In the current pandemic situation and the fact that Covid-19 seems to last some hours on any surface, how do you cope in buying/trying used guitars? Is that a concern to you guys or you don't give much thought about it? Just curious if you guys have any fear in trying a guitar just handed by a complete stranger
You could wear gloves & give it a wipe down before trying.. I'm more worried about being too up close with a person than a guitar
I sold three guitars over the summer. Set up an area on the porch with a chair, an amp, the guitar, and a guitar stand. Told people in my ad that mask was required. Stood safe distance away while they tried the guitar. Finish up the transaction, go inside and wash up.
Bought a used Strat end of Nov. Asked about how much contact he had with others and it was very minimal. Like myself. The guy had an amp set up in his hallway for me to try it out but declined. I had the guitar out of its case and gave it the once over and all looked just as described. Happy to walk away and try it out at home. Hand sanitiser in the car etc. Cleaned it up I got it home and all was good. We are in a full lockdown at the moment so wouldn't visit someone else's house right now.
Frankly, I'm not buying or selling anything during these times. I can wait until later this year, or at least until I am vaccinated.
I buy at a price I know I can resell at if I don't like it when it arrives in the post. Don't have to talk to or be nice to anyone then!
I’ve so,d several things on CL in the past year with no issues but haven’t bought anything. Of course I don’t buy used guitars so it’s not really an issue for me.
I purchased a used Strat, personal sale back in September. I found the guitar on fb marketplace, knew exactly that was what I wanted, agreed on the price, corresponded with seller via text, ( checked his profile, good seller, etc), met outside his place of residence, he came out with the guitar as I pulled up, we both had masks on, Looked it over, played a few notes, played well, put it in the case, paid him cash, then we went our own ways. Transaction took 2-3 mins. Then I traded it in at GC in December for another used Strat, everyone had masks on in the store including myself, no problem!
Kinda hesitant, want to go to GC and try some amps but I’ll wait. Did buy a guitar this past spring online, cleaned it up real good before handing it.
Two of my friends are still suffering breathlessness and tiredness among the after-effects. A friend's daughter caught it at university, along with all her house mates. They though it would be 'just like flu', but Sophie hasn't recovered well at all. She was going to record some vocal parts for me (remotely) but she's just not up to it. Obviously, we hope she'll make a full recovery in time, but the doctors are overwhelmed saving lives, so this is not the time to expect them to act as singing coaches. We lost 1,564 people to COVID today. Anyone who thinks it's a hoax is welcome to help bury the dead. Presumably, you won't be needing PPE...
As far as surface contact is concerned I understand that the virus virtually disappears after 72 hour's, having said that my information was posted on a scientific site before the more virulent strain raised it's head so that may now be inaccurate. Whatever the actual truth is it's not worth taking any risks, wipe down with biocidal cloths and wash your hands afterwards and leave for at least the 72 hours, you should be pretty safe.
CDC guidelines have been updated... several months ago. They are now saying that transmission through surface contact is extremely unlikely. When you go to the store, or get gas, or the ATM, you are touching the same keypad every other customer has handled.
I'm holding fire on anything at the moment. Did click and collect a Tonerider classic blues neck pup yesterday. But I think the UK will stop a lot of items for purchase this way. Just gonna have to suck it and see, what happens next.
I've bought a couple of guitars since this whole business started. Meeting outdoors, public place--with mask and staying 6 feet apart. Just pick it up and play it, and use hand sanitizer afterwards--just like any other time I touch something in public (key pads, door handles, gas pumps). I keep hand sanitizer in the car, always. I also took great care not to touch my face after handling it, until it has been in the house for 3 days. Honestly the hardest part is not playing the new guitar. But I also have some inexpensive guitars that I intend to sell, and I've held off because I don't want to meet up with people. My local hospital is full up and 49% of patients are there with Covid-19, it's not a good time to take unnecessary risks.
The last time I bought a guitar I was so excited for the $125 mexican strat I forgot about covid. It was like any other CL or FB transaction. Neither of us were wearing masks, but I only saw the guy for maybe 2 minutes. It was when I left that I realized I probably shouldn't have shaken his hand. Oh well, that was months ago.
. Just buy, don't demo. Act as if there is axle grease all over the guitar so everything it touches is marked for cleaning. Everything on a guitar can be fixed or you flip it later. If the price is so dear you gotta be sure you neeeed it by test driving then skip that transaction. .
