Where to Buy Used Guitars in 2026: Reverb vs Guitar Center vs Every Other Option

Buying used is how most serious guitarists get the most guitar for their money. A used Fender Player Stratocaster ($450–$550 on Reverb) sounds and plays identically to a new one ($849), the only difference is someone else played it first.

After 20 years of buying used gear, here’s the definitive breakdown of every major place to find used guitars in 2026.

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At a Glance

Platform	Best For	Trust Level	Selection
Reverb.com	Best overall, widest selection	★★★★★	Massive
Guitar Center Used	Try before you buy, local stores	★★★★☆	Good
eBay	Vintage gear, rare models	★★★★☆	Large
Facebook Marketplace	Local deals, no shipping	★★★☆☆	Variable
Craigslist	Steal pricing, highest risk	★★☆☆☆	Variable
tGuitarCenter.com/used	Reliable graded condition	★★★★☆	Curated

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1. Reverb.com, Best Overall for Used Guitars

Reverb is the Amazon of used music gear, launched in 2013 and now the world’s largest instrument marketplace. Unlike eBay, it’s purpose-built for music, sellers write gear-specific descriptions, there’s a real price guide tool, and the community is made up of musicians who know what they’re selling.

Why Reverb wins:

• Price Guide: Shows historical sold prices for any model so you know if an asking price is fair
• Buyer protection on every transaction, Reverb holds payment until you confirm the item arrived as described
• Seller ratings and reviews, easy to identify trustworthy sellers
• “Watch” feature, set alerts for specific models when they drop in price
• Free shipping from most US sellers on guitars

Tips for Reverb:

• Always search “sold listings” first to see what guitars actually sold for (not just what sellers are asking)
• Filter by condition: Excellent or Very Good for the best value
• Message sellers with questions, responsive sellers are a good sign
• Read the description carefully for any noted issues (fret wear, dings, electronics)

Browse guitars on Reverb →

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2. Guitar Center Used, Best for Hands-On Buyers

Guitar Center has a massive used inventory, usedguitars.guitarcenter.com, that’s also available in-store. Every used instrument gets a condition grade (Excellent, Good, Fair) applied by a staff tech, and you can return it within 45 days if it’s not as described.

Why Guitar Center Used is worth it:

• In-store inspection, you can play it before buying at a local GC
• 45-day return window, strongest return policy in used gear
• Trade-in credit, bring your old gear and trade it toward a used purchase
• Consistent condition grading, “Excellent” has a real standard

The trade-off: Prices are typically 10–15% higher than Reverb for the same model because Guitar Center has overhead costs. You’re paying a small premium for the safety of a brick-and-mortar purchase.

Best use: Go to Guitar Center Used when you’re not sure exactly what model you want and need to play several options in person.

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3. eBay, Best for Vintage and Rare Gear

eBay has enormous guitar inventory, and it’s the best place to find vintage instruments (pre-1980s) and rare limited editions that don’t show up on Reverb as often. eBay’s buyer protection (called eBay Money Back Guarantee) covers most transactions, though it’s slightly less musician-friendly than Reverb’s.

Use eBay for:

• Vintage guitars (1950s–1980s Fender, Gibson, Martin)
• Discontinued models no longer made
• International sellers (especially for Japanese-made Fenders and Gibsons, often excellent quality)

Avoid eBay for:

• Common current-model guitars (Reverb will have more options and better prices)
• Sellers with sparse feedback history

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4. Facebook Marketplace, Best for Local Deals

Facebook Marketplace has become one of the most active local used gear platforms since Craigslist declined. The major advantage: no shipping costs or risk, you meet locally, inspect the guitar in person, and pay cash.

Tips for local buying:

• Always play the guitar before paying
• Bring a tuner and check that it intonates properly (tune to pitch, then check the 12th fret harmonic vs fretted note)
• Meet in a public place (a parking lot, music store, coffee shop), not someone’s house
• Don’t wire money, Zelle, or use payment apps that don’t offer buyer protection, cash only for local deals

Price reality: Facebook Marketplace prices are often lower than Reverb because sellers are motivated to avoid shipping hassle. You can frequently find guitars for 20–30% below Reverb for the same model.

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5. Craigslist, Highest Risk, Highest Potential Reward

Craigslist is where legends are made and money is sometimes lost. The lack of buyer protection, anonymous sellers, and inconsistent listing quality means you need to go in with eyes open.

Rules if you use Craigslist:

1. Photos must show the actual guitar, not a stock photo
2. Never buy without playing it in person
3. Cash only, never Zelle or payment apps
4. Research the guitar’s going rate on Reverb before the meeting
5. Walk away if anything feels off

The upside: genuinely motivated sellers (estate sales, divorces, moving, financial need) list guitars at dramatically below-market prices on Craigslist because they don’t want to deal with the hassle of shipping. These deals exist, but require patience.

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What to Inspect Before Buying Any Used Guitar

Neck

• Sight down the neck from the headstock toward the body
• A slight forward bow (relief) is normal and good, the strings need room to vibrate
• Backbow (neck bending backward) is bad, the guitar may be unplayable

Frets

• Run your finger along all 6 strings at the 1st through 5th frets
• Deep grooves (fret wear) in a specific area mean the frets are shot, a refret costs $150–$300

Tuners

• Turn each tuner and check that it moves smoothly and holds tune after bending strings

Electronics (for electric guitars)

• Toggle through all pickup positions and check for crackling
• Turn the volume and tone knobs, crackle means dirty pots ($10 fix with contact cleaner)
• Plug in and tap each pickup with a screwdriver, should produce a thud in the amp

Structural

• Look at the headstock for cracks (especially near the nut, this is where Gibsons frequently crack)
• Check the neck joint for separation or movement (bolt-on necks should have no play; set necks should show no gaps)
• Check acoustic guitar tops for bellying behind the bridge (normal slight belly) vs cracks

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The Best Used Guitar Deals by Price Range

Budget	What You Can Get Used
$100–$200	Squier Affinity Strat/Tele, Epiphone Les Paul Special, Yamaha Pacifica entry
$200–$400	Fender Player Strat/Tele, Epiphone Les Paul Standard, Taylor Academy
$400–$700	American-made Fenders, Gibson Les Paul Standard (older models), Martin 000-15M
$700–$1,500	US Gibson Les Paul, Collings, high-end Martins, vintage Japanese Fenders

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Final Recommendation

For most people: Start on Reverb, search your target model, filter by condition “Excellent,” check the sold listings to calibrate your offer, and buy from a seller with 15+ reviews. Budget $50 for local setup after purchase if needed.

If you want to play before buying: Visit your local Guitar Center Used section. The prices are slightly higher, but the 45-day return is worth it for a first-time used guitar buyer.

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Related: Best Beginner Electric Guitars Under $300 · Best Acoustic Guitars for Beginners · How to Change Guitar Strings

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