The fastest route depends on how much you want and how soon you need it

You can sell a guitar to a local music store, a pawn shop, or a private buyer through an online marketplace. Local stores usually pay less but handle the transaction in one visit. Online marketplaces reach more buyers and often bring higher prices, but you wait longer and handle shipping. Pawn shops pay the least but are fastest if you need cash today. The choice comes down to whether you prioritize speed, price, or convenience.

Before you contact anyone, clean the guitar, gather any original case or accessories, and know the brand, model, and condition so you can price it accurately. This preparation takes an hour and makes the difference between a quick sale and a listing that sits for weeks.

Key Takeaways

  • Local music stores typically pay 40 to 60 percent of the guitar's resale value and complete the sale in one visit.
  • Online platforms like Reverb, eBay, and Facebook Marketplace reach more buyers and often yield higher prices, but require you to handle shipping and wait for payment.
  • Pawn shops offer the lowest prices but give you cash when ready, making them useful only if you need money the same day.
  • Private local sales through Craigslist or Marketplace avoid shipping but require you to meet strangers and verify the buyer has cash.
  • Before selling anywhere, search Reverb's sold listings for your guitar's brand and model to see what similar guitars actually sold for recently.

Selling to a local music store

A music store will inspect your guitar, make an offer on the spot, and pay you the same day. Most stores pay between 40 and 60 percent of what they could resell it for, which means they're buying at a discount so they can profit when they sell it again. The exact percentage depends on the guitar's condition, how common the model is, and whether the store has other copies in stock already.

Call or visit the store first to ask if they buy used guitars and what condition they need. Some stores only take high-end instruments or specific brands. Bring the guitar clean, with any case, cables, or original documentation you have. The store will check the neck for warping, test the electronics if it's electric, and look for cracks or damage. Expect the inspection to take 15 to 30 minutes. If you disagree with their offer, you can walk out and try another store, but most stores in the same area pay similarly.

Selling on Reverb or eBay

Reverb is a marketplace built specifically for musical instruments and gear. You create a listing with photos, describe the condition honestly, set your price, and wait for a buyer. Reverb takes a 3.5 percent commission on the sale price plus a small payment processing fee. Buyers are usually musicians who know what they're looking at, so you can often get closer to fair market value than a store would pay.

eBay reaches a broader audience but includes more casual buyers and collectors. eBay takes about 12.9 percent in fees (final value fee plus payment processing), which is higher than Reverb. Both platforms handle payment through their systems, so you don't exchange cash with a stranger. You are responsible for packing and shipping the guitar safely, which costs $15 to $50 depending on the guitar's weight and how far it travels. The buyer can open a dispute if the guitar arrives damaged, so pack carefully and take photos of the packed box before you ship it.

Listings typically sell within a few days to a few weeks, depending on the guitar's price and condition. During that time, you may field questions from buyers asking about specific details or negotiating the price. Reverb tends to move guitars faster than eBay because the audience is more specialized, but eBay sometimes brings higher final prices from competitive bidding.

Selling locally through Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist

Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist let you post a photo and description, and local buyers contact you directly. You set the price and negotiate if you want to. The advantage is no shipping cost and no fees — you keep all the money. The disadvantage is that you meet the buyer in person, handle the transaction yourself, and need to verify they have cash before you hand over the guitar.

Post clear photos of the front, back, headstock, and any damage. Write an honest description of the condition and include the brand, model, and year if you know it. Price it slightly higher than you'd accept, because most local buyers will negotiate. Respond to messages quickly and be willing to meet in a public place during daylight — a coffee shop, parking lot, or music store parking lot works well. Bring the guitar in a case or gig bag so the buyer can inspect it safely. Count the cash before you hand over the guitar, and consider asking the buyer to test it briefly so they can't claim later that it didn't work.

Selling to a pawn shop

A pawn shop will buy your guitar the same day and give you cash when ready. They pay the least of any option — typically 25 to 40 percent of resale value — because they buy a wide range of items and need to move inventory quickly. Use a pawn shop only if you need cash today and have no other option.

Bring the guitar clean and in working condition. The pawn shop will inspect it briefly and make an offer. You can accept or walk out, but don't expect negotiation. The transaction takes 10 to 20 minutes. Some pawn shops will also take the guitar on consignment, meaning they sell it for you and take a percentage of the sale price, but this is less common and takes longer than an outright purchase.

How to price your guitar before you sell

Search for your guitar's brand and model on Reverb's sold listings to see what similar guitars actually sold for recently. Reverb shows the condition of each guitar sold and the final price, which gives you a realistic range. Adjust for your guitar's condition: if yours has visible scratches or a crack, price it lower. If it's in excellent condition with the original case, price it higher.

Check eBay's completed listings for the same model to see another data point. Local stores' websites sometimes list used guitars, which shows you what stores in your area are asking. Remember that store prices are higher than what they'll pay you — they're selling, not buying. A guitar listed at $800 in a store might only fetch $400 to $500 when you sell it to that same store.

Be honest about condition. A guitar with a repaired crack, a replaced tuning peg, or a refinished body is not in excellent condition, and buyers will notice. Pricing it accurately means it sells faster and you avoid disputes or returns.

Preparing your guitar for sale

Clean the body, neck, and fretboard with a soft cloth. If it's electric, clean the pickups and electronics gently. Wipe down the tuning pegs and bridge. A clean guitar looks cared for and sells faster. You don't need to refinish it or make repairs — buyers expect used guitars to show wear, and a cheap repair job can actually lower the value.

Gather anything that came with it: the original case, a gig bag, cables, the original box, or paperwork. These items increase the sale price. If you have the original receipt or documentation of any repairs, include photos of those too. Take clear photos in natural light showing the front, back, headstock, and any visible damage or wear. If it's electric, photograph the electronics and any switches or knobs. Good photos are the difference between a listing that gets views and one that doesn't.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should I expect to get for my guitar?

A music store typically pays 40 to 60 percent of the guitar's resale value. Online marketplaces and private sales often bring 60 to 80 percent. A pawn shop pays 25 to 40 percent. The exact amount depends on the brand, model, age, and condition. Search Reverb's sold listings for your specific model to see the actual price range.

Is it safer to sell online or in person?

Online platforms like Reverb and eBay handle payment, so you don't exchange cash with a stranger. Local sales require you to meet the buyer in person. Meet in a public place during daylight, bring someone with you if possible, and count the cash before handing over the guitar. Never agree to ship first and receive payment later when selling privately.

What if my guitar has damage or doesn't work?

A guitar with a crack, a broken tuning peg, or electronics that don't work will sell for less, but it will still sell. Price it honestly based on the damage. Buyers on Reverb and eBay expect detailed descriptions and photos of any damage. A music store will factor the damage into their offer. Don't attempt a cheap repair — it usually lowers the value more than it raises it.

Do I need to ship the guitar if I sell it online?

Yes, if you sell on Reverb or eBay, you handle shipping. If you sell locally through Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, you meet the buyer in person and avoid shipping. Shipping a guitar costs $15 to $50 depending on weight and distance, and you pay for it out of your sale price.

Can I return a guitar after I sell it?

Return policies depend on where you sell. Music stores usually don't accept returns on used guitars. Reverb and eBay allow buyers to open disputes if the guitar arrives damaged or doesn't match the description, but once you've sold it, you can't take it back. Private sales have no return option unless you and the buyer agree to one beforehand.