The fastest route depends on how much you want and how soon you need the money
You have five realistic places to sell a guitar: a local music store, a pawn shop, an online marketplace like eBay or Reverb, a Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist listing, or a specialized guitar dealer. Each pays differently and takes a different amount of time. A music store or pawn shop gives you cash the same day but pays 40 to 60 percent of what the guitar is worth. Online marketplaces take two to four weeks but often get you 70 to 85 percent of market value. Local private sales split the difference — you meet someone in person, get paid quickly, and keep more of the money, but you have to find the buyer yourself.
The condition of your guitar, its brand, and whether it still has the original case all affect which route makes sense. A vintage or high-end instrument in good shape will sell faster and for more money on a specialized site. A damaged beginner guitar might not be worth the shipping cost to an online buyer, making a local pawn shop your better choice even if the payout is lower.
Key Takeaways
- Music stores and pawn shops pay 40 to 60 percent of resale value but hand you cash the same day with no shipping or listing work.
- Online marketplaces like Reverb and eBay take longer but typically pay 70 to 85 percent of what the guitar is worth if it is in decent condition.
- Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist let you sell locally without fees, but you handle all communication and meet the buyer yourself.
- Vintage, high-end, or rare guitars sell better online where collectors actively search; damaged or common beginner models move faster through local shops.
- Shipping costs, marketplace fees, and the time you spend listing all reduce your final payout on online sales.
Local music stores: same-day cash, lower payout
A local music store will look at your guitar, test it, and make an offer on the spot. You walk out with cash. The store typically pays 40 to 50 percent of what it will resell the guitar for, which means you get less than half of its market value. They take that cut because they handle the risk of it not selling, the cost of any repairs it needs, and the time it sits on their shelf.
This route works best if you need money quickly, the guitar is in playable condition, and you do not want to deal with shipping or strangers. Call ahead and ask whether they buy used instruments — not all music stores do. Bring the guitar clean and in its case if you have one. The store will ask about the brand, year, any damage, and whether it plays in tune. Be honest about problems; they will find them anyway during their inspection.
The downside is the low payout. If your guitar is worth $400 on the used market, expect an offer around $160 to $200. If you have time and the guitar is in good shape, you will make significantly more money elsewhere.
Pawn shops: when ready cash, lowest payout
A pawn shop will buy your guitar the same day and hand you cash. They typically pay 30 to 50 percent of resale value — lower than a music store — because pawn shops deal in volume and assume some items will not sell. They also may not know guitars as well as a music specialist, so they sometimes undervalue them.
Use a pawn shop only if you need cash urgently and have no other option. Bring your guitar in clean condition, with the case if you have it, and be ready to show your ID. The shop will make an offer within minutes. You do not have to accept it, so you can visit multiple pawn shops in your area to compare offers before you decide.
The trade-off is clear: you lose money but gain speed and certainty. There is no waiting for a buyer, no shipping, no listing fees. If you need $150 today and your guitar might bring $400 elsewhere, a pawn shop solves your when ready problem.
Reverb and eBay: higher payout, longer timeline
Reverb is a marketplace built specifically for musical instruments. Buyers actively search for guitars there, and the site handles payment and shipping logistics. You typically receive 70 to 85 percent of the final sale price after Reverb takes its cut (around 12 to 13 percent) and payment processing fees. The listing process takes about 15 minutes: you photograph the guitar, describe its condition, set a price, and post. Sales usually close within one to three weeks.
eBay works similarly but reaches a broader audience that includes non-musicians. Your payout is slightly lower because eBay's fees are higher and the buyer pool is less specialized. You will pay around 12 to 15 percent in combined fees, leaving you with 70 to 80 percent of the sale price. eBay auctions can close in a week, or you can set a fixed price and wait longer.
Both sites require you to ship the guitar, which costs $30 to $80 depending on distance and whether you insure it. You also need to pack it carefully — a damaged guitar in transit means a return, a refund, and your time wasted. If the guitar is heavy or fragile, factor shipping cost into your asking price or accept a lower net payout.
