The fastest way to sell a guitar depends on how much you need for it and how quickly you need the money
You have four main routes: sell it yourself online (Facebook Marketplace, Reverb, Craigslist), take it to a local music store that buys used instruments, sell it to a pawn shop, or list it on eBay. Each one trades off speed, price, and the work you have to do. A music store will give you the least money but take it off your hands in an hour. Reverb takes longer but usually gets you more. Pawn shops are fastest for cash but pay the lowest price. The choice depends on whether you need money today or whether you can wait two weeks for a better offer.
Key Takeaways
- Music stores that buy used guitars typically pay 30 to 50 percent of what the guitar would sell for retail, but the transaction takes an hour and you walk out with cash.
- Reverb and Facebook Marketplace let you set your own price and usually bring in more money than a store, but you handle shipping and buyer contact yourself.
- Pawn shops give you cash when ready but pay the lowest price of any option, usually 20 to 40 percent of retail value.
- Before you list anywhere, clean the guitar, take clear photos of the body and headstock, and know the brand, model, and year so you can price it accurately.
- Local pickup sales (Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist) avoid shipping costs and risk, but require you to meet strangers and handle payment safely.
Selling through a local music store
A music store that buys used instruments is the simplest option if you want the transaction done today. Walk in with the guitar, they inspect it, they make an offer, and you leave with cash or a store credit. The whole process usually takes 30 minutes to an hour. Stores that do this include chains like Guitar Center and Sam Ash, plus independent shops in most towns.
The trade-off is price. A store needs to resell the guitar and make a profit, so they will offer you roughly 30 to 50 percent of what they would charge a customer for the same model in the same condition. A guitar worth $400 retail might bring you $120 to $200 from a store. If you need the money when ready or do not want to handle shipping and buyer communication, this is worth the discount. If you have time and want more money, the online routes below will usually pay better.
Before you go, clean the guitar, check that it plays and sounds right, and bring any original case, cables, or accessories. Stores will ask about the condition and whether it has been repaired. Be honest—they will spot damage or repairs you hide, and it will lower the offer anyway.
Selling on Reverb or eBay
Reverb is a marketplace built specifically for musical instruments and gear. You create a listing with photos, description, and price, and Reverb handles payment and buyer protection. Reverb takes a 3.5 percent commission on the sale price plus a small payment processing fee. Shipping is your responsibility, and you pack and drop off the guitar at a carrier (USPS, UPS, or FedEx). The listing stays live until someone buys it, which can take anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks depending on the guitar's price and condition.
Reverb listings typically bring in more money than a music store because you are selling directly to another player, not to a middleman. A $400 guitar might sell for $300 to $350 on Reverb after fees and shipping. The downside is that you have to photograph it well, write an honest description, pack it safely, and wait for a buyer. Reverb also holds your payment for a few days after the buyer receives the guitar, to make sure there are no disputes.
eBay works similarly but reaches a broader audience beyond musicians. eBay takes a larger cut (about 12.9 percent of the final price), and you pay for shipping separately. eBay auctions can drive up the price if multiple buyers bid, but they also introduce uncertainty—you do not know what the guitar will sell for until the auction ends. Fixed-price listings on eBay work like Reverb listings but with higher fees.
Selling on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist
Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist let you list the guitar for free and set your own price. You handle all communication with buyers directly—no middleman, no fees, and no shipping if the buyer picks it up locally. This is the fastest way to get the most money if you live in an area with active buyers.
The risk is that you are meeting a stranger to exchange cash for a guitar. To stay safe, meet in a public place (a coffee shop, a music store parking lot, a police station lobby), bring someone with you, and do not accept checks or payment apps you cannot verify when ready. Count the cash before handing over the guitar. If the buyer wants to ship it, you become responsible for packing it safely and dealing with any damage claims—Craigslist and Marketplace offer no buyer protection, so if a guitar arrives broken and the buyer claims you shipped it that way, you have no recourse.
Price the guitar competitively by searching for the same model and year on both platforms and seeing what others are asking. Start slightly higher than you are willing to accept, because buyers will often negotiate. Be honest about condition, damage, and repairs in your listing—photos from multiple angles help buyers trust you and reduce the chance they will back out after seeing it in person.
