Buying Guides

What to look for, what to avoid, and how to not get burned on a used instrument.

Buying Guides · April 3, 2026 · The CS Team

How to Buy a Used Guitar in Canada Without Getting Burned

A guitar listed as "great condition" might have a warped neck, worn frets, or a repaired headstock crack. Here's what to inspect before you hand over your money — whether you're buying privately or from a shop.

Selling Guides

How to get what your instrument is actually worth — and which path makes sense for your situation.

Selling Guides · April 4, 2026 · The CS Team

How to Sell Your Instrument and Actually Get What It's Worth

Most players who sell used gear leave money on the table — not because the instrument wasn't valuable, but because they chose the wrong path. Here's how to think through the options.

Gear Knowledge

What terms actually mean in the used gear market, and how to apply that knowledge as a buyer.

Gear Knowledge · April 4, 2026 · The CS Team

What "Certified" Actually Means — And Why It Matters

The word gets used loosely in the used gear world. Here's what certification should require, what it rarely includes, and what it specifically means at Chili's Sound.

New guides, new inventory.

We email when new certified instruments are listed and when new guides go up. No marketing fluff.