Guitar Center will buy used guitars, but only certain models and conditions

Guitar Center runs a trade-in program called Guitar Center Trade-In that lets you sell them used guitars in exchange for store credit or cash. They do not buy every guitar that walks through the door. The store evaluates each instrument based on brand, model, condition, and current demand. Popular brands like Fender, Gibson, Ibanez, and PRS are more likely to be accepted than obscure or damaged instruments.

The process starts with a store employee inspecting your guitar. They check for cracks in the body or neck, fret wear, tuning stability, electronics function, and cosmetic damage. A guitar with a cracked neck or dead pickups will be declined. A guitar with minor scratches and worn frets might still be accepted, but at a lower price.

You do not need to call ahead or make an appointment. Walk into any Guitar Center location with your guitar, ask for the trade-in counter, and wait for an evaluation. The whole process usually takes 15 to 30 minutes.

Key Takeaways

  • Guitar Center accepts trade-ins at any store location, but only guitars in playable condition with recognizable brand names.
  • You receive either store credit (which is worth more) or cash (which is worth less), and you choose which at the time of trade.
  • The store's offer is typically 30 to 50 percent of what you would pay for that model used elsewhere, because they need margin to resell it.
  • If Guitar Center declines your guitar, you still have options: local music shops, online marketplaces like Reverb and eBay, or consignment stores.
  • Bring your guitar in its case or gig bag, and bring any original documentation or accessories that came with it.

What Guitar Center will and will not accept

Guitar Center accepts acoustic guitars, electric guitars, bass guitars, and some specialty instruments like semi-hollow bodies and travel guitars. They will not accept guitars with structural damage: cracks in the body, broken headstocks, separated frets, or necks that no longer hold a straight line. They also decline guitars with missing hardware, non-functional electronics, or severe rust on metal parts.

Cosmetic damage alone does not disqualify a guitar. Scratches, dents, faded finish, and worn frets are normal on used instruments and do not prevent a trade-in. The store is buying a playable guitar, not a showroom piece. However, heavy cosmetic damage (large gouges, deep cracks that do not go through the wood, water damage that has dried) will lower the offer.

Brand matters. Fender, Gibson, Ibanez, Epiphone, Schecter, PRS, Yamaha, and Squier guitars move quickly because the store knows it can resell them. Obscure brands, no-name guitars, or instruments from defunct manufacturers are harder to move and may be declined even if they are in good condition.

How much Guitar Center will offer

Guitar Center's offer is typically 30 to 50 percent of the used market price for that model. If a guitar sells for $400 used on Reverb or eBay, expect an offer between $120 and $200. The exact percentage depends on how quickly the store thinks it can resell the guitar. A popular Fender Stratocaster in good condition might fetch 50 percent. A less common model or one with visible wear might fetch 30 percent.

Store credit is worth more than cash. If you accept store credit, you get the full offer amount to spend on anything in the store. If you ask for cash, Guitar Center typically reduces the offer by 10 to 20 percent. A guitar that would bring $200 in store credit might bring only $160 to $180 in cash. This is standard retail practice: the store wants you to spend the money there, not walk out with cash.

You do not negotiate the offer. The employee makes an assessment, quotes a price, and you accept or decline. If you decline, you leave with your guitar. There is no haggling or second opinion available at the store level.

Store credit versus cash: which should you choose

Take store credit if you plan to buy something from Guitar Center soon — strings, cables, a new guitar, an amplifier, or accessories. The credit is worth its full face value and does not expire. You can use it months or years later if you want.

Take cash if you need the money for something other than music gear, or if you do not shop at Guitar Center often. Yes, the cash offer will be lower, but you get money in hand instead of store credit you may never use. If you are short on cash and the guitar is worth $200 in credit but only $160 in cash, the $160 is still real money you can use anywhere.

One strategy: ask for the store credit offer first, then ask what the cash offer would be. Knowing both numbers lets you decide whether the difference is worth staying in the Guitar Center ecosystem.

Alternatives if Guitar Center declines your guitar

Local music shops often buy used guitars and may accept instruments Guitar Center turns down. They have smaller inventory needs and sometimes specialize in niche brands or vintage models. Call ahead and ask if they buy used guitars, and what condition they require. Offers are usually similar to Guitar Center's, but some shops will negotiate.

Reverb.com is an online marketplace for musical instruments where you list your guitar and sell it directly to buyers. You set the price, pay a listing fee (around 3 to 4 percent of the sale price), and handle shipping. Reverb typically yields more money than a trade-in because you are selling directly to a buyer rather than to a retailer. The tradeoff is that you wait for a buyer, handle photos and descriptions, and ship the guitar yourself.

eBay works similarly to Reverb but reaches a broader audience. Fees are higher (around 12 to 15 percent total), and you need to write a detailed listing and manage buyer communication. Guitars sell on eBay, but the process is slower and more hands-on than a walk-in trade-in.

Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist let you sell locally without shipping. You meet the buyer in person, get paid in cash, and avoid shipping costs and fees. The downside is that you handle all communication, negotiate price, and meet strangers. Scams and lowball offers are common on these platforms.

Consignment shops take your guitar on consignment, meaning they sell it for you and take a cut (usually 30 to 50 percent) of the sale price. You get paid only when the guitar sells. This takes longer than a trade-in but often yields more money because the consignment shop is not buying at wholesale — they are selling on your behalf.

What to bring and how to prepare

Bring your guitar in its case or gig bag. A guitar in a case looks better maintained and is less likely to have been damaged in transit. If you have the original case, even better. Bring any original documentation: the receipt, warranty card, or certificate of authenticity if the guitar came with one. Bring any accessories that came with the guitar: the original strap, cables, or documentation.

Clean the guitar before you go. Wipe down the body, neck, and fretboard with a soft cloth. Clean fingerprints off the pickups and hardware. A clean guitar looks more cared-for and may fetch a slightly higher offer. You do not need to do a full restoration — just make it look like you have maintained it.

Tune the guitar and make sure it plays. The employee will test it, and a guitar that is in tune and plays smoothly makes a better impression than one that is out of tune or has obvious issues. If there is a problem you know about (a loose tuning peg, a dead battery in an active pickup), mention it upfront. The employee will find it anyway, and honesty can help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I trade in a guitar that needs repair?

No. Guitar Center will not accept guitars that do not play. If the guitar has a dead battery, a broken string, or a tuning peg that does not turn, it will be declined. If the problem is minor and you can fix it yourself (replacing a string, changing a battery), do that before you go.

How long does the trade-in process take?

Usually 15 to 30 minutes from the time you hand over the guitar to the time you get your offer. Busy locations may take longer. You do not need an appointment, but calling ahead during slow hours (weekday mornings) can speed things up.

What if I disagree with the offer?

You can decline and leave with your guitar. There is no obligation to accept. If you think the offer is too low, try another music shop or list the guitar online. You can also come back to Guitar Center later if you change your mind.

Do I have to trade the money back into a guitar?

No. Store credit can be used on anything in the store: strings, cables, cases, amplifiers, effects pedals, or a new guitar. You do not have to buy another instrument.

Will Guitar Center buy a guitar with a cracked finish?

Yes. A cracked or faded finish is cosmetic damage and does not affect playability. The offer will be lower than for a guitar in perfect condition, but the guitar will still be accepted as long as the crack does not go through the wood underneath.