GibsonJ-15

Before you buy a used J-15

• Look at the top and the bridge. Ask for photos along the top from the side: a bulge behind the bridge, or a bridge lifting at its back edge, means a repair is coming. Small finish cracks are cosmetic; cracks in the wood that open and close aren't.
• Check the action and the neck angle. If the saddle has been sanded right down to get a low action, the guitar may need a neck reset, which costs several hundred pounds.
• Ask how it's been kept. Acoustics dry out in centrally heated homes. A guitar stored in its case with a humidifier is a better buy than one hung on a wall above a radiator.
• Check the headstock for a repair. Gibson and Epiphone headstocks snap more than most. A well-done repair plays fine but takes 30–50% off the value, so it should be in the title and the price.
• Be wary of a price far below typical. Fakes (especially of Gibson, Martin and Fender Custom Shop) and scams are priced well under the going rate to look like a bargain. We flag anything 35%+ under similar listings and never count it as a deal. Our fake guitar checklist has more.
• Think about postage. A guitar needs a proper box and careful packing. Many sellers offer collection only: the location is shown on every listing.
• Pay through eBay. eBay's Money Back Guarantee only covers you if you pay through eBay. Never pay by bank transfer outside it, however good the deal.