Wondering where to sell your used musical instruments?
Many of us have instruments and music gear we no longer need or have musical equipment that we want to sell to get better ones!
In our post, we’re going to cover different places where you can sell musical instruments, like guitars, drums, and ukuleles, for cash, online and to someone who buys gear near you.
Table of Contents
Sell Music Gear Online
Here are the best apps and websites where you can get cash for your old and unused equipment.
1. Reverb
Reverb is an online marketplace where people can sell and buy used, new, and vintage music gear.
What we love about Reverb, and what makes it one of the best places to sell used music equipment online, is that the commission it charges is just 3.5%.
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This is a very low commission rate compared to other sites.
You can list your musical instruments for free as well!
- Sell your stuff with Reverb here.
2. Music Go Round
Music Go Round is a website where you can sell used musical instruments, like guitars and drums, and used gear, like amps.
So, if you’ve ever wondered “where can I sell music equipment near me?” or have wanted to sell an amplifier for cash, then consider Music Go Round.
With more than 30 years’ experience, it’s a legit place to sell your gear. If you like the offer you get for your stuff, you’ll be paid by check.
- Sell your stuff with Music Go Round here.
3. Sam Ash Music Store
You can get cash or store credit for your used music gear at Sam Ash Music Store.
You can sell guitars, basses, amps, pedals, drums, recording gear and much more to the store. Just bring it to the store for an estimate, and you could make money from your unwanted music stuff!
- Sell your stuff with Sam Ash Music Store here.
4. Rogue Music Store
Rogue Music Store sells, buys, and trades new and pre-owned music gear.
There are a few ways to sell your used stuff to Rogue Music:
- You can sell it outright for cash.
- Trade it towards a purchase of new or used items from the store.
- You can sell it on consignment and Rogue Music will act as your sales agent.
So, it’s another one to consider!
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- Sell your stuff with Rogue Music here.
5. SocialSell
Buy and sell your used music stuff locally with SocialSell. Think of it like an online garage sale!
It says it brings a “social aspect to classified ads” too.
- Sell your stuff with SocialSell here.
- Download the SocialSell app for Android devices here.
- Download the SocialSell app for iOS devices here.
6. eBay
eBay is a super popular website, meaning that you can get your listing in front of tons of people.
You can set your own prices, and add photos to your listing – this means that you get more control of the profit you get, compared to selling to a music store.
Our only issue with eBay is that it does charge fees, which can be quite high. So, do keep those in mind if you’re considering selling used musical instruments on eBay.
- Sell your stuff with eBay here.
7. Rivington Guitars
Rivington Guitars is a guitar store that’s based in NYC.
It has more than 25 years of experience, making it a legit place to make cash from your unwanted music stuff.
You can take your stuff into the store and get a quote for it.
Don’t worry if you don’t live in NYC though. You may still be able to sell your stuff to the store.
All you need to do is email some detailed pictures of the item or items you want to sell, and the store will get back to you.
- Sell your stuff with Rivington Guitars here.
8. The Music Zoo
The Music Zoo is an online guitar store, where you can sell your stuff.
You can trade, consign, or sell your guitar with the store.
If you live in or near Long Island, New York, you can bring your guitar into its showroom.
If you don’t live locally then you can ship your instrument to The Music Zoo.
- Sell your stuff with The Music Zoo here.
9. Cream City Music
Cream City Music is a music store based in Milwaukee. You can sell your used music stuff to the store.
It specializes in guitars, but you can sell almost any type of stringed instrument, from mandolins to basses to the store.
And, if you don’t live in Milwaukee or Wisconsin, you can still sell your stuff to Cream City Music.
You just need to give the store a call, you can get the number on the page we linked to below, or fill out the form, which is on that page as well.
- Sell your stuff with Cream City Music here.
Sell Music Equipment Near Me
If you’d rather deal with someone a store that buys gear near you so you can sell and get cash in person, these are good places to check out.
10. Craigslist
Have you been asking, “where can I sell musical instruments for cash near me?”
If so, you might want to consider selling your stuff through Craigslist.
You can put up a listing on there for free, and get your music gear in front of people in your city.
- Sell your stuff with Craigslist here.
11. Guitar Center
Most musicians, when they think, “places that buy instruments near me“, their local Guitar Center store pops up in their mind.
And for good reasons; it’s a place that most musicians also buy their gear from.
Guitar Center is a really popular music store, so you likely have one near you.
In fact, it has more than 200 locations across the country!
To sell your used musical instruments to Guitar Center, all you need to do is complete this form. If Guitar Center wants to buy your stuff, then it will contact you.
Then, you take your stuff to your nearest store, where an employee will evaluate it, and make you an offer.
If you agree to the offer, you’ll get paid in cash, check, gift card, or store credit.
- Sell your stuff with Guitar Center here.
12. Letgo
Letgo is a great app for selling stuff. You can sell stuff to people in a range of categories, including musical instruments.
Just click on “sell your stuff” on the homepage we linked to below. A popup form will appear at the side, and you can start listing your stuff for sale.
- Sell your stuff with Letgo here.
- Download the Letgo app for Android devices here.
- Download the Letgo app for iOS devices here.
13. OfferUp
Another platform to consider is OfferUp.
It’s an app that focuses on buying and selling stuff locally, including musical instruments.
