The fastest way to sell a guitar locally is through a music store that buys used instruments, a pawn shop, or an online marketplace with local pickup
Music stores that buy used gear are your quickest option if you want cash the same day. Call ahead to ask if they purchase guitars and what condition yours needs to be in — most want playable instruments with no major cracks or damage. They will offer less than you might get elsewhere because they resell at a markup, but the transaction takes 15 to 30 minutes.
Pawn shops also buy guitars and pay when ready, though their offers tend to be lower than music stores. They care less about condition and more about whether the guitar has resale value at all. Bring your guitar in its case if you have one, and bring any paperwork showing you own it.
Online marketplaces with local pickup — Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and Offerup — let you set your own price and often reach more buyers than a single store. These sales take longer to arrange but usually bring higher prices because you are selling directly to the player, not a middleman.
Key Takeaways
- Music stores that buy used instruments offer same-day payment but pay 30 to 50 percent less than you might get from a private buyer.
- Pawn shops buy guitars with minimal paperwork and pay cash on the spot, though their offers are typically the lowest of all options.
- Online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist let you set the price and reach more potential buyers, but the sale takes longer to arrange.
- Before you sell, clean the guitar, check that it plays, and gather any original case, cables, or documentation you have.
- Bring a photo of the serial number when visiting a store or pawn shop, and meet online buyers in a public place during daylight.
Music stores that buy used guitars
Independent music shops and larger chains like Guitar Center and Sam Ash both buy used guitars. Call the location nearest you and ask whether they are currently buying, what condition they require, and whether they need you to make an appointment. Some stores have a dedicated used section and buy regularly; others buy only occasionally.
Bring the guitar in its case if possible, along with any original accessories — a strap, cables, or the original case make the guitar worth more. The store will inspect it for playability, cracks, fret wear, and electronics. Expect to receive 30 to 50 percent of what a similar guitar costs new. The entire process usually takes 20 to 45 minutes, and you walk out with cash or a store credit option.
Larger chains like Guitar Center have multiple locations, so if one store is not interested, another nearby might be. Their used inventory turns over quickly, which means they are more likely to be buying at any given moment than a small independent shop.
Pawn shops and consignment stores
Pawn shops buy guitars with no questions about where they came from, and they pay cash when ready. They do not care as much about condition or playability — they buy based on resale value alone. Bring your guitar, a photo ID, and proof of ownership if you have it (a receipt, registration, or photo showing the serial number).
The offer will be lower than a music store because pawn shops assume higher risk and slower resale. However, if you need cash the same day and your guitar is in rough condition, a pawn shop may be your only option. The negotiation is straightforward: they make an offer, you accept or decline, and the transaction is done in under 10 minutes.
Consignment stores are different — they sell your guitar on your behalf and take a cut (usually 20 to 40 percent) when it sells. You do not get paid until someone buys it, which can take weeks or months. This route brings a higher final price but requires patience and works only if the store thinks the guitar will sell.
Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist
Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist let you post a photo, description, and price, then wait for buyers to contact you. You set the asking price based on what similar guitars are selling for in your area. Take clear photos of the front, back, headstock, and any damage or wear. Write an honest description: the brand, model, year if you know it, condition, and what is included (case, strap, cables).
Expect to field messages from people who lowball, ghost you, or ask if you will ship. Respond only to serious local buyers and arrange to meet in a public place — a coffee shop, parking lot, or music store — during daylight hours. Bring the guitar, let the buyer play it, and accept cash only. The entire process from posting to sale usually takes one to three weeks.
Prices on these platforms are typically 10 to 30 percent higher than what a store offers because you are cutting out the middleman. However, you do the work of photographing, describing, communicating, and meeting buyers. Some sellers find this worth the extra money; others prefer the speed and simplicity of selling to a store.
Reverb.com and other online marketplaces
Reverb.com is an online marketplace for musical instruments where you can list a guitar for sale to buyers nationwide. You create a seller account, post photos and a description, set your price, and Reverb handles payment processing. When someone buys, you pack and ship the guitar, and Reverb takes a 3.5 percent commission plus payment processing fees.
This route reaches far more potential buyers than local options, which often means a higher sale price. However, you are responsible for packing safely, paying shipping costs, and dealing with returns if the buyer claims the guitar arrived damaged. Shipping a guitar costs $30 to $80 depending on distance and weight, and you absorb that cost or raise your asking price to cover it.
Reverb is best if you have time to wait one to four weeks for a sale and are comfortable shipping. If you need cash quickly or want to avoid the hassle of packing and shipping, a local option is faster.
How to prepare your guitar for sale
Before you contact any buyer, clean the guitar thoroughly. Wipe down the body, neck, and fretboard with a soft cloth. If the fretboard is very dry, use a tiny amount of lemon oil on a cloth, but do not oversaturate. Clean the strings with a cloth to remove dirt and oxidation. A clean guitar looks better in photos and makes a better impression in person.
Check that the guitar plays. Plug it in if it is electric, tune it, and play a few chords to confirm the electronics work and the action (string height) is reasonable. If the truss rod needs adjustment or a string is broken, fix it before you sell — a playable guitar is worth significantly more than a broken one, and the repair usually costs less than the price difference.
Gather any original accessories: the case, a strap, cables, a tuner, or the original box. These add value and make the guitar more attractive to buyers. If you have the original receipt or any documentation, bring it along — it proves authenticity and can increase the price.
What affects the price you will receive
The condition of the guitar is the biggest factor. A guitar with no cracks, minimal fret wear, and working electronics will bring 50 to 70 percent of its original retail price from a private buyer, or 30 to 50 percent from a store. A guitar with visible damage, dead electronics, or high fret wear might bring 20 to 40 percent from a private buyer or be rejected by a store entirely.
The brand and model matter too. A Fender Stratocaster or Gibson Les Paul will sell faster and for more money than an unknown brand, even in the same condition. Vintage guitars (more than 20 years old) from respected makers often appreciate and can bring more than their original price.
The market also shifts. Acoustic guitars and vintage electrics are in steady demand, while certain modern models flood the used market and bring lower prices. Check what similar guitars are listed for in your area before you set a price — this gives you a realistic baseline.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I ask for my guitar?
Search for your guitar's brand and model on Reverb, Facebook Marketplace, and Craigslist to see what similar guitars in similar condition are listed for. Subtract 10 to 15 percent from the highest asking price you see — that is a realistic starting point. If you do not get interest in two weeks, lower the price by 5 to 10 percent.
Do I need to bring anything besides the guitar to a music store?
Bring a photo ID and the original case if you have one. If you have a receipt or any proof of ownership, bring that too — it is not required, but it speeds up the process. The store will inspect the guitar itself and make an offer based on what they see.
Is it safe to sell a guitar on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace?
Meet only in public places during daylight, and bring someone with you if possible. Let a friend know where you are going and when you expect to be back. Accept cash only, count it before the buyer leaves, and do not agree to ship or hold the guitar. Trust your instincts — if a buyer seems off, decline the sale.
What if my guitar has a crack or broken electronics?
A pawn shop will still buy it, though the offer will be very low. A music store may decline. Your best option is to list it on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace at a reduced price and be honest about the damage in the description — some buyers are looking for a project guitar and will accept damage if the price reflects it.
How long does it take to sell a guitar locally?
Selling to a music store or pawn shop takes one day. Selling on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist typically takes one to three weeks. Consignment takes one to three months. Reverb takes one to four weeks. The faster the sale, the lower the price you usually receive.