Where to sell your guitar depends on how fast you need the money and how much work you want to do
You have four main routes: sell it locally in person (Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, local music stores), ship it to a national buyer (Reverb, eBay, Sweetwater Trade-In), use a pawn shop or music store consignment, or sell directly to another musician you know. Local sales are fastest and avoid shipping costs, but you reach fewer buyers. National sites take longer but reach people across the country willing to pay more for the right instrument. Pawn shops and consignment stores handle the work but take a cut—usually 30 to 50 percent of the sale price.
The choice depends on three things: your timeline, the guitar's condition and value, and how much time you want to spend photographing, describing, and communicating with buyers. A $200 used acoustic guitar might not be worth the effort of shipping, but a $1,500 electric could justify the time and cost.
Key Takeaways
- Research your guitar's actual market value by checking sold listings on Reverb and eBay, not asking prices, because asking prices are often higher than what guitars actually sell for.
- Clean the guitar, replace worn strings, and take clear photos in natural light from multiple angles—condition and presentation directly affect what buyers will offer.
- Local sales through Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist avoid shipping costs and happen faster, but national sites like Reverb reach more buyers and often bring higher prices.
- Music store consignment and pawn shops require no shipping or photography but take 30 to 50 percent of the sale price and may take weeks to sell.
- Be honest about damage, repairs, and modifications in your listing—buyers will discover them anyway, and honesty builds trust and prevents disputes after the sale.
Research what your guitar is actually worth before you list it
The price you see listed on a guitar is not the price it sells for. Check sold listings on Reverb and eBay to see what guitars like yours actually went for in the last 30 days. Filter by condition (excellent, good, fair) and by year and model if possible. A 2015 Fender Stratocaster in good condition might be listed at $600 but sell for $480; a rare vintage model might sell for more than the asking price.
Reverb's price guide tool shows a range based on recent sales, which is more useful than any single listing. If your guitar is a common model, the range will be tight. If it is rare or has a unique history, the range will be wider and you will need to look at individual listings to understand why some sold higher.
Factor in the condition honestly. Fret wear, finish cracks, a replaced neck, or a non-original bridge all lower the price. A guitar that plays and sounds great but looks worn will sell for less than one that looks new. Modifications—a new pickup, a refinish, a different tuning machine—can raise or lower value depending on what was done and whether the original parts are included.
Clean the guitar and take clear photos from multiple angles
Spend an hour cleaning. Wipe down the body, neck, and fretboard with a soft cloth. Replace the strings if they are more than a few months old—new strings cost $10 to $30 and make the guitar look and sound better to a buyer who will try it. Check that all tuning machines turn smoothly, that the strap button is tight, and that there are no loose parts.
Take photos in natural daylight, not under a lamp. Photograph the front, back, headstock, fretboard, and any damage or wear. Take a close-up of the serial number and any labels inside the sound hole. If there are scratches, dents, or repairs, photograph those too—buyers want to see what they are getting. A photo of you playing it, or a short video, builds confidence that the guitar works.
Write a description that covers the model, year (if you know it), condition, any repairs or modifications, what is included (case, strap, cables), and any quirks—a slightly high action, a fret that buzzes only on the 12th fret, a finish crack that does not affect sound. Be specific. "Good condition" means nothing; "plays great, minor fret wear, one small ding on the back" tells a buyer what to expect.
Selling locally through Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist
Local sales are the fastest route if you live in or near a city. Post on Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist simultaneously. Price it 10 to 15 percent below the market value you researched—local buyers expect a discount because they do not have to pay shipping. Include your photos and description, and list your location clearly.
Expect messages from people asking if it is still available, offering less than your asking price, or asking questions you already answered in the listing. Respond quickly to serious inquiries. Agree to meet in a public place—a coffee shop, a music store, or a busy parking lot—and bring someone with you if you are uncomfortable. Let the buyer play it for a few minutes. Do not leave the guitar unattended.
Bring a phone charger or a small amp if it is an electric guitar, so the buyer can hear it properly. Cash only is safest. If someone wants to pay by Venmo or PayPal, wait until the payment clears before handing over the guitar. A sale usually happens within a week if you price it fairly.
