If you’re after a new guitar then looking at a second-hand model is a great way to save some money. In this article, I’ll take you through how much you can save when buying a used acoustic or electric guitar instead of a brand new one.
The Quick Answer
Second-hand guitars often cost approximately 15-30% less than the brand new versions. Fender and Gibson models hold their prices relatively well so the saving is usually only around 15-20%, whereas other brands lose their value more quickly so the savings are greater (often at least 25%).
Contents
This article is split into the following sections:
- Fender and Squier Electric Guitars (Telecaster and Stratocaster)
- Les Paul (Gibson and Epiphone) Electric Guitars
- Other Brands of Electric Guitars
- Acoustic Guitars
Within each section, you will find the USA and UK prices. These are all based on an average taken at the time of writing the article and may be subject to change. The prices are for used guitars in “excellent condition” and from reputable distributers as opposed to individual sellers which may be slightly cheaper.
Guitar Center are always the first place I look at when I’m interested in a new electric guitar because have a huge range of second-hand models for sale and always have some excellent deals on. Here’s a link to take you directly to Guitar Center’s electric guitar range so you can see all the offers available at the moment.
Used Fender/ Squier Guitars
Here are some tables to show the new and second-hand prices of Fender and Squier Stratocasters and Telecasters in the UK and USA.
USA Prices
A second-hand Fender Telecaster or Stratocaster usually ends up costing $250-400 less than a new model. Used high-end Fender models in excellent condition such as the American Professional and Ultra models cost around 15-20% ($300) less than when purchased brand new.
| Model | New Price | Second-Hand Price | Price Reduction | Percentage Saving |
| Fender American Ultra | $2000 | $1750 | $300 | 15% |
| Fender American Professional | $1550 | $1250 | $300 | 19% |
| Fender American Performer | $1350 | $900 | $450 | 33% |
| Fender Player | $800 | $550 | $250 | 31% |
| Squier Classic Vibe | $450 | $300 | $150 | 33% |
| Squier Affinity | $230 | $120 | $110 | 48% |
UK Prices
A second-hand Fender Telecaster or Stratocaster in the UK usually ends up costing £200-£300 less than a new model. Used high-end Fender models in excellent condition such as the American Professional and Ultra models cost around 10-20% (£250) less than when purchased brand new.
| Model | New Price | Second-Hand Price | Price Reduction | Percentage Saving |
| Fender American Ultra | £1800 | £1600 | £200 | 11% |
| Fender American Professional II | £1600 | £1300 | £300 | 19% |
| Fender American Performer | £1100 | £950 | £150 | 14% |
| Fender Player | £550 | £400 | £150 | 27% |
| Squier Classic Vibe | £350 | £280 | £70 | 20% |
| Squier Affinity | £190 | £110 | £80 | 42% |
Used Les Paul Guitars
Here are some tables to show the new and second-hand prices of Gibson and Epiphone Les Paul guitars in the UK and USA.
USA Prices
A second-hand Gibson Les Paul usually ends up costing $300-600 less than a new model. Used high-end Gibson Les Paul models in excellent condition such as the Les Paul Slash and Standard cost around 15-25% ($500-$600) less than when purchased brand new.
| Model | New Price | Second-Hand Price | Price Reduction | Percentage Saving |
| Gibson Les Paul Slash | $3000 | $2500 | $500 | 17% |
| Gibson Modern | $2800 | $2100 | $700 | 25% |
| Gibson Standard | $2500 | $2100 | $400 | 16% |
| Gibson Classic | $2000 | $1700 | $300 | 15% |
| Gibson Studio | $1500 | $1100 | $400 | 27% |
| Gibson Tribute | $1000 | $800 | $200 | 20% |
| Epiphone Les Paul Slash | $950 | $700 | $250 | 26% |
| Epiphone Standard | $650 | $500 | $150 | 23% |
| Epiphone Classic | $550 | $450 | $100 | 18% |
| Epiphone Traditional | $500 | $350 | $150 | 30% |
| Epiphone Junior | $420 | $300 | $120 | 29% |
UK Prices
A second-hand Gibson Les Paul usually ends up costing £400-500 less than a new model in the UK. Used high-end Gibson Les Paul models in excellent condition such as the Les Paul Standard and Classic cost around 20-25% (£400-£450) less than when purchased brand new.
| Model | New Price | Second-Hand Price | Price Reduction | Percentage Saving |
| Gibson Les Paul Slash | £2600 | £1800 | £800 | 31% |
| Gibson Standard | £2200 | £1750 | £450 | 20% |
| Gibson Classic | £1800 | £1400 | £400 | 22% |
| Gibson Studio | £1250 | £1000 | £250 | 20% |
| Gibson Tribute | £1000 | £800 | £200 | 20% |
| Epiphone Custom | £600 | £450 | £150 | 25% |
| Epiphone Standard | £480 | £350 | £130 | 27% |
| Epiphone Classic | £420 | £300 | £120 | 29% |
| Epiphone Junior | £300 | £120 | £180 | 60% |
Other Electric Guitar Brands
Here are some tables to show the new and second-hand prices of other brands of electric guitars in the UK and USA.
