Discover quality used electric guitars from leading brands, carefully checked by the experienced Fair Deal Music team and ready for their next owner. From affordable first guitars and dependable gigging instruments to rare, discontinued and collectable models, our constantly changing selection offers outstanding choice and value.
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Gibson ES-335TD from 1969, USED
Gibson Dave Grohl DG-335 in Metallic Gold, Nearly New
Every pre-owned electric guitar is unique, and the best examples rarely stay available for long. Browse the latest arrivals and find your next guitar with confidence from a trusted, family-run Birmingham music retailer helping musicians since 1987.
Find Your Next Used Electric Guitar
Buying a used electric guitar is one of the best ways to access better specifications, distinctive finishes and sought-after models while making your budget work harder. Whether you are searching for your first electric guitar, upgrading your current instrument or adding something different to your collection, Fair Deal Music offers an ever-changing range of quality pre-owned guitars.
Our used electric guitar collection can include everything from accessible beginner instruments and reliable workhorse guitars to premium American-made models, artist signatures, limited editions, discontinued finishes and vintage-inspired designs. Because every guitar has its own history, condition and character, no two pieces are exactly the same.
Stock changes regularly as guitars are sold, traded in and part exchanged, so the instrument you see today may not be available tomorrow.
Why Buy a Used Electric Guitar?
A pre-owned guitar can offer excellent value, particularly when comparing instruments with similar specifications in the new market. It can also give you access to older models, finishes and construction features that are no longer available.
- More guitar for your budget: Used instruments can provide access to higher-quality hardware, pickups and construction at a more affordable price.
- Individual character: A played-in guitar may have a familiar feel, natural wear and a personality that cannot be replicated by a brand-new instrument.
- Discontinued and rare models: Explore guitars, colours and specifications that may no longer be produced.
- Ideal for upgrades: Move to a better instrument without necessarily paying the full new-product price.
- A more sustainable choice: Giving a quality instrument a new home helps extend its useful life.
Explore Different Styles of Used Electric Guitar
Electric guitars vary considerably in body shape, pickup configuration, scale length, neck profile and overall feel. Our collection may include a wide range of traditional and modern designs suited to different players and styles of music.
Single-Cut Electric Guitars
Known for their powerful sound, strong sustain and substantial feel, single-cut guitars are popular with rock, blues, metal and alternative players. Many feature twin humbucking pickups for a warm, full-bodied tone.
Double-Cut and S-Style Guitars
Comfortable contours, easy upper-fret access and versatile pickup options make double-cut guitars a popular choice for beginners, working musicians and experienced players. Depending on the model, they can cover everything from bright clean tones to expressive blues and high-gain rock.
T-Style Electric Guitars
Simple, direct and highly responsive, T-style guitars are known for their clarity, attack and distinctive character. They remain a favourite for country, indie, rock, blues, pop and studio work.
Offset Electric Guitars
Offset guitars combine distinctive body shapes with an individual playing feel. They are particularly popular with alternative, indie, shoegaze and experimental musicians, although their versatility extends far beyond these genres.
Semi-Hollow and Hollowbody Guitars
Semi-hollow and hollowbody electric guitars can deliver warm, open and resonant tones. They are widely used for jazz and blues but can also be excellent choices for rock, soul, indie and contemporary music.
Modern and High-Performance Guitars
Players who need fast necks, extended fret access, powerful pickups, locking tremolo systems or extended-range designs may find suitable options among our modern and performance-focused used guitars.
Who Are Used Electric Guitars Suitable For?
A used electric guitar can be a smart choice at almost every stage of your playing journey.
- Beginners: Find a dependable first guitar while getting more value from your starting budget.
- Improving players: Upgrade to better pickups, hardware, construction or playability.
- Gigging musicians: Add a reliable main instrument, backup guitar or alternative tuning option.
- Studio players: Expand your tonal range with different pickup and body configurations.
- Collectors and enthusiasts: Discover discontinued, unusual, limited or hard-to-find instruments.
- Players changing direction: Explore a different sound or playing style without always buying new.
How to Choose the Right Used Electric Guitar
Choose a Body Shape That Feels Comfortable
The shape and weight of a guitar affect how it feels both seated and standing. Consider whether you prefer a lighter contoured body, a more traditional solid design, a compact instrument or a larger semi-hollow guitar.
Consider the Pickup Configuration
Pickups play a major role in the sound of an electric guitar.
- Single-coil pickups are often associated with clarity, brightness and a responsive attack.
- Humbucking pickups generally produce a fuller, warmer and more powerful tone with reduced electrical noise.
- P-90-style pickups sit between traditional single coils and humbuckers, offering clarity with added midrange character.
- Active pickups can provide a strong, consistent output suited to modern rock and metal.
Think About the Neck Profile and Scale Length
Neck shape, fret size, fingerboard radius and scale length all affect playing feel. Some players prefer a slim, fast neck, while others enjoy a fuller traditional profile. A longer scale can feel tighter, while a shorter scale may feel softer and easier to bend.
