Disclosure: Liverpool Music does not currently earn commission from any retailer or marketplace mentioned on this page.
A used guitar is one of the best deals in music. Someone else has already paid for the first big drop in value, the wood has settled, and the money you save can go on a setup, a better amp or lessons. When I checked UK listings for our gear comparisons, used Squier Classic Vibe Strats were selling for around £280 to £300 against £399 new, and pre owned modelling amps were often half their original price.
The risk is buying a guitar with a hidden problem, a fake, or one that was never the seller's to sell. I am a songwriter, and I build FencyGuitar, a guitar learning app, so I hear from plenty of new players who bought a "bargain" that turned out to be hard to play. This guide covers where to buy in the UK, what your rights are, how to pay safely and exactly what to check before you hand over money.
The Quick Answer
| Where to buy | Buyer protection | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| A UK guitar shop's pre owned section | Strongest: full consumer rights, often a warranty | First time buyers and higher value guitars |
| Reverb | Platform buyer protection | Specific models and wider choice |
| eBay | Platform money back guarantee | Common models at keen prices |
| Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree | Very little | Local deals you can inspect in person |
| Friends, teachers and local players | Depends on trust | Low risk if you know the seller |
If you are buying your first guitar, buy used from a shop. You pay a little more than a private sale, but the guitar has usually been checked and set up, and you have proper legal protection.
Where to Buy a Used Guitar
UK guitar shops
Most large UK guitar shops, including guitarguitar, Andertons and PMT, sell pre owned and ex demo gear, both in store and online. Prices are higher than private sales, but guitars are usually inspected, sometimes set up, and often come with a warranty. If something goes wrong, you are dealing with a business that has a reputation to protect.
Ex demo gear is a particularly good option. These are shop display instruments that have been played in store, sold at a discount, often with a full warranty.
Reverb
Reverb is a marketplace built specifically for music gear, with shops and private sellers listing side by side. It is excellent for finding a particular model or finish, and it offers buyer protection when you pay through the platform. Read each seller's ratings and returns policy, because they vary.
eBay
eBay has huge volume and often the lowest prices for common guitars. Its money back guarantee covers items that do not arrive or do not match the description, as long as you pay through eBay. Check seller feedback and look for clear photos of the headstock, serial number and any damage.
Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree and local listings
Local listings are where real bargains appear, often from people clearing out a guitar they never played. They are also where most scams happen. Only buy from local listings if you can see and play the guitar in person before paying.
Your Rights When Buying Used in the UK
Your rights depend on who you buy from, not just what you buy.
Buying from a shop or business. The Consumer Rights Act applies to used goods bought from a trader. The guitar must be of satisfactory quality for its age and price, fit for purpose and as described. If it is faulty, you generally have a short window to reject it for a refund, and after that the right to a repair or replacement. Used goods are judged with their age in mind, so normal wear is not a fault, but a cracked neck that was not disclosed is.
Buying online from a business. As well as the rights above, you usually have a period after delivery to cancel the order for any reason, under the rules for distance selling. Check the shop's returns page for the exact terms.
Buying from a private seller. Your protection is much weaker. A private seller has to describe the guitar accurately and must have the right to sell it, but there is no requirement for it to be of satisfactory quality. If you buy privately and later find a problem the seller did not lie about, you usually have little comeback.
This is the single biggest reason to buy from a shop when you are unsure what to check.
How to Pay Safely
Pay through the platform. On eBay and Reverb, always pay through the site to keep your buyer protection. Never agree to pay outside it.
Use buyer protection on payment apps. If you pay by a payment app, use the goods and services option, not a "friends" payment, which offers no protection.
Avoid bank transfers to strangers. A bank transfer to someone you have never met is very hard to recover if the guitar never appears.
Pay cash only in person, after you have inspected and played the guitar.
Be wary of urgency. A seller who pushes you to pay a deposit to "hold" a guitar, or who cannot meet in person, is a classic red flag.
The Inspection Checklist
Take your time. A genuine seller will not mind. Bring a small torch, a clean cable, and if possible a friend who plays.
Neck and truss rod
Sight down the neck from the headstock towards the body. A slight forward bow is normal and adjustable. A twist, where one side of the fingerboard is higher than the other, is a serious problem. Ask whether the truss rod adjusts freely; a seized or maxed out truss rod can be expensive to fix.
Frets and fingerboard
Look for deep grooves under the strings in the first five frets. Worn frets cause buzzing and poor tuning, and a refret can cost a lot. Run your hand along the edge of the fingerboard for sharp fret ends, which usually just need a setup. Play every fret on every string and listen for notes that buzz or choke out.
Body, finish and headstock
Check the headstock joint and the area behind the nut carefully. Headstock breaks are common on guitars such as Les Pauls and SGs, and a repaired break can be solid, but it should be disclosed and reflected in the price. On bolt on guitars, check the neck pocket for cracks.
Hardware and tuning
Tune the guitar, bend a few strings, and check it returns to pitch. Turn each tuner to make sure none slip. On guitars with a tremolo, use it gently and see how well it stays in tune.
