The fastest way to sell a guitar depends on how much time you have and what price you want

You can sell a guitar to a local music store, a pawn shop, a private buyer through an online marketplace, or a specialized guitar dealer. Each route has a different timeline and payout. Local stores buy guitars outright but usually offer 40 to 60 percent of what they could resell it for. Online marketplaces like eBay, Reverb, and Facebook Marketplace let you set your own price but require you to handle shipping and wait for a buyer. Pawn shops give you cash the same day but offer the lowest prices. Private sales to other musicians often bring the best price but take longer and carry more risk.

Before you choose a route, know your guitar's condition, model, and year — these determine price more than anything else. A guitar in good condition with all original parts will sell for significantly more than the same model with fret wear, dents, or repairs needed. Spend 15 minutes researching what similar guitars are selling for on Reverb or eBay before you list or walk into a store.

Key Takeaways

  • Music stores and guitar retailers buy used instruments but typically pay 40 to 60 percent of resale value, with payment on the spot.
  • Reverb and eBay reach the most guitar buyers and let you set your price, but you pay a selling fee (usually 4 to 13 percent) and handle shipping yourself.
  • Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist let you sell locally with no shipping, but you meet strangers and have no buyer protection if a dispute arises.
  • Pawn shops pay cash when ready but offer the lowest prices, usually 25 to 40 percent of resale value.
  • Condition, brand, and model determine your price more than anything else — a guitar with a cracked neck or dead electronics is worth 50 to 70 percent less than the same model in good condition.

Selling to a local music store or guitar shop

A music store will inspect your guitar, test it, and make an offer on the spot. The process takes 15 to 30 minutes. You walk out with cash or a store credit check the same day. The downside is the price: stores buy used guitars at roughly 40 to 60 percent of what they plan to resell them for, because they need margin to cover overhead, repairs, and the risk that it won't sell.

To get the best offer from a store, bring the guitar in clean condition, with all original parts and the case if you have it. Bring any documentation — the original receipt, proof of brand, or service records. Call ahead and ask if they buy used instruments; not all stores do, and some only buy certain brands. Bring the guitar tuned and ready to play, because the staff will test it before making an offer.

This route works best if you need cash quickly, don't want to deal with shipping, and own a common brand like Fender, Gibson, Ibanez, or Yamaha. Stores are less interested in rare or vintage guitars, because they are harder to resell. If you own something uncommon, a specialized dealer will likely pay more.

Selling on Reverb or eBay

Reverb and eBay are the two largest online marketplaces for guitars. Reverb specializes in musical instruments and has a buyer base of musicians looking for specific models. eBay is broader and reaches more casual buyers. Both let you set your own price, upload photos, and write a description. You keep most of the sale price after fees.

On Reverb, you pay a 4 percent seller fee plus payment processing fees (around 2.2 percent). On eBay, final value fees are typically 12.9 percent of the sale price. You also pay for shipping, which you can calculate before listing. Reverb offers free shipping labels for most guitar sales, which lowers your cost. Both platforms hold your money for a few days after the buyer receives the guitar, to make sure there are no disputes.

Listing takes time: you need clear photos of the front, back, headstock, and any damage or wear. Write an honest description of the condition, any repairs, and what comes with it. Price research matters — search for the same model and year on both sites to see what similar guitars are selling for, not what people are asking. A guitar priced 10 percent below comparable listings sells faster.

This route works best if you own a guitar that is in demand, you have good photos and can write a clear description, and you are willing to wait one to three weeks for payment. Reverb buyers tend to be more serious musicians, so they ask fewer questions about condition and are more likely to understand wear on vintage instruments.

Selling on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist

Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist let you sell locally without shipping. You list the guitar, buyers contact you, you meet in person, and you get cash. The whole process can happen in a day or two. You keep 100 percent of the sale price — no fees.

The tradeoff is safety and buyer protection. You are meeting a stranger with cash, which means you need to pick a public place, bring someone with you, and verify the money is real before handing over the guitar. There is no dispute resolution if the buyer claims the guitar is damaged after they leave. Facebook Marketplace offers some buyer protection through the platform, but Craigslist does not.

