Is it okay to buy musical instruments online?

Hello, this is Mochizuki from Advance Guitars!

How do you usually go about buying musical instruments?

Before I started working at Advance, I used to think, “I can’t buy one unless I see it with my own eyes and actually try it out at a music store…” so I would go to a music store to make my purchases.

“What if the neck breaks during shipping?”
“What if it’s not what I imagined?”
Because of those concerns, I had never shopped online for instruments.

However, once I started working in online instrument sales, those worries disappeared, and I no longer had any reservations about buying instruments online.

In fact, I’ve purchased instruments online myself, and now I enjoy browsing Digimart and J-Guitar every day to look for instruments I’d like to own!

I imagine there are quite a few people who share the same concerns I used to have, so in this post, I’d like to introduce the process—from when an online order is placed to delivery—as well as the after-sales support we provide at Advance Guitars!


① First, once an order is received, we perform a final inspection of the guitar before shipping.
We replace the strings with new ones before shipping.

　To ensure you can enjoy playing right away, we deliver your guitar in perfect condition, including its playability.

② We pack the guitar securely inside the case so it cannot move.
　We completely loosen the strings to minimize stress on the bridge and body.

　To prevent contact with the case, we do not fill the headstock area with cushioning material.
　This allows the headstock to float in the empty space, preventing cracks.

　Even if the instrument is secured inside a cardboard box, movement within the case can lead to unexpected accidents.
Our top priority is ensuring the guitar does not rattle around inside the case, so we fill any gaps with cushioning material before closing the lid.

　*We take even greater care when handling soft cases.

③ The guitar case is also a valuable item.
We cover it with a plastic bag to prevent scratches.

④ We store the guitar in a custom-made box designed specifically for acoustic guitars.
We place cushioning material on the bottom to absorb any impact.

⑤ We place the instrument inside and insert specially crafted U-shaped cardboard pieces on either side of the headstock to prevent it from shifting.

⑥ Finally, we protect the top with cushioning material and check once more to ensure the contents do not move.
Every instrument is irreplaceable and precious.

　Always keeping in mind the need to deliver the instrument safely to the customer, we pack and check it meticulously without compromise.
　

⑦ Seal the package, and the packing is complete!

After ensuring the package is thoroughly secured, we work with our shipping partners to deliver it safely and quickly to you.

After purchasing an instrument, you may find that “it’s become difficult to play” or “I’d like to have it inspected as the seasons change.”

We welcome inquiries about instrument maintenance and repairs even from customers living far away, so please feel free to contact us by phone, email, or LINE.

We also offer a “6-day trial period after arrival,” so if you find that the instrument “doesn’t meet your expectations” after it arrives, please let us know. 

We take great care with both packaging and after-sales support to ensure you can shop with confidence, so please feel free to take advantage of our services!

By considering online shopping, you’ll have a wider selection of instruments to choose from, and you might just find the instrument you’ve been imagining or the one you’ve always wanted!

This has been Mochizuki from Advance Guitars!