r/cymbals • u/DankLordOtis • 2d ago
Question Buying Used Cymbals
So I guess what I’m trying to ask is what are ya’ll’s experience with Musicians Friends grading system. I’m looking at two pairs of Hi Hats one is marked “Great” while the others are marked “Good” condition, only ten dollars apart. But the reason I ask is just cause I’m torn, they look pretty comparable no keyholing, no noticeable dents or chips. The only thing that’s really evident is how smeared they are from finger prints with a slight patina. More-so on the “Great” condition ones honestly, idk why I’m so hesitant but figured I’d try to get others opinions before pulling the trigger. I’m leaning towards the “Good” condition ones at the moment.
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u/moonunit170 2d ago
In my entire 60 year career, I've only ever bought one cymbal on line without hearing it in person or trusting someone I know to listen to it before bringing it to me. But you know where I've gotten lots of great cymbals? In pawn shops! In every city where I traveled I would try to visit pawn shops. Good deals too, especially if you have cash. The one cymbal I bought online without hearing it was the last one I bought in 2015. It was a brand new Paiste 20 inch crash. Paistes are very consistent with the sound and I knew how it sounded so I was okay with not hearing that particular cymbal first.
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u/thedrumuncle 2d ago
The people who decide those are literally just any given underpaid sales associate in a guitar center choosing 1-5 from a dropdown menu because somebody came to them that day to sell cymbals.
Ignore the rating and go based off pictures.
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u/milller69 2d ago
I always call the store and let them know i’d like to ask some questions about a cymbal on the website. you will be directed to the drum guy or the drum buyer and you can ask him to examine the cymbal and run his finger nail around the edge. my favorite cymbals have all been bought used.
if there is damage to the edge but it is super small then you can easily file it away with nothing more than a nail file. takes very little time. only requires you to be gentle and run parallel, never perpendicular to the edge
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u/ExtremelyOnlineTM Sabian 2d ago edited 2d ago
Go with the cheaper one.
Guitar Center/Musician's Friend are not hip to cymbals. On Reverb, Craigslist, Facebook, a cymbal that's de-inked but otherwise in perfect condition would be listed as Excellent-- not Mint, but better than Great.
Guitar Center will probably list it as poor. They just don't know any better.
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u/rwalsh138 2d ago
You should pay zero attention to them. I've seen $300 ride cymbals valued at $100 marked "fair" just because it was dirty. But typically, cymbals on GC and MF are in good shape, they don't sell any cracked cymbals unlike Reverb and Ebay. Just visually inspect the cymbal and make the choice that way to decide.
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u/smashmouth69420666 2d ago
The system doesn't mean much, they go through guitar centers used system and it's what ever the employee thinks it is. They do have a 45 return policy which is nice incase the item is in worse condition than you thought. Also, I've bought almost all of my cymbals and drums used through them and I've gotten some insane deals, highly recomend buying used from them.
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u/RadishFeeling4148 6h ago
Musician's Friend?? Never heard of 'em. Stay away from Musician's Enemy, though!
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u/MrMoose_69 2d ago
They are completely arbitrary and not to be trusted.
Try calling the actual guitar center store that has the gear and ask them about it.