After 32 years in the music business, I'd like to share a few tips on guitar buying that may save you a few bucks regardless whether you're looking for that "Holy Grail" Les Paul or a "slammer" to learn your licks on.

First of all, let's address the numerous guides on the fraudulent Les Pauls, Strats , Teles, etc. coming out of China for $8.00 and $400.00 shipping: DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME ON THESE AUCTIONS...PERIOD. You can purchase a perfectly servicable good quality guitar made by Epiphone or Squire that will bear a LOT more in common with that high-end SG or Strat than that "Art Museum Quality Musical Piece" that will "bring much many good luck and health on you and your family" if you bid. The Epiphone and Squire guitars will set you back on average $150 - $500 INCLUDING shipping (depending on the model)...and they're made by subsidiaries of Gibson and Fender.

Looking to save money? Invest in a good guitar repair manual. You will learn not only how to repair the guitars you already have, but how to replace pick-ups, set the action & intonation, refinish and eventually how to build or rebuild a guitar. Being a guitar player/repairman for the last 32 years, I've bought some instruments that were neglected, missing parts or just unused for a fraction of their retail cost. How does $80 for a used Epiphone "Black Beauty" Les Paul sound? Indeed, it was missing the pick-ups, bridge and a volume pot. A set of Gibson USA PAFs cost me about $160 (gold plated covers), the bridge was about $50 (again, goldplated) and the volume pot might have been $20. After a few hours work (including a coil tap and split and basic set up), I had a fine looking, smooth playing instrument that cost me about $300 bucks. Know what it retails for? About $500 (and that's with Epiphone's version of the PAFs, not the actual Gibsons). Throw in a case and you've still saved $150.

Replacement / Upgrade parts are plentiful right here on Ebay, and in truth, cost considerably LESS than I paid a local Guitar Center for the ones I mentioned above.

The main thing to consider is the structural integrity of the instrument, and that applies whether you're looking at a "project" guitar or something you're going to use right out of the box. Is the truss rod broken or detached? Has the headstock ever been broken (not always the kiss of death, but better left to someone who can do the work or has the money for repair)? If  it's a bolt-on neck, are the heel and neck pocket tight? Are the electronics in good working order (most repairs in this area are fairly straight forward and simple...the technology IS 50 years old...but know what you're getting into)? If the electronics are "active", do they work properly (these are a bit more involved to repair due to the on-board power supply required)? These are all questions to ask the seller BEFORE bidding if in doubt...after all, you are buying a musical instrument sight unseen.

The question to ask YOURSELF before bidding is: Do I like this instrument enough to invest the money (and time if it needs work)? Only YOU can determine what a guitar is worth to YOU!

Happy hunting! :)

'Frets