Buying Guides

Practical advice for evaluating a used instrument before you buy.

Guitars & Basses

From a beginner acoustic to a vintage bass: pickups, tonewoods, and what to check before buying used.

String Instruments

Violin, viola, cello, and double bass: tonewood, bow choice, strings, and how to judge a used instrument's condition.

Plucked Strings

Banjo, mandolin, ukulele, and harp: body styles, string types, and tips for a first purchase or your next one.

Keyboard Instruments

Grand piano, upright, digital piano, synthesizer, and accordion: action, sound generation, and what matters when buying used.

Wind & Percussion

Saxophone, trumpet, trombone, flute, clarinet, and drums: materials, maintenance, and tips for buying used.

All Guide Topics

Not sure where to start? Browse every buying guide across all instrument families.

Discover

A few articles from across every category you might not have stumbled on otherwise.

Trombone

Buying a Used Trombone: What to Check

What to check on a used trombone: slide action, dents, water key, F-attachment, red rot, test playing, serial numbers, prices, repair costs and scam warning signs.

Acoustic Guitar

12-String vs. 6-String Acoustic Guitar: Sound, String Tension, Nut Width, Prices and Buying Risks

A 12-string is not just a 6-string with extra strings: octave pairs, a wider neck, roughly 250 lbs of string pull against about 160 lbs and a fussier tuning routine change how it sounds, plays and ages. Includes restringing, relief and action checks and care tips.

Other Instrument

Storing Instruments Safely: Humidity and Temperature Basics

How to store instruments safely: humidity and temperature targets by instrument group, hygrometer and salt test, humidifying, placement at home, car and travel, long-term storage, mould and pests.

Digital Piano

Buying a Used Digital Piano: What to Check

Checklist for a used digital piano: keys, pedals, jacks, wear parts, depreciation, prices, warranty and when buying new is better.