Reverb Selling Guide: Musical Gear Reselling Mastery in 2026

If you’ve ever tried selling a guitar on eBay and watched it sit for months while identical listings from music stores dominated search results, you understand why Reverb exists. This is a marketplace built specifically for musicians, by musicians—and that focus creates opportunities that general platforms simply can’t match.

Reverb has over 10 million listings at any given time, ranging from $20 guitar straps to $500,000 vintage instruments. I’ve sold over 300 items on the platform since 2020—guitars, amps, pedals, studio gear, and more. Here’s everything I’ve learned about maximizing success on the musician’s marketplace.

Why Reverb Works for Musical Gear

Before diving into tactics, understand what makes Reverb special:

The Dedicated Audience

Reverb’s buyers are musicians. They understand gear. When you list a “1978 Fender Stratocaster with original pickups,” Reverb buyers know exactly what that means—and what it’s worth. Compare this to eBay where you’re competing with every category imaginable for buyer attention.

This focused audience means:

• Less need to educate buyers on why something is valuable
• Buyers who search for specific gear by model, year, and specification
• Higher conversion rates for properly priced items
• Buyers willing to pay fair prices for quality gear

The Price Guide

Reverb publishes pricing data based on actual transactions. This transparency helps both buyers and sellers establish fair market value. Before listing, you can see exactly what your gear has sold for recently—and buyers can too.

The Community Aspect

Reverb markets itself as musician-to-musician selling. Many stores are run by working musicians, and the platform culture respects that. It’s less transactional than general marketplaces, which creates trust but also means certain professional standards are expected.

Reverb’s Fee Structure

Reverb’s fees are competitive with general marketplaces and significantly better than music store consignment.

Standard Fees

Real Numbers Example

You sell a guitar for $1,500 + $50 shipping (buyer pays):

Your effective fee rate: about 8.1%

Comparison to Alternatives

Reverb’s fee structure makes it competitive with direct sales while providing marketplace reach. Compare your specific items using our eBay, Mercari & Poshmark fee calculator for other platforms.

Reverb Preferred Seller Benefits

Sellers meeting certain criteria (sales volume, response time, shipping speed) earn “Preferred Seller” status, which provides:

• Reduced selling fee (3.5% instead of 5%)
• Search visibility boost
• Badge signaling trustworthiness
• Priority customer support

High-volume sellers should target Preferred status—the 1.5% fee reduction adds up significantly.

What Sells Best on Reverb

Understanding Reverb’s buyer demographics helps you source smarter.

Top Categories

Electric Guitars The bread and butter of Reverb. Fender and Gibson dominate, but there’s strong demand for:

• Vintage instruments (1960s-1980s especially)
• Limited editions and signature models
• Japanese builders (Ibanez, ESP, Tokai)
• Boutique brands (Suhr, Anderson, Kiesel)

Acoustic Guitars Martin and Taylor lead, followed by:

• Vintage American acoustics
• High-end contemporary builders
• Specific models with good reputations (Gibson J-45, Guild D-55)

Amplifiers Tube amps especially, covering:

• Vintage Fender (Deluxe, Twin, Princeton)
• Marshall classics (JCM800, vintage Plexi)
• Boutique modern builders (Two Rock, Matchless, Dr. Z)
• Vintage oddities with cult followings

Effects Pedals Possibly Reverb’s most active category:

• Boutique pedals (Strymon, Walrus Audio, Chase Bliss)
• Vintage pedals (original Boss, DOD, MXR)
• Limited editions and discontinued models
• DIY and small-builder pedals

Studio Gear Professional audio equipment:

• Recording interfaces and preamps
• Microphones (especially vintage Neumann, AKG)
• Outboard gear (compressors, EQs)
• Monitors and headphones

Drums & Percussion

• Vintage drum kits (Ludwig, Gretsch, Rogers)
• Boutique cymbals
• High-end snare drums
• Electronic drum gear

Categories With Lower Demand

• Entry-level instruments from unknown brands
• Generic accessories without brand cachet
• Common items with no special character
• Damaged items without historical significance

Creating Listings That Sell

Reverb’s audience has high standards. Musicians know their gear and can spot vague or misleading listings instantly.

