Used Electric, Acoustic & Bass Guitars

Used guitars are usually one-off arrivals, so when the right model appears, it may not stay available for long. Explore the latest collection below and buy with confidence from a family-run music retailer helping musicians since 1987.

Used Electric, Acoustic & Bass Guitars

A great used guitar offers far more than a lower price. It can give you access to a better specification, a discontinued finish, a sought-after model or an instrument that has already developed its own distinctive feel and character.

At Fair Deal Music, our changing collection of pre-owned guitars includes instruments for beginners, experienced players, collectors, recording musicians and touring professionals. Stock can include used electric guitars, acoustic guitars, electro-acoustic guitars, classical guitars and bass guitars from established manufacturers, boutique builders and specialist brands.

Because every pre-owned instrument is different, this collection changes regularly. Some guitars may show honest signs of use, while others may be in exceptionally clean condition. Relevant cosmetic wear, modifications and included accessories will be detailed within the individual product listing wherever applicable, helping you choose with confidence.

Why Buy a Used Guitar?

Choosing a pre-owned guitar can be one of the smartest ways to improve your instrument without unnecessarily increasing your budget.

• More guitar for your money: Your budget may stretch to a higher-quality model or specification than buying new.
• Individual character: A played-in neck, naturally aged finish and established feel can make a used guitar especially inspiring.
• Discontinued and unusual models: Used collections can reveal finishes, specifications and instruments that are no longer available new.
• Potentially slower depreciation: Many pre-owned guitars have already experienced their largest initial reduction in value.
• A more sustainable choice: Giving a quality instrument its next chapter helps extend its useful life.

Most importantly, a used guitar should make you want to pick it up and play. The right instrument is not always the newest one; it is the one that suits your hands, your sound and your musical ambitions.

Explore Our Used Guitar Collection

Used Electric Guitars

Used electric guitars can offer exceptional value across almost every style of music. Explore instruments suited to rock, blues, jazz, indie, metal, pop, country, funk and studio recording, from versatile solid-body designs to semi-hollow, hollow-body and specialist models.

Consider the guitar’s body shape, neck profile, scale length, pickup configuration, controls, weight and overall playing feel. These details can make a significant difference to comfort, tone and how naturally the instrument responds to your playing style.

Used Acoustic & Electro-Acoustic Guitars

A pre-owned acoustic guitar may already have developed a mature, open and responsive voice. Our collection can include steel-string acoustics, electro-acoustic guitars, travel-sized instruments, dreadnoughts, orchestra models, jumbo designs and other body shapes suitable for strumming, fingerstyle, songwriting, recording and live performance.

When choosing an acoustic guitar, think about body size, scale length, neck shape, tonewoods, projection and whether you require onboard electronics for amplification.

Used Bass Guitars

Explore used bass guitars for beginners, home players, studio musicians and working performers. Stock may include four-string, five-string, short-scale, long-scale, active, passive, fretted and specialist basses covering everything from warm vintage tones to modern, powerful sounds.

Important considerations include scale length, neck width, instrument weight, pickup layout, active or passive electronics and the balance of the bass when played seated or standing.

Used Classical Guitars

Our used selection may also include nylon-string and classical guitars suitable for traditional classical music, flamenco, folk, Latin styles, fingerstyle playing and beginners who prefer the feel of nylon strings.

Who Are Our Used Guitars For?

• Beginners looking for a better-quality first instrument
• Intermediate players ready to upgrade
• Experienced guitarists searching for a particular sound or feel
• Collectors looking for rare, unusual or discontinued models
• Performers needing a dependable stage or backup guitar
• Recording musicians seeking additional tonal options
• Players who want better value from their available budget

How to Choose the Right Used Guitar

Choose the Guitar Type

Start with how and where you plan to play. Electric guitars offer a huge range of amplified tones, acoustic guitars provide an immediate unplugged sound, electro-acoustics add live-performance flexibility, and bass guitars form the foundation of a band or recording.

Consider Comfort and Playability

Body size, weight, neck profile, fretboard width and scale length all influence how comfortable a guitar feels. A specification that suits one musician may not suit another, so consider your playing technique, hand size and preferred musical style.

Check the Condition Description

Used instruments can show signs of previous ownership, including light marks, finish wear or other cosmetic imperfections. Review the product photographs and condition information carefully. Honest signs of use do not necessarily affect the instrument’s sound or playability and can be part of its appeal.

Think Beyond the Brand Name

Well-known brands are popular for good reason, but a used collection can also introduce you to specialist manufacturers, boutique builders and less familiar models offering excellent craftsmanship, sound and value.

Act When the Right Guitar Appears

Unlike standard new-product ranges, most used guitars are individually available. Once a particular instrument is sold, we may not be able to source another in the same model, year, finish or condition.

