For anyone looking to sell or upgrade their gear, one important question arises: where to sell music equipment? With so many options available both online and in stores, it’s not always clear what the best venues are.
I have researched and will walk you through the top marketplaces that you can use to sell their used instruments, pedals, amps, and more. I’ll compare top places to sell musical instruments like:
This article will help you understand where you can get the most exposure for your gear listings. So whether you have a guitar, drums, or studio equipment to offload, read on to find out where to sell musical instruments online.
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Where to Sell Music Equipment – 5 Sites to Sell Online
There are several popular online marketplaces for selling used music equipment. Each platform has its own approach:
Platform | Pros | Cons |
Reverb | - Dedicated music gear marketplace | - High fee |
eBay | - Huge platform with a vast audience | - Less music-focused marketplace (compared to Reverb) |
Craigslist | - Free classified listings | - Risk of scam |
Facebook Marketplace | - Free local listings | - No specialization in music |
Sweetwater Gear Exchange | - Focus on music gear | - Smaller buyer base than other platforms |
Reverb – Best for all types of musical instruments
Reverb is a must-mention when discussing musical instruments. It is still the most popular choice for selling musical equipment online.
In fact, according to the Similar Web report in May 2024, the marketplace receives approximately 16.5 million visits per month.
I searched for the keyword “used guitars” on Reverb and got over 5,000 results from many famous brands, such as Fender, Gibson, Taylor, and Martin. This means Reverb buyers are willing to invest in quality instruments, and you can expect a strong interest in your high-value gear.
Pros of selling music instruments on Reverb
Selling on Reverb, an online marketplace, gives you more control over pricing, potentially leading to higher earnings for your items.
Selling to a physical store, on the other hand, is different. These stores buy used gear from you and resell it for a profit. To do so, they can’t offer you the full potential value of your gear, as they need to factor in their own profit margin.
Another reason why Reverb is one of the best places to sell music equipment is its Seller Protection Program:
- Reverb provides seamless and secure transactions via the most popular payment methods, including credit/debit cards, PayPal, Apple, and Google Pay. The platform also offers financing through Affirm, a third-party lender. Affirm offers a variety of financing options for buyers, including no-interest financing for purchases over $50.
- The platform will help mediate disputes between you and buyers. If a buyer claims an item is not as described, Reverb will review the listing and the buyer’s complaint to make a fair decision.
- You can choose to purchase Safe Shipping through Reverb for an additional fee. This covers the cost of the item and shipping if it is lost or damaged in transit.
What about its cons?
However, the fact that Reverb is popular doesn’t mean it is suitable for everyone.
Reverb recently received complaints about its increase in fees. Previously, the fee was 2.7% of the transaction amount plus an additional $0.25 per transaction. However, on October 27th, 2023, the fee increased to 3.19% of the transaction amount plus an additional $0.49 per transaction. Let’s take a look at the image below for a clearer view:
*The fee is 2.99% + $0.49 for Reverb Preferred Sellers.
For example, if you sell a guitar for $2,000, the cost for Reverb will be around 8,19% x 2,000$ = $163,8 + $0.49 = $164.29. After considering taxes and other fees, you will receive approximately $1,800.
Ok, so is the 8,19% commission fee high? Let’s see how other platforms are charging.
- eBay charges 0% listing fee with a commission rate of 6.35% if sales are $7,500 or under. If sales are above $7,500, the fee drops to 2.35%.
- Facebook Marketplace has a 0% listing fee, 5% per shipment, or a flat fee of $0.40 for products costing $8.00 or below.
- Craigslist: no fee at all.
Compared to other platforms to sell your musical instruments, Reverb is slightly expensive.
Another concern is shipping. Reverb’s estimated shipping cost is often much lower than the final price, which isn’t shown until the sale is completed.
So, I highly recommend that you use shipping software like Pirate Ship to get better deals for your shipping. It provides the most affordable USPS (United States Postal Service) rates (even lower than commercial pricing for Priority Mail). Pirate Ship also offers pre-negotiated UPS (United Parcel Service) discounts, which allow you to get lower rates than an individual shipper could typically get on their own.
When selling used items, you should avoid offering free shipping. If a buyer regrets their purchase, you might end up covering the return shipping costs if you offer “free shipping.” So, it’s safer to charge shipping separately to avoid potential losses.
Overall, here are the pros and cons of selling your equipment on Reverb:
Pros
✅ Dedicated music gear marketplace
✅ Large buyer base of musicians
✅ Fair seller protection program
Cons
❌ High fee
If you are interested in this platform, read our detailed Reverb marketplace review for more information.
eBay – Best for diverse instrument selection
eBay is well known for being one of the best places to sell musical instruments and a hub of second-hand e-shopping. It is an ideal place to sell instruments, like guitars, flexagon, organs, etc.
Pros of selling music equipment on eBay
The main advantage of selling your gear on eBay is that you can sell music equipment through traditional auctions, with multiple bidders driving up the price. This means you will get a higher return on your gear compared to setting a fixed price or using other platforms that do not have an auction format. At the same time, you can still sell your used music gear with fixed-price listings similar to online classifieds.
