Are you looking to sell your used musical instrument for some extra cash? If so, you're in luck! There are several places where you can do this, both online and offline.
We get it, though. It’s not easy to part ways with your old pal. That’s why we scoured the web for some of the best places to sell your used musical instruments so you can make the most money off them.
However, there are also a few places you'll want to avoid. In this article, we'll look at the best and worst places to sell your used instruments, so keep reading until the very end. Otherwise, you might end up selling them for less than their worth.
Are old instruments worth anything?
This is a common question, and unfortunately, there's no easy answer. The value of an old musical instrument depends on several factors, including its age, condition, rarity, and more.
If you're not sure how much your instrument is worth, your best bet is to do some research online or consult with a professional appraiser.
Best places to sell your music instruments
You can approach selling your musical instruments in several ways. You could go the traditional route and try to sell through a brick-and-mortar store, or you could take advantage of modern technology and list your items online.
Here are some of the best places to sell music instruments, both online and offline.
Reverb
Reverb.com is an online marketplace specifically for musical instruments and gear. It's a great place to sell your used instrument because it's designed for musicians, so you're more likely to find buyers who are actually interested in what you're selling.
In addition, Reverb takes a smaller commission than some other sites (5%), so you'll get to keep more of the profits.
On Reverb, you can create a profile and list your instruments for sale. You can also set your own prices and shipping rates. And because Reverb is a widely-used site for buying and selling music gear, you'll likely reach a large audience of potential buyers.
OfferUp
OfferUp is an online marketplace similar to Craigslist but with a few key differences.
For one, OfferUp has a much cleaner interface and is easier to use. It's also less cluttered than Craigslist, so buyers are more likely to see your listings.
Another key difference is that OfferUp focuses on local sales, which can be helpful if you're selling larger items like pianos or drum sets. This way, buyers won't have to pay for shipping, and you can arrange to meet them in person to complete the sale.
To list your items on OfferUp, simply create a profile and start posting your listings. You can set your own prices and shipping rates, and you can also choose whether you want to sell locally or nationally.
Letgo
Letgo is another online marketplace similar to OfferUp and Craigslist. However, Letgo has a few advantages over its competitors.
First, Letgo has a sleek interface that's easy to use. Plus, it offers great features such as the ability to add up to 10 photos per listing and communicate with buyers directly through the Letgo messaging system.
Second, it offers buyer protection, so you can be sure you're not getting scammed.
Furthermore, Letgo has a large user base, so you're likely to find a buyer quickly. And if you're not sure what your instrument is worth, Letgo has a built-in pricing tool that can help you determine the right price.
Letgo doesn't charge any listing or selling fees, so you can keep 100% of the profits from your sale. Best of all, Letgo is completely free to use, so you can list as many instruments as you like without having to pay a cent.
Music Go Round
Music Go Round is a brick-and-mortar store that buys and sells used musical instruments. They have locations across the United States, so there's a good chance there's one near you.
One of the benefits of selling to Music Go Round is that they offer a 60-day price guarantee. This means that if you don't sell your item within 60 days, they'll buy it from you at the price you originally agreed upon.
Another benefit is that Music Go Round will do all the work for you. They'll handle all the advertising, negotiating, and paperwork, so you can just sit back and wait for your check.
The downside of selling to Music Go Round is that they typically offer lower prices than you could get by selling on your own. However, if you're not interested in the hassle of selling your own instrument, Music Go Round is a good option.
Sam Ash Music Store
Sam Ash Music Store is another brick-and-mortar store that buys and sells used musical instruments. It is one of the largest musical instrument retailers in the United States, with locations all across the country.
One of the benefits of selling to Sam Ash Music Store is that they offer a 90-day price guarantee. This means that if you don't sell your item within 90 days, they'll buy it from you at the price you originally agreed upon.
Another benefit is that Sam Ash Music Store will do all the work for you. They'll handle all the advertising, negotiating, and paperwork, so you can just sit back and wait for your check.
SocialSell
Socialsell is an online marketplace that connects buyers and sellers of musical instruments. With Socialsell, you can list your instrument for sale and reach thousands of potential buyers.
Socialsell also offers a wide range of features to help you promote your listing, including social media sharing and featured listings. Best of all, SocialSell does not charge any listing fees, so you can keep more of the proceeds from your sale.
