For my dollar I will almost always prefer used music gear over new. Not only can you typically find something much nicer for the same price as a new instrument, but it’s a super cool feeling to pick up and play something that has stories to tell. Cigarette smoke stained plastic, dings and scratches from a previous life on the road, fret wear from channeling someone else’s creativity in a past life. It’s rad to feel like you’re just the latest steward of something that has had a long life before you!
(for the nerds: I seek out cheap Japan-made Fenders, the J-bass is a ’99, Bullet is an ‘83 that I modded with Porter S90 pickups, the Peavey 2x12 is from ‘94. Everything in this pic together cost me like $800 excluding the pedals and case)