Photography Requirements

Musicians want to see exactly what they’re buying:

Essential shots:

1. Full front view: Classic position, well-lit
2. Full back view: Important for guitars/amps
3. Headstock/logo: Brand identification
4. Serial number: Proves legitimacy, helps dating
5. Neck/fretboard: Shows wear pattern, fret condition
6. Body details: Close-ups of hardware, controls
7. Condition issues: Any dings, scratches, wear—photograph all of it
8. Accessories included: Cases, cables, documentation

Technical standards:

• Well-lit photos (natural light or proper lighting setup)
• Clean backgrounds (avoid clutter)
• Accurate color representation
• High resolution (Reverb displays large images)
• No heavy filtering or editing

Pro tip: Include a photo showing scale. A pedal next to a standard pick or a guitar next to a common object helps buyers visualize size.

Writing Descriptions Musicians Trust

Your description should answer every question a knowledgeable buyer might ask:

[Year] [Brand] [Model] [Finish] - [Condition Summary]

This [instrument] is in [excellent/very good/good/fair] condition with [key selling points].

SPECS:
• Body: [Material, construction]
• Neck: [Material, profile shape]
• Fingerboard: [Material, radius]
• Pickups: [Type, brand, replacements if applicable]
• Hardware: [Bridge, tuners, relevant details]
• Electronics: [Pots, wiring, modifications]
• Weight: [For guitars/amps this matters]

CONDITION NOTES:
• [Honest assessment of wear]
• [Any repairs or modifications]
• [Fret life remaining for guitars]
• [Tube condition for amps]

INCLUDES:
• [Case/bag type if included]
• [Original accessories]
• [Documentation if available]

HISTORY:
[Any provenance, professional use, notable ownership]

Ships securely in [packaging description]. Happy to provide additional photos or answer questions.

Pricing Strategy

Reverb’s price guide is your starting point, but context matters:

Factors affecting price:

• Condition relative to comparables
• Completeness (original case, documentation)
• Modifications (can help or hurt value)
• Rarity of specific configuration
• Current market demand

Pricing approaches:

• At market: Price at Reverb’s guide for standard sales
• Slightly below: Price 10% under for faster sales
• Slightly above: Price 10-15% above if condition is exceptional or includes rare accessories

The offers factor: 85%+ of Reverb sales involve offers. Price with negotiation room—list at 10-15% above your minimum acceptable and expect to negotiate.

Use our ROI calculator for resellers to determine your floor price based on sourcing costs.

Condition Grading on Reverb

Reverb uses standardized condition grades. Using them correctly builds trust:

Critical rule: Never overgrade. Reverb musicians know gear. An “Excellent” guitar with visible belt buckle rash will generate complaints and returns. When in doubt, grade one level lower and let buyers be pleasantly surprised.

Specific Condition Considerations

For guitars:

• Fret wear: Measure and report fret life percentage
• Neck relief: Note if truss rod adjusts properly
• Electronics: Do all controls work smoothly?
• Hardware: Any rust, oxidation, or replacement parts?

For amplifiers:

• Tube condition: How old are the tubes? Original or replaced?
• Capacitor age: Vintage amps may need recap
• Functionality: Test all channels, effects loops, etc.
• Tolex/cosmetics: Rips, tears, pet damage?

For pedals:

• Functionality: Do all knobs and switches work?
• Scratches: Photos showing reality
• Velcro on bottom: Present? Removable?
• Original box/manual: Many buyers care deeply

Reverb vs. eBay for Music Gear

Both platforms sell musical instruments. Here’s when each wins:

When Reverb Wins

• Quality instruments from known brands
• Items where condition nuances affect value
• Situations where musician-to-musician trust matters
• Gear you want maximum price for

When eBay Wins

• Entry-level equipment (larger casual buyer pool)
• Rare items where search volume matters
• Situations needing auction format for price discovery
• International shipping (eBay’s global program is strong)

Smart Strategy: Cross-List

List your best gear on both platforms. Reverb reaches serious musicians; eBay reaches everyone. Different buyer pools, different opportunities. When an item sells on one platform, immediately remove it from the other.

For a complete platform comparison, see our where to sell online guide for 2026.

Shipping Musical Instruments Safely

Shipping guitars, amps, and pedals is different from shipping shoes. Do it wrong and you’ll face returns, damage claims, and destroyed gear.

Guitar Shipping Protocol

Required materials:

• Original hardshell case (strongly preferred) or quality gig bag
• Packing paper or bubble wrap
• Sturdy box (guitar-specific shipping boxes ideal)
• Fragile tape and handling stickers

Packing process:

1. Loosen string tension (prevents neck stress during temp changes)
2. Pad the headstock inside the case (newspaper or bubble wrap)
3. Ensure guitar is snug—no movement inside case
4. Wrap case in bubble wrap
5. Place in box with 2" clearance on all sides
6. Fill void with packing material
7. Double-box extremely valuable instruments

Insurance: Always insure at full value. USPS, UPS, and FedEx all offer coverage—cost is minimal compared to guitar values.