Another great benefit of an eBay store is the provided product description and promotion tools, such as discounted shipping, percentage off, or multi-buy discounts. The site provides a Promotions Manager tool to create, schedule, and track different promotional offers.
In terms of fees, you don’t have to pay for the insertion fee for instrument gear. eBay only charges you $0.3/order and a final value fee between 2.35% and 6.35% of the total sale amount, depending on how many items you sell.
Seller protection on eBay is also comparable to Reverb’s. Here are some highlights:
- If eBay finds a buyer’s behavior is abusive, they will take action against the buyer and remove negative and neutral feedback and defects, including open cases in service metrics.
- If you accepted a buyer’s return request but the gear is returned in a different condition than it was originally sent. You can reduce up to 50% from the refund to recover the lost value of the item, and eBay will automatically remove any related negative or neutral feedback.
- If a buyer retracts their bid and it disrupts your auction, you can choose to cancel the order, and eBay will remove any related negative or neutral feedback and canceled order defects.
If you sell on ebay.co.uk, I suggest you take advantage of eBay‘s 80% off variable selling fee promotion. By joining this program, you will receive an 80% discount on variable percentage final value fees (“FVF”) for up to 100 eBay listings.
One of the most popular ways to take advantage of this offer is to end and relist your gears. Don’t worry about the insertion fee. EBay claims that free listings in this promotion do not count towards your monthly 1000 free listings.
Cons of selling music equipment on eBay
Ok, so that is the bright side. Here comes the dark side.
I have to say eBay has become hard to sell on in these days due to fierce competition from Chinese dropshippers. You pretty much have to pay for eBay ads, or your items will fail the algorithms and not show up in search results. It’s incredibly frustrating.
Let’s give it a try. I searched for the “used guitars” keyword on eBay and received 290,000 results. Well, there’s hardly a chance that your guitar will show up here.
So it’s better to try listing on eBay plus other platforms to make sure your gear gets enough reach.
Overall, here are the pros and cons of selling your equipment on eBay:
Pros
✅ Huge platform with a vast audience
✅ Option to auction items off
✅ No insertion fees needed
Cons
❌ Less music-focused marketplace (compared to Reverb)
❌ Highly competitive
You can read our thorough guide on how to sell on eBay to start selling your musical instruments.
Craigslist – Best for localized musical instrument sales
Pros of selling your music equipment on Craigslist
The biggest advantage of Craiglist is that it is free of charge (no shipping, no tax, no fees). This means you can keep all the profit from your sales. Sound very tempting, right?
Additionally, it is primarily a local marketplace. The sites allow you to connect with buyers in your area. This can make your selling faster and easier, as you can make the deal in person.
Cons of selling your music equipment on Craigslist
However, you must facilitate payments and shipping on your own if selling to remote buyers. To avoid scams or any transaction issues, I highly recommend that you meet your buyer in person and only do cash transactions.
Overall, here are the pros and cons of selling your equipment on Craigslist
Pros
✅ Free classified listings
✅ Localization to avoid shipping
Cons
❌ Safety risk meeting buyers in person
Facebook Marketplace – Best for individuals
Similar to Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace is a great place to sell music equipment locally, especially used ones.
Listings on Facebook Marketplace can be made with photos and descriptions that are discoverable to other users in the nearby area.
Pros of selling music equipment on Facebook Marketplace
As a free service, Facebook Marketplace does not charge any listing fees. The fees are only applicable when an item is sold. For items above $8, Facebook charges a 5% transaction fee. If the price is below $8, there is a flat fee of $0.40.
Another advantage is that you can easily communicate with your buyers and arrange meetups through Facebook Messenger. Facebook Marketplace is also considered superior to Craigslist in terms of the transparency of buyer and seller profiles. As a seller, you can “screen” your potential buyers to see whether they are legit. This can not be done on Craigslist, where all information about sellers and buyers is often unknown.
You can also rate buyers you interacted with (this is helpful for cases like no-shows, deal breakers, and scammers). The buyer ratings may become public once they receive 5 or more eligible ratings.
Cons of selling music equipment on Facebook Marketplace
Like on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace sellers are also responsible for their own payments and shipping if selling remotely rather than locally.
You should also be prepared for cases being bombarded with responses from buyers. Facebook has made it so easy to auto-message, “Is this still available?” and you have to respond to everyone quickly, or the app will send you constant reminders.
Overall, here are the pros and cons of selling your music equipment on Facebook Marketplace:
Pros
✅ Free local listings
✅ Existing Facebook network
Cons
❌ No specialization in music
❌ Fulfilled by yourself
❌ The flood of responses from buyers
Learn how to start an online boutique on Facebook to open your new music gear store.
Sweetwater Gear Exchange – Best for Used Music Instruments
If you’re looking for where to sell musical instruments, then Sweetwater Gear Exchange is also one of the great options. This more miniature marketplace, run by music instrument retailer Sweetwater, focuses only on used music gear.
