The Main Places to Buy a Guitar
You can buy a guitar from a music store, a general retailer, an online seller, or a private person selling used. Each route has different prices, return policies, and chances to play before you buy. A music store lets you hold and play the instrument; online sellers often have lower prices but you cannot test it first; used marketplaces and private sales give you the lowest prices but require you to know what you are looking at.
The choice depends on whether you want new or used, how much you want to spend, and whether you need to hear the guitar before committing. A beginner often benefits from a music store visit because staff can help you find something in your budget and show you how to hold it. Someone replacing a stolen guitar or upgrading from a starter model might prefer online shopping for speed and selection.
Key Takeaways
- Music stores let you play before you buy and offer staff information, but typically charge more than online retailers for the same model.
- Online retailers like Sweetwater, Thomann, and Amazon have wider selection and lower prices, but you cannot test the sound or feel before it arrives.
- Used guitars from Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, Reverb, and local pawn shops cost 30 to 50 percent less than new but require you to inspect the instrument and negotiate price.
- Rental programs through music stores or online services let you try a guitar for weeks or months before deciding to buy, with rental fees sometimes applied toward purchase.
- Big-box retailers like Walmart and Target carry budget guitars but offer no staff guidance and limited return windows.
Music Stores: Playing Before You Buy
A local music store is the only place where you can pick up a guitar, play it, and hear how it sounds in person. Staff can show you how to hold it, adjust the strap, and point out differences between models in your price range. They can also tell you which guitars need setup work (adjusting the neck, bridge, or strings) before they play well, and many stores do this work for free or at a low cost.
Music stores typically charge 10 to 20 percent more than online retailers for the same model, but that difference often covers the staff time and the ability to return or exchange the guitar if something is wrong. Most stores offer a 30-day return window and will let you bring the guitar back if the action (string height) is too high, the neck is warped, or you straightforward changed your mind. Ask about their return policy before you buy, and ask whether setup is included in the price.
To find a music store near you, search "guitar shop near me" or check Google Maps for "musical instrument stores." Call ahead to confirm they have guitars in stock and in your price range, because small stores may not carry every brand or size.
Online Retailers: Wider Selection and Lower Prices
Sweetwater, Thomann, Musician's Friend, and Amazon are the largest online guitar sellers in North America. They stock hundreds of models, often at 5 to 15 percent below music store prices, and ship within a few days. Sweetwater and Thomann both offer free returns within 30 days if the guitar arrives damaged or does not meet your expectations, and both have phone support if you have questions before you order.
The main drawback is that you cannot play the guitar before it arrives. You are relying on the product photos, the description, and customer reviews to decide. For a beginner buying a first guitar under $300, this is usually safe—most budget guitars from known brands like Yamaha, Fender, and Ibanez play similarly whether you buy them in a store or online. For a guitar over $500, or if you have a specific sound in mind, a music store visit is worth the extra cost.
Check the return shipping cost before you order. Some retailers pay for returns; others charge you. Sweetwater and Thomann cover return shipping, but smaller online sellers may not.
Used Guitars: Lower Cost and Character
Reverb.com is the largest online marketplace for used guitars. You can filter by brand, price, condition, and location, and most sellers ship within a week. Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist connect you with local sellers, so you can inspect the guitar in person and avoid shipping costs. eBay also has used guitars, though you have less recourse if the guitar arrives damaged.
Used guitars cost 30 to 50 percent less than new, and older instruments often have character and tone that newer ones do not. The trade-off is that you need to know what to look for: cracks in the wood, frets worn flat, a neck that bows or twists, and electronics that do not work (on electric guitars). If you are a beginner, bring someone with guitar experience to inspect it, or ask the seller detailed questions about the condition and request photos of the headstock, neck, and frets.
When you buy used locally, meet in a public place, bring cash, and test the guitar thoroughly before handing over money. Ask the seller why they are selling, how long they owned it, and whether it has been repaired or modified. On Reverb, read the seller's feedback score and return policy—most used sellers offer 14-day returns, but some do not.
Pawn Shops and Thrift Stores
Pawn shops and thrift stores like Goodwill sometimes stock used guitars at low prices, often $50 to $200. The inventory changes constantly, and you may find a bargain or a guitar that needs expensive repairs. Visit regularly if there is a shop near you, or call ahead to ask whether they have guitars in stock.
Inspect any guitar from a pawn shop carefully. These shops do not always know the condition of the instruments they sell, and return policies are usually strict—often 24 to 48 hours. If you find a guitar you like, ask whether you can take it to a music store for a quick inspection before you buy, or ask the shop whether they will let you return it if a repair shop finds a major problem.
Rental Programs: Try Before You Commit
Music stores and online retailers like Rent-A-Center and Aaron's offer guitar rentals starting at $20 to $50 per month. You can rent for as long as you want, and many programs let you explore the rental fees toward a purchase if you decide to buy. This is useful if you are unsure whether you will stick with guitar, or if you want to try a specific model before spending $400 or more.
Rental terms vary widely. Some stores require a deposit, some charge a setup fee, and some have a minimum rental period. Ask whether the rental includes a case, a strap, and a cable (for electric guitars), and whether you can switch to a different model if you want to try something else. Read the damage policy—most rentals charge you for repairs if you drop the guitar or damage the frets.
Budget Guitars from Big-Box Retailers
Walmart and Target sell beginner guitars for $60 to $150 under brands like First Act and Fender Squier. These guitars are cheap and available when ready, but staff cannot help you choose or set up the instrument. Return windows are often 14 to 30 days, and you cannot return a guitar if you straightforward changed your mind—only if it is defective.
A budget guitar from a big-box store is fine if you want to try guitar for a week and do not mind if it does not play well. If you plan to practice regularly, spend the extra $100 to $150 on a guitar from a music store or online retailer, where you get better sound, easier playability, and a longer return window.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy new or used?
Buy new if you are a beginner and want a warranty and return protection. Buy used if you know what to look for, want to save money, or are upgrading from a starter guitar. A used guitar from a reputable seller on Reverb is safer than a used guitar from a pawn shop, because Reverb sellers have ratings and return policies.
What is the difference between a music store and an online retailer?
A music store lets you play the guitar and get staff information, but charges more. An online retailer has lower prices and wider selection, but you cannot test the guitar before it arrives. For a beginner, a music store visit is worth the cost; for an experienced player buying a specific model, online is usually faster and cheaper.
Can I return a guitar if I change my mind?
Music stores typically allow returns within 30 days. Online retailers like Sweetwater and Thomann allow 30-day returns with free return shipping. Used sellers on Reverb usually allow 14-day returns. Big-box retailers like Walmart allow returns only if the guitar is defective, not if you straightforward changed your mind.
How much should I spend on my first guitar?
A beginner can start with a guitar between $150 and $300. Guitars under $100 often have poor playability and sound, which can discourage practice. Guitars over $500 offer better tone and durability, but a beginner does not need that investment yet. Rent first if you are unsure whether you will stick with it.
What should I look for when buying a used guitar?
Check the neck for cracks or warping by sighting down it from the headstock. Look at the frets for flat spots or wear. Test all the tuning pegs, the bridge, and the strap buttons to make sure they are find. On electric guitars, plug it in and test every knob and switch. Ask the seller for photos of any damage and a history of repairs.