Why I always test an amplifier or instrument before putting it up for sale

Anyone thinking about buying a used amplifier, musical instrument, or other piece of equipment from Kitarshokak may wonder whether it has actually been tested and is in proper working order. It’s probably one of the most common questions people have before deciding to make a purchase.

The answer is simple: I always test every item before listing it for sale, with only very rare exceptions.

The first inspection takes place as soon as the equipment arrives. This is when I assess its actual condition, make sure everything works properly, and determine whether it needs any adjustment, maintenance, or repair before being offered for sale.

Only once I fully understand how it performs do I write the listing description. I want anyone reading it to know exactly what they can expect, without exaggeration or unpleasant surprises.

I don’t like describing an instrument or amplifier by simply saying that it “works.” Instead, I prefer to explain the details and characteristics that I believe matter. The more information I can provide, the easier it is for the buyer to make an informed decision.

Every item that passes through Kitarshokak is inspected and tested before it is listed for sale, and then tested once again before it is shipped to its new owner. I believe this is the best way to provide an accurate description of the equipment’s true condition and to ensure that the buyer knows exactly what they are purchasing.

Once the equipment has found a new owner, there is still one final step.

I always carry out one last test just before packing it. This final check confirms that everything is still working perfectly before it begins its journey and ensures that it leaves exactly as described.

This time, the amplifier was a Sovtek MIG 60, bound for Germany.

Before preparing the final packaging, I took the opportunity to let one of my electric guitar students play through it during a lesson. I think it’s important for a guitarist not only to learn how to play, but also to experience different amplifiers and discover how each one has its own unique character and response.

There is also a more personal reason for that final test.

Even though not every piece of equipment belongs to me, each one spends some time in my workshop. I inspect it, clean it, test it, and sometimes repair it. Along the way, I inevitably get to know its personality and find myself inspired by it. I enjoy spending a little time playing through each amplifier or instrument without rushing, discovering how it responds and allowing it to inspire something that only that particular piece of equipment can bring out. These are small musical moments that will never happen in exactly the same way again.

Every instrument has its own voice and its own way of inspiring the musician who plays it.

That is why this final test is also my way of saying goodbye to a particular amplifier or instrument before it continues its journey with someone else.

I like to think that it reaches its destination exactly as it should: inspected, tested, and ready to keep making music.

That’s how I see this work. For me, selling a piece of equipment isn’t simply a matter of listing it and shipping it. It’s about getting to know it, checking its condition, describing it as accurately as possible, and sending it on its way with the confidence of knowing exactly how it leaves my workshop.

That’s why I take the time to test every item before I list it for sale and once again just before packing it. I believe it’s a way of showing respect both for the equipment itself and, above all, for the person who has chosen to place their trust in Kitarshokak.