That unused guitar in the corner may be someone else’s next favourite instrument - but only if they can see exactly what it is, trust its condition and feel confident buying from you. Knowing how to sell guitars online is less about writing “great guitar, no time to play” and more about presenting the instrument properly, pricing it fairly and choosing a selling route that suits your priorities.
A clean, accurately described Squier can sell more easily than a vaguely listed premium guitar. For a rare Japanese-made model, vintage piece or collector-grade instrument, the detail matters even more. Get the basics right and you will attract serious players rather than spend weeks answering messages that go nowhere.
How to sell guitars online: start with an honest assessment
Before checking prices, give the guitar a proper once-over. Tune it up, plug it in if it is electric, and play every fret. Listen for buzzes, check that the controls work without crackling, and make sure the machine heads, bridge, jack socket and selector switch are secure. On an acoustic or classical guitar, inspect the top, neck joint and bridge closely for lifting, cracks or movement.
Be clear-eyed about condition. Light play wear is normal on a well-loved instrument and will not put off most players. A dent through the finish, a repaired headstock break, worn frets, missing parts or an intermittent pickup are different matters. None automatically makes a guitar unsellable, but each affects value and needs to be disclosed plainly.
A basic clean can make a tremendous difference. Wipe down the body, remove dust from hardware and clean the fretboard with a suitable product. Do not try to polish away deep marks or carry out a home repair you are not confident in. A rushed repair can cost more in lost buyer confidence than it saves. If the guitar needs a setup, refret, electronics repair or more substantial restoration, ask a workshop for advice before listing it.
Identify exactly what you have
“Fender-style electric guitar” will not help a buyer assess your listing, and it will not help you value it. Find the full model name, year where possible, country of manufacture, finish and specification. The serial number can help date many instruments, but it is not always definitive, particularly with older, Japanese-made and vintage guitars.
Look for original paperwork, hang tags, certificates, receipts and the original hard case or gig bag. These can add real appeal, especially with limited editions, discontinued models and premium instruments. Also note any upgrades: replacement pickups, locking tuners, rewired controls or a changed bridge may be desirable, but originality can matter more to a collector.
If you are unsure, do not guess. A wrong model year, false claim of all-original parts or misidentified finish can quickly derail a sale. Take clear photographs of the serial number for your records, but consider partially obscuring it in a public listing if you have concerns about it being copied.
Price it from real, comparable sales
The price you paid is useful history, not necessarily today’s market value. Start by looking for genuinely comparable guitars: the same model, similar year and origin, similar condition, and ideally with the same case and original parts. A mint, UK-built limited run is not comparable with a heavily modified standard-production example, even if the names on the headstocks match.
Pay attention to completed sales rather than optimistic asking prices. Also account for selling fees, payment charges, packaging materials, insured postage and the possibility that a buyer may expect delivery included. A guitar listed privately at £700 may leave you with less than a £600 cash offer from a specialist shop, but the private route demands more work and carries more risk.
It depends what matters most. If you want maximum possible return and are happy to photograph, list, message, package and wait, a private sale can make sense. If you want a quick, straightforward route, a cash sale, part-exchange or sale to a reputable guitar retailer is often the better fit. Part-exchange can be particularly useful when the aim is to move towards the next guitar, amp or pedal rather than simply free up money.
Leave a little room for sensible negotiation, but avoid pricing so high that your listing becomes invisible. Buyers who know their gear will recognise a fair figure quickly.
Take photographs that answer questions
Your photos should do the work of an in-store inspection. Use daylight or even, indirect lighting and a plain background. Avoid heavy filters, dramatic shadows and old photos taken in a rehearsal room. The goal is not to make the guitar look perfect. It is to show it properly.
Include clear shots of:
- the full front and back of the guitar
- the headstock front and rear, including the serial number where appropriate
- the neck, fretboard and frets from a useful angle
- the bridge, controls, pickups and hardware
- every notable mark, repair, crack, chip or area of wear
- the case, gig bag, paperwork and included accessories
Write a listing players can trust
Good guitar listings are specific, readable and calm. Lead with the exact make, model, year or approximate era, country of manufacture, finish and condition. Then cover the key specifications and any work carried out. If it has recently had a professional setup, say what was done. If the frets show wear, say so. If the tremolo arm, case or certificate is missing, state it early rather than hoping it will not be noticed.
Avoid claims you cannot support, such as “rare” for a readily available model or “mint” when there are visible marks. Equally, do not undersell a genuinely unusual instrument. A rare finish, desirable factory pickup set, original hard case or documented provenance deserves to be highlighted.
It helps to answer the questions buyers normally ask: Does it weigh roughly? Is the neck straight? Does the truss rod work? Are there repairs? Is it all original? What is included? You do not need a novel, but a few accurate details save a lot of back-and-forth.
Choose the right selling route
Private marketplaces offer reach, but they also bring timewasters, low offers and the occasional buyer who expects a brand-new instrument for used money. Keep communication within the platform where possible, be wary of payment screenshots, and do not hand over a guitar until funds have genuinely cleared.
Collection can be sensible for valuable guitars, particularly if the buyer wants to play before committing. Meet at a safe location, or invite them to a suitable premises if that is an option you are comfortable with. For posted sales, use a proper guitar carton, protect the headstock and body with padding, loosen the strings slightly if appropriate, and insure the parcel for its full value. Photograph the packing process and keep proof of posting.
For owners who would rather avoid the private-sale admin, a specialist retailer can inspect the guitar, make a fair offer based on condition and current demand, and take care of the next stage. At Chordplay Guitars, that can mean a cash sale or part-exchange, with workshop knowledge on hand when an instrument needs assessment beyond a quick glance.
Be clear after the sale
Keep copies of your listing, photos, messages and postage receipt until the transaction is fully complete. If you have agreed to include a cable, tremolo arm, case or paperwork, check it is in the box before sealing it. Small omissions are among the most avoidable causes of a difficult sale.
The best listing is not always the one with the highest asking price. It is the one that gives the next player enough confidence to say yes. Present the guitar honestly, let its good points show, and choose a route that leaves you comfortable with both the price and the process.
Share:
Used Guitar Inspection: What to Check First
Which Guitar Size Suits Children? A Practical Guide