So, if you’ve ever wondered, “where can I sell used musical instruments near me?” OfferUp is definitely one to consider.
Just visit the homepage, and click “sell” to list your stuff for sale on the site.
- Sell your stuff with OfferUp here.
- Download the OfferUp app for iOS devices here.
- Download the OfferUp app for Android devices here.
14. 5miles
5miles is like OfferUp, as in it’s focused on those local sales. For selling musical instruments to people nearby, 5miles is a great choice!
- Sell your stuff with 5miles here.
- Download the 5miles app for Android devices here.
- Download the 5miles app for iOS devices here.
15. Facebook Marketplace
With Facebook Marketplace, you can buy and sell stuff locally, including instruments.
For selling nearby, this makes it a really great choice. Plus, you can list your stuff for sale and set your own price!
- Sell your stuff with Facebook Marketplace here.
- Download the Facebook app for iOS devices here.
- Download the Facebook app for Android devices here.
16. Shpock
Shpock is a website where you can buy and sell stuff locally.
It’s a good site to use because it’s completely free to use!
You can list your stuff, for sale, set your own prices, and make money!
- Sell your stuff with Shpock here.
- Download the Shpock app for Android devices here.
- Download the Shpock app for iOS devices here.
17. Carousell
Carousell is a website where you can list your stuff for sale in 30 seconds!
It’s free to use as well.
If you’d like to set your own prices and sell to people quickly, Carousell is definitely an app to consider.
- Sell your stuff with Carousell here.
- Download the Carousell app for Android devices here.
- Download the Carousell app for iOS devices here.
18. VarageSale
VarageSale is an app that’s basically an online garage sale. So with it, you can sell your used music gear locally.
- Sell your stuff with VarageSale here.
- Download the VarageSale app for Android devices here.
- Download the VarageSale app for iOS devices here.
19. Garage Sale and Yard Sales
For selling your used music stuff, you shouldn’t discount your good ol’ fashioned yard sale!
Yard sales or garage sales are a great way to get your stuff in front of people, especially older generations who don’t use apps, like OfferUp.
Plus, you don’t have to worry about shipping, or arranging a meeting with a buyer.
This can be a simple way to make money from your unwanted music gear.
- You can use Garage Sale Finder to find nearby yard/garage sales here.
20. Local Music Stores
Another tip is to check to see if there’s a used musical instruments store near you. Chains aren’t the only store to consider selling to.
Many cities have independent music stores where you can sell your used musical instruments, like eVillage Music in NYC.
You can search online for “music stores near me,” “used music stores near me,” or “independent music stores,” near me.
Then, you can contact the store to see if they buy used musical instruments.
21. Pawn Shops
For those of you who are considering pawn shops and looking for pawn shops that buy instruments near you, please make sure you exhaust all other options before you even consider selling music equipment (or anything for that matter) to a local pawn shop.
There is a reason I listed this option last. Generally, Pawn Shops aren’t aren’t good places to sell anything. They just don’t pay that much. And it’s understandable. Their whole business model is built on buying stuff for much lower than their actual value and reselling them for as much as customers are willing to pay.
Sure, take your stuff to a shop near you and get a quote. There may be some stores that do pay more than other places that buy guitars and other musical instruments for cash near you. But don’t bank on it!
Where Should You Sell Used Musical Instruments?
There’s no “best place” to sell music stuff.
Each type of place has its own benefits.
Music stores, like Guitar Center, are good for getting cash quickly, but not necessarily for getting the biggest profit.
Since Guitar Center is a store, they often want to resell your gear. This means that they generally offer a lower amount, so they can sell your stuff for a profit.
So, selling to stores like Guitar Center isn’t always the most profitable method.
Like we said though, it is a quick way to get cash. Selling directly to music stores can also often be the quickest method (if you have a store nearby of course) because you don’t have to worry about shipping.
Places like Craigslist and Letgo are great because you can sell your stuff directly to people.
Reverb is also a good choice, because it’s commission is quite low, making it a good alternative to eBay. Then again, eBay is a super popular site.
So, as we said, each place has its own advantages and disadvantages. Just make sure you pick the option that works best for you.
Closing Thoughts
There are so many places to sell your used music stuff. And, nowadays, thanks to apps and websites like Shpock, Letgo, and Craigslist, music stores are no longer your only option.
Take a look at our list, choose the site, store or app that works best for you and start selling your used (or brand new) musical instruments for cash today.
Alpha
Guitar Center will not give you any sort of fair value for your trade in. I got an evaluation on a brand new guitar that currently retails for $1400 at pretty much every retailer that I’ve seen. Guitar Center offered $400. This was an unplayed, unsetup, brand new guitar that was 6 months old. It still had all of the tags and stickers and protective films from the factory. This was a major name brand as well. Guitar Center is a scam.
Maria Davis
My husband was a musician and he passed away almost two years ago. I’m ready to start moving some of his equipment. However, I don’t even know what I have much less what it’s worth. Can you recommend someone that would be able to assist with this process?
erik mendez
Even though I am not crazy about G.C. and have given me lots of negative and positive experience. They have a lot of inventory and can buy that same guitar for almost three same price and make a better profit from selling technically a 2nd hand guitar. Selling an instrument because you can’t use it is doing you a favor. You can hold on to it and sell it on Reverb if your not in a pinch and get more if your money back