Amplifier Shipping

Amps are heavy and fragile—especially tube amps:

Critical steps:

• Remove tubes on vintage/high-value amps (ship separately, well-padded)
• Double-box with foam or packing peanuts
• Mark “FRAGILE - GLASS TUBES” prominently
• Consider freight shipping for heavy amps (>50 lbs)

Tube amp specific: Many experienced sellers remove tubes, pack them individually in tube boxes, and include them separately in the main package or ship in a separate box. This prevents tube damage during transit.

Pedal Shipping

Pedals are simpler but still require care:

• Wrap in bubble wrap (especially knobs and switches)
• Use appropriately-sized boxes (not oversized)
• Fill void space to prevent shifting
• Include padding between multiple pedals if bundling

Building a Reverb Shop

Serious sellers treat Reverb as a business, not casual selling.

Shop Setup

Shop name: Choose something musical and professional. “Dave’s Vintage Guitars” signals expertise; “RandomSeller2023” doesn’t.

About section: Tell your story. Are you a working musician? A vintage collector? A repair tech? Buyers trust sellers who demonstrate genuine connection to gear.

Policies: Clear shipping timelines, return policies, and payment terms. Professional shops have professional policies.

Building Reputation

Reviews compound on Reverb. Early reviews especially matter:

Getting good reviews:

• Ship faster than promised
• Pack carefully (buyers notice)
• Grade conservatively (pleasant surprises)
• Communicate proactively
• Resolve problems gracefully

Handling problems:

• Respond immediately to concerns
• Accept valid returns without drama
• When you’re wrong, own it
• Negative reviews on Reverb hurt—prevent them

Inventory Strategy

Consistent inventory wins on Reverb:

• List regularly (not bulk-then-silence)
• Maintain diverse price points
• Build expertise in specific niches
• Track what sells and what sits

Sourcing Musical Gear to Flip

Finding undervalued gear requires knowing where to look.

Best Sourcing Channels

Estate sales and auctions Musicians accumulate gear over decades. Estate sales can yield vintage gold at pennies on the dollar.

Pawn shops Pawn shops often underprice musical instruments. They’re not gear experts—but you are.

Facebook Marketplace / Craigslist Local sellers wanting quick cash may price significantly under market. Check daily and respond fast to good deals.

Damaged gear for repair If you can fix things, broken gear sells cheap. A guitar with a cracked headstock might cost $100 and sell for $800 after repair.

Garage sales Old instruments hide in garages. Most garage sale sellers have no idea what they have.

What to Look For When Sourcing

High-value signals:

• Recognized brands (Fender, Gibson, Martin, Marshall)
• Vintage dating (serial numbers, features)
• Quality construction (solid wood, good hardware)
• Sought-after models (research what’s hot)

Deal-breakers:

• Neck damage on guitars (expensive to repair)
• Water damage
• Missing critical components
• Fire/smoke damage

Due diligence:

• Check Reverb price guide before buying
• Research serial numbers
• Test functionality if possible
• Factor in repair costs

Advanced Reverb Strategies

Once basics are mastered, these tactics separate professionals from casual sellers.

The Bump Strategy

Reverb lets you “bump” listings (renew them to appear fresh) for a small fee. Strategic bumping works:

• Bump items that have views but no offers
• Bump before weekend buying windows
• Don’t waste bumps on items with fundamental issues (wrong price, poor photos)

Bundle Sales

Bundle related items for higher transaction values:

• Pedal packages (“Complete blues pedalboard”)
• Guitar + case + accessories
• Studio gear packages

Bundles attract buyers who appreciate curation and save them shopping time.

Seasonal Timing

Music gear has buying patterns:

List your best inventory before November. Holiday buyers are motivated and less price-sensitive.

Offer Management

Most sales involve negotiation:

• Within 10% of asking: Accept. The quick sale is worth it.
• 10-20% below: Counter in the middle.
• Lowball (30%+ below): Counter once at your floor, or decline.
• Response speed matters: Fast responses signal professionalism.

Common Reverb Seller Mistakes

Avoid these pitfalls that hurt your shop:

Mistake #1: Overgrading Condition

Musicians know gear. Listing a guitar as “Excellent” when it has significant fret wear generates returns and negative feedback. When uncertain, grade conservatively.

Mistake #2: Poor Photos

One blurry photo won’t sell a $2,000 guitar. Invest time in proper photography—it’s not optional on Reverb.

Mistake #3: Generic Descriptions

“Nice guitar, plays great” tells buyers nothing. Include specs, condition details, history. Thorough descriptions attract serious buyers.

