Here's a piece of math that should be obvious but often isn't:
A brand-new Fender American Professional II Stratocaster costs $1,299. The same guitar, 2-3 years old, in Very Good condition, with no meaningful wear, costs $850-950.
You save $350-450. On an identical guitar. Playing an identical guitar for the rest of its life doesn't care if it was new when you bought it.
This isn't an edge case. It's the normal economics of the used instrument market for virtually every production guitar above $300. Let's run the numbers on 15 popular models to make this concrete.
The Math on 15 Popular Models
All used prices are Very Good condition, 2-4 years old, averaged from recent sold listings:
| Guitar | New Retail | Used VG+ | Savings | Savings % | |---|---|---|---|---| | Fender Player Strat | $849 | $420-490 | $360-430 | 43-51% | | Fender American Pro II Strat | $1,299 | $850-950 | $350-450 | 27-35% | | Fender American Ultra Strat | $1,999 | $1,200-1,450 | $550-800 | 28-40% | | Fender Telecaster Player | $849 | $430-500 | $350-420 | 41-49% | | Gibson Les Paul Studio | $1,699 | $900-1,050 | $650-800 | 38-47% | | Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s | $2,499 | $1,600-1,850 | $650-900 | 26-36% | | Gibson SG Standard | $1,699 | $850-1,050 | $650-850 | 38-47% | | PRS SE Custom 24 | $849 | $400-490 | $360-450 | 42-51% | | Taylor 214ce | $1,199 | $700-850 | $350-500 | 29-41% | | Martin D-28 | $3,499 | $2,100-2,500 | $1,000-1,400 | 29-40% | | Yamaha FG800 | $329 | $140-175 | $154-189 | 47-57% | | Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus | $499 | $230-300 | $200-270 | 40-54% | | Squier Classic Vibe Strat | $479 | $220-290 | $190-260 | 40-54% | | Fender American Vintage II '61 Strat | $2,499 | $1,700-2,000 | $500-800 | 20-32% | | Gibson ES-335 | $3,799 | $2,300-2,800 | $1,000-1,500 | 26-39% |
The pattern: Savings percentages are highest in the $400-800 new retail range (where buyer remorse drives quick relisting) and in the $1,500-1,700 range (where high initial cost means larger absolute savings even at similar percentages).
The New Guitar Smell Argument (And Why It Falls Apart)
The most common objection to buying used: "I want something new. I want to be the first owner."
This is an aesthetic preference, not a financial argument. And aesthetically, a used guitar in Very Good or Excellent condition looks essentially identical to a new one — with one advantage: any manufacturing defects (dead spots, fret sprout, finish issues) have already been identified and either fixed or reflected in the price.
New guitars aren't perfectly consistent. Factory setup quality varies. Fret leveling varies. You can buy a new Fender and need a $100 setup; you can buy a used Fender from a player who had it set up perfectly and is selling it because they upgraded. Used guitars with documented good setups are frequently in better playing condition than new guitars in boxes.
The Hidden Warranty Advantage
New guitars come with manufacturer warranties. Gibson: 2 years. Fender: 1 year. Taylor: Limited lifetime.
Here's the thing: for production guitar failures (catastrophic structural defects, electronics failures), these warranties rarely matter in practice. Most failures happen immediately or much later than the warranty period.
The practical warranty question isn't "do I have manufacturer warranty" but "what happens if this specific thing goes wrong." For most issues:
- Electronics crackle: $50-75 to clean, any guitar tech
- High action: $50-100 professional setup
- Fret leveling: $200-300, needed every 5-10 years regardless of new vs used
- Neck adjustment: $30-60, any tech
None of these warrant a manufacturer warranty claim. The warranty matters for: structural defects (cracked tops, joint failures), significant finish issues, electronics failure within the covered period. These are real but rare. The $350-450 saved on a used American Pro II buys a lot of tech work.
When New Actually Makes Sense
The math doesn't always favor used. Here are the exceptions:
Budget guitars under $300: The used market for very affordable guitars is thin and pricing is often irrational. A new Yamaha FG800 at $329 is sometimes available for the same or less than a used one with wear and risk. The savings don't justify the condition uncertainty.
Guitars you'll never sell: If you're buying a specific guitar you'll keep for 30 years and never resell, the used-market liquidity advantage disappears. If this is truly a forever guitar, the new vs used price difference amortizes to under $20/year over a playing lifetime — potentially worth the peace of mind of new.
Rare or discontinued models: When the guitar you want isn't in current production, you're buying used regardless. But for current production models, new is almost always a premium you don't need to pay.
How to Make Used Work Every Time
The key to reliably good used guitar transactions:
1. Know the market price. Before buying anything, check recent sold prices on Reverb and eBay. Don't trust listed prices — only sold prices reveal what buyers actually pay.
2. Request specific photos. Back of headstock, fretboard and fret wear, any mentioned imperfections close-up, electronics.
3. Buy from reputable sellers. 200+ transactions, 99%+ feedback, clear return policy.
4. Factor in potential setup costs. Budget $50-100 for a professional setup if the guitar needs it. Even with setup, you're typically well ahead of new retail.
5. Use platform protection. Reverb, eBay, and Guitar Center all provide buyer protection. Private sales eliminate this — price accordingly.
Search used electric guitars or used acoustic guitars on Treblemakers to see real used prices across all platforms simultaneously. For budget hunters, cheap used guitars under $300 shows the best available deals at entry-level price points.