Used Guitar Buying Guide

Buying a Used Guitar in Malta: What to Check Before You Pay

Buying a used guitar in Malta can be a brilliant way to get a better instrument for your money — or a quick way to lose hundreds of euros on something that needs more work than it's worth. The difference comes down to knowing what to look for before you hand over the cash.

We've been buying, selling, and restoring used guitars at Sun-Sounds in Sliema for over twelve years. This is the same inspection process we use ourselves when we buy a guitar — adapted for someone shopping at a private seller, online, or in a music shop.

• Why Buy Used in Malta?

A few reasons it can make sense:

- More guitar for your money. A €1,000 budget can buy a much better used guitar than a new one.

- Vintage character. Older guitars often have wood, components, or sound qualities that aren't made anymore.

- Discontinued models. Some classic models are no longer in production — used is the only way to get them.

- Lower depreciation. A used guitar holds its value much better than a new one, especially if you ever decide to sell.

The catch is that you can't return a used guitar if you find a problem later. Which is why the inspection matters.

• The 10-Point Used Guitar Inspection

Run through every point before you pay. If anything fails, either negotiate the price down significantly or walk away.

1. Neck straightness

Sight down the neck from the headstock to the body, looking along the edge of the fretboard. You're looking for a very slight curve (called relief) — but no twists, no dips, no humps. A warped neck can sometimes be fixed with a truss rod adjustment, but a twisted neck is often beyond economic repair.

2. Truss rod function

Ask the seller to turn the truss rod a quarter turn. If it's seized, that's a major red flag. If it spins freely with no resistance, that's also bad — it may already be at the end of its adjustment range.

3. Fret condition

Look at the frets under the first few positions and around the 7th-12th frets (where most playing happens). Deep grooves, flat tops, or sharp edges mean the guitar needs a fret level — or in worse cases, a refret. A refret costs hundreds of euros, so factor it in.

4. Body cracks

Check the top, back, sides, and especially around the soundhole and bridge. Run your fingernail along any suspect line — if it catches, it's a crack, not just a finish line. Small finish cracks are cosmetic; structural cracks need repair.

5. Bridge area

On acoustic guitars, look at the bridge from the side. Is it sitting flat on the top, or is there a gap? A lifting bridge is a common issue in Malta's climate (see our guide on [Malta climate and guitar care]) and the repair costs around €100-200.

6. Tuning machines

Turn each tuner. They should move smoothly without grinding or slipping. Cheap replacement tuners are fine, but if the originals are worn out on a vintage guitar, it can hurt the value.

7. Electronics (electric guitars and basses)

Plug it in. Try every pickup, every switch position, every knob. Listen for crackling, dropouts, or hum. Worn pots cost €15-30 each to replace; a faulty pickup is more expensive.

8. Hardware condition

Look at the bridge, saddles, jack socket, strap buttons. Rust and corrosion are common in Malta — minor surface tarnish is fine, pitting and seized parts are not.

9. Action and playability

Play the guitar all the way up the neck. Are there any buzzing frets? Is the action comfortable, or does it feel like fighting a fence? Many used guitars need a setup before they play their best — but a setup won't fix a structural problem.

10. Provenance and originality

For vintage guitars especially, ask: Are all the parts original? Has anything been replaced? Is there a case? Any original paperwork or receipts? A vintage guitar with original parts is worth significantly more than one with replacements.

• Red Flags That Should Make You Walk Away

Some problems are dealbreakers:

- Headstock crack or repair — a glued headstock will always sell for a fraction of an unbroken one

- Twisted neck — usually not economically repairable

- Major body cracks that have been poorly glued

- Heavy modifications that can't be reversed (extra holes drilled, finish stripped)

- Suspiciously low price for the model — could be stolen or counterfeit

- Seller refuses to let you play it before buying

• Questions to Ask the Seller

Before you go to view the guitar, ask:

- How long have you owned it?

- Where has it been stored? (Garage and attic answers are bad.)

- Has it had any repairs done?

- Has it had a recent setup?

- Do you have the original case and paperwork?

- Why are you selling it?

Their answers tell you almost as much as the inspection.

• Where to Buy a Used Guitar in Malta

You've got a few options on the island:

- Music shops that take in trade-ins and consignments. You pay slightly more, but you get a guitar that's been inspected, set up, and often comes with some kind of guarantee.

- Private sellers on Facebook Marketplace and similar groups. Cheaper, but no recourse if there's a problem.

- International sales through Reverb or eBay. Lots of selection, but watch for import VAT and shipping risks.

At Sun-Sounds, every used guitar we sell has been inspected by our luthier, set up properly, and is ready to play out the door. We also offer trade-ins and consignment sales if you're thinking of selling something to fund your next purchase. Browse our current used and vintage stock in the [store], or [get in touch] if you're hunting for something specific.