Selling a guitar

July 13, 2006 2:41 PM

I have a fairly steel-string guitar (an 1987 Alvarez Yari DY77). I'd rather have an inexpensive guitar and some cash. Would I do better to sell the guitar on eBay, or to trade it at a guitar store? Any recommendations for guitar stores in the Seattle area?
posted by The corpse in the library to sports, hobbies, & recreation (15 comments total)

It's only fairly steel-string? Interesting.

Personally, I would think that eBay would be a better market for it, since guitar shops (or at least, the chain ones) won't give you half what it's worth. Shipping could be a royal pain, though, and I don't mean the cost -- I mean the logistics. Guitars are big, and fragile.

Get some quotes from guitar shops near you, see what similar guitars go for on eBay, and decide if the difference in price is worth the hassle to you.
posted by CrayDrygu at 2:55 PM on July 13, 2006

Here's that missing word: nice
posted by The corpse in the library at 2:56 PM on July 13, 2006

Is picking a price and sticking it on craigslist not an option?

(BTW only do this for cash on pickup/drop off)
posted by bitdamaged at 2:59 PM on July 13, 2006

We have bought and sold guitars on eBay and shipping is not really a problem, particularly if you're selling it with a case. Even if not, you can have it professionally packed and insured. We've had great luck selling guitars this way.

I've never traded a guitar in at a shop but I've sold other things and generally when you unload something that way, you're offered somewhere near half of what they're going to turn around and sell it for--usually you'll get a little more for store credit than if you prefer cash. You're almost guaranteed to do better if you sell it outright on your own.
posted by padraigin at 3:08 PM on July 13, 2006

Is picking a price and sticking it on craigslist not an option?

Oooh, good idea -- but I have no idea how much to ask. Maybe I'll try CrayDrygu's advice of getting some quotes.
posted by The corpse in the library at 3:12 PM on July 13, 2006

You'll make more money selling it yourself on eBay (or CraigsList). No question.
posted by cribcage at 3:14 PM on July 13, 2006

You may have better luck on eBay if you spell it right: Alvarez-Yairi.
posted by timeistight at 3:19 PM on July 13, 2006

You may have better luck on eBay if you spell it right: Alvarez-Yairi.

Why, yes, in fact, I do feel like an idiot. Thanks for asking!
posted by The corpse in the library at 3:32 PM on July 13, 2006

According to the Orion Bluebook, an '87 Yairi DY77 is worth about $570 used retail (that is, sold to the person who will actually play it) and anywhere from $201 to $339 used wholesale (what a dealer will pay for it so they can turn around and sell it).

Being a guitar dealer I find this quite optimistic. Expect to do about 20% less.
posted by sourwookie at 3:55 PM on July 13, 2006

given sourwookie's answer I'd say that the hassle of selling and buying a cheap guitar just so you may clear a little bit of cash may outweigh just holding onto it and playing a nice guitar.
posted by edgeways at 4:31 PM on July 13, 2006

You may have better luck on eBay if you spell it right: Alvarez-Yairi.
Actually, you'll have better luck if you spell it several ways--the correct way with several obvious misspellings. Ignorance and money are not mutually exclusive.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 5:32 PM on July 13, 2006

eBay! I sold a 1932 National Dulian Steel Guitar for $3k. I know yours is not of the same value, but I have sold a bass for a friend and a roommate sold his electric. All deals netted near retail price for what was paid new.
posted by criticman at 9:02 AM on July 14, 2006

definitely not a store. does seattle have a free weekly 'alternative' paper, like the sf bay guardian or phoenix new times? i recommend running a classified ad. it won't cost much (if anything) and you really don't want to deal with packing & shipping it - trust me on that.
posted by aquanaut at 1:17 PM on July 14, 2006

www.tradingmusician.com
posted by black8 at 9:48 PM on July 21, 2006

Update: I ended up selling the guitar on eBay, where it went for over $600. Thanks for all the advice.
posted by The corpse in the library at 4:18 PM on July 22, 2006