Reverb is the better choice for guitars because the audience knows what they are looking at. eBay works if your guitar is unusual or vintage and might catch a collector's eye outside the music world.
Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist: no fees, local sales
Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist let you list your guitar for free and sell it locally. You keep 100 percent of the sale price because there are no marketplace fees. You meet the buyer in person, they inspect the guitar, and you hand it over for cash. The whole transaction takes as little as a few hours if you price it competitively.
The catch is that you do all the work. You write the listing, answer messages from people who are not serious, schedule meetings, and meet strangers. You also have no protection if someone claims the guitar is damaged after they leave or if they try to negotiate the price down in person. Safety is your responsibility — meet in a public place during daylight, bring someone with you, and do not give out your home address.
Price your guitar 10 to 15 percent lower than Reverb to account for the fact that local buyers cannot compare it to dozens of other listings online. If Reverb shows similar guitars at $300, list yours at $250 to $270 on Craigslist and you will likely sell it faster. Take clear photos in good light, describe any damage honestly, and mention the case and any accessories included.
Specialized guitar dealers and consignment shops
Some cities have dealers who specialize in vintage, high-end, or rare guitars. These shops pay more than general music stores because they have customers who specifically want what you are selling. A vintage Fender or Gibson in good condition might bring 60 to 75 percent of market value from a specialist, compared to 40 to 50 percent from a general music store.
Consignment is another option: the shop sells your guitar and takes a cut (usually 20 to 40 percent) of the sale price. You get paid only after it sells, which can take weeks or months, but you do not have to handle the sale yourself. Consignment makes sense if your guitar is valuable and you can afford to wait. It does not make sense if you need money soon or the guitar is common.
Search online for "vintage guitar dealer near me" or "guitar consignment" in your area. Call ahead and describe your guitar — specialists will tell you when ready whether they are interested.
How to decide which route to use
Ask yourself three questions: How much money do you need, and how soon? How much is the guitar worth? What condition is it in?
If you need cash today and the guitar is in playable condition, go to a music store or pawn shop. You will lose money but you will have it when ready. If you have two to four weeks and the guitar is in good shape, list it on Reverb or eBay. You will make significantly more. If the guitar is valuable or vintage, a specialized dealer or Reverb will get you the best price. If you want no fees and do not mind meeting a stranger, use Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist and price it to sell fast.
Check what similar guitars are selling for before you list or walk into a shop. Search the model and year on Reverb, eBay, and Craigslist to see what buyers are actually paying, not what sellers are asking. This gives you a realistic number to negotiate from and helps you spot when a shop is lowballing you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I ask for my guitar?
Search your guitar's model and year on Reverb and eBay to see what similar ones sold for recently — not what people are asking, but what they actually sold for. Subtract 10 to 15 percent if you are selling locally on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, since buyers expect a discount for no shipping. Expect 40 to 60 percent of that number if you sell to a shop.
Should I include the case when I sell?
Yes. A guitar with its original case sells for 10 to 20 percent more than one without. If you do not have the original case, a decent third-party case still adds value. If you have no case at all, mention it in your listing and expect a lower offer.
What if my guitar has damage or does not play well?
Be honest about it in any listing or when a shop inspects it. Damage lowers the price but does not make the guitar unsellable — shops and private buyers factor repair costs into their offers. Hiding damage will result in a return, a refund, and wasted time. A damaged guitar will sell faster and for a better price locally than online, since the buyer can inspect it in person.
Do I need to clean or repair my guitar before selling?
Clean it, yes. A dirty guitar looks neglected and sells for less. Repair it only if the fix is cheap and obvious — new strings, a cleaning, or a minor adjustment. Do not pay for expensive repairs; the buyer will factor the cost into their offer anyway, and you will not recover the money you spent.
Is it safe to sell on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace?
Yes, if you follow basic safety rules. Meet in a public place during daylight, bring someone with you, and do not give out your home address. Use the messaging system to screen buyers before you agree to meet. Trust your instincts — if something feels off, cancel and move on to the next buyer.