How to read used guitar prices — 3 minutes with sold listings
The price on a used listing is what the seller is asking. What guitars actually sell for is a separate number, and you can check it in three minutes.
1. Look at sold prices
Search the model name on a used marketplace like Reverb or eBay, then filter to show sold listings only. Five to ten sales from the last three months show you the real price range.
Treat current listings as a reference only. A listing that sits unsold for a long time usually has a high asking price.
2. The 60–75% rule and its exceptions
Used guitars in good condition usually sell for 60–75% of the new price. There are exceptions in both directions.
- Regular lines from popular brands like Fender, Gibson, PRS, Martin and Taylor: they hold their value at 75–85%.
- Budget Korean brands and Squier's lower lines: they drop to 50–60%.
Discontinued popular models sometimes sell for more than they cost new.
3. Count the extras separately
- Hard case included: adds value (a basic new one costs $80–160)
- Gig bag (soft case): adds a little (a basic new one costs $35–50)
- Strap, cable, tuner and other accessories: a small plus
- "Set up" or "new strings": a good sign. It saves you the cost of a setup ($50–110)
4. Condition issues that justify a lower price
| What you find | Cost | Negotiation |
|---|---|---|
| Fret wear (grooves on frets 1–5) | Fret dress $150–190 | Take that much off, or walk away |
| Noisy jack or pots | Replace the part | Ask for the repair cost off |
| Slipping tuning pegs | Replace the tuners | Ask for the repair cost off |
| Hairline cracks in the finish | 0 (doesn't affect the sound) | Knock 5–10% off for looks |
| Warped neck, cracked headstock, bulging acoustic top | Structural problem | Don't haggle — don't buy |
Negotiate with evidence, not feelings. Say what you found and what it costs, like "The jack crackles. Could you take off the cost of replacing it?", and most sellers will agree. Use exactly what you found with the on-site checklist.
5. Scam warning signs
- Priced 30% or more below recent sold prices, with an "urgent sale" pitch
- Refuses protected payment and asks for a direct bank transfer
- The same photos appear on other marketplaces (check with an image search)
- Won't meet in person or let you try it through an amp
Under $300, new is better. New and used differ by only a little, and new comes with warranty service. The savings from buying used get bigger above $600.