Price your guitar competitively — local buyers compare prices on Reverb and eBay, so if you ask significantly more, you will not get interest. Take clear photos and list the condition honestly. Mention any flaws, repairs, or missing parts. Respond quickly to messages; guitars sell fast on these platforms, and slow replies cost you sales.

Selling to a pawn shop

A pawn shop will buy your guitar for cash on the spot, usually within 10 minutes. You do not have to ship anything, list anything, or wait for a buyer. The downside is price: pawn shops typically pay 25 to 40 percent of resale value, because they buy anything and need to move inventory quickly.

Bring the guitar in playable condition, with the case if you have it. Pawn shops do not care about original boxes or documentation the way music stores do. They will test it to make sure it works and plays in tune. If the frets are worn, the neck is cracked, or the electronics are broken, the offer will be much lower or they will decline to buy it.

This route works only if you need cash when ready and do not care about getting market value. If you have time, you will make significantly more money selling elsewhere. A pawn shop is a last resort, not a first choice.

Selling to a specialized guitar dealer or collector

Some dealers specialize in vintage, rare, or high-end guitars. If you own a guitar from the 1950s or 1960s, a limited-edition model, or a guitar by a boutique builder, a specialist dealer may pay more than a general music store. They have buyers for niche guitars and understand their value.

Find specialists by searching for your guitar's brand and year plus "dealer" or "buyer." Call or email with photos and the serial number. Many will ask you to ship the guitar for inspection before making an offer, which means you pay for shipping upfront and may not get it back if you reject the offer. Ask about their return policy before you ship.

This route takes longer — often two to four weeks — but can bring the best price for guitars that are not common. It works best if you own something genuinely rare or valuable, or if a general music store has already told you they are not interested.

How to price your guitar before you sell

The price you can get depends on the brand, model, year, condition, and current demand. A 2015 Fender Stratocaster in good condition will sell for more than a 2015 Squier Stratocaster, even though they look similar. A guitar with a cracked neck or dead electronics is worth 50 to 70 percent less than the same model in good condition.

Search for your exact model and year on Reverb, eBay, and Sweetwater to see what similar guitars are selling for. Look at completed sales, not just listings — a guitar listed for $800 that did not sell is not a price guide. On Reverb, you can filter by condition and see what buyers actually paid. On eBay, search for your model, click "Sold" listings, and note the price range. Check the condition of each comparison guitar and adjust your price up or down based on how yours compares.

Condition matters more than anything else. A guitar with light scratches and fret wear is "good." One with heavy fret wear, dents, or a refinished body is "fair." One with a cracked neck or non-working electronics is "poor." Be honest about condition in your listing — buyers will ask, and lying costs you the sale or a return.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I sell my guitar with the case or without it?

Sell it with the case if you have the original or a quality hard case. A guitar with a case sells faster and for 10 to 20 percent more money, because buyers do not have to buy one separately. A cheap gig bag adds almost no value. If the case is damaged or missing the latches, mention that in your listing.

What if my guitar has a crack or needs repair?

List it honestly and price it accordingly. A guitar with a small crack in the body that does not affect sound is worth 20 to 40 percent less than the same model in good condition. One with a cracked neck is worth 50 to 70 percent less, because neck repair is expensive. Music stores may decline to buy it. Online buyers and specialists are more likely to take it if the price reflects the damage.

How long does it take to sell a guitar on Reverb or eBay?

Most guitars sell within one to two weeks if priced fairly and photographed well. High-demand models like Fender Stratocasters sell faster. Rare or niche guitars may take three to six weeks. Price is the biggest factor — a guitar priced 10 percent below market sells in days, while one priced 10 percent above may not sell at all.

Can I sell a guitar without knowing the exact model or year?

You can, but it will sell for less and take longer. Buyers want to know what they are buying. Look at the headstock for the brand name, check the body for a model name or number, and search online for guitars that match yours. If you cannot find the model, describe what you see — the body shape, color, pickup type, and any markings. Honest description matters more than a perfect model name.

Is it worth selling a cheap guitar online?

A guitar worth $100 to $200 may not be worth the time and shipping cost on Reverb or eBay. Shipping a guitar costs $15 to $30, and fees take another $15 to $25. A local sale on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist makes more sense. A pawn shop or music store will buy it, though the price will be low. If the guitar is in good condition and in demand, online is still worth trying.