Here are the best websites and mobile apps to buy used musical instruments and music gear online or in person.
If you’re on a tight budget, buying used equipment can be a great way to get what you need without breaking the bank.
Whether you’re in the market for a guitar, synthesizer keyboard, drum set, studio monitor, or microphone, you can find it used.
Buying new music equipment can be very costly, especially if you’re starting out. Luckily there are several great websites that sell used musical instruments and music gear at a fraction of the cost of buying new sound equipment.
- OfferUp
- Craigslist
- Facebook Marketplace
- Amazon
- eBay
- Guitar Center
- Sam Ash
- Sweetwater Gear Exchange
- Reverb
- Musicians Friend
- Music Go Round
- 5 Tips For Buying Used Gear
There are many websites where you can find great deals and negotiate prices with sellers for used gear.
Here are some of the benefits of buying used music equipment:
- Get high-quality instruments for a fraction of the price
- Used instruments are often just as good as new ones
- Find vintage equipment that is no longer in production or discontinued
- Negotiate prices with sellers
- If you don’t like a product, put it back online to sell
- Save money by buying used instruments
- You can find some rare and unique instruments
So if you’re on a budget or want to save money, buying used musical instruments and musical gear is the way to go.
1. OfferUp
With OfferUp, you can browse through listings from people in your area who are selling everything from furniture to electronics.
OfferUp is one of my favorite websites to buy and sell products online.
You can use the website or mobile app to search for specific items and filter by price range, distance, category, and new or used items.
OfferUp is a user community website of people selling things.
What’s great about it is that people have profile ratings.
When you’re looking for a product on the website, you can see if the person selling the product has a good rating which means that they’re more trustworthy.
If a user has no ratings, they may have just created an account, and you may want to avoid them.
When you search for products, you can look for sellers in your area, or you can look for people who will ship the item to you in your country.
Another great feature of the site is that you can sometimes negotiate prices. You will find people trying to get rid of items fast, and you can occasionally offer below what they’re asking. Sometimes it’ll work out.
Another great feature that I love is you can save a search query and receive a notification from the site when a product that meets what you are searching for is added to the site.
For example, if you are looking for an Akai Pro MIDI keyboard under $50 in a 5-mile radius.
You can be notified when a product that meets these requirements is added to the site.
2. Craigslist
Craigslist is an excellent option if you’re looking for used musical instruments and music gear in your area.
Craigslist is a website where people can post classified ads for items they want to sell or trade.
Craigslist is popular because it is free to use and easy to navigate. It is one of the largest classified websites, with an estimated 10 million new ads posted monthly.
The site is organized by category, so users can easily find what they’re looking for.
The website is available in many different countries and is a popular way to buy and sell used music gear.
Some people use Craigslist to find good deals on items they need, while others use it to get rid of things they no longer want. You can find just about anything on Craigslist, from musical instruments to computer gear to add to your music studio.
While Craigslist can be a great resource for finding deals on music products and services, it is important to use caution when dealing with strangers.
Be sure to use caution when dealing with buyers and sellers on Craigslist, as there have been some incidents of fraud reported in the past.
When meeting someone for the first time, meeting in a public place is suggested. Bring a friend or family member along for safety.
3. Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace is a feature of the social media platform that allows users to buy and sell items to people in their area.
To use the marketplace, users simply need to take a photo of the item they wish to sell, add a description and price, and post it to the marketplace.
Buyers can then browse the items available for sale and message the seller if they are interested in purchasing an item.
Because Facebook Marketplace is integrated with the main Facebook app, it is easy for users to find items being sold near them.
You can filter your search results by distance, price, condition, and delivery method.
4. Amazon
Amazon is the largest Internet-based retailer in the world.
They are typically known for selling new products, but you can also buy used and returned items at a discounted price.
When searching the website, you can filter the “Condition” to “Used” to find used items.
When looking at a product, under the Add to Cart button, look for the New & Used button.
Here you can sort and filter the used items available.
5. eBay
eBay is one of the world’s largest online marketplaces.
You can find almost anything on eBay, including used musical instruments and music gear.
eBay is a great option if you’re looking for a wide selection of items to choose from.
Plus, with eBay’s buyer protection program, you can shop confidently, knowing you’re protected against fraud or misrepresentation.
You can view how many times a seller has sold a product to feel confident the seller can be trusted.
6. Guitar Center
Guitar Center is a retailer that specializes in musical instruments and related equipment.
They offer products for a variety of musical styles, including guitars, basses, drums, amps, DJ equipment, and more.
They offer a wide variety of products for both beginners and professionals alike.
7. Sam Ash
Sam Ash is a music retailer chain in the United States that sells a range of instruments and music-related equipment, from bass guitars and drums to DJ gear and lighting.
You may be able to find some deals for used music gear on their website.
8. Sweetwater Gear Exchange
Sweetwater is an online retailer specializing in musical instruments and audio equipment.
The company offers a wide selection of products from over 1,000 brands.
You can find vintage and discontinued music gear and equipment.
Some of the used music items offer free shipping and allow you to make offers on the equipment.
9. Reverb
Reverb is a website that specializes in selling new and used musical instruments and gear.
You can search for items by category, price, brand, condition, location, and more.
10. Musicians Friend
Musician’s Friend is one of the leading retailers of musical instruments and music gear.
They offer a wide selection of products from top brands like Fender, Gibson, and Yamaha.
You can find electric guitars, amps, guitar stands, microphones, keyboards, recording equipment, drums, and more.
11. Music Go Round
Music Go Round is a national franchise specializing in the sale and trade of used musical instruments and gear.
For over 30 years, they have specialized in buying and selling quality used gear.
Music Go Round has become a go-to destination for both beginner and experienced musicians.
All the used musical instruments are tested and re-tested before being sold to the public.
Whether you’re looking to buy your first acoustic guitar or upgrade to a new set of drums, Music Go Round might have what you’re looking for.
You can also visit one of their music stores and try to trade your music equipment for a newer piece of gear.
5 Tips For Buying Used Gear
Here are some tips for buying used music equipment from individuals.
- Buy from sellers with higher profile ratings to buy from someone who is more reliable.
- If you meet the seller, meet in a public place during the daytime.
- If there are multiple options for the product to buy at a similar price. Message multiple sellers asking if they are flexible on the price.
- It is important to inspect gear for any damage. If there is any damage, be sure to ask the seller how much they are asking for the item and if they are willing to reduce the price. Some things to look for when inspecting used music equipment include:
- Are all of the knobs and buttons in working order?
- Do all of the cords work?
- Is there any damage to the equipment?
- Do all of the pieces seem to be present?
- Can you play the item?
- Test the product to make sure it works.
There are many great websites where you can buy used musical instruments and music gear.
Be sure to do your research before making any purchase to ensure that you’re getting a good deal on a quality product.
Once again, there is a great chance if you buy a used piece of sound equipment and aren’t happy with it. You can put it back online to sell to someone else in the future.
So what is your favorite place to buy used music equipment?
What has your experience been with selling music equipment? Do you prefer selling online or selling locally? Where do you get a fair price for your musical gear?
Let us know your experience with selling gear in the comments.
Related: Sell Music Equipment Online