Pros of selling music equipment on Sweetwater
Sweetwater makes the listing process easy by providing you with a Gear Exchange Product Finder. It lets you quickly search your instruments and auto-fill the item specifications in your listing. Inventory posted for sale is prominently featured on Sweetwater.com to reach their customer base of musicians.
Sweetwater handles all transactions and shipping through its site. However, as a smaller platform, fees may be higher than those of larger competitors to account for lower volume and dedicated service.
In particular, The Sweetwater Gear Exchange does not charge any listing fees for sellers. You can list their items on the platform without incurring any additional costs. The fees on the Gear Exchange are a 5% seller fee and a 2.5% transaction fee, which are only applied when an item sells.
You can also choose to get paid with a Sweetwater Gift Card. This way, you will get 0% Seller Fee and 0% Transaction Fee for your deal. Your received payments can be used to purchase new equipment from Sweetwater. Nice!
Cons of selling music equipment on Sweetwater
Of course, as a niche site dedicated to music equipment, Sweetwater has way less traffic than larger marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace or eBay.
Another downside is their selection is pretty limited. Sometimes, you may prefer to buy from Sweetwater as you have their gift cards but end up buying elsewhere because they never have exactly what you want.
Pros
✅ Focus on used music gear
✅ Reputable Company
Cons
❌ Smaller buyer base than other platforms
❌ Higher fees
How to Sell Second-hand Music Equipment
If you have used musical instruments and want to sell them quickly, here is the guide:
1. Clean and prepare the equipment
You should thoroughly clean the equipment inside and out, removing dust, fingerprints, or grime. If necessary, replace batteries or strings to ensure everything is in working order.
2. Assess your equipment
You should make a detailed list of the equipment you want to sell, including the brand, model, age, condition, and any accessories. Next, check online marketplaces (Reverb, eBay) and local music stores to gauge the current market value of similar items. Or you can use the Reverb Price Guide to get an estimated price based on your instrument’s model and condition.
3. Optimize your music gear listing
First, write down the specific details of your equipment, including brand, model, year of manufacture, features, and any modifications.
Next, it’s time to craft a compelling listing. You should use clear and concise titles that accurately reflect the equipment. Also, include relevant keywords that potential buyers might search for (e.g., “Fender Stratocaster Electric Guitar,” “Shure SM58 Microphone”).
High-quality images are also important. Take clear, well-lit photos from multiple angles. Besides, you should show any cosmetic imperfections or damage honestly.
Now, price your items competitively based on your research. One important thing to remember: you’re selling used gear, so be realistic about pricing. Also, you should decide if you’re willing to negotiate on prices.
4. Choose a platform to sell on
The best places to sell used instruments include Reverb, eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or local options like Craigslist, pawn shops, or music stores in your area. High-value items may be better suited for Reverb or eBay, while less valuable items might do well on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist.
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Tips to Maximize Your Musical Instrument Sales Potential
Now you know where to sell music equipment. Whether selling through online marketplaces or in your own store, there are strategies to boost your musical instrument sales. With the right approach, you can tap into the large market of musicians seeking new and used gear.
- Optimize listings for visibility: First, you should take clear, well-lit photos showcasing the instrument from multiple angles. Then, include comprehensive details on specs and conditions to help buyers find your listing. Also, remember to keep prices competitive to attract interest.
- Provide prompt responses: Timely communication builds trust with potential buyers. So, you should respond quickly to messages, whether it’s questions about the item or working out payment and shipping logistics. Make sure to leave buyers satisfied with their experience.
- Ensure transparency in transactions: You need to clearly describe the instrument’s features and any signs of wear. Besides, be upfront about shipping costs and policies. Process payments securely and get the item to buyers without delay. And remember that honesty will earn you positive reviews that bring more sales.
Listing your music equipment on multiple platforms like eBay or Reverb can maximize your chances of finding the right buyer. However, managing inventory and orders across different channels can be a hassle. LitCommerce simplifies this process by allowing you to easily list and manage your instruments on multiple marketplaces from one central dashboard.
Where to Sell Guitar – FAQs
The best place to sell used music equipment depends on your specific needs and goals. National marketplaces like Reverb and eBay provide the largest potential audience but charge fees. For local sales with no fees, Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace are best. Yes, you can sell music equipment to Guitar Center. They buy a variety of used guitars, amps, drums, DJ equipment, and more, depending on brand, age, and condition. Get an offer online first before visiting your local Guitar Center store. Yes, Sweetwater buys certain used guitars that meet their criteria. They evaluate each guitar on a case-by-case basis to determine quality and value. Sweetwater then offers store credit for the appraised amount, which can be put towards new gear.
Turn Your Music Instruments Into Cash Now!
In conclusion, musicians have several good options for where to sell music equipment. You can find local buyers on Craigslist or Facebook and reach a bigger audience nationwide on Reverb or eBay. It’s also worth checking if stores like Sweetwater or Guitar Center will purchase individual instruments.
If you have any questions about where to sell musical instruments, feel free to contact us. You can also visit our Blog and Facebook Community to learn more tips to succeed in selling music instruments and other gear.
