For standard guitars, pedals, synthesizers, studio gear, and instrument parts that can be shipped safely, compare Reverb and eBay. For pianos, full drum kits, large cabinets, and heavy amplification, compare local pickup. For the least seller work, get a trade-in or consignment quote from a reputable music shop.
No platform wins every item. Exact model, serial evidence, originality, repairs, condition, buyer reach, fees, packing, shipping risk, return obligations, and time-to-cash all change the result.
Checked August 19, 2026. The Reverb and eBay cost definitions below come from their official fee pages. Instrument prices, shop offers, and local demand vary, so the comparison uses live quotes and item-specific net proceeds instead of fixed benchmarks.
Quick comparison
| Route | Best first test | Current cost basis | Main risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reverb | Identifiable music gear with a ship/local-pickup plan | US pricing page shows 5% selling fee + 3.19% + $0.49 processing; extra fees can apply | Packing, returns, Bump/cross-border/label costs, condition disputes |
| eBay | Rare gear, parts, accessories, and models with strong eBay sold evidence | Category- and account-specific final value fee on total sale plus order fee; check live row | Wrong category assumption, shipping, returns, optional ads |
| Local marketplace/classified | Bulky, fragile, difficult-to-pack, or test-in-person gear | Depends on the transaction and payment flow; verify it | Smaller buyer pool, meetup/payment safety, no-show risk |
| Local shop consignment | Specialist inventory you can leave for sale | Written commission, term, markdown, insurance, and payout agreement | Capital tied up and unclear responsibility if terms are weak |
| Shop trade-in/direct buy | You prefer an immediate inspected offer | Live store offer; cash and purchase credit can differ | Convenience discount and limited item appetite |
Compare the live net from two routes using the actual offer, current fee, packed shipping quote, and preparation cost.
Reverb: purpose-built gear marketplace
Reverb’s current US pricing page shows:
- 5% selling fee;
- 3.19% + $0.49 payment processing for a standard US Reverb Payments seller;
- a summarized baseline of 8.19% + $0.49, before additional fees or taxes that may apply.
The 5% selling fee is calculated on the total sale amount including shipping. Reverb’s help center says processing is calculated on the full order amount including tax. Preferred Seller processing, cross-border, currency conversion, Bump, label, and other costs can differ.
That makes Reverb a strong comparison route for exact, searchable gear—not an automatic recommendation. Open the fee detail shown for the order before promising a payout.
Use the Reverb Price Guide carefully
Reverb says its Price Guide is based on sold listings and condition, and the app supports filtering sold and ended listings. Search the exact model and version, then compare:
- year and country of manufacture;
- finish, configuration, and revision;
- stock versus modified parts;
- case, power supply, footswitch, and accessories;
- repair history and disclosed function;
- sale date and condition.
A vintage-branded reissue, imported model, and original-era instrument do not belong in one average.
eBay: broad demand and parts-level search
eBay is worth comparing when exact models, discontinued parts, vintage electronics, manuals, or accessories have completed-sale evidence there. Product Research can provide up to three years of eBay sales and accepted Best Offer prices.
Fees vary by category, Store status, optional ads, international rules, and account status. eBay calculates the final value percentage on the total amount of the sale, which can include item price, handling, buyer-paid shipping, sales tax, and other applicable amounts.
Do not copy a generic 13.6% baseline into every musical-instrument listing without opening the current category row. Use the current eBay fee guide and the order preview.
Local pickup: a shipping decision, not a universal winner
Local pickup deserves a serious comparison for:
- acoustic pianos and organs;
- full drum kits;
- large speaker cabinets and PA systems;
- heavy combo amps and keyboards;
- fragile vintage gear that cannot be packed confidently;
- inexpensive instruments where shipping is large relative to value.
Do not assume every local platform or payment flow is fee-free or protected. Read the current rules for the listing and payment method used.
Let a buyer test the instrument without exposing your home, accounts, or unrelated equipment unnecessarily. For portable gear, use a lawful public safe-exchange location that can support the agreed test. For home pickup, have another adult present and define moving responsibility in writing.
Consignment and trade-in: inspect the agreement, not a generic haircut
A local shop can provide expertise, demonstration space, and an existing buyer base. The economic question is the actual written offer.
For consignment, ask:
- commission and any processing or repair deductions;
- initial price and who can reduce it;
- consignment term and withdrawal fee;
- who insures loss, theft, and customer damage;
- return or approval-period responsibility;
- when payout occurs after a sale;
- what happens if the shop closes or the item does not sell.
For trade-in or direct buy, get the cash offer and any purchase-credit offer separately. Compare either one only if that form of payment is useful. A $600 credit is not equivalent to $600 cash if you would not otherwise buy from the store.
Guitar Center and independent shops inspect gear and decide what they will accept. Use a current in-store quote rather than a percentage published in an article.
Route by instrument
Electric and acoustic guitars
Compare Reverb and eBay when the instrument can be identified and packed correctly; compare local when a hands-on test or shipping risk dominates.
Collect model, serial, year evidence, finish, pickup/electronics configuration, fret and neck condition, cracks, repairs, modifications, case, and weight. Do not call a serial an authentication result. Vintage or high-value instruments may need a qualified specialist.
Effects pedals and small studio gear
Pedals, interfaces, microphones, modules, and rack units are often practical to ship. Identify the exact revision, voltage, included power supply, software/license transfer, and function state. Photograph serials privately where fraud risk warrants it.
