GUITAR CENTER USED GEAR: A Good Place to Buy Used Music Gear? | 424recording.com

I've had (mostly) good experiences using the Guitar Center Used website/marketplace to buy used gear and figured I'd pass the tip along. Have you ever used Guitar Center Used to grab some used gear? What was your experience like?
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#guitarcenter

[@fratertater6130]

I would recommend, if you order something, get it shipped to your local store, if you have one. That way you can check it out in store with a sales person right there. If something looks off you can walk away or get them to knock the price down. I had an amp show up with mold on the speaker grill. They cleaned it up and gave me a significant amount off. And sometimes depending who you are dealing with, it's a pain to explain why something showed up not right.

[@424Recording]

Great tip, Jody! That's a huge benefit of this process, too, that I should have mentioned: they can ship the gear between stores so you can check it out at your local store if need be!

[@uriahfiiya]

Nice. Thanks for the good advice!

[@424Recording]

You bet!

[@rocktorrocks]

Guitar center used is my go to. Cheap and timely shipping, super convenient with returns if something isn’t as expected and some decent deals pop up if you’re patient enough and most things are reasonably priced. MUCH better than Reverb. Still has drawbacks, poor quality images and sometimes inaccurate or lacking descriptions. You might find issues not described. I go over some issues I had dealing with them in my LP hunting video, but if you’re smart and know what you’re doing it can work out well.

[@toddmenard5525]

I love buying from GC used. I once got a big 2-15 Bergantino bass cab for super cheap, as GC misspelled the brand name (Berganito), and it was on sale.

[@lofimijo208]

i got my first zoom sampletrak off the guitar center used site... pretty cool

[@theelectricsplash7384]

Yes, once upon a time at our local Port St. Lucie store I picked up a used Danelectro Danoblaster for something like $90 (I eventually sold to a friend who LOVED the guitar more than I did and insisted he had to have it) and a '70s Fender Bassman Ten for next to nothing... it was a little sketchy but just needed new preamp tubes. As much as I generally dislike big box stores, I've had a lot of good friends that have worked at this store and it was a good place to meet and talk to other musicians when I was new in town. We don't really have a lot of local music stores, and the ones we do are tiny and have strange hours, but I like to support the local music stores too.

[@424Recording]

For sure! Local shops can be great, too. We've got a local chain around here I like to go to once in a while and they tend to have a lot of great deals on used pedals and guitars. I think if you know what you're looking for (like that Bassman Ten) you can definitely get some cool stuff at GC. But yeah, it can be a bit sketchy, too. That's a good point, too, it can be a good place/hub to meet people! Cheers, Stefan. I hope you're doing well!

[@horatiotimewaster5755]

GC is a really good resource for used stuff-agreed. I got an SM57 in new condition for $50 and a Keystep for $90. But, pick up in store so you can judge the condition. On the downside, I ordered a new Roland JU-06a for $399 and GC gave me a demo unit (in excellent shape, opened packaging). I nearly returned it until they discounted it. Watch out...

[@huntergalloway3944]

I got an amazing condition Univox tape delay from the 70’s that’s in immaculate black tolex. I thought it was some sort of reissue at first, not just because of the condition, but the price as well. Sounds absolutely lovely and it came with spare tapes!

[@424Recording]

Dang, nice score!

[@shlebmo]

I bought a used G&L Fullerton legacy at a GC store for 700 I played it first and it was flawless. Turned out it was one year old and practically never played. I like checking all the options. Reverb can be fantastic and so can GC used. The thing about buying gear is that if you do it right it should be an investment that never really depreciates

[@jasonelambeth]

I love their used site. I’ve had bad experiences on Reverb and don’t like using it. I also don’t really feel like spending time on Craigslist of FB Marketplace. I just found my Omnichord on there for waaay cheaper than I have ever seen on any other used site. I also bought my guitar blindly because I figured if I didn’t like it I would just return it.

[@424Recording]

Our conversation about this totally inspired the video btw! I feel the same way about other sites and dealing with individual sellers. The thing I don't like about Reverb anymore is that with their "price guide" they now have a monopoly over the pricing of used gear and can effectively set and control prices. I guess the same argument can be made about eBay, though. I'm tempted to list some items on Reverb at bargain basement prices, just to drive down the price of certain items.