Selling to a pawn shop
A pawn shop will buy your guitar for cash on the spot, usually within 15 minutes. This is the fastest option if you need money today and do not have time to list it online or drive to a music store. The downside is that pawn shops pay the lowest price of any option—typically 20 to 40 percent of what the guitar is worth. A $400 guitar might bring you $80 to $160.
Pawn shops buy guitars because they can resell them quickly, but they assume risk if the guitar does not sell or sits on the shelf. They also do not specialize in instruments the way a music store does, so they may not know the true value of a rare or vintage model. If you have an unusual guitar, a music store or Reverb will likely value it more accurately.
Preparing your guitar for sale
Before you list or take your guitar anywhere, spend 30 minutes getting it ready. Clean the body, neck, and fretboard with a soft cloth. Wipe down the strings. Check that all tuning pegs turn smoothly, that the neck is straight, and that the guitar plays in tune. If it needs new strings, put them on—buyers expect a playable guitar, and new strings cost $10 to $20 but can add $50 or more to the selling price.
Take clear photos in natural light showing the front and back of the body, the headstock, the fretboard, and any damage or wear. If there are dings, scratches, or repairs, photograph them clearly so buyers know what they are getting. Write a description that includes the brand, model, year (if you know it), wood type, and any upgrades or repairs. Be honest about condition—say "excellent," "very good," "good," or "fair" and explain what that means. A guitar with a small ding is not "fair condition," but a guitar with a cracked headstock is.
Know what your guitar is worth before you price it. Search for the same model on Reverb, eBay, and Marketplace to see what similar guitars are selling for. Condition matters hugely—a mint 1990s Fender Stratocaster is worth far more than one with a cracked finish and fret wear. If you are not sure of the value, take it to a music store and ask what they would pay; that gives you a floor price.
Comparing the four options side by side
| Option | Time to sell | Price you get | Work required | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Music store | 1 hour | 30–50% of retail | Minimal | Quick cash, no hassle |
| Reverb | 1–4 weeks | 60–80% of retail | Photos, description, shipping | Maximum price, musician buyers |
| Facebook Marketplace / Craigslist | 1–7 days | 60–85% of retail | Photos, description, local meetup | No fees, local pickup |
| Pawn shop | 15 minutes | 20–40% of retail | Minimal | when ready cash, no other options |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know what price to ask?
Search for your guitar's brand, model, and year on Reverb, eBay, and Facebook Marketplace to see what similar guitars in similar condition are listed for. Look at what they actually sold for, not just what people are asking—Reverb shows completed sales. Adjust for condition: if yours has more wear, price it lower; if it is in better shape, price it higher. Start 10 to 15 percent higher than you are willing to accept if you are listing locally, because buyers will negotiate.
Should I ship the guitar or insist on local pickup?
Local pickup is safer and faster for you—no packing, no shipping cost, no risk of damage in transit. If you list on Reverb or eBay, shipping is expected and you should factor the cost into your price. Use a sturdy guitar case or a padded shipping box, and insure the package. USPS Priority Mail and UPS Ground both offer guitar shipping, but expect to pay $30 to $60 depending on distance.
What if the guitar has damage or needs repair?
Be honest about it in your listing or tell the store when you bring it in. A cracked headstock, a warped neck, or electrical problems will lower the price significantly. A music store will factor repair cost into their offer. On Reverb or Marketplace, some buyers will buy a damaged guitar knowing they will fix it themselves, but you will get less money. A pawn shop will also pay less for damage but may still buy it.
Can I sell a guitar I do not have the original case for?
Yes. A guitar without a case is worth less than one with a case, but it is still sellable. A music store will still buy it. On Reverb or Marketplace, mention in the listing that there is no case and price it accordingly. If you have a gig bag or any case that fits, include it—even a cheap case adds value and makes the guitar easier for the buyer to transport.
What payment method should I use for a local sale?
Cash is safest for both you and the buyer. If the buyer wants to pay by Venmo, PayPal, or another app, wait until the payment clears before handing over the guitar—do not rely on a notification that says "payment sent." If you use a payment app, use the "goods and services" option so there is a record of the transaction. Never accept a check for a local sale.