What a fair price looks like
Condition on WishThrift is described by the seller against five grades, and nobody inspects it on your behalf — so the description and the photographs are what you are buying on.
| Condition | Typical | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | £250 (~$333) | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £212 (~$283) | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £162 (~$216) | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £112 (~$150) | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £62 (~$83) | Not working or incomplete, sold as seen |
Sterling guide ranges with an approximate US dollar equivalent at £1 ≈ $1.33 (July 2026). Sellers set their own asking price; these are a starting point for judging an offer. All five grades explained.
The checklist before you pay
Neck and truss-rod problems on stringed instruments, and undisclosed repairs — especially a repaired headstock break, which permanently changes what an instrument is worth.
Run through these before money changes hands — they are the things that decide whether an acoustic guitar is worth what is being asked:
- A lifting or re-glued bridge, which buyers read as expensive
- Cracks in the top or sides, even if repaired
- High action caused by a rising neck angle
- Laminate construction on an instrument priced as if solid
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Solid top construction rather than laminate
- A flat bridge with no lifting, and a stable neck angle
- Tonewoods that mature with age on better instruments
- Original hard case
Common faults and fakes
Counterfeits of premium guitars exist and usually show in the headstock shape, the logo decal and the serial format.
Ask for the serial number and where it was made, whether anything has ever been repaired or replaced, and for a photograph sighting down the neck from the headstock.
WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or grade anything, and no marketplace check replaces your own. If a seller will not answer a direct question about condition or origin, that is the answer.
Questions to ask the seller
These are the three that get asked most often about an acoustic guitar, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
Measure the string height at the twelfth fret and give the figure. High action is the most common reason a cheap guitar is unplayable and the buyer will ask.
Examine the soundboard carefully in raking light and photograph anything you find. Top cracks are repairable but must be disclosed.
Slide a thin piece of paper under the bridge edge. Lifting is a serious and expensive repair, so buyers check it first and honesty here protects your rating.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Look into the soundhole at the edge to see whether the top is solid or layered
- Check the bridge sits flat with no gap at the back edge
- Measure the string height at the twelfth fret
Photographs to ask for
If the listing does not already show these, ask — a seller who has the item will send them in minutes:
- The full guitar front on, against a plain background
- The bridge and soundboard close up, showing any lifting or cracking
- The neck sighted down its length, and the headstock showing the brand
- The action at the twelfth fret, plus any dings, buckle rash or repairs
Details to confirm before you commit
- Brand, model and body size or shape
- Whether the top is solid wood or laminate
- Action height at the twelfth fret, and any neck relief issues
- Any cracks, bridge lifting or previous repairs, and whether a case is included
Live acoustic guitar listings
There is 1 live on