Hey friends! Let‘s talk about buying guitars on Amazon

Looking to buy a new guitar but not sure where to start shopping? If so, you‘re not alone! Many fellow music lovers find themselves in the same boat.

With so many options online, it can get overwhelming quickly. But I‘m here to let you in on a secret – Amazon is one of the best places to buy affordable, quality guitars today.

I‘ve purchased several guitars on Amazon over the years, both for myself and as gifts. And along the way, I learned a ton about how to shop smart and avoid headaches.

In this detailed guide, I‘ll walk through everything you need to know as a shopper, from safety and authenticity to costs, shipping, and more.

My goal is to answer all your questions, so you can find the perfect guitar that inspires you to play for years to come! Shall we get started?

Is it safe to buy a guitar on Amazon?

I totally understand any concerns about safety when buying a more expensive item like a musical instrument online. Luckily there are steps you can take to ensure a smooth, secure transaction on Amazon:

Stick to well-known brands – Major players like Fender, Gibson, Martin, Yamaha etc are sold directly by Amazon as an authorized dealer. Always safest to buy directly from the source.

Vet any third party sellers – If buying from a third party retailer versus Amazon, inspect their profile closely. Look for strong feedback scores, long history on Amazon, and satisfaction guarantee.

Learn to spot sketchy listings – Trust your gut here. If something seems fishy or too good to be true, don‘t take the risk. Stick to top rated sellers only.

Use a credit card – For any major purchase, a credit card gives you added fraud protection and makes returns easier if needed.

Inspect ASAP when delivered – Carefully examine the packaging and guitar itself as soon as you receive it. This allows you to confirm condition and authenticity quickly.

Give it a test drive – Try out the guitar when it arrives to listen for any issues with electronics, loose parts, etc. Thoroughly test before the return period expires.

Follow those tips, and buying a guitar on Amazon can be just as safe as a local music shop. Millions of customers have great experiences, as long as you‘re informed.

Are guitars purchased on Amazon genuine?

It‘s understandable to be concerned about counterfeit guitars floating around the web. But when purchased wisely, guitars bought on Amazon are almost always 100% authentic.

Here are signs to look for when assessing real vs fake guitars on Amazon:

Check manufacturer listings – If sold directly by brands like Fender or Gibson, you know it‘s legit from the source.

Review high-res photos – Genuine guitars will have crisp, consistent product photos that match the listing descriptions.

Confirm specs and details – Real guitars have in-depth specs listed like body wood type, fret count, electronics etc. Fakes tend to have sparse listings.

Look for warranty – Most major brands sold on Amazon come with a manufacturer‘s warranty (ex. Fender‘s 1 year warranty). Not something knock-offs provide.

Inspect closely upon arrival – Things like finish quality, branding, electronics will give away a counterfeit quickly if you look closely.

Research the seller – Good feedback and ratings give credible 3rd party sellers away. Scammers get called out quickly.

Consider price – While you can find deals, insanely cheap guitars likely mean it‘s too good to be true.

Using those guidelines, you can buy your Fender Stratocaster, Gibson SG or other big brand guitar confidently knowing it‘s legit. Do your homework and you‘ll avoid counterfeits easily.

What is Amazon‘s return policy for guitars?

One of the great benefits of shopping on Amazon is that they have a standard 30 day return policy on guitars, just as for other products.

Here are the key details about Amazon‘s return policy you need to know:

• Returns allowed within 30 days – Self-explanatory, but very generous to confirm fit and finish.

• Must be in original condition – No visible wear and tear, comes with all original parts, manuals etc.

• Shipped in original packaging – For safety, best to use original box and materials if possible.

• Buyer pays return shipping – Amazon provides a label but deducts standard shipping costs from your refund.

• Exceptions for damage/wear – Used or damaged guitars may have fees deducted or be ineligible for return.

To start a return, simply connect with Amazon customer support via phone or chat. Provided the guitar meets return criteria, you‘ll get a full refund back.

Many third party sellers also honor Amazon‘s 30 day policy. But some may have different terms, so check listings closely.

Is Amazon an authorized Fender guitar dealer?

If Fender is your guitar brand of choice, you‘ll be thrilled to know that Amazon is an authorized Fender dealer.

When you buy a Fender guitar on Amazon sold directly by Amazon, you can be 100% confident you‘re getting an authentic brand new Fender model.

Some popular Fender guitars commonly purchased on Amazon include:

• Fender Player Series Stratocaster
• Fender Player Series Telecaster
• Fender Player Series Precision Bass
• Fender Squier Affinity Series
• Fender Acoustic Guitars
• Fender Electric Guitars
• Fender Bass Guitars

And many more! Because Amazon is authorized for the Fender brand, you get identical guitars to what you‘d find in a guitar shop, covered by Fender‘s warranty. Pretty amazing right?

What‘s the cost range for guitars on Amazon?

One of the great aspects of Amazon is the huge range of guitar prices and brands available. There are excellent quality instruments at every budget level.

