Condition Grading System

New
Brand new, shipped from manufacturer directly to us. Please note: Each new guitar we receive is removed from the original packaging, photographed for our website, and then hung on the wall in our store. New guitars will include the original packaging, case candy, and any accessories included by the manufacturer.

B-stock
Technically new, because we get these items directly from the manufacturer, but with some sort of minor defect (a single scratch, dent, etc) that occurred during production. Usually B-stock items function perfectly, but have a cosmetic flaws that prevent the manufacturer from selling them to us as “new.”

Mint
Pre-owned, but in museum-grade condition. Literally not a single scratch on it. The only thing that separates “mint” from “new” is the fact that at some point a customer bought it and took it home. Even if the customer bought it and stuck it in a closet without ever taking it out of the case, it’s still technically MINT, not new.

Near Mint
Only the smallest amount of wear. Maybe a tiny, barely noticeable “hairline” scratch on the back, or tarnish on the hardware.

Excellent
The most common condition grade in our shop. Used gently, very minor wear from normal use. A couple small scratches or dings, but fairly new-looking overall.

Very Good
A few more dings or scratches than a guitar in “excellent,” condition, but still very clean.

Good
A fair amount of dings, scrapes, scratches, and wear. Gig-played, toured with, well-used, almost beat up.

Fair
Really beat up. Big scratches, big dings, gashes in the finish all the way down to the wood, missing non-essential parts, etc.

Poor
Unplayable, in need of restoration, or to be sold as spare parts.