You don't need to be a technophobe, a retro-freak, or an armchair luthier to start the quest for your next guitar in the land of the secondhand. I'll put up with imperfections in a guitar's finish, a crackling pickup switch, a musty case (I'd actually pay for the smell, if someone could figure out how to bottle it), and even some minor repair work to get my hands on a reasonably priced piece of musical history.

Why Buy Used?
That's not to say that I wouldn't touch a newly minted gem-nothing should stand in the way of a great sound coming from a great new instrument. Fact is, however, that a lot of older guitars actually play and sound better than their modern equivalents; they've been seasoned by years of playing, they sport bygone technologies, and, in some cases, benefit from multiple modifications. That some of these old guitars boast sexy shapes, cool materials (Lucite, Bakelite, anodized metals, or now-taboo exotic woods), and some hipster value only adds to the purchasing pleasure. And while you could lay down enough cash on a mint '57 Les Paul gold-top to pay for several engagement rings, you'll save yourself a bundle if you're a wise shopper and know how to find a diamond in the rough.

Are you a candidate for a used guitar? Take this self-test.
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See also:

WHAT'S YOUR GUITAR WORTH?
http://www.guitarsite.com/newsletters/990823/22.shtml?nl65

GUITAR CLASSIFIEDS & AUCTIONS
Where to place buy/sell ads on the Web
http://www.guitarsite.com/newsletters/990607/3.shtml?nl65