To give you a better idea, here is an overview of typical guitar price ranges on Amazon:

Guitar Type	Price Range
Beginner Acoustic Guitars	$50 – $200
Beginner Electric Guitars	$100 – $250
Intermediate Acoustic Guitars	$200 – $500
Intermediate Electric Guitars	$300 – $700
Advanced Acoustic Guitars	$500 – $2000+
Advanced Electric Guitars	$700 – $4000+
Acoustic Guitar Packages (with case, tuner, etc)	$150 – $300
Electric Guitar Packages (with amp, accessories)	$250 – $400
Bass Guitars	$200 – $1500+
Classical Guitars	$100 – $1000

And many guitars, especially beginner models, are eligible for extra discounts – so you can often save an additional 10-20% off already affordable prices.

Whether your budget is $100 or $1000, Amazon has loads of highly rated guitars to choose from. It‘s just a matter of finding the right fit for your needs and play style.

Do guitars qualify for fast Amazon Prime shipping?

This was a huge plus for me – Amazon offers plenty of guitars eligible for Prime‘s fast free 2-day shipping. No one likes waiting weeks for their new instrument to arrive!

There are acoustic, electric, and bass guitars across all price ranges that come with Prime shipping benefits:

• Fast, free 2-day shipping for Prime members
• Free standard shipping on select guitars
• Eligible for Prime-exclusive discounts and promotions

Just look for the "Prime Eligible" badge when browsing listings. As long as Amazon sells it directly vs. a 3rd party, you can get quick no-cost delivery.

The only small catch is that strings, picks, cables and other accessories often aren‘t Prime eligible. But you can easily add those items separately later. The guitar itself ships fast and free.

Is it worth buying a guitar on Amazon?

Given Amazon‘s stellar shipping, prices, and customer experience, I can confidently say buying a guitar on Amazon is 100% worth it.

Let‘s recap some of the biggest benefits to buying your next guitar on Amazon:

Selection – Virtually every major brand and guitar model available. Tens of thousands of choices.

Prices – Great prices across budget levels, plus discounts and sales to save extra.

Prime Shipping – Fast free 2-day shipping on tons of eligible guitars.

Returns – 30 day no hassle return policy, even on large items like guitars.

Peace of Mind – Authorized major brands like Fender and protection plans available.

Reviews – Can read feedback and ratings for sellers, specific guitar models, and accessories.

At the end of the day, the pros heavily outweigh the cons as long as you take a few basic precautions. Amazon brings convenience, fair prices, and tons of choices directly to your door.

For me, that‘s worth its weight in gold so I can spend more time playing music rather than shopping around town. I think you‘ll have the same great experience!

Few parting tips for beginners

If you‘re purchasing your very first guitar, here are some quick tips to set yourself up for success:

• Get the right size – Measure your arm span and torso to determine ideal guitar size. Most adults do well with a "full size" model.

• Start on an acoustic – Acoustics are more versatile and teach good habits right off the bat. Easier on fingers too compared to steel-string electrics.

• Have realistic expectations – Your fingers will hurt at first! This is normal. Stick with it through the discomfort and you‘ll be playing comfortably soon.

• Learn proper technique – Bad habits are hard to break. Watch YouTube for guides on proper finger placement, posture etc.

• Practice daily – Daily short practice sessions are better than marathon jam sessions. Even 15-30 minutes a day works wonders.

• Accessorize – Grab essentials like a tuner, capo, picks, straps, and case for your new guitar right away.

Learning guitar is incredibly rewarding, though it takes commitment and patience of course. Follow those tips and you‘ll be off to a great start!

Giving the gift of music? Check out these top-rated guitars on Amazon!

Want to spark the musician in someone special? Giving the gift of a cool new guitar is sure to bring huge smiles.

Here are some top-rated acoustic and electric guitars on Amazon that make fantastic gifts:

Acoustics Guitars:

• Yamaha FG800 – $199.99
• Fender CD-60S – $179.99
• Epiphone DR-100 – $168.94
• Jasmine S35 – $89.83
• Oscar Schmidt OG2SM-A-U – $169.99

Electric Guitars:

• Squier by Fender Stratocaster – $229.99
• Epiphone Les Paul SPECIAL-II – $179.00
• Yamaha Pacifica – $199.99
• ESP LTD MH-10 – $214.24
• Squier by Fender Mini Strat – $115.11

You really can‘t go wrong with any of those options. Just pick based on their musical interests and playing level. Add a personalized gift message and you‘re all set!

Let‘s rock n roll – time to get shopping

Well friend, we‘ve reached the end of this epic guitar buying guide!

By now you should have all the info needed to find the perfect axe with ease and confidence on Amazon.

To recap, the key tips:

• Stick to well-known brands and authenticated sellers
• Thoroughly inspect guitars upon delivery
• Take advantage of the 30 day return policy as needed
• Look for Prime eligible listings for fastest shipping
• Grab essential accessories – tuner, straps, picks etc
• Have realistic expectations as a beginner and practice daily

Armed with that knowledge, you can sit back, enjoy the convenience of Amazon, and get to rocking out sooner.

Thanks for reading! Let me know if any other questions come up. I‘m always happy to help a fellow musician find their dream guitar.

Rock on! \m/