Socialsell is also convenient because it offers a wide variety of payment methods, including PayPal, so you can get paid quickly and easily.
Finally, SocialSell has a stellar customer service team that is always available to help if you have any questions or issues.
Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace is a great option for selling used musical instruments because it's completely free to list your items. You can also reach a large audience of potential buyers, as there are over 2 billion active Facebook users.
When listing your instrument on Facebook Marketplace, be sure to include plenty of photos and a detailed description. You should also set a realistic price that reflects the condition of your instrument.
As with any online transaction, you should exercise caution when meeting up with a buyer from Facebook Marketplace. If possible, arrange to meet in a public place and bring someone with you for safety.
Worst places to avoid when selling musical instruments
There are some places you should avoid selling your used musical instruments, as you're likely to get ripped off. These include:
eBay
While you can sometimes find good deals on eBay, it's also easy to take advantage of. Because eBay is an online auction site, buyers can often get away with paying less than your instrument is worth.
In addition, eBay charges listing and final value fees, which can eat your profits. And, unless you choose to ship your instrument internationally, you'll only be able to sell to buyers in your country.
5miles
5miles is an online classifieds site similar to Craigslist. However, unlike Craigslist, 5miles charges listing fees.
Furthermore, 5miles does not offer any buyer protection, so there's a risk that you could get scammed out of your instrument.
Therefore, we do not recommend using 5miles to sell your used musical instruments.
Craigslist
If you're looking to unload your old saxophone or drum set, you might be tempted to post an ad on Craigslist. But beware – while Craigslist can be a great resource for finding deals on everything from furniture to cars, it's also one of the worst places to sell musical instruments.
While you might be able to find some buyers on craigslist, there's also a good chance that you'll end up getting scammed. There have been numerous reports of Craigslist scams, including people who have been tricked into selling their instruments for significantly less than they're worth.
In addition, craigslist is often full of low-quality listings, which makes it difficult to find serious buyers.
VarageSale
If you're looking to unload some used music instruments, Varagesale is probably not the best place to do it. While the popular online marketplace is a great place to find deals on everything from clothes to furniture, you're likely to get far less for your musical instruments than you would if you sold them elsewhere.
Additionally, the prices on Varagesale are often very low. Because there is no screening process for sellers, anyone can list their instruments for whatever price they want. You will likely end up selling your instrument for far less than it’s worth.
Furthermore, Varagesale is notorious for scams. Because buyers and sellers meet in person, scammers can easily take advantage of unsuspecting sellers.
Finally, Varagesale does not offer any protection for buyers or sellers. If something goes wrong with a transaction, you will have no recourse. For all these reasons, it’s best to avoid Varagesale when selling your musical instruments.
Pawn Shops
Pawn shops are probably the last place you should take your used musical instruments. Unless you're in dire need of cash, you're likely to get ripped off at a pawn shop.
Pawn shops are businesses, and their goal is to make a profit. This means that they will offer you far less than your instrument is actually worth. In addition, pawn shops typically charge high interest rates on loans, which can make it difficult to get your instrument back if you can't pay off the loan.
Finally, pawn shops often sell instruments that are in poor condition. This means that you could end up paying good money for an instrument that is not playable.
So, unless you're desperate for cash, we recommend avoiding pawn shops when selling your used musical instruments.
Second-hand shops and thrift stores
While you might be able to find a few good deals on musical instruments at second-hand shops or thrift stores, these are generally not the best places to sell your used instruments.
The reason is simple – second-hand shops and thrift stores are reselling items for a profit. This means that they will offer you far less than your instrument is actually worth. In addition, these stores typically only buy instruments that are in good condition. If your instrument is damaged or needs repairs, you're unlikely to find a buyer at a second-hand shop.
Therefore, unless you're looking to unload an instrument you no longer want, we recommend avoiding second-hand shops and thrift stores when selling your used musical instruments.
Tips for selling your gear fast
Now that we've looked at some of the best and worst places to sell your musical instruments, let's discuss some tips for selling your gear quickly, and for the right price.
1. Find out the going rate
Before you list your instrument for sale, take some time to research the going rate. This will give you a better idea of how much your instrument is actually worth, and it will help you avoid getting taken advantage of by lowball offers.
