make sure the fretboard doesn't buzz no matter where you're playing on it... bend some strings while noodlin around, see if it stays in tune... see if you like the way if feels in your hands, and obviously that you like it's sound try and take a friend who's comfortable with guitars when you go out to help gauge the condition and value with ya if you can... worth springin for a couple of beers to have an advisor on hand pawn shops are worth taking a look in first if you have someone who knows a bit bout guitars with ya found a kick ass Norman in a pawn shop for $230 that I advised a buddy to pick up (maple neck, truly wish I'd had the money myself at the time)... there's sometimes sweet deals due to somebody who had to move a quality ax that was collecting dust so they could make the rent