[@jasonelambeth]

@@424Recording I had no idea about the price guide issue. I had to return a couple of pedals and it was such a pain in the ass that I just felt done with the site. I love the reassurance that if something doesn’t work, I can drive across town and return it.

[@424Recording]

Well, the price guide thing is an independent observation. I think the problem is once they have data from a bunch of sales of an item, they can effectively say, this is the cost of this item now. But it's really the same thing as eBay. I think it just cuts down on finding good deals out there for gear. Yeah! Being able to return it at a store is big for peace of mind. Sorry to hear about the pedals, man!

[@nowavecharles]

This is a good point. The prices for the guitars are really great. I just checked and they have some good deals. I'll have to give them a look at some point. Good video Mike! :) Also yeah that is a pretty crappy story. You got burned. But like you said, it happened and you can't really do much.

[@424Recording]

Yeah, that's one of the best aspects for sure, the competitively priced gear. I've had a lot of good experiences there, that was the only bummer one, and while it sucked, no harm, no foul I guess. But that's one thing to consider: if you find something unique or rare, there's a possibility an employee might snatch it!

[@cassiusnymh1670]

Wish there was a UK equivalent. Great vid dude !

[@424Recording]

cassius what's up!? Long time no see! I hope you've been doing well. My bad, I guess this vid is more US centric...

[@creationinspired200]

Guitar center does a decent job shipping uncased guitars from my experience but obviously if you can afford one with a hard case shipping from anyone is usually pretty safe for guitars waiting on my second guitar to arrive from GC they do take forever to ship anything out so if you do buy from guitar center expect a 2-3 day wait before its even out of the stores doors and on its way to you aside from that i have also bought a very expensive paul reed smith 10 top and had it shipped to my house that one came in a case and was flawless still my favorite guitar almost 6 months later so just be cautious and if they only post a couple pictures of the instrument then they may be trying to hide unsightly blemishes call them and ask questions never hurt and could provide some relief for your shopping experience i figure buying pedals is probably the safest bet from GC but amps id assume is worse then guitars as they have no hard case and if big enough handling can be a struggle with the tiny fed ex guy trying to drag it to your door be smart about purchasing online nothing is always as it seems 👍😊👌 great video love it!

[@gsbguitarsgsb679]

I haven’t had any problems with guitar center used, I’ve bought guitars and amps even traded guitars for other guitars with them. Hooked up with a girl that worked there as well, good times…

[@Unlucky_Vampire]

I bought a gxl 2200 microphone, and the mic inside looked like someone made one out of scratch, long story short it doesn’t work, and the shock mount had a stripped screw where you tighten the microphone to a stand

[@rocknutters52]

We need something like that in the UK

[@424Recording]

I'm surprised there isn't a national chain there. I always thought Thomann was brick and mortar but I guess they are only online?

[@tomblaze2]

I have scored some shocking deals on synths and guitars on GC Used page - but I have had 'Very Good/Excellent Condition' listed items show up in fair/unplayable condition . total roll of the dice - just hope you have a local GC store to return to if needed - there are some serious duds on there

[@424Recording]

I think this sums up the strategy for using GC Used right here! I'm assuming if someone saves the box, it can be shipped back as well? Re: duds: vintage amps especially... you never know what's going on inside or what's been modded

[@tankdarla637]

good deals common, they get models and years wrong sometimes, especially with Jackson, yet the price still accurate usually even when mis -labeled. Sometimes way off, to the buyers advantage.

[@rain.faded.]

*Sad Canadian Noises* Checked it out, they ship to Canada for a flat fee of $20 for orders over $100 or $150... but they have no listed inventory!

[@424Recording]

Oh man that's whack. But that flat shipping, tho 😅

[@SingPsalms]

I took a gamble this time, bought a guitar in an alleged “excellent addition” it was an Epiphone Standard SG for an amazing price, didn't feel making the long trip to the store so I had it shipped to my house. I'm worried it was a weird posting, and I'm gonna end up with an SG special, or an SG that's messed up. I'm praying all goes well, I should have called the store and had it shipped to my store. This is my first time buying used from guitar center. Wish me, luck guys, that I luck out!

[@424Recording]

Good luck! Worst case, send it back!

[@GPO_Studios]

I had too many bad experiences with my local GC, while the used deals can be good I had to cut ties for my sanity. My new main place to check for deals: Sweetwater's "deals" page. Sort it by Newest First, and some amazing deals show up sometimes, usually marked "Used" instead of just "Demo". I got a Squier Jazzmaster and a PRS SE 24-08 this year, both for about 40-50% off, due to some minor defects. Happy hunting!