There are a few different ways to find out the going rate for your instrument. One option is to check online classifieds websites. While you won't necessarily find many instruments that are exactly like yours, you can get a general idea of how much similar instruments are selling for.
Another option is to visit your local music store and ask them how much they would be willing to pay for your instrument. While the staff at most music stores are not experts on used musical instruments, they should be able to give you a general idea of the going rate.
2. Clean and repair
Before you list your instrument for sale, take some time to clean and repair it. This will help you get a better price for your instrument, as buyers will be more likely to pay top dollar for an instrument that is in good condition.
To clean your instrument, simply wipe it down with a damp cloth. If your instrument is particularly dirty, you may need to use a mild detergent. Just be sure not to use any harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners, as these can damage the finish on your instrument.
As far as repairs go, you should only attempt to fix problems that you are confident you can fix yourself. If you're not sure how to fix something, it's best to leave it to a professional.
3. Take quality photos
Once your instrument is clean and in good working order, it's time to take some photos. When taking photos of your instrument, be sure to use a quality camera. This will help you attract more buyers, as potential buyers will be able to see the details of your instrument more clearly.
In addition, be sure to take pictures of any damages or defects. This will help you avoid any surprises down the road, and it will give buyers a better idea of what they're getting.
Finally, when taking photos of your instrument, use a plain background. A cluttered background can make your instrument look less appealing, and it can be distracting for potential buyers.
4. Prepare to List
Once you've taken quality photos of your instrument, it's time to prepare your listing. When writing your listing, be sure to include all of the relevant information about your instrument. This includes the make, model, and year, as well as any damage or defects.
In addition, be sure to set a reasonable price for your instrument. Remember, you're not looking to make a profit – you're just trying to get rid of your used musical instrument.
Finally, when you're ready to list your instrument, choose a reputable website. Many websites allow you to list used musical instruments for sale, but not all of them are created equal. Be sure to do your research before choosing a website to list your instrument on.
Should you sell instruments privately or to a music store?
Once you've decided to sell your used musical instrument, you'll need to decide whether to sell it privately or to a music store. Each option has its pros and cons, so it's important to weigh your options carefully before making a decision.
Selling your instrument privately is generally the best way to get the most money for your instrument.Â
However, selling privately can be a bit more work than selling to a music store. You'll need to list your instrument online or in a classified ad, and you'll need to deal with shipping or meeting buyers in person.
On the other hand, selling your instrument to a music store is generally much easier than selling privately.Â
You won't have to worry about listing your instrument or shipping it, and you'll usually get a fair price for your instrument. However, you won't make as much money selling to a music store as you would selling privately.
The bottom line is that there's no right or wrong answer when deciding whether to sell your instrument privately or to a music store. It really depends on your personal preferences and the amount of time and effort you're willing to put into selling your instrument.
What is the most valuable musical instrument?
The most valuable musical instrument is the one that is worth the most money to the person who owns it. Many factors can affect the value of a musical instrument, such as its age, condition, and rarity.
Generally speaking, older instruments are more valuable than newer instruments. This is because older instruments are often more difficult to find, and they may be in better condition than newer instruments. In addition, some older instruments may be considered “vintage,” which can further increase their value.
Of course, the value of a musical instrument also depends on its condition. A well-maintained instrument will be worth more than an instrument that is in poor condition. Similarly, an instrument that is rare or hard to find will also be worth more than a common instrument.
Can you recycle musical instruments?
Yes, you can recycle musical instruments. However, recycling musical instruments is not as common as recycling other types of items. This is because musical instruments are often made of materials that are difficult to recycle, such as wood and metal.
If you do decide to recycle your musical instrument, it's important to find a reputable recycling center that specializes in recycling musical instruments. This will help ensure that your instrument is recycled properly and safely.
Conclusion
Selling a used musical instrument can be a great way to eliminate an instrument you no longer need or want. However, it's important to choose the right method for selling your instrument. Be sure to consider all your options before making a decision, and research any website you're considering using to list your instrument.
Aidan has been writing about personal finance for over 6 years. Prior to this, he worked as a Corporate Finance Analyst where he specialized in Due Diligence, Company Valuations and more. He is a CFA charterholder.