Electronics
Plug into an amp and try every pickup position, volume and tone control. Crackles usually mean dirty pots or switches, which are cheap to clean. A dead pickup or intermittent output is more serious.
Acoustic guitar checks
Look closely at the top around the soundhole and bridge for cracks. Try to slide a sheet of paper under the back edge of the bridge; if it goes in, the bridge is lifting. Check the action at the 12th fret: very high action can mean the guitar needs a neck reset, one of the most expensive repairs an acoustic can need. If it has a pickup, plug it in and check the battery.
Spotting Fakes and Stolen Guitars
Fakes are most common for expensive brands, especially Gibson, and for collectable pedals. Check the serial number format, logo shape and spacing, truss rod cover and the quality of the wiring in the control cavity against photos of genuine examples. Our Gibson vs Epiphone Les Paul comparison includes more detail on Les Paul checks.
For stolen guitars, the warning signs are a price far below the going rate, a seller who cannot explain where the guitar came from, no case or paperwork for an expensive instrument, and reluctance to meet at a home address. Ask for the original receipt on higher value guitars, note the serial number, and search it online along with the words "stolen guitar". If something feels wrong, walk away.
What to Pay
Used prices depend on condition, demand and the original price. A sensible approach is to check several sold listings, not just asking prices, for the same model and finish, then compare with the shop price for new and ex demo versions.
Popular, well made mid priced guitars hold their value best. Squier Classic Vibe models and Epiphone Les Paul Standards sell easily, as our Squier vs Epiphone comparison explains. The cheapest entry level guitars lose a larger share of their price, which makes them very good value used. Small acoustics such as the Taylor GS Mini and Martin LX1E are also common second hand; see our Taylor GS Mini vs Martin LX1E comparison for what to look for. Nylon string and travel guitars often turn up used too, because people try them and move on; our guides to nylon string guitars for steel string players and the best travel guitars help you decide which models are worth hunting for.
Remember to budget for a professional setup on any used guitar. Even a guitar in good condition usually plays better after one. Our guide on how to set up a cheap guitar explains what is involved.
Used Amps and Effects
The same principles apply to amps and pedals. For modelling amps, check that the app connects and updates, and that the headphone output works. For valve amps, listen for hum and crackles, check the reverb, and ask when the valves were last changed; never open a valve amp yourself, because it can hold dangerous voltages even when unplugged. Our Boss Katana vs Positive Grid Spark and Blues Junior vs Princeton Reverb comparisons include specific checks for those amps. Multi effects units are also common used buys; check every footswitch and the expression pedal, as covered in our Valeton GP-50 vs Boss GT-1 vs Zoom G1X Four comparison.
What I Don't Like About Buying Used
You cannot always play before you buy. Online listings rely on photos and honest descriptions, and even good sellers miss things.
Private sales offer little protection. If a problem appears a week later, you are often on your own.
Hidden costs add up. New strings, a setup, a gig bag and possibly a repair can quickly close the gap with a new guitar.
Scams are real. Marketplace fraud is common enough that you need to stay alert every time.
Who Should Skip Buying Used
Complete beginners buying without help. Buy from a shop's pre owned section or buy new, so the guitar is checked and you have proper rights.
Players who need a specific left handed or unusual model quickly. Used stock is unpredictable.
Anyone who cannot inspect the guitar or pay with buyer protection. In that case, the saving is not worth the risk.
FAQ
Is it worth buying a used guitar?
Yes, buying a used guitar is often worth it, because you avoid the first drop in value and can get a better instrument for the same money. The key is to inspect it carefully, pay with buyer protection, and budget for a setup. Buying used from a shop gives you the best balance of price and safety.
What are my rights when buying a used guitar from a shop?
When you buy a used guitar from a UK shop or business, the Consumer Rights Act applies. The guitar must be of satisfactory quality for its age and price, fit for purpose and as described. If it is faulty, you can usually reject it within a short period or ask for a repair or replacement.
What should I check on a used acoustic guitar?
Check the top for cracks around the soundhole and bridge, see whether the bridge is lifting, and measure the action at the 12th fret. Very high action can mean an expensive neck reset. Play every fret, check the tuners, and if there is a pickup, plug it in and test it.
Is Facebook Marketplace safe for buying guitars?
Facebook Marketplace can be safe if you meet the seller in person, inspect and play the guitar, and pay only when you are happy. It offers very little protection otherwise. Avoid sellers who want a bank transfer or deposit before you see the guitar, and walk away from deals that seem too good.
How can I tell if a used guitar is fake?
Compare the serial number format, headstock logo, truss rod cover and control cavity wiring against photos of genuine examples. Fakes are most common for expensive brands such as Gibson. A price far below the market rate is a warning sign. If in doubt, buy from a shop or ask a guitar technician to inspect it.
The Bottom End
A used guitar can give you a better instrument for less money, but only if you buy carefully. For your first guitar or anything expensive, a UK shop's pre owned or ex demo section is the safest route, with proper rights and usually a checked instrument. If you buy privately, inspect it in person, play every fret, check the neck and electronics, and pay in a way that protects you. Then spend some of what you saved on a proper setup. A well chosen used guitar that plays beautifully is worth far more than a new one that fights you.
