Guitar Center Does Buy Used Gear, But Not Everything and Not at Full Price
Yes, Guitar Center buys used instruments and equipment from customers through their trade-in program. They accept guitars, basses, drums, keyboards, amplifiers, and other gear in working condition. However, they do not buy every item that walks through the door — condition, brand, and current demand all affect whether they will take something and what they will pay for it.
The process is straightforward: bring your gear to any Guitar Center location, a staff member inspects it, and they make an offer on the spot if they want to buy it. You do not have to use the money as store credit — you can take cash instead, though the cash offer is typically lower than the credit offer. Most stores complete the transaction the same day.
Key Takeaways
- Guitar Center buys used gear in-store at any location, and you receive an offer when ready after inspection.
- They pay more in store credit than in cash, so the form of payment you choose affects the final amount.
- Condition matters significantly — dents, cracks, missing parts, and non-working electronics will lower the offer or result in a rejection.
- Vintage or rare items may not sell well in their stores, so even valuable gear can be declined if it does not match their current inventory needs.
- You can also sell gear online through their website or consign items to be sold on their behalf for a commission.
What Condition Your Gear Needs to Be In
Guitar Center's buyers look at playability, cosmetic condition, and whether all parts are present and functional. A guitar with a cracked headstock, a warped neck, or dead electronics will likely be rejected or offered a very low price. Small dings and scratches on the body do not usually disqualify an item, but they reduce the offer.
Amplifiers must power on and produce sound. Cables, stands, and cases are bought only if they are in good working order — a frayed cable or a broken stand will not be accepted. For drums and percussion, all hardware must be intact and the shells must not be cracked or heavily dented.
Clean your gear before you bring it in. A guitar that has been wiped down and has fresh strings will receive a higher offer than one covered in dust and grime. This is not about perfection — it is about showing that the instrument has been maintained.
How Much Money You Can Expect
Guitar Center does not publish a price list, so there is no way to know the exact offer before you walk in. The amount depends on the original retail price, the age of the item, its condition, and how quickly the store thinks it will sell. A used mid-range electric guitar in good condition might bring 30 to 50 percent of its original retail price in store credit, or 20 to 40 percent in cash.
High-end or vintage gear can sometimes command better percentages, but only if it is in excellent condition and the store has customers looking for that specific model. A rare 1970s amplifier in mint condition might sell for 60 to 70 percent of its original value — but only if the store has room in inventory and believes it will move. If the store already has three similar amps on the shelf, they may decline your item entirely.
The store credit offer is always higher than the cash offer — sometimes by 10 to 20 percent. If you need cash, ask what the cash price is before you agree to anything. You can walk away if the offer is too low.
Items Guitar Center Usually Will Not Buy
Guitar Center declines gear that is too damaged, too obscure, or too old to sell in their stores. Instruments with structural damage — a cracked guitar body, a bent bass neck, or a drum shell with a hole — are almost always rejected. Heavily used cables, stands, and cases are rarely accepted unless they are in like-new condition.
Very old or vintage items can be tricky. A 1960s guitar in excellent condition might be valuable to a collector, but Guitar Center may not want it because their typical customer is looking for modern gear at a fair price. Obscure brands or regional instruments that do not have a national resale market are also harder to move, so the store may pass.
Gear with missing parts — a guitar without tuning pegs, an amplifier without the original power cord, a keyboard with broken keys — will be declined or offered a fraction of its value. If you have the original case, manual, or accessories, bring them. They increase the offer.
Store Credit Versus Cash Offers
Guitar Center always offers more in store credit than in cash. The difference exists because the store wants to keep your money circulating in their business. If a guitar is worth $300 in store credit, the cash offer might be $240 to $250. This gap is standard across the industry.
Store credit can be used on anything in the store — instruments, cables, strings, lessons, repairs, or even gift cards. If you plan to buy something else from Guitar Center anyway, taking the credit offer makes financial sense. If you need cash and do not plan to shop there again, ask for the cash price and decide whether it is worth it.
Some customers use the credit offer as a way to upgrade. You trade in an older guitar, get $400 in credit, and use it toward a $600 new guitar, paying the difference in cash. This can be a practical way to move up to better gear without selling privately.
Other Ways to Sell Your Gear to Guitar Center
In-store trade-in is the fastest option, but Guitar Center also buys gear through their website. You can list items for sale on their platform, and they handle the shipping and payment. This route takes longer — typically one to two weeks from listing to payment — but you may reach a wider audience than a single store location.
Consignment is another option at some locations. You leave your gear with the store, they try to sell it, and you receive a percentage of the sale price if it sells. Consignment takes longer and you do not get paid unless the item sells, but the store price is often higher than what they would offer to buy it outright. Ask your local store whether they offer consignment and what their commission rate is.
What to Bring When You Go In
Bring the instrument or equipment itself, obviously, but also bring any original accessories — the case, cables, power supply, manual, or original packaging. These items increase the offer. If you have the original receipt or proof of purchase, bring that too, though it is not required.
Clean the gear before you arrive. Wipe down the body, clean the fretboard, and make sure it powers on if it is electronic. Do not attempt repairs you are unsure about — a botched repair job will lower the offer more than leaving it as-is.
Bring a valid ID. Guitar Center requires identification for any purchase or sale transaction. Have realistic expectations about the price. Research what similar used items are selling for online, but remember that Guitar Center's offer will be lower because they need margin to resell it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sell gear to Guitar Center if it has cosmetic damage?
Yes, small cosmetic damage like dings, scratches, and fading does not disqualify gear. The offer will be lower than for mint condition, but functional instruments with cosmetic wear are usually accepted. Structural damage — cracks, breaks, or missing parts — is different and often results in rejection.
Do I have to use store credit, or can I get cash?
You can choose cash, but the cash offer is lower than the store credit offer. Ask for both numbers before you decide. Some customers take the credit offer and use it toward a new purchase, while others need the cash and accept the lower amount.
How long does the in-store trade-in process take?
The inspection and offer usually take 15 to 30 minutes. If you accept the offer, the transaction is completed the same day and you walk out with cash or a store credit receipt. Online sales take longer — typically one to two weeks from listing to payment.
What if Guitar Center declines my gear?
If they decline, you can try selling privately through Reverb, eBay, or Facebook Marketplace. You might also contact other music stores in your area — some independent shops buy used gear and may offer different prices or accept items Guitar Center declined.
Does the brand of the instrument matter?
Yes. Well-known brands like Fender, Gibson, Yamaha, and Ibanez sell quickly and receive higher offers. Obscure or regional brands are harder to move, so the store may decline them or offer less. Vintage or rare brands can be valuable to collectors but may not fit Guitar Center's typical customer base.