Mistake #4: Slow Shipping

Musicians waiting for gear before a gig won’t buy from slow shippers again. Ship within your stated timeframe—preferably faster.

Mistake #5: Ignoring Messages

Questions indicate interest. Slow responses lose sales to faster competitors. Enable notifications and respond promptly.

Mistake #6: Defensive Problem Resolution

When problems happen, defensive sellers escalate disputes. Solutions-oriented sellers keep customers and avoid negative reviews. Take the high road.

The Crosslisting Consideration

Should you list gear on multiple platforms? Usually yes:

Cross-list to:

• eBay (different audience, auction option)
• Facebook Marketplace (local sales avoid shipping)
• Craigslist (local, zero fees)
• Specialty forums (bass forums, synth forums, etc.)

Track carefully: When something sells on one platform, remove it everywhere else immediately. Double-selling destroys reputation.

For comprehensive crosslisting strategies, see our crosslisting guide for resellers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Reverb fees in 2026?

Reverb charges a 5% selling fee plus payment processing of 2.99% + $0.49. Total effective fees run approximately 8% per transaction. Preferred Sellers (earned through performance metrics) receive a reduced 3.5% selling fee. Compared to eBay’s ~14% and music store consignment’s 20-40%, Reverb’s fees are competitive for gear sales.

Is Reverb better than eBay for selling guitars?

For most guitar sales, yes. Reverb’s dedicated musician audience understands gear value, making sales faster at fair prices. Fees are lower (8% vs. 14%), and the price guide transparency helps establish trust. eBay can work better for extremely rare items where maximum search exposure matters, or entry-level gear targeting casual buyers. Smart sellers often list valuable guitars on both platforms.

How do I ship a guitar safely on Reverb?

Use a hardshell case (strongly preferred) or quality gig bag. Loosen string tension to protect the neck. Pad the headstock inside the case. Wrap the case in bubble wrap, place in a guitar-specific shipping box with 2" clearance on all sides, and fill voids with packing material. Always insure at full value. Double-box extremely valuable instruments.

What instruments sell best on Reverb?

Electric guitars (especially Fender and Gibson), vintage tube amplifiers, boutique effects pedals, and quality acoustic guitars lead Reverb sales. High-demand brands include Fender, Gibson, Martin, Taylor, Marshall, Vox, Strymon, and Chase Bliss Audio. Vintage and limited edition items often command premiums. Entry-level gear from unknown brands moves more slowly.

How long does it take to sell on Reverb?

Highly sought items (popular guitars, hot pedals) can sell within hours to days. Average-demand items typically take 1-4 weeks. Niche items may take months. Factors affecting speed include pricing (competitive pricing sells faster), photography quality, condition accuracy, and seasonal timing (November-December is peak buying season).

What condition grade should I use on Reverb?

Use Reverb’s standardized grades honestly: Mint (as new), Excellent (light wear), Very Good (normal play wear), Good (noticeable wear), Fair (significant wear), Poor (heavy wear/issues). Never overgrade—Reverb’s musician audience will notice, generating returns and negative reviews. When uncertain, grade one level lower and let buyers be pleasantly surprised.

Can I sell non-musical items on Reverb?

Reverb focuses exclusively on musical instruments, gear, and related accessories. Non-musical items will be removed. Categories include guitars, amplifiers, effects, drums, keyboards, studio gear, DJ equipment, and accessories. Items must relate to making, recording, or performing music.

How do I price items on Reverb?

Start with Reverb’s price guide, which shows actual transaction data for similar items. Adjust based on your specific item’s condition, completeness (original case, documentation), modifications, and current demand. Price 10-15% above your minimum acceptable since most sales involve negotiation. Competitive pricing sells faster; premium pricing requires exceptional condition or rare features.

Final Thoughts: Why Reverb Deserves Your Gear

Reverb isn’t trying to be everything to everyone. It’s a musician’s marketplace, and that focus creates real advantages for sellers who understand it.

The dedicated audience means serious buyers who understand gear value. The fee structure rewards sellers with more of their sale price. The price transparency builds trust. The community culture respects the musician-to-musician connection.

If you have quality musical gear to sell, Reverb should be your primary platform. List your best instruments there, photograph them properly, write descriptions that answer real questions, and price competitively. The musicians will find you.

And if you’re sourcing gear specifically to flip? Learn the brands that hold value, the vintage eras that matter, and the condition issues that kill deals. Reverb rewards expertise with profits.

Now go tune that guitar, photograph it in good light, and list it where the musicians are shopping. They’re waiting.