Vintage Guitar Buying Guide

Looking for a vintage guitar online? Here’s a quick guide to help you avoid common pitfalls. I buy and restore many vintage guitars myself, so I know what to check before buying.

Even a guitar that looks great can end up needing hundreds of euros/dollars in repairs. This guide is for players with some experience who want to make smart choices.

Quick Tips

If you’re short on time, focus on these three things:

Frets: Check their condition
Action at 12th fret: See chart below
Bridge height: Make sure it’s reasonable

Potentially Costly Issues to Avoid

1. Worn Frets

Low or flat frets play harder and may need a refret (~200 €).
Not a sign of poor quality — it usually just means the guitar was well-played.

2. Twisted or Bowed Neck

Check string height at the 12th fret.
If the guitar has a truss rod, ensure it works.
A straight neck with a working truss rod ensures good playability.

3. Neck Angle

Check bridge/saddle height.
Set-neck guitars may need a neck reset (250–600 €), while bolt-on necks can often be corrected with shims.

Recommended String Action (12th Fret, E String)

This is a guideline — preferences vary. If you mainly play near the first few frets, higher action at the 12th fret may not be a problem.

Final Notes

Cheap strings can cause buzzing.
Even if frets are low or the action is slightly high, most issues are easy and affordable to fix — except major neck problems, which are costly.