Checked and Prepared by Fair Deal Music

Buying a used guitar should still feel reassuring. Our experienced team examines pre-owned instruments before they are offered for sale, with relevant condition information included in the individual product listing.

As every guitar has lived a different life, condition and included accessories can vary. We aim to represent each instrument honestly through its description and photographs, allowing you to make an informed buying decision.

Should you need help understanding a specification, comparing models or deciding whether a guitar is right for you, our knowledgeable team is here to offer practical, musician-to-musician advice.

Buy, Sell, Trade In or Part Exchange Your Guitar

Your current guitar could help fund your next one. Fair Deal Music offers options for musicians looking to sell an instrument, trade in existing equipment, arrange a part exchange or trade up to something different.

• Sell your guitar: Turn an instrument you no longer use into cash.
• Trade in: Use the value of your current equipment towards another purchase.
• Part exchange: Reduce the amount needed to move to your next guitar.
• Trade up: Move into a higher-specification instrument as your playing develops.

Valuations depend on the make, model, age, condition, originality and current demand for the instrument. Providing accurate details and clear photographs will help our team assess your guitar.

Finance Options

Finance may be available on selected qualifying guitars, subject to eligibility, status and applicable terms. Where available, this can help spread the cost of a higher-value instrument rather than paying the full amount at once.

Please check the individual product page for the payment options currently available for your chosen guitar.

Delivery or Collection

Shop our used guitar collection online for delivery, or choose collection where available. Each instrument is packaged with care for its journey.

Delivery options, charges and estimated timescales can vary according to the product and destination. The current options will be shown during checkout or can be confirmed with our team before purchase.

Why Thousands of Musicians Choose Fair Deal Music

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you’re choosing one of the UK’s most established independent family-run music retailers, proudly helping musicians since 1987.

• Decades of experience selling guitars and musical instruments
• Knowledgeable staff who understand musicians and their equipment
• Carefully presented used instruments with clear condition information
• Opportunities to buy, sell, trade in, part exchange and trade up
• Friendly support before and after your purchase
• A Birmingham music retailer trusted by thousands of musicians

Whether you are buying your first guitar, adding a new sound to your collection or searching for a model you have wanted for years, we want you to feel confident at every stage.

Used Guitar FAQs

Are used guitars good for beginners?

Yes. A used guitar can be an excellent choice for a beginner because the same budget may provide access to a better-quality instrument than buying new. The most important factors are suitable size, comfortable playability and a specification that supports the type of music you want to learn.

What is the difference between a used, vintage and ex-display guitar?

A used guitar has previously been owned. A vintage guitar is generally valued for factors such as its age, rarity, specification, history or collectability, although the term does not guarantee that every older guitar is valuable. An ex-display guitar is typically a newer instrument that has been displayed or demonstrated and may show minor signs of handling.

Will a used guitar have marks or signs of wear?

It may. Cosmetic marks, finish wear and other signs of use are normal on many pre-owned instruments. The amount of wear varies from guitar to guitar and should be reflected in the product photographs and condition description.

Are used guitars checked before sale?

Our experienced team examines pre-owned guitars before they are offered for sale. Because condition varies between individual instruments, please review the specific product listing for details relating to the guitar you are considering.

Do used guitars include a case or accessories?

Only when stated in the individual product listing. Some guitars include an original case, gig bag, documentation or accessories, while others are supplied as the instrument only.

Can I part exchange my current guitar?

Fair Deal Music considers guitars and other musical equipment for trade in or part exchange. The value offered will depend on the instrument’s make, model, age, condition, originality and current market demand.

Can I sell my guitar to Fair Deal Music without buying another?

Yes, Fair Deal Music can consider instruments for a direct purchase as well as part exchange. You will need to provide accurate information about the guitar and its condition so the team can assess it.

Is finance available on used guitars?

Finance may be available on selected qualifying products, subject to eligibility, status and applicable terms. Check the individual product page for current payment options.

Can I visit the store to try a used guitar?

Many used guitars can be viewed at Fair Deal Music in Birmingham. As instruments can sell online or move between locations, it is sensible to contact the team before travelling to confirm availability.

What happens if the guitar I want is sold?

Most used guitars are individually available, so the exact instrument may not return once sold. Our stock changes regularly, and another suitable guitar may become available, but its age, finish, specification and condition could be different.

How often are new used guitars added?

Pre-owned stock changes frequently as instruments are purchased, traded in and sold. Check the collection regularly to see the latest arrivals.

Find Your Next Guitar at Fair Deal Music

A used guitar can offer exceptional value, inspiring character and access to instruments you may not find in a standard new-product range. Explore our current selection of used electric, acoustic, electro-acoustic, classical and bass guitars, and discover an instrument ready for the next chapter of its story.

Every used guitar is individually available. Browse the latest arrivals today and secure the right instrument before another musician does.