Sell a Musical Instrument

How to Sell a Guitar or Other Musical Instrument

Your Options, What to Expect, and How to Choose the Best Route

If you’ve decided it’s time to sell your guitar or let go of some other musical gear, you’re definitely not alone. People move, styles change, projects end, and sometimes we just have something collecting dust in a closet. The good news is: there are several solid ways to sell used guitars, basses, amps, pedals, and other instruments — and none of them are complicated once you know what’s involved. In general, you’ve got three main choices:

Sell the instrument yourself
Sell it directly to a retail store (pawn shop or music store)
Sell it on consignment with The Local Pickup

Each of these is a great option. It just depends on your preferences. Below is a friendly breakdown to help you figure out which path makes the most sense for you.

1. Selling the Instrument Yourself

If you want the most cash (for the most work)

If you’ve been Googling things like how to sell a guitar or best way to sell a used guitar, this is usually the first option people think of. And it can be a great one — especially if you’re comfortable handling everything yourself.

Common places people sell their own gear:

Facebook Marketplace
Craigslist
Reverb
eBay
Music groups and forums

Why people choose this route:

You keep the most money
You set the price
You can find a good buyer quickly if it’s priced right

What to watch out for:

It takes time (messages, no-shows, negotiations, etc.)
You’ll have to pack and ship gear if you sell online
Local meetups can be unpredictable
Online marketplaces sometimes involve returns/disputes

If you’re the hands-on type, enjoy talking about gear, and are okay with shipping and meeting buyers, this option will earn you the highest payout.

2. Selling to a Retail Store (Pawn Shop or Music Store)

If you want cash immediately (the least amount)

If you’ve searched where can I sell my guitar for cash near me or can I sell my guitar to a music store, this route is about speed and simplicity. Walk in with gear, walk out with cash. That’s the main advantage.

Why people choose this route:

Instant money
No listing, shipping, or negotiating
It’s simple and fast

What to expect:

You’ll get the lowest payout of the three options
The offer will depend on what the shop thinks it can resell it for
Some shops only buy certain items, brands, or conditions (and usually don't want accessories)

This method works great if you have something desirable and just want to get cash quickly.

3. Selling on Consignment with The Local Pickup

If you want a balance of earnings and convenience

Consignment is a service. The Local Pickup sells your items for you. You drop off your musical instruments at our shop, or we can come and pick them up. We take any musical instrument item you have. We excel at selling high-end items, but we also take entry-level items and accessories, even damaged items. If it can't be sold, we can donate it or recycle it for you. We assess, price, clean, and repair your items. We display them in our retail store. We list them online with nationwide shipping for even large and heavy items. For many people who search best place to sell guitars or how to sell guitars online, consignment is the right balance.