Check the Condition Description
Used guitars may show cosmetic marks, small dents, finish wear or other signs of normal use. These details do not necessarily affect performance, but they form part of the instrument’s individual condition and character. Always review the product description and photographs for information relating to the specific guitar.
Choose for the Music You Play
Most electric guitars are more versatile than they first appear, but your preferred sound can help narrow the choice. Blues, indie, rock, jazz, pop, metal and country players may each prioritise different pickup types, controls, neck shapes and hardware.
Carefully Checked by Fair Deal Music
Every used electric guitar is individually assessed by the experienced Fair Deal Music team before being offered for sale. We check the instrument’s overall condition, key functions and playability so that it can be described as clearly and accurately as possible.
Because pre-owned instruments vary, any notable cosmetic wear, modifications or condition points should be detailed on the individual product page. Product photographs form an important part of each listing and show the actual guitar available for purchase unless clearly stated otherwise.
Our aim is to help you understand exactly what you are buying and choose your next guitar with confidence.
Buy, Sell or Trade Your Electric Guitar
Thinking about upgrading or changing your current setup? Fair Deal Music can help you explore the value of your existing instrument through our Buy • Sell • Trade service.
- Trade In: Use the value of your current guitar towards another instrument.
- Part Exchange: Reduce the amount you need to pay when upgrading.
- Trade Up: Move to a higher-specification, premium or more suitable guitar.
- Sell Your Guitar: Contact our team if you have quality instruments or equipment you would like us to consider purchasing.
Values depend on the brand, model, age, condition, originality, market demand and resale potential of the instrument. Our team will assess each item individually.
Finance Options
Finance may be available on eligible used electric guitars, subject to the value of the purchase, current terms, eligibility and approval. Available options will be shown during the buying process where applicable.
Finance can help spread the cost of a higher-quality instrument while allowing you to secure a one-off used guitar before it sells.
Delivery and Collection
Used electric guitars can be securely prepared for delivery or collected from Fair Deal Music in Birmingham. Available delivery and collection options will be displayed during checkout and may vary depending on the product, destination and order value.
As used guitars are normally individual pieces, an online purchase may secure the only example currently available.
Why Thousands of Musicians Choose Fair Deal Music
When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you are choosing one of the UK’s most established independent family-run music retailers, proudly helping musicians since 1987.
- Experienced and knowledgeable musicians on hand to help
- Used instruments individually assessed and clearly described
- A constantly changing selection of quality pre-owned equipment
- Buy • Sell • Trade, Part Exchange, Trade In and Trade Up support
- Secure online ordering with delivery and collection options
- A trusted Birmingham music retailer with decades of experience
Used Electric Guitar FAQs
Are used electric guitars good for beginners?
Yes. A used electric guitar can be an excellent first instrument, particularly when it allows a beginner to access better build quality or specifications within their budget. The most important factors are comfort, playability and choosing a guitar that inspires regular practice.
Will a used electric guitar have cosmetic marks?
It may. Pre-owned guitars can show signs of use such as light scratches, small dents, finish wear or hardware tarnishing. The condition varies from guitar to guitar, so review the individual description and photographs carefully.
Is the guitar shown in the photographs the one I will receive?
Used guitars are normally individually photographed because each instrument has its own condition and characteristics. Check the individual product listing for confirmation and full details.
Are used guitars checked before sale?
Yes. Fair Deal Music assesses used electric guitars for overall condition, key functions and playability before they are listed for sale.
Can I part exchange my current guitar?
Yes, subject to assessment. Fair Deal Music considers guitars and other suitable musical equipment for trade in or part exchange. The value offered will depend on the exact model, age, condition and current market demand.
Can I sell my electric guitar to Fair Deal Music?
Fair Deal Music may purchase suitable used guitars and equipment. Contact the team with clear photographs and details of the brand, model, condition, age and any modifications.
Can I use finance to buy a used electric guitar?
Finance may be available on eligible purchases, subject to current terms, eligibility and approval. Applicable options will be displayed where available.
Do used electric guitars include accessories or a case?
Included accessories vary between instruments. Any case, gig bag, paperwork, tools or additional items should be listed within the individual product description.
How often is the used electric guitar collection updated?
Stock changes regularly as guitars are sold, traded in and part exchanged. Check the collection frequently to see the latest arrivals and recently added one-off instruments.
What happens if a used guitar sells before I decide?
Most used electric guitars are one-off items, so an identical replacement may not be available once a guitar has sold. If an instrument is right for you, securing it promptly is the best way to avoid missing out.
Explore Our Latest Used Electric Guitars
From affordable first guitars and dependable stage instruments to premium, rare and discontinued models, our used electric guitar collection offers new opportunities every time you visit.
Browse the current selection today and discover a guitar with the sound, feel and character to inspire your next chapter.