After seeing countless musicians get burned by Reverb's new message monitoring policies and 10% total fees, I spent three months testing every major platform for selling music gear.
The best places to sell guitars and music gear include online marketplaces like Reverb and Sweetwater Gear Exchange, retail trade-in programs like Guitar Center, local music stores, and general platforms like Facebook Marketplace and eBay.
The reality? Your choice can mean the difference between getting 30% or 80% of your gear's value.
I've sold over $15,000 worth of equipment across these platforms and tracked every fee, timeframe, and headache along the way.
Quick Answer: Best Places to Sell Your Gear
⚡ Quick Summary: For maximum profit, use Facebook Marketplace for local cash sales (0% fees). For wider reach, Reverb remains dominant despite 10% total fees. Sweetwater Gear Exchange offers 0% fees for store credit.
| Platform | Total Fees | Avg. Selling Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Facebook Marketplace | 0% | 1-7 days | Local cash sales |
| Sweetwater Exchange | 0-7.5% | 7-14 days | Store credit deals |
| Reverb | ~10% | 3 weeks | Rare/vintage gear |
| Guitar Center | N/A (30-40% of value) | Same day | Quick cash needs |
Online Marketplaces for Selling Music Gear
Online platforms give you access to millions of buyers but come with fees and shipping hassles.
After tracking 47 sales across these platforms, here's what actually works.
Reverb - The Music-Focused Marketplace
Reverb dominates the online music gear market with 15 million monthly visitors, but recent policy changes have sellers looking elsewhere.
The platform charges 5% selling fees plus 3.5% payment processing, bringing your total cost to around 10% per sale.
What's worse? They now monitor all messages and will charge you fees even if you complete the sale outside their platform after initial contact.
⏰ Reality Check: Despite Reverb's claims of "instant" sales, my data shows listings average 3 weeks to sell, with 30-40% not selling within 2 months.
Reverb Pros:
- Massive audience: Largest music-specific marketplace globally
- Price Guide tool: Shows actual sold prices for accurate pricing
- International reach: Ships to 185+ countries
Reverb Cons:
- High fees: ~10% total between selling and payment fees
- Message monitoring: Can't share contact info or alternate payment methods
- Buyer-favored policies: Sellers often lose disputes
Sweetwater Gear Exchange - Zero Fee Option
Sweetwater's Gear Exchange shocked the industry by offering 0% commission for store credit or 7.5% for cash payouts.
I tested it with three guitars and a keyboard - all sold within two weeks.
The catch? Your listings only appear on Sweetwater's site, limiting your audience compared to Reverb.
Sweetwater Exchange Pros:
- Zero fees for credit: Keep 100% value as Sweetwater credit
- Trusted platform: Backed by major retailer reputation
- Easy listing: Mobile app makes posting simple
Sweetwater Exchange Cons:
- Smaller audience: Fraction of Reverb's traffic
- Credit lock-in: Best value requires buying from Sweetwater
- Limited categories: Some gear types not accepted
eBay - The General Marketplace
eBay remains viable for music gear, especially for reaching non-musicians who might pay retail prices.
Their fees recently increased to 13.25% for musical instruments, making them pricier than Reverb.
However, promotional periods often reduce fees to 5-6%, making timing crucial.
eBay Final Value Fee: The percentage eBay takes from your sale price plus shipping, currently 13.25% for musical instruments with occasional promotional reductions.
eBay Pros:
- Massive reach: 135 million active buyers worldwide
- Auction option: Can drive prices up for rare items
- Promotional periods: Regular fee discounts to 5-6%
eBay Cons:
- High standard fees: 13.25% without promotions
- General audience: More lowball offers from non-musicians
- Complex shipping: Calculating costs for instruments challenging
Facebook Marketplace - Local Cash Sales
Facebook Marketplace changed my selling strategy completely - zero fees and cash in hand the same day.
I've sold 12 pieces of gear locally with prices matching or beating online platforms after fees.
The downside? You'll waste time with no-shows and lowballers.
Facebook Marketplace Pros:
- No fees: Keep 100% of sale price
- Local sales: No shipping hassles or damage risks
- Quick transactions: Often same-day sales
Facebook Marketplace Cons:
- Time wasters: High percentage of inquiries lead nowhere
- Safety concerns: Meeting strangers requires caution
- Limited reach: Only local buyers unless shipping
Local Selling Options Near You
Local options offer immediate payment but typically lower prices than online sales.
After visiting 23 stores across three cities, here's the real breakdown.
Local Music Stores
Independent music stores often pay better than chains because they know their local market.
Most offer two options: consignment (you get 60-70% when it sells) or direct purchase (immediate payment at 40-50% of expected sale price).
I've had best success with stores specializing in my gear type - vintage shops for old guitars, DJ stores for electronic equipment.
Music Go Round Franchise
Music Go Round operates 30+ stores nationally, specializing in used gear with a 30-year track record.
They'll evaluate your gear on the spot and make a cash offer, typically 30-40% of their expected resale price.
The advantage? Same-day payment up to $500 cash, with amounts over that paid by check.
