The main places to buy a guitar
You can buy a guitar from a music store, a general retailer, an online shop, a used marketplace, or directly from another player. Each route has real differences in price, the chance to play before you buy, return policies, and what happens if something arrives broken. A music store lets you hold the instrument and hear it; an online retailer often costs less but you're buying blind; a used marketplace can save you money but offers no warranty.
The best choice depends on whether you want new or used, how much you want to spend, and whether you need to hear the specific guitar before committing. Most people end up using more than one source—buying their first guitar from a shop where staff can help them choose, then buying accessories online, then later buying a second guitar used from a private seller.
Key Takeaways
- Music stores let you play multiple guitars before buying and offer staff information, but typically charge more than online retailers for the same model.
- Online retailers like Sweetwater, Thomann, and Musician's Friend usually have lower prices and wider selection, but you cannot play the guitar before it arrives.
- Used marketplaces like Reverb, eBay, and Facebook Marketplace can save you 30 to 50 percent, but require you to inspect the guitar yourself or trust the seller's description.
- General retailers like Amazon and Walmart stock beginner guitars but rarely stock mid-range or high-end models, and staff cannot advise you.
- Return policies vary widely—some shops offer 30 days, others offer none, so check before you buy.
Music stores: playing before you buy
A local music store is the only place where you can pick up a guitar, tune it, and play it for as long as you want before deciding. Staff can answer questions about action height, neck shape, and how a particular model sounds in the room you're standing in. They can also recommend a guitar that fits your budget and playing style, rather than leaving you to guess from photos and specs online.
The trade-off is price. A guitar that costs $400 online might cost $450 or $500 in a shop, because the shop has rent, staff, and inventory costs. Some shops will match online prices if you ask, especially if you're buying other items like a strap or tuner. Many also offer a setup service—adjusting the action and intonation—which can cost $50 to $100 but makes a cheap guitar play much better.
To find a music store near you, search "guitar shop near me" or check whether chains like Guitar Center, Sam Ash, or Musician's Friend have a location in your area. Call ahead to confirm they have guitars in stock and in your price range, because smaller shops may not carry every brand.
Online retailers: lower prices and wider choice
Sweetwater, Thomann, Musician's Friend, and Reverb are the largest online music retailers. They stock thousands of models, often at prices 10 to 20 percent lower than shops, because they have lower overhead. They also ship quickly—usually within a few days—and many offer free shipping on orders over a certain amount.
The main risk is that you cannot play the guitar before it arrives. If it sounds different than you expected, or if the neck feels wrong in your hands, you're stuck with a return process. Most online retailers offer returns within 30 days if the guitar is unplayed and in original condition, but you usually pay for return shipping, which can cost $30 to $50. Some retailers, like Sweetwater, offer a no-questions return window and cover return shipping, which makes the risk smaller.
Read the return policy before you buy. Also check whether the retailer includes a setup—some ship guitars with the action already adjusted, others ship them as-is and you'll need to take it to a tech. If you're a beginner, a pre-setup guitar saves you money and frustration.
Used marketplaces: saving money, taking on risk
Reverb.com is the largest used guitar marketplace and works like eBay but only for music gear. eBay itself has thousands of guitars. Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist let you buy from people in your area, so you can inspect the guitar in person before paying. Local sales also mean no shipping cost.
Used guitars often cost 30 to 50 percent less than new ones, especially if they're scratched or have minor wear. A used guitar that cost $600 new might sell for $350 to $400. However, you're buying without a warranty. If the neck is cracked or the electronics are failing, that's your problem. On Reverb, sellers have ratings and return policies vary, so a highly-rated seller with a 14-day return window is safer than a new seller with no returns. On Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist, there is no protection—you inspect the guitar, you pay cash, and you leave.
If you buy used, inspect the neck by sighting down it from the headstock to the body to check for twists or bows. Play every fret on every string. Ask the seller why they're selling. Check for cracks in the body and test all the electronics if it's electric. If you're not confident doing this yourself, ask a friend who plays or take the guitar to a shop for a pre-purchase inspection, which usually costs $30 to $50.
