#1
Reverb.com
Online Marketplace — Musicians Primary · Money Back Guarantee, seller ratings, 2M+ listings, shipping included$100–$5,000Best for: Players who want the best buyer protection and largest selection of used guitar gear
Reverb is the eBay of used musical instruments — 2M+ listings from 50,000+ sellers who are musicians and professionals. Prices are fair because the buyer base knows what it is looking at. Money Back Guarantee covers "not as described" and damage claims. Seller ratings are transparent. Reverb is the default marketplace for gear.
#2
eBay
Online Marketplace — General Audience · Money Back Guarantee, broader selection, takes longer to find good listings, more scams$50–$5,000Best for: Bargain hunters willing to sift through 10 bad listings to find 1 great deal
eBay has broader selection but lower quality control — non-musicians sell guitars too, which means inconsistent descriptions and higher scam risk. Money Back Guarantee is solid, but disputes take time. Prices vary wildly because sellers do not always know what they are pricing. Opportunity for deals if you know guitars well.
What to check used: Watch out for: Vague descriptions, stock photos, sellers with <50 feedback, listings mentioning "needs setup" (setup may cost $100+).
#3
Guitar Center Used Department
Retail Chain — In-Person Testing · In-person inspection, 45-day return policy, set-up by technicians, prices 10–20% above fair market$200–$3,000Best for: Beginners who want to touch and play before buying, even if prices are slightly higher
Guitar Center offers used guitars that have been inspected and set up by their technicians. Prices reflect this service — expect to pay 10–20% more than Reverb for the same guitar. 45-day return policy is the safest in retail. You can test the guitar before buying (huge advantage).
#4
Facebook Marketplace
Local P2P — No Shipping Risk · Local only, cash payment, no buyer protection, cheapest prices$50–$2,000Best for: Local buyers who can meet in person, inspect in person, and are comfortable with no formal protection
Facebook Marketplace is local — you meet the seller, test the guitar before paying, and take it home same day. No shipping damage risk. Prices are cheapest because there is no intermediary. But there is zero buyer protection — if you find a defect after 1 hour, you are stuck with the guitar.
#5
Local Music Shops
Retail — Community Experts · Expert evaluation, some repair history, possible warranties, prices vary widely$150–$3,000Best for: Players who want expert guidance and are willing to pay slightly more for peace of mind
Independent music shops have used sections where the owner has personally evaluated each guitar. They can tell you about the history, any repairs, and maintenance issues. Some offer limited warranties. Prices are fair because the shop stakes its reputation on honesty.
#6
Craigslist
Local P2P — Bare-Bones Listings · Local only, cash only, no protection, highest scam risk, lowest prices$50–$1,500Best for: Expert buyers who know guitars well and want the absolute cheapest price
Craigslist is the wild west of used gear — no buyer protection, no ratings system, minimal vetting. But prices are lowest because there is no friction. Buyers are often just clearing out their garage. Scams are real (stolen guitars, broken instruments sold as working).
What to check used: GOTCHA: Meet in public, bring cash, test thoroughly before leaving the location, and verify the serial number is not reported stolen.
#7
Pawn Shops
Retail — Liquidation · Very cheap, inconsistent quality, minimal expertise, very low return policy$50–$500Best for: Opportunistic buyers who like surprises and do not mind occasional disappointment
Pawn shops occasionally have great deals on guitars because they do not specialize in music — a guitar might sit for months until someone buys it, and the shop has no incentive to hold it. Quality is inconsistent (could be a gem or a beater). Very little buyer protection.