Guitar Center Online Used Condition Ratings (2024)

It depends on the employees at each store. They're going to have different standards and concepts for condition, and what may constitute 'vintage'. Their idea about value certainly varies wildly, which explains why some things are way overpriced (resulting from paying too much to the seller,) while others seem underpriced (because they bought low, but don't make the most of the deal.)

Anyway, it's pretty subjective. If there's not a photo, or the photo isn't clear, call and ask the department manager to take more pics and email them. Feel free to be specific: "please take a close-up of the throw-off." etc.

I did that a few years back with a snare, and the guy quickly sent additional pics. I bought the snare, and it was great!

Bermuda

I've bought several things used from GC, though not much in drums. I did get a Const Crash a few weeks ago. When i got it it was a little dirty, but in absolutely perfect shape. I cleaned it and it looks like new in all respects. (it still had the Zildjian barcode sticker on it)

Over the past year I also bought some electronics including a board that had -0- marks on it, a Fire-wire interface that came in its orig box with all the software, and a small amp that was scratched up but a lot better than some others I've seen.

All the purchases were at least 50%-60% of what would be paid if new.

I would not hesitate to buy used, sight unseen, from GC - especially with their return policy. If you need more info, just call them and ask then to text you some added pictures as Bermuda suggested. The person you talk to will money if you buy, so they should be accommodating. ;-)

bermuda said:

It depends on the employees at each store. They're going to have different standards and concepts for condition, and what may constitute 'vintage'. Their idea about value certainly varies wildly, which explains why some things are way overpriced (resulting from paying too much to the seller,) while others seem underpriced (because they bought low, but don't make the most of the deal.)

Click to expand...

See Also

Does Guitar Center Haggle With Their Used Gear?

^ This.

It's up to each individual store's staff members at the time.

DrumEatDrum said:

^ This.

It's up to each individual store's staff members at the time.

Click to expand...

Agreed.

I have had great experiences overall from GC used. I take the rating with a grain of salt, a bite of lime, and a shot of tequila. The 30 day no hassle return policy makes it easy to pull the trigger and take a chance on picking up some great gear at great prices. If you are lucky, you get one pretty blurry picture of the item. And a grab bag description of the item. But, having said that, I have yet to be like, "WTH is this?"

I am much more comfortable buying used from GC than, lets say, eBay. I find something I like, buy it, have it sent to my local GC, take it home, give it a close inspection and audition, and then make my decision to keep it or return it. It is as risk free as the used market gets.

Good luck.

Everything that's been said here is spot on.

My first experience buying sight unseen from them was terrible. I bought a 5 pc no snare studioease mapex Pro M, in good condition. So that means that's there's no major damage and should be playable out of the box or something I think. Most of the heads were trashed and worn, and were from several different brands, and had some pizza stains or something on them. The bearing edges and shells were fine although pretty dirty and grimy so it took quite a bit of elbow grease to clean them but only a couple dings, not bad at all. The metal is what got me. They said there was no rust at all. They also the heads were good and matched, go figure. The thing was from Pittsburgh, so I had to check on rust. They sent crappy photos and promised me from several employees that they were fine after I was bugged them for a week to send me better ones. I bought it since it was what I was looking for and in my price range,also thinking I could get a full refund and was told so, but its not so. Also didn't know as much as I do now of course, would've saved up for another brand or something. Well, some pieces of metal were bad some weren't. Surface rust was everywhere, some tension rods were in really rough shape so I got some new ones. Most lugs were good, some were kind of sketchy when tuning, seemed like they would snap any minute. I paid 550 for them which I believe was way overpriced for what they were. They didn't even pack them right either, 3 drums were loose in peanuts with hardware floating around! Of course when I opened them up in store I tried refunding but was told that the $100 of tax and shipping I paid wasn't refundable even though I was technically scammed. Had I known that some parts needed replacing, some parts were not functioning, all heads needed replacing, etc etc on top of all the elbow grease, I would never even bother. So instead of taking a loss I decided to keep them and try to fix them. The tom mounts were also just about shot because the bolts were stripped, and missing screws to help hold the tension on the underside. The plastic ball spheres were so scratched they were almost stripped as well.

So I fixed em up enough and kept them. I also couldn't invest 200 in heads, and eventually sold them for way less than what I paid cause I hated hanging floor toms lol. A learning experience to say the least. I wouldn't buy a kit unless it was a steal, a beater kit, or you get a full video investigation on the thing.

The 2nd purchase was for a snare. One of those mapex 12 x 7 snares, the cherry outer ply and inner North American maple shells. Bought one for a good price, was in amazing condition except the bearing edges rocked a little so I said screw it and returned it since I didn't even want to mess with something not being perfect. Regret that cause it wasn't bad at all, plus I've learned to tune better so the edge would've been fine.

The Pro M shells were great, just had some abused parts. It wouldn't have been so bad if I had spare heads and parts lying around which I don't. Had to go to so many hardware stores to find parts since mapex is metric and uses impossible to find sizes. Everybody was out for weeks, or didn't have the size.

Every time you walk into GC it is a crap shoot. You will either be serviced well, or sadly disappointed by the genetically challenged. On my last visit to a GC, the dumbass working in the drum department tried to tell me a coated diplomat was not a batter head.

it just depends on whether or not THAT guy is the one taking care of internet listings.