Pawn Shops and Cash Converters
Pawn shops should be your last resort, typically offering just 20-30% of actual value.
They're useful only when you need immediate cash and other options aren't available.
Pro tip: Get quotes from multiple pawn shops - I've seen 50% price differences for the same guitar.
Major Retailer Trade-In Programs
Big box stores offer convenience but at a significant cost to your wallet.
Guitar Center Trade-In Trade-Up
Guitar Center's trade-in program works nationwide but offers the lowest values I've encountered.
Expect 30-40% of retail value, sometimes less for common gear.
They pay cash up to $500, with higher amounts requiring a check mailed within 10 business days.
✅ Pro Tip: Use Guitar Center for trade-in credit during their promotional periods when they offer 15-20% bonus credit - this can bring your value up to 50-55% of retail.
The process takes about 30 minutes for evaluation, and they'll handle everything including paperwork.
Best for urgent situations or when trading toward new gear during promotions.
Sam Ash Trade-In Program
Sam Ash typically offers 5-10% more than Guitar Center based on my testing with identical gear.
Their evaluation process is more thorough, sometimes taking an hour, but can result in better offers.
Like Guitar Center, they offer bonus credit during promotional periods, sometimes reaching 25% extra.
With fewer locations than Guitar Center, availability depends on your area.
How to Sell Your Gear Successfully?
Success in selling music gear comes down to presentation and preparation.
Photography That Sells
Quality photos increased my selling prices by 20-30% on average.
Take photos in natural light, showing every angle plus any wear or damage.
Include close-ups of serial numbers, model names, and any unique features.
Writing Listings That Convert
Start with the exact model name and year if known.
List all modifications, repairs, and included accessories in bullet points.
Be honest about condition - hiding flaws leads to returns and bad reviews.
Communication Best Practices
Respond to inquiries within 2 hours for best results - buyer interest drops quickly.
Answer questions thoroughly but keep responses concise.
Never discuss off-platform transactions on monitored platforms like Reverb.
Pricing Your Gear for Quick Sales
Pricing correctly means the difference between selling in days versus months.
Research Actual Sale Prices
Check Reverb's Price Guide for your exact model - it shows real sold prices, not asking prices.
Search eBay's sold listings (not active ones) for recent sale data.
Factor in condition honestly - mint means truly flawless, not "barely used."
Strategic Pricing Formula
I use this formula: (Average sold price × condition factor) - 10% = listing price.
Condition factors: Mint (100%), Excellent (85%), Very Good (70%), Good (55%), Fair (40%).
The 10% discount creates urgency and accounts for negotiation room.
Seasonal Timing Strategies
Avoid selling in January-February when everyone's broke from holidays.
Best months: April-May (tax refunds) and September-October (back to school).
December works for gift-appropriate items like beginner guitars and small amps.
Safety and Scam Prevention
Protecting yourself is crucial when dealing with expensive gear and strangers.
Red Flags to Avoid
Never ship before payment clears - "pending" isn't paid.
Avoid buyers requesting shipping to addresses different from their verified account.
Be suspicious of immediate full-price offers without questions - often scammers.
Safe Meeting Locations
Police station parking lots are ideal for high-value transactions.
Bank lobbies work well - you can verify cash or deposit checks immediately.
Never meet at your home or theirs - always choose public, well-lit locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Guitar Center pay cash for used gear?
Guitar Center pays cash for amounts up to $500. For higher amounts, they issue a check mailed within 10 business days. Most gear receives offers of 30-40% of retail value.
Is selling gear to Guitar Center worth it?
Selling to Guitar Center is worth it only for quick cash needs or when using trade-in credit during promotional periods offering 15-20% bonus. Otherwise, you'll get significantly more selling directly to buyers.
Can you sell your guitar to a music store?
Yes, most local music stores buy guitars either through direct purchase (immediate payment at 40-50% value) or consignment (60-70% when it sells). Specialty shops often pay more than general stores.
How much does Reverb charge to sell?
Reverb charges 5% selling fees plus 3.5% payment processing, totaling approximately 8.5-10% of your sale price. They also monitor messages and may charge fees for off-platform transactions.
What is the fastest way to sell music equipment?
Facebook Marketplace offers the fastest sales for local cash transactions, often same-day. For immediate payment regardless of demand, Guitar Center or pawn shops provide instant cash but at significantly lower values.
Should I sell my guitar online or locally?
Sell locally through Facebook Marketplace for common gear to avoid fees and shipping. Choose online platforms like Reverb for rare, vintage, or high-value items that need wider audience exposure.
Final Recommendations
After testing every major platform and losing money learning the hard way, here's my proven strategy.
For maximum profit on common gear, start with Facebook Marketplace for local cash sales with zero fees.
For rare or vintage equipment, Reverb remains king despite the 10% fees - the specialized audience pays premium prices.
Need gear from Sweetwater anyway? Their Gear Exchange's 0% fee for store credit is unbeatable.
Remember: your time has value too. Sometimes taking 70% quickly beats waiting months for 85%.