How I Prepare Used Guitars for Sale

One of the questions I get most often is how I prepare guitars before listing them for sale. Since the majority of instruments that come through my shop are used or refurbished, I spend a lot of time making sure each one is clean, functional, and set up to play its best.

Here’s what that process looks like behind the scenes.

🧼 Step 1: Clean and Inspect

Every guitar starts with a thorough inspection. I look for cracks, scratches, fret wear, neck alignment issues - anything that could affect playability or tone.

Then, it gets a deep clean. I remove the strings, wipe down the body and hardware, and clean the fretboard. It’s amazing how much better a guitar feels and looks once the grime from years of use is gone.

🪛 Step 2: Setup and Adjustment

Once it’s clean, I move on to the setup. This includes:

• Checking neck relief and making any necessary truss rod adjustments

• Setting the action (string height) for easy playability

• Adjusting the intonation so every note rings in tune up the neck

• Tightening and lubricating tuners

• Testing electronics to make sure everything works as it should

This is the part that separates a “used” guitar from a “ready-to-play” guitar - where we take a guitar from “good” to “great!”

🎸 Step 3: Fresh Strings and Final Touches

Every guitar gets a new set of strings before it leaves the shop. I also condition the fretboard and polish the frets for a smooth, comfortable feel.

Finally, I do one more play test - because if it doesn’t play well for me, it’s not ready for you.

❤️ Why It Matters

Buying a used guitar can be a great value, but only if it’s been properly cared for. Every guitar I sell is personally inspected and set up so you can play it right out of the box - no surprises, no hidden issues.

That’s what makes Morris Guitar Company different. I don’t just sell guitars - I make sure they’re guitars worth playing!

🛒 Browse Used and Refurbished Guitars

Looking for your next guitar? Check out the current inventory of used and refurbished guitars at Morris Guitar Company. Every one is clean, inspected, and ready to play.