Selling nationally through Reverb or eBay
Reverb is the largest marketplace for musical instruments and reaches serious buyers. eBay reaches a broader audience but includes more casual shoppers. Both charge a listing fee (usually free on Reverb, $0.30 on eBay) and take a percentage of the sale price—Reverb takes about 8 percent plus payment processing, eBay takes about 12 percent.
On Reverb, create an account, list the guitar with your photos and description, and set your price. Reverb handles payment and provides a shipping label. You pack and ship the guitar—use a sturdy box, bubble wrap, and a guitar-specific shipping box if the guitar is valuable. Reverb recommends insuring guitars over $500. Shipping usually costs $30 to $80 depending on distance and guitar size.
On eBay, you set the price and auction length (3, 7, or 10 days). Auctions sometimes bring higher prices if multiple buyers compete, but they also sometimes end low if no one bids. A fixed-price listing is safer if you know what you want. eBay holds the payment for a few days after the buyer receives the guitar, so you do not get your money when ready.
Reverb sales typically close within a few days to a week. eBay auctions take longer. Both require you to pack and ship, which takes time and carries a small risk—if the guitar arrives damaged, the buyer can open a dispute and you may have to refund them.
Using a music store or pawn shop to sell on consignment
A local music store or pawn shop will take the guitar on consignment, meaning they display it and sell it for you. They take 30 to 50 percent of the sale price. You do not have to photograph, describe, or communicate with buyers. The store handles everything.
The trade-off is that you lose a large cut of the sale price and you do not control the asking price. The store may price it higher or lower than you would. Consignment also takes longer—the guitar sits in the store until someone buys it, which could be weeks or months. Some stores have a consignment period (60 or 90 days) after which they return the guitar if it does not sell.
Pawn shops typically offer less money upfront but buy the guitar outright rather than taking consignment. You walk out with cash the same day, but you receive less than the guitar is worth—pawn shops usually offer 40 to 60 percent of resale value because they need margin to sell it later. This route is fastest if you need money when ready and do not care about maximizing the price.
Avoid common mistakes that lower your sale price or prevent a sale
Do not overprice. If your guitar is listed $100 higher than the market, it will sit unsold while similar guitars sell. Adjust the price down after a week if you get no inquiries. Do not hide damage or lie about repairs. A buyer will discover a crack or a replaced part when they inspect it, and they will either walk away or demand a refund. Honesty prevents disputes and builds your reputation if you sell multiple guitars.
Do not ship without insurance if the guitar is worth more than $300. Do not accept payment methods you cannot verify—wire transfers and gift cards are hard to reverse if the buyer claims the guitar never arrived. Do not agree to hold a guitar for someone without a deposit; they will often change their mind and you will have lost time.
Do not list the same guitar on multiple platforms at the same time unless you are willing to delist it when ready when it sells. If someone buys it on Reverb and someone else buys it on Facebook Marketplace on the same day, you have a problem. List it in one place, and if it does not sell in a week, move it to another.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I price my guitar?
Check sold listings on Reverb and eBay for guitars like yours in similar condition, then price yours 5 to 10 percent below the average if you want it to sell quickly. If you are in no rush, price it at the average and lower it after a week if you get no interest. A guitar priced fairly sells in days; one priced too high sits for weeks.
What should I include when I sell the guitar?
Include the guitar itself, the original case or a gig bag if you have one, and any cables or accessories that came with it. If you have the original paperwork, manual, or receipt, include those too—they add value. If you are missing the case, say so in the listing and price accordingly.
Is it safe to meet a stranger to sell a guitar?
Meet in a public place during daylight, bring someone with you, and let a friend know where you are going. Do not invite the buyer to your home. Bring a small amp or charger so they can test the guitar. Trust your instinct—if something feels off, cancel the sale.
How do I ship a guitar safely?
Use a sturdy cardboard box at least 2 inches larger than the guitar on all sides. Wrap the guitar in bubble wrap or foam, and fill empty space with packing peanuts or crumpled paper so it cannot move. Insure it for its full value. Use a carrier like UPS or FedEx that offers tracking and signature confirmation for guitars over $500.
What if the buyer says the guitar arrived damaged?
If you shipped with insurance and tracking, you can file a claim with the carrier. Take photos of the damage and the packaging. If you shipped without insurance, you may have to refund the buyer out of pocket. This is why insurance matters for valuable guitars.