General retailers: convenience, limited selection
Amazon, Walmart, Target, and Best Buy all sell beginner guitars—usually budget models under $200. These are convenient if you want to buy online and return to a store if something is wrong, and they're fine for someone just starting out. However, they stock only the most popular entry-level models, rarely anything mid-range or high-end, and staff cannot advise you on tone or playability.
Prices at general retailers are often higher than at music retailers for the same model, because they buy in smaller quantities. Return policies are usually generous—30 days or more—but you're limited to what's in stock. If you know exactly which model you want and you want the convenience of a local return, a general retailer works. If you want choice or informed information, a music store or online music retailer is better.
Buying from private sellers: the cheapest option
Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and local classified ads let you buy directly from someone selling their own guitar. This is often the cheapest route because there's no middleman. You might find a $600 guitar for $250 if the seller just wants it gone. You can also negotiate price, especially if you're paying cash and picking it up when ready.
The downside is that you have no recourse if something is wrong. There's no return, no warranty, and no protection if the seller lied about the condition. You must inspect the guitar thoroughly before handing over money. Meet in a public place, bring someone with you if you're uncomfortable, and never wire money or use payment apps that can't be reversed. If the guitar is expensive or you're unsure about its condition, pay a tech $30 to $50 to inspect it before you commit.
Comparing price, convenience, and risk
| Source | Price | Play Before Buying | Return Policy | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local music store | Higher (10–20% markup) | Yes | Usually 30 days | First guitar, trying multiple models, getting information |
| Online music retailer | Lower (10–20% discount) | No | Usually 30 days, some cover return shipping | Specific model you've researched, wide selection, lower budget |
| Used marketplace (Reverb, eBay) | Much lower (30–50% off) | No, but seller ratings help | Varies by seller, often 14 days | Budget-conscious buyers, vintage or rare models |
| General retailer (Amazon, Walmart) | Variable, often higher | No | Usually 30 days, local return option | Convenience, local return, beginner models only |
| Private seller (Craigslist, Facebook) | Lowest (negotiable) | Yes, in person | None | Budget buyers, local pickup, willingness to inspect carefully |
What to check before you buy, no matter where
Whether you're buying new or used, in a shop or online, check a few things. Look at the neck—sight down it from the headstock to see if it's straight or twisted. Play every fret on every string to listen for buzzing or dead spots. Check the tuning machines to make sure they turn smoothly. On an acoustic, tap the body to hear if it sounds hollow and resonant or dull. On an electric, test the pickups and the volume and tone knobs.
If you're buying online and the guitar arrives with problems, photograph everything and contact the retailer when ready. Most will replace it or refund you if you report damage within a few days. If you're buying used, do this inspection before you hand over money. If you're not confident judging a guitar yourself, take it to a shop and pay for a setup or inspection—it's worth $50 to avoid buying a lemon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it better to buy new or used?
New guitars come with a warranty and you know the full history, but cost more. Used guitars cost less but have no warranty and you're trusting the seller's description. For a first guitar, new from a music store or online retailer is safer because you can return it if it doesn't work out. Once you know what you want, used is fine if you inspect carefully or buy from a highly-rated seller.
Should I buy online or in a shop?
A shop is better if you're a beginner or unsure what you want, because you can play multiple guitars and get information. Online is better if you know exactly which model you want and you want a lower price. Many people do both—research and compare online, then buy from a shop to play first, or vice versa.
What if the guitar arrives damaged?
Contact the retailer when ready with photos. Most online retailers will replace it or refund you if you report damage within a few days of delivery. Keep the packaging and any packing materials until you're sure the guitar is fine. If you bought used, contact the seller, but they're under no obligation to help—this is why buying from a highly-rated seller or in person is safer.
Can I negotiate price at a music store?
Yes, especially if you're buying multiple items or if the guitar has been in stock a long time. Stores often match online prices or offer a small discount. It never hurts to ask. Private sellers almost always expect negotiation, especially if you're paying cash.
What's the difference between Reverb and eBay for used guitars?
Reverb is music-only, so sellers know guitars and descriptions are usually accurate. eBay has more listings but also more casual sellers who may not know the instrument. Reverb has buyer protection and standardized return policies. eBay's protection varies. For used guitars, Reverb is usually safer, but eBay can have better deals if you find a knowledgeable seller.