[@424Recording]

Hot tip! Thanks, Spanky! What kind of stuff went down at your local store?

[@GPO_Studios]

@@424Recording Repeated instances of finding a product online (new, not used), it would say "in stock" at my store, drive 30 minutes only to find that their inventory list was not accurate. One time I even called and asked if the item was there, they said it was when it wasn't. I would have let it slide and assumed it was some teenaged employee who made a genuine mistake, but the manager got a serious attitude with me when I explained what was happening. Huge bummer because I know I'm missing out on some good deals, but I'd much rather my money go to a well-run operation.

[@424Recording]

Oh dang that sucks. It's almost like they just wanted to get you down there. That's a bad way to manage a store

[@676bun]

Got a Shure KSM 32 large condenser mic there for $200 few years ago... I was shocked when I seen they put it out there that cheap, its a $550 mic new.

[@424Recording]

Dang good deal!

[@cliffordpearsonjr.9748]

Hey man. this is kinda off the subject I know....but what kind of camera and mic. do you shoot your video's with??

[@424Recording]

Hi Clifford! I picked up a Sony a6400 a couple months ago. Prior to that I was using my iPhone and prior to that I was using a Canon T5i. Mic for this video is the Shure Lenshopper. The past few videos, I've also used a SM58 into the Model 12 for audio (but this one is the Lenshopper). I made a video gear list at 424recording.com/video-gear-for-youtube if you want to check out some of the other gear. I need to add the Sony though! I hope it helps!

[@cliffordpearsonjr.9748]

@@424Recording .. Thanks a lot Mike... ive been thinking about that A6400 myself. Thanks for filling me in on this stuff..I love it!!

[@424Recording]

My pleasure and glad to help! I think for video, the a6400 can't be beat!

[@cliffordpearsonjr.9748]

@@424Recording ..It did Look good that's what prompted me to ask what you did it on. Thanks again.

[@theelectricsplash7384]

Also, with guitars, I have a rule that I have to play it in person first. I have to connect with the instrument.

[@424Recording]

That's a good call, Stefan! That's how I've chosen the ones that I've owned; I was drawn to them in the store!

[@Mark761966]

Weirdly the UK, where I live, has nothing equivalent to a Guitar Center or Sam Ash in terms of nationwide presence. Which is odd considering we're way smaller than you.

[@424Recording]

That is strange. I thought Thomann or one of those companies had brick and mortar locations? I guess they're all online...

[@Mark761966]

@@424Recording They have one... It's in Germany.

[@424Recording]

Ohhh gotcha. So it's not a chain of stores just one big one

[@Mark761966]

@@424Recording Correct. PMT (www.pmtonline.co.uk/stores/) has quite a lot of stores spread over the country, but they're by no means ubiquitous in the sense that I sense Guitar Centers are in the US (I have to travel 20 odd miles to get to my nearest, and, as you know, that's like doing the Kessel Run in British terms).

[@Mark761966]

I just dropped in to find out what condition my condition was in

[@424Recording]

I was listening to this track last week haha. Kenny ftw

[@AWESOME295]

You know about Alip ba ta sir?Alip is a very talented finger style guitarist on KZbin)}°••°

[@RUBENCARLOS1]

Guitar center will buy used equipment for about 25 per cent of the value and resale it for about 80 per cent of the value , i will not sale nothing to them based on my bad experience trying to sell equipment to them. Its a rip off. You are better off selling in craiglist

[@424Recording]

Yeah I definitely wouldn't sell them any gear unless you need to sell it quickly and don't care how much you get

[@billjim334]

Yea but arent they going out of business?

[@424Recording]

Idk are they? Maybe all the more reason to jump on it haha

[@truthfinder4973]

they are better then ebay they will cover the gear 1 to 3 years!!!!! you cant get that on ebay half the time they never tell the truth on ebay and its broke when y open the box

[@424Recording]

I didn't know that. That is very cool that there's an option for coverage. Yeah, eBay, especially for 424s, can be problematic

[@Allious131]

Everybody is scamming I'm so tired of this shyte just don't buy from 3rd part bro

[@johnhetherington8830]

Everyone knows guitar center is the place where silly people pay too much and have to deal with uninformed jerks