Los Angeles is one of the best cities in the country to buy a used guitar. The sheer number of working musicians, retiring hobbyists, and estate sales moving through the city means the supply of quality second-hand instruments stays consistently high. For a beginner looking to spend less on a first guitar or an intermediate player hunting for a specific model at a fair price, the used guitar market in Los Angeles offers real value if you know what to look for and where to look. This guide covers both.
Why Buying Used Makes Sense for Beginners
A new guitar loses a significant portion of its retail value the moment it leaves the shop, much like a new car. A beginner who spends 400 dollars on a brand new acoustic and decides six months later that guitar is not for them walks away having lost most of that investment. The same 400 dollars spent on a quality used guitar in good condition represents a much smaller loss if the instrument needs to be resold, because used guitars hold their value far better than new ones at the same price point.
Buying used also gives beginners access to better instruments at lower prices. A used guitar Los Angeles shops sell for 300 dollars today may have retailed for 600 dollars new a few years ago. That means a beginner gets a more playable, better-sounding instrument for the same budget, which makes the early learning process more enjoyable and reduces the chance of giving up due to a frustrating or uncomfortable guitar.
Why Intermediate Players Shop Used Guitars
Intermediate players often reach a point where their current guitar limits their progress. The instrument they learned on may have poor intonation, limited tonal range, or hardware that does not stay in tune reliably. Upgrading to a better guitar makes a real difference at this stage, and the used market is where most intermediate players find the best value for that upgrade.
An intermediate player shopping for a used guitar in Los Angeles has a clear advantage over a beginner: they already know how a good guitar should feel and sound. They can pick up an instrument, play a few chords and runs, and immediately tell whether the action is right, whether the neck feels comfortable, and whether the tone suits what they play. That ability to evaluate an instrument in person is the single biggest advantage of buying used from a shop rather than buying new online.
What to Check on a Used Acoustic Guitar
Acoustic guitars have a few specific areas that need close inspection before you commit to a purchase. Start by looking down the neck from the headstock toward the body. The neck should be straight or have a very slight forward bow. A back bow, where the neck curves away from the strings, is a problem that can be difficult and expensive to correct. Next, check the action at both the nut and the saddle. Action that is too high makes the guitar hard to play and fatigues the fretting hand quickly. A competent setup can lower high action, but only within limits set by the guitar’s construction.
Inspect the top, back, and sides of the body for cracks, especially around the edges and near the bridge. Small finish cracks are common on older acoustics and are mostly cosmetic. Structural cracks that run through the wood itself are a more serious concern and require repair before the guitar plays reliably. Also check that the bridge sits flat against the top of the body with no lifting at the edges, since a lifting bridge affects intonation and can eventually cause serious structural damage if left unaddressed.
What to Check on a Used Electric Guitar
Electric guitars have all the same structural checkpoints as acoustics, plus a set of electronic components that need their own evaluation. Plug the guitar into an amp before you buy it and test every pickup position on the selector switch. Each position should produce a clear, consistent signal with no crackling, dropout, or hum beyond the normal level for single-coil pickups. Turn the volume and tone knobs through their full range and listen for scratchy or inconsistent response, which signals dirty or worn potentiometers that need cleaning or replacement.
Check the tuning machines by turning each one through its range. They should feel smooth and consistent with no slipping or grinding. On guitars with a tremolo system, test the arm and check that the bridge returns to pitch reliably after use. A tremolo that does not return to pitch consistently requires adjustment or replacement parts, both of which add to the total cost of the instrument. Factor any needed repairs into your offer price before you agree to buy.
Shop vs. Private Seller: Where to Buy a Used Guitar in Los Angeles
Private sellers on platforms like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace often list used guitars at lower prices than shops, but buying privately comes with real risks. There is no return policy, no warranty, and no recourse if the guitar has a hidden problem that only becomes apparent after you get it home. The seller may not know the instrument well enough to answer technical questions accurately, and you have no way to verify the history of the guitar or whether any repairs have been done properly.
Buying a used guitar from a reputable music shop gives you a layer of protection that private sales cannot match. A good shop inspects every instrument before putting it on the floor, performs basic setup work to make sure it plays well, and stands behind what it sells. The price may be somewhat higher than a private listing, but the confidence that comes with buying from a shop that knows its inventory is worth the difference for most players, especially beginners who cannot yet evaluate an instrument on their own.
Getting a Setup After You Buy
Even a used guitar in good condition benefits from a fresh setup before regular play. A setup involves adjusting the action at the nut and saddle, setting the intonation so the guitar plays in tune up and down the neck, and checking the neck relief. On an electric guitar, a setup also includes adjusting the pickup height for balanced output across all strings. A properly set up guitar is noticeably easier and more enjoyable to play than one that has been sitting on a shelf without attention.
Looking For A Used Guitar in Los Angeles?
Adam’s Music on Pico Boulevard in West Los Angeles carries a rotating selection of used guitars across a range of styles, price points, and conditions, with staff on hand who can walk you through every instrument on the floor and answer questions honestly. Whether you are buying your first guitar or looking for a specific model to add to your collection, stop by the shop and play a few before you decide. A used guitar Los Angeles players trust starts with finding the right instrument in person, and that is exactly what Adam’s Music makes easy.