Selling a guitar can take some time, especially if you want to get a fair price for it. A good listing, clear photos, the right price, and honest information about the guitar can make the process much easier.
Here are 21 tips that can help you sell your guitar and avoid some common problems.
1. Know Your Guitar’s Worth
Before setting a price, find out exactly what guitar you have. Check the brand, model, year, country of manufacture, and any details that might affect its value.
Look for the same model on Reverb, eBay, and other guitar marketplaces. Pay more attention to guitars that actually sold than to listings that have been sitting online for months.
Condition matters too. An original guitar in good condition may be worth more than one with replaced parts, major repairs, or heavy damage.
If you think the guitar might be rare or especially valuable, it may be worth getting an appraisal from a guitar shop or someone who deals with vintage instruments.
2. Appearance Is Important. Clean It Up
Give the guitar a proper cleaning before you take photos.
Wipe down the body, clean the fretboard, remove dust from the hardware, and polish the guitar if the finish allows it. Old, rusty strings can also make a guitar look neglected, so replacing them may help.
You don’t need to make an old guitar look new. Just make sure it looks clean and cared for.
3. Take Good Photos
Photos are one of the first things buyers will look at, so take your time with them.
Natural light usually works well. Photograph the full guitar from the front and back, then take closer shots of the headstock, pickups, bridge, controls, neck, and fretboard.
If there are scratches, dents, finish cracks, or other damage, photograph those too.
Avoid dark rooms, heavy filters, and photos where half the guitar is hidden.
4. Write a Detailed Description
Give buyers the basic information they need without making them ask for every detail.
Include the brand, model, approximate year, condition, modifications, repairs, and anything included with the guitar.
If you know the pickups were changed, the frets were replaced, or the guitar was professionally repaired, mention it.
A clear description saves time for both you and the buyer.
5. Be Honest About Damage
Don’t hide scratches, dents, cracks, fret wear, electronic problems, or other issues.
Most used guitars have some signs of wear, and many buyers are fine with that. Problems usually start when the guitar arrives in worse condition than the listing suggested.
Describe the damage and show it clearly in the photos.
6. Set a Fair Price
Check what similar guitars are selling for and compare their condition with yours.
Don’t base your price only on what you originally paid. Used guitar prices can go up or down depending on the model, condition, demand, and current market.
If you expect buyers to negotiate, you can leave yourself a little room in the asking price.
7. Mention Any Interesting History
If the guitar has an interesting history, include it in the listing.
Maybe you’ve owned it for 20 years, used it for recording, played it at gigs, or bought it from someone interesting.
Just keep the story relevant and don’t exaggerate. A personal history can make a listing more interesting, but it usually won’t add much value unless there is some way to prove it.
8. Include Extras If You Have Them
A case, gig bag, strap, spare strings, capo, or other accessories can make the deal more attractive.
The original case is especially useful with older or more expensive guitars.
You don’t need to buy extras just to sell the guitar, but if you already have accessories you no longer need, including them can help.
9. Choose Where to Sell It
Where you list the guitar can affect both the price and how quickly it sells.
- Local classifieds: Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and similar local sites can work well if you want to avoid shipping.
- Guitar marketplaces: Reverb and other music gear sites give you access to buyers who are specifically looking for instruments.
- Music stores: Some stores buy used guitars directly or sell them on consignment. You may get less money, but the process can be easier.
You can also list the guitar in more than one place, but remember to remove the other listings once it sells.
10. Use Social Media
Social media can give your listing some extra exposure, especially if you already know other musicians.
Post a few good photos and a link to the listing. A short video can also be useful because buyers can hear the guitar and see that the electronics work.
Local musician groups can be especially useful if you would rather sell the guitar in person.
11. Reply to Buyers
Try to answer questions within a reasonable amount of time.
Buyers may want extra photos, measurements, serial number information, or details about the condition.
Be clear and honest. You don’t need to agree to every offer, but simple communication makes the sale much easier.
12. Decide How You Will Handle Returns
If you’re selling through an online marketplace, check its return rules before listing the guitar.
If you can choose your own return policy, make the terms clear. State whether returns are accepted, how long the buyer has to return the guitar, and who pays the shipping.
For local private sales, returns are less common, so give the buyer enough time to inspect and test the guitar before paying.
13. Be Careful With International Sales
International sales can give you access to more buyers, but they also make shipping more complicated.
Check shipping prices before agreeing to a sale. The buyer may also have to pay import taxes or customs fees.
Some older guitars can contain materials that are regulated in certain countries, so check the rules before shipping a valuable vintage instrument internationally.
14. Don’t Oversell the Guitar
You don’t need to tell buyers that your guitar is amazing, incredible, rare, or the best guitar you’ve ever played.
Give them useful information and let the guitar speak for itself.
A straightforward listing usually feels more trustworthy than one filled with sales language.
15. Be Patient
Some guitars sell in a day. Others can sit for weeks or months.
Rare, expensive, or unusual models often take longer because there are fewer potential buyers.
If you’re getting no interest, check the price first. You can also improve the photos, rewrite the description, or try another marketplace.
16. Stay Safe When Meeting Buyers
If you’re selling locally, choose a safe place to meet.
A music store, busy public area, or another place where the buyer can inspect the guitar can work well.
If someone is coming to your home, avoid being there alone and don’t give out more personal information than necessary.
17. Use a Safe Payment Method
For local sales, cash is simple, but make sure you count it before handing over the guitar.
For online sales, use the payment system provided by the marketplace whenever possible.
Be careful if a buyer asks you to move the payment outside the platform or use an unusual payment method.
18. Watch for Scams
Used gear marketplaces attract scammers just like other online marketplaces.
Be careful with buyers who offer more than your asking price, send strange payment instructions, ask for unnecessary personal information, or pressure you to ship before payment is confirmed.
Don’t rely on screenshots of payments. Check the actual payment account or marketplace before shipping anything.
19. Pack the Guitar Properly
If you’re shipping the guitar, packing matters.
Loosen the strings slightly, protect any areas that can move or rub against the case, and make sure the guitar can’t move around inside the case or shipping box.
Use enough padding around the case or guitar and protect the headstock carefully.
For an expensive guitar, shipping insurance is worth considering.
20. Leave Feedback After the Sale
If you sold the guitar through a platform with a feedback system, leave feedback for the buyer once the transaction is complete.
If everything went smoothly, they may do the same for you.
This is especially useful if you plan to sell more gear through the same account.
21. Build a Good Reputation
If you regularly sell guitars, pedals, amps, or other gear, a good seller history can make future sales easier.
Describe items accurately, ship on time, pack them well, and deal with problems fairly.
Buyers are much more comfortable purchasing expensive gear from someone with a history of successful sales.
If you plan to sell more instruments later, a good reputation is worth keeping.