for mobility. They don’t need any electronics or amplification. Due to its small weight, it may easily fit in an aeroplane’s overhead compartment or the trunk of a car. It requires only minimal assembly or maintenance after delivery. It only must be tuned before playing.
Wide Range
Compared to a piano’s 7 octaves, the range of the guitar is almost 4 octaves. Given the tiny form factor of the guitar, this range is especially broad. It can produce notes up to the upper register of the bass range. The content approaches that of a piano when a few additional bass strings are added. Additionally, there are guitars with extra strings that can accomplish that.
Approachability
The fact that learning the first note, scale, or chord on the guitar is relatively simple makes the instrument approachable. The guitar’s frets offer a distinct separation between sounds. One must be made aware of the exact locations of those divisions. On the guitar, it’s relatively simple to play a correct note, unlike the violin, which has no frets.
Demand
Due to its widespread use in music, the guitar is also quite well-liked. In other words, the guitar’s popularity results from its popularity. Since the guitar is used so frequently in popular music, music students often discover that it is the best instrument to learn when they want to start playing their favourite songs.
