Evaluate the listing

A useful description should let you understand what you will receive and in what condition.

Look for information about:

• cosmetic condition;
• operation;
• known defects;
• servicing and repairs;
• modifications;
• non-original parts;
• included and missing accessories.

Statements such as “perfect”, “like new” or “everything works” are not very informative without verifiable detail.

When an important point is missing, do not interpret silence as confirmation. Ask explicitly before making an offer or arranging payment.

Photographs are not only there to make the gear look attractive. They should help you verify details that matter to the purchase.

Look for images of:

• front and rear;
• areas subject to wear;
• serial numbers or labels where appropriate;
• connections and panels;
• disclosed defects;
• included accessories.

If all images are distant, heavily edited or consistently avoid important areas, ask for additional photos.

A specific request works best: “could you photograph the back of the headstock, the first few frets and the bridge?” is more useful than “send more photos”.

Not every defect has the same significance. Divide what you find into three groups.

Cosmetic wear: scratches, small dents, fading or ordinary signs of use.

Technical wear: worn frets, noisy pots, tired switches, loose connectors or internal batteries that may need replacement.

Functional or structural problems: cracks, major repairs, dead channels, faulty displays, unstable power or other essential functions that are compromised.

This distinction helps both with the buying decision and with estimating the cost and priority of later work. Always ask which issues are already known to the seller.

A modification is not automatically a defect, but you should know what was changed and whether the work is reversible.

Ask:

• which components were replaced;
• who carried out the work when relevant;
• whether the original parts are still available;
• whether holes or structural changes were made;
• whether a repair fully resolved the original issue.

For collectible gear, originality may matter more. For everyday working equipment, a well-executed modification may be completely acceptable.

Evaluate the modification in relation to how you intend to use the gear and the asking price.

Confirm exactly what is included in the sale. Some accessories are inexpensive, while others materially affect value or whether the gear can be used immediately.

Where relevant, check for:

• the correct power supply;
• case or gig bag;
• dedicated footswitches or controllers;
• adapters or breakout cables;
• manuals and documentation;
• original parts replaced during modifications.

Do not assume that everything visible in a photograph is included. Have the included accessories clearly stated in the listing or conversation.

If something necessary is missing, add the replacement cost to the total purchase budget.

A low price is not automatically a bargain, and a high price is not automatically unjustified.

Before judging the amount, compare:

• the exact model and version;
• cosmetic and functional condition;
• originality and modifications;
• included accessories;
• shipping costs;
• any work likely to be required.

Compare several genuinely similar examples and avoid treating a single listing as an absolute benchmark.

For a complete valuation method, use the Used gear pricing and valuation guide. At this stage, the goal is mainly to decide whether the asking price is coherent with what you are actually buying.