Keyboards and synthesizers
Record the exact model and revision; test every key, velocity/aftertouch where supported, outputs, display, controls, storage, power supply, and included pedals. Large keyboards need a packed dimensional quote before you choose a national route.
Amplifiers and cabinets
Model, circuit/version, speakers, transformer evidence, modifications, service history, noise, channels, controls, and tubes all matter. Never open or service a high-voltage amplifier without the training to do it safely.
Heavy gear may still justify freight for a scarce model, but that decision requires a real carrier quote and professional packing plan—not a generic weight cutoff.
Drums and percussion
List shell sizes, material, model/badge, wrap or finish, bearing-edge condition, hardware, cymbal stamps, cracks, keyholing, and included stands. A complete kit can suit local pickup while identified snares, cymbals, and hardware may have stronger individual online markets.
Do not part out a historically significant or well-matched set without first checking whether completeness carries a premium.
Brass, woodwind, and orchestral instruments
Manufacturer, serial, model, bore/size, service history, pads, cracks, dents, valves, slides, bow, case, and mouthpiece affect comparability. Student and professional models under the same brand can differ sharply.
An instrument technician’s condition report may be worth more than cosmetic cleaning. Do not promise “recently serviced” without a receipt or service record.
Pianos and organs
Local sale, consignment, donation, or professional removal are usually the routes to compare because inspection and moving cost are inseparable from value. Record brand, model, serial, dimensions, access path, stairs, climate history, tuning/service, keys, pedals, soundboard, action, and electronics.
Require a qualified mover where appropriate. Do not represent an unknown moving or structural condition as safe for buyer pickup.
Build the listing evidence packet
Identification
- model and serial plate;
- front, back, sides, headstock/control panel, and connection panel;
- country/date codes and labels;
- original receipt, case, manual, or service paperwork where available.
Condition
- every structural crack, repair, modification, dent, scratch, finish reaction, corrosion, and missing part;
- fret, neck, bridge, pad, valve, key, shell, cone, control, and connector detail relevant to the category;
- what was tested, how it was tested, and what remains untested.
Function proof
A short video can document power-up, output, controls, and noise, but retain it through the marketplace’s approved communication path. Do not edit away an intermittent fault.
Pricing: use sold records and a net floor
Build separate comp sets on Reverb and eBay. Do not average active asking prices with sold transactions.
Then calculate:
route net = expected item revenue
− selling and processing fees
− packed shipping or local delivery
− packing materials and protection
− setup/repair cost
− return or damage allowance
minimum acceptable offer = required net
+ route costs not already deducted
Use the actual packed weight and dimensions. A guitar in a case inside a box, a keyboard with end caps, and a cabinet on a pallet have different carrier economics even when their item weights look similar.
Shipping without guessing
Reverb publishes separate guides for guitars, keyboards, drum kits, amps, pro-audio gear, receivers, and oversized equipment. Its guitar guidance calls for securing movable parts, preventing movement inside the case and outer box, using a structurally sound box, and sealing with packing tape.
Before listing:
- Plan the complete pack.
- Measure and weigh the packed package—not the bare instrument.
- Get a live origin-to-destination quote or use calculated shipping.
- Read the protection requirements and exclusions.
- Photograph the condition and every packing layer.
- Remove or secure loose parts according to the manufacturer/carrier guidance.
Do not promise a universal dollar shipping cost. Distance, dimensions, carrier, surcharges, declared value, service, and protection change it.
Sources and editorial method
Primary sources checked August 19, 2026:
- Reverb selling fees and fee help — current US 5% selling fee, 3.19% + $0.49 standard processing, and fee bases.
- Reverb Price Guide and sold-listing help — sold-record methodology and app filters.
- Reverb shipping resources — category-specific packing and shipping guides.
- eBay selling fees and Product Research — fee base, category schedule, and sold-data research.
- Guitar Center trade-in and sell — current in-store trade-in entry point; obtain a live inspection-based offer.
Method: routes are compared by current net proceeds and item-specific risk. Instrument prices, city demand, packed shipping quotes, shop offers, and time to sale require live evidence for the exact item. Underpriced publishes this article and the linked calculator; it is not affiliated with Reverb, eBay, Guitar Center, or local marketplaces.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best website to sell used musical instruments?
Compare Reverb and eBay for gear that can be identified and shipped. Reverb is purpose-built for music gear and currently publishes a 5% selling fee plus standard US processing of 3.19% + $0.49. eBay’s exact cost depends on the listing category and account. The best route is the higher plausible net for the item.
Where should I sell a piano or full drum kit?
Start with local pickup, a suitable local shop, or consignment because inspection, access, moving, and shipping are central to the transaction. A scarce high-value instrument may justify specialist freight, but only with real quotes and a professional plan.
How much will a music shop pay for my instrument?
There is no responsible universal percentage. The shop’s inventory, expected sale price, repair need, demand, and whether the offer is cash, credit, direct buy, or consignment all matter. Get the written live offer and compare it with marketplace net.
How do I price a used instrument?
Use exact model- and condition-matched sold records from Reverb and eBay, explain differences, and subtract the route’s current fees, packed shipping, setup or repair, protection, and return risk. Do not price from one active listing.
Should I repair an instrument before selling it?
Get a qualified diagnosis and quote, then compare net value before and after repair. Repair only when the conservative increase in net proceeds exceeds cost, time, and the risk of altering originality. Preserve receipts and disclose the work.
Can I sell broken musical gear?
Yes when the platform permits it and the listing clearly states parts/repair condition, the known fault, what was tested, and what is missing. Price it from fault-matched sold records rather than working examples.