Five Star Guitars Certified Pre-Owned: Expertly Selected, Perfectly Optimized

At Five Star Guitars, we believe every musician deserves an instrument that inspires. Our Five Star Guitars Certified Pre-Owned program offers a carefully curated selection of pre-owned electric and acoustic guitars and basses, each chosen for its exceptional quality and potential. Every instrument is thoroughly inspected, optimized, and fine-tuned by our expert luthiers, ensuring a level of performance that feels and sounds incredible from the very first note.

Each Five Star Guitars Certified Pre-Owned instrument is hand-selected as an outstanding example of its brand and model, then meticulously refined to play at its absolute best. Our professional in-house luthiers clean, optimize, and fine-tune every detail, performing a custom setup—including a precision fret dress using our Plek Station. This state-of-the-art process allows us to achieve fretwork tolerances as tight as ±.0002", delivering effortlessly low, fast, and buzz-free action.The result? A pre-owned instrument that delivers an incredible playing experience, ready to make music for years to come.

As a certified warranty repair center for many top brands, Five Star Guitars has access to official parts, schematics, and manufacturer-approved repair techniques. Our extensive experience working with instruments at all levels—from routine maintenance to complex restorations—ensures that every Five Star Guitars Certified Pre-Owned guitar and bass meets the highest standards of quality and performance.

"We created this program to give musicians confidence when choosing a pre-owned instrument," says Five Star Guitars co-owner Geoff Metts. "Every guitar and bass is carefully evaluated, expertly optimized, and given the professional attention it deserves. When you pick up a Five Star Guitars Certified Pre-Owned instrument, you’re getting something truly special—an instrument that has been refined by passionate musicians who care deeply about tone, feel, and performance."

Expert Setup Process

Every Five Star Guitars Certified Pre-Owned instrument undergoes a comprehensive multi-point inspection and setup before it reaches your hands, ensuring optimal performance and reliability:

Cosmetic & Structural Check

• Inspect and polish body
• Inspect fingerboard surface, neck, and neck joint
• Examine plastic parts, inlays, binding, and nut
• Evaluate headstock and neck structural integrity
• Check and verify structural integrity of internal bracing
• Ensure proper neck set and joint integrity

Hardware Inspection

• Tighten and secure loose screws, tuner bushings, and components
• Check bridge, tuning machines, and strap buttons
• Inspect truss rod cover, pickguard, and pickup mounting

Electronics Testing (For electric and acoustic-electric instruments)

• Test output jack fit and function
• Verify pickup switching and potentiometer operation
• Adjust pickup heights for proper balance and output
• Test onboard tuners, preamps, and effects (if applicable)

Playability & Performance Setup

• Restring with fresh strings
• Tune to pitch and stretch strings for stability
• Optimize truss rod adjustment for proper neck relief
• Cut and smooth nut slots for tuning stability and optimal 1st fret action
• Adjust saddle(s) for desired 12th fret action and to match fingerboard radius
• Check for and seat any loose frets
• Perform Plek Station fret dress and optimization
• Set intonation for precise pitch accuracy
• Ensure proper tremolo system function (if applicable)
• Play-test all notes, bends, and chords across the fretboard

Final Touches & Delivery

• Final polish and setup refinements
• Professional packing and handling
• Climate-controlled storage before sale

Shop With Confidence

Every Five Star Guitars Certified Pre-Owned instrument comes with our 30-day warranty—offering a 14-day refund period and 30-day store credit exchange, so you can play with confidence. Whether you’re looking for a rare vintage find, a road-tested workhorse, or an affordable entry into the world of premium instruments, our program ensures you’re getting an instrument that has been professionally vetted and expertly optimized.

Stop by Five Star Guitars or browse our selection online to find your next Certified Pre-Owned instrument today!