USA Prices
| Model | New Price | Second-Hand Price | Price Reduction | Percentage Saving |
| PRS Custom 24 | $3600 | $2300 | $1300 | 36% |
| ESP E-11 Eclipse | $2100 | $1550 | $550 | 26% |
| Ibanez RG Prestige | $1800 | $1300 | $500 | 28% |
| PRS S2 Custom 24 | $1800 | $1100 | $700 | 39% |
| Schecter C1 SLS-Elite | $1350 | $1000 | $350 | 26% |
| Schecter C1 Hellraiser | $1150 | $550 | $600 | 52% |
| PRS SE Custom 24 | $850 | $700 | $150 | 18% |
| Gretsch G5622T | $800 | $600 | $250 | 29% |
| Ibanez JS100 | $800 | $450 | $350 | 44% |
| Schecter Omen 6 | $450 | $200 | $250 | 56% |
UK Prices
| Model | New Price | Second-Hand Price | Price Reduction | Percentage Saving |
| PRS Custom 24 | £3500 | £2500 | £1000 | 29% |
| Yamaha SG1820 | £2100 | £1700 | £400 | 19% |
| ESP E-II Horizon FR-7 | £2200 | £1500 | £700 | 32% |
| Ibanez S6570 | £1850 | £1300 | £550 | 30% |
| Schecter FR C-1 SLS Elite | £1350 | £900 | £450 | 33% |
| Ibanez AZ224BCG | £1050 | £750 | £300 | 29% |
| ESP LTD EC-407 | £800 | £600 | £200 | 25% |
| PRS SE Custom 24 | £800 | £500 | £300 | 38% |
| Chapman ML1 Modern Standard | £500 | £350 | £150 | 30% |
| ESP LTD H200FM | £500 | £300 | £200 | 40% |
| Vintage VS6 SG | £280 | £150 | £130 | 46% |
Used Acoustic Guitars
Here are some tables to show the new and second-hand prices of acoustic guitars in the UK and USA.
USA Prices
Second-hand acoustic guitars in excellent condition are roughly 15-30% cheaper than brand new versions. Acoustic guitars which cost upwards of $2000 when purchased brand new, are typically around $500-750 cheaper when purchased second-hand. With lower-end models (under $1000), expect around a $250 saving.
| Model | New Price | Second-Hand Price | Price Reduction | Percentage Saving |
| Taylor 814ce | $3500 | $2450 | $1050 | 30% |
| Martin D35 | $3200 | $2600 | $600 | 19% |
| Gibson J45 Standard EC | $2850 | $2300 | $550 | 19% |
| Taylor 414ce V-Class | $2600 | $2000 | $600 | 23% |
| Martin 000-18 | $2500 | $1800 | $700 | 28% |
| Guild D-40 | $2100 | $1700 | $400 | 19% |
| Gibson J-45 Studio | $2000 | $1500 | $500 | 25% |
| Martin 000-15 | $1300 | $1150 | $150 | 12% |
| Taylor 214ce | $1500 | $1150 | $350 | 23% |
| Seagull Maritime SWS | $1000 | $750 | $250 | 25% |
| Epiphone EJ200 | $550 | $400 | $150 | 27% |
| Martin LX1 | $400 | $280 | $120 | 30% |
UK Prices
Second-hand acoustic guitars in excellent condition are roughly 25-35% cheaper than brand new versions in the UK. Acoustic guitars which cost upwards of $2000 when purchased brand new, are typically around £500-1000 cheaper when purchased second-hand.
| Model | New Price | Second-Hand Price | Price Reduction | Percentage Saving |
| Taylor 814ce | £3500 | £2200 | £1300 | 37% |
| Gibson Hummingbird | £3400 | £2200 | £1200 | 35% |
| Martin D-28 | £3000 | £2100 | £900 | 30% |
| Gibson J-45 Standard | £2400 | £1900 | £500 | 21% |
| Taylor 314ce Grand Auditorium | £1700 | £1300 | £400 | 24% |
| Martin 000-15 | £1600 | £1200 | £400 | 25% |
| Furch GC-SW | £1100 | £900 | £200 | 18% |
| Takamine EF261S | £900 | £700 | £200 | 22% |
| Taylor 110ce | £750 | £550 | £200 | 27% |
| Epiphone EJ-200 VS | £380 | £300 | £80 | 21% |
| Takamine GX11ME-NS | £300 | £220 | £80 | 27% |
What Affects the Price?
The price of a used guitar depends on the condition, rarity and popularity of the model. Some guitars hold their value better than others, for example the saving on Gibson and Fender guitars tends to be less than on other brands. Also if the guitar is no longer in production or a vintage model, then it will command a higher price. In this case, the guitar may end up costing more than when it was originally purchased.
Guitar Condition
When viewing a used guitar online, you will notice the condition of the instrument is also listed. Here are the most common descriptions of the condition. However, keep in mind that some websites will have slightly different definitions so be sure to check this carefully before making any purchases.
- B-Stock: items which have been unopened and returned, have cosmetic imperfections or are ex-demo models.
- Excellent: almost entirely free from blemishes.
- Very Good: some very minor blemishes e.g. buckle rash.
- Good: some blemishes but none which affect the functionality of the instrument.
- Fair: blemishes which may affect the functionality of the instrument slightly.
- Poor: functional problems.
Buying a Used Guitar
If you’ve decided you want to buy a used guitar, then you need to make sure you are getting a good deal and that the instrument is exactly what you’re expecting, especially if purchasing online. I would always recommend inspecting the guitar in person before you pay anything.
Make sure you ask the following questions when looking at the guitar:
- How old is it?
- Does it have any faults, both cosmetic and functional?
- Has it been repaired in the past?
Quick Tips
- Try the guitar in person and check it carefully for faults e.g. fret buzz.
- Purchase the guitar from a reputable store rather than an individual if possible.
- Factor in the cost of getting the guitar set-up again if it has been in storage.
- Don’t forget to haggle!
In the market for a new guitar? I’ve written a complete buyer’s guide for electric guitars which takes you through all the things you need to consider and a step-by-step method to narrowing down your selection and choosing the best option. Here is a link to the article.