The main places to buy a guitar
You can buy a guitar from a music store, a general retailer, online marketplaces, or a private seller. Each route has different prices, return policies, and chances to play the instrument before you pay. A music store lets you hold and test guitars in person, but costs more. Online retailers and marketplaces often have lower prices and wider selection, but you cannot hear the sound or check the setup before it arrives. Used guitars from private sellers are cheapest but carry the most risk — you need to know what to listen for and what condition problems cost to fix.
The best choice depends on whether you want to test the guitar first, how much you want to spend, and whether you need help choosing. A beginner who has never held a guitar should start at a music store. Someone replacing a stolen instrument or buying a second guitar might go straight to an online retailer or marketplace.
Key Takeaways
- Music stores cost 10 to 20 percent more than online retailers but let you play the guitar and get information before buying.
- Online retailers like Sweetwater, Musician's Friend, and Amazon have lower prices and accept returns within 30 to 60 days, but you cannot test the sound or feel.
- Used guitars on Reverb, eBay, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace cost 30 to 50 percent less than new ones but require you to spot damage, worn frets, and setup problems yourself.
- General retailers like Walmart and Target stock only beginner models and rarely have staff who know guitars.
- Private sellers are cheapest but offer no return option and no warranty if something breaks after you buy it.
Music stores: higher price, hands-on testing
A local music store is the best place to start if you have never bought a guitar or do not know what sound you want. You can hold multiple guitars, play them unplugged or plugged in, and ask the staff questions about action, tone, and what to expect as you learn. Staff at real music stores usually play guitar themselves and can spot problems you might miss.
Prices at music stores run 10 to 20 percent higher than online retailers for the same model. You pay for the space, the staff time, and the ability to return or exchange a guitar if it does not feel right in your hands. Most music stores accept returns within 30 days if the guitar is unplayed or barely played, though some have stricter policies. Ask before you buy.
To find a music store near you, search "guitar store near me" or check the websites of chains like Guitar Center, Sam Ash, or Sweetwater (which has physical locations in some cities). Smaller independent stores often have better staff knowledge and a more relaxed vibe, though selection is smaller.
Online retailers: lower prices, no testing
Sweetwater, Musician's Friend, Thomann, and Amazon sell new guitars at prices 10 to 20 percent below music stores. They stock thousands of models, from budget beginner guitars to high-end instruments. Shipping is usually free on orders over a certain amount, and most retailers accept returns within 30 to 60 days if the guitar arrives undamaged and unplayed.
The trade-off is that you cannot hear or feel the guitar before it arrives. You are relying on the product description, photos, and customer reviews. For a beginner buying a standard model — a Fender Stratocaster, a Yamaha acoustic, a Squier Telecaster — this is low risk because thousands of identical guitars exist and the specs are consistent. For a higher-end or unusual guitar, the risk is higher.
Sweetwater and Musician's Friend both offer phone support to help you choose a model and answer questions about specs. Thomann ships from Europe and takes longer but often has lower prices. Amazon's return window is shorter (usually 30 days) and you may pay return shipping if you change your mind.
Used guitars: lowest price, highest risk
Reverb, eBay, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace connect you to private sellers and used-guitar dealers. Prices are 30 to 50 percent lower than new guitars because the instrument has been played, may have cosmetic damage, and might need setup or repair. A used guitar in good condition can be a smart buy. A used guitar with hidden problems — a cracked neck, worn frets, or a warped body — can cost hundreds to fix.
Reverb is the safest used marketplace because it has buyer protection, holds the seller's payment until you confirm the guitar arrived as described, and has a return window of 3 to 14 days depending on the seller's policy. eBay offers similar protection but has more variation in seller reliability. Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace are cash-and-carry with no protection — if the guitar has a problem, you own it.
Before you buy a used guitar, ask the seller for photos of the headstock, the frets, the back of the neck, and the body in natural light. Ask whether the frets are worn, whether the neck is straight, and whether the guitar has been repaired. If you cannot inspect it in person, use Reverb or eBay so you have a return option. If you do inspect it in person, bring someone who plays guitar or pay a music store $30 to $50 to check it for you.
General retailers: limited selection, untrained staff
Walmart, Target, and Best Buy stock a small number of beginner guitars — usually cheap acoustic or electric models under $200. Prices are competitive with online retailers, but selection is narrow and staff usually cannot answer questions about tone, action, or setup. These stores are useful only if you want a very basic instrument and need it today.
Return policies at general retailers are usually 30 days, which is standard. However, if something is wrong with the guitar — a high action, a buzzing fret, or a neck that is not straight — the staff cannot tell you whether it is normal or a defect. A music store or online retailer with knowledgeable staff is a better choice.
What to compare across sellers
Price is not the only difference between sellers. Compare the return window — music stores and online retailers usually offer 30 to 60 days, while Reverb varies by seller and Craigslist offers none. Compare whether you can play the guitar first — music stores and some dealers let you; online retailers and private sellers do not. Compare the warranty — new guitars usually come with a one-year manufacturer warranty, while used guitars often have no warranty at all.
If you are buying your first guitar, the ability to return it matters more than saving $50. A music store or Sweetwater gives you that safety net. If you are buying a second or third guitar and know what you want, an online retailer or Reverb is a smarter choice. If you are on a tight budget and willing to take the risk, a private seller on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace is cheapest — but only if you can inspect the guitar in person or have someone else check it for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to buy a guitar on Craigslist?
It is safe if you inspect the guitar in person and bring cash. Meet in a public place, bring someone who plays guitar if you can, and ask to play the guitar for at least five minutes. If the seller refuses to let you play it or seems evasive about damage, walk away. You have no recourse after you leave, so trust your instinct.
What is the difference between a new guitar and a used one in good condition?
A new guitar has never been played and comes with a manufacturer warranty, usually one year. A used guitar in good condition has been played but has no visible damage, no fret wear, and a straight neck. The sound is the same if the setup is correct. Used guitars cost 30 to 50 percent less and are a good choice if you inspect them first or buy from Reverb.
Can I return a guitar if I do not like how it sounds?
Most music stores and online retailers accept returns if the guitar is unplayed or barely played, but not if you have recorded with it or performed. Reverb sellers set their own return policies, which range from 3 to 14 days. Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace have no returns. Read the return policy before you buy.
Should I buy a cheap guitar or save up for a better one?
A cheap guitar ($100 to $200) is fine for learning if it is playable — meaning the action is not too high, the frets do not buzz, and the neck is straight. A better guitar ($300 to $600) will be easier to play and sound better, which can keep you motivated. If you are unsure, rent a guitar for a month or buy a used one from Reverb so you can return it if you lose interest.
Do I need to buy from the same place I bought the guitar if it needs repair?
No. Any guitar repair shop or luthier can service your guitar, whether you bought it at a music store, online, or used. Manufacturer warranty repairs must go through an authorized dealer, but routine maintenance and setup can happen anywhere. A local music store can recommend a repair shop if you need one.