re: How do you buy guitars?

Last 3 were off Reverb.

However they were all Masterworks series Yairi's, which are mighty hard to find in town, and almost always really well made. None had electronics, all were returnable, and I've never heard a bad one that high up in their pecking order. Helps to do your leg work, like not biting on just any 70's model Martin's, having a firm grasp on components/construction (woods in this case), and knowing their true value in case you want to resale.