Most used gear buying guides are written in a way that makes the whole process sound either terrifying — full of scammers, hidden damage, and expensive mistakes — or unrealistically simple. The reality sits somewhere between those two versions and is actually more straightforward than either extreme suggests.
This is the guide for people who want to buy used gear intelligently without spending weeks researching before every purchase. The rules are simple, the risks are manageable, and the savings are real.
Reverb is the platform this guide is written around because it is the most established dedicated music gear marketplace with the most buyer protection built in. The principles apply to other platforms too.
The Photographs Tell You More Than the Description Does
A seller who provides eight clear photographs from multiple angles is giving you more honest information about the item than one who provides two photos and a paragraph. The photos show what the description might not mention — a ding on the headstock, a replaced knob, a repaired crack in the finish. Look at every photo carefully before reading the description and then see whether the description matches what you can see.
If the listing has only one or two photos, ask for more. A seller with a legitimate item to sell will provide additional photos without friction. A seller who resists or delays is telling you something.
Seller Ratings Are the Most Important Filter
Sort by seller rating before you sort by price. A highly-rated seller with hundreds of completed transactions has a track record that represents real information about how they describe items, how they pack for shipping, and how they handle problems. A seller with no rating history and a price that seems too good is a risk that the savings do not justify.
On Reverb, sellers with a high number of completed sales and predominantly positive reviews are the first filter to apply. Price comparison within that filtered pool finds the actual best deal rather than the apparent best deal that turns into a problem.
Ask Questions Before You Buy — It Filters Bad Sellers Fast
Message the seller with specific questions about the item. Ask about the electronics condition on a guitar — do the pots crackle, does the output jack cut out, are the pickups original? Ask about the tube condition on an amp — when were the tubes last replaced, does it bias correctly? Ask about the cosmetic issues you can see in the photos to confirm the seller acknowledges them.
A seller who responds quickly, specifically, and honestly to questions is a seller worth buying from. A seller who responds vaguely, delays, or answers questions about the item with non-answers is signaling something about the transaction before it happens.
Understand What Condition Grades Actually Mean
On Reverb, Mint means essentially new with no visible wear. Excellent means light play wear with no structural issues. Very Good means obvious wear but fully functional. Good means significant wear and possibly minor issues. Fair means the item has problems that are disclosed. Poor means it needs work.
Most listings use these grades honestly. Some sellers grade generously — what they call Excellent a buyer would call Very Good. Reading the description and examining the photos independently of the grade label gives you a more accurate assessment than trusting the grade alone.
Make Offers on Items That Have Been Listed for More Than Two Weeks
An item that is still listed two weeks after posting has not sold at its asking price. The seller knows this. A reasonable offer — ten to fifteen percent below asking on most items, more on higher-priced items — is frequently accepted on listings that have been sitting. The worst outcome is a counteroffer. The best outcome is a deal that the listing price was preventing.
Do not make lowball offers on fresh listings or on items that are clearly priced below market value. Those listings will sell quickly to someone else and the offer wastes everyone's time.
The Categories Where Used Is Always the Right Call
Tube amplifiers — the tubes break in and the capacitors settle over time in ways that new amps have not yet experienced. Acoustic guitars — the wood has had years to open up and resonate. Studio microphones from reputable brands — a used Shure SM7B or Neumann U87 sounds identical to a new one and costs significantly less. Guitar pedals from major manufacturers — Boss, MXR, Electro-Harmonix — are built to survive heavy use and buying used is low risk.
The Categories Where New Sometimes Makes Sense
Audio interfaces — the digital components can degrade and the drivers may not support current operating systems on older models. Microphone cables and instrument cables — the savings on used cables do not justify the risk of buying someone else's failing cable. Drum heads — always buy new. Strings — always buy new.
Start your search on Reverb, apply the seller rating filter first, and take your time. The right piece of used gear at the right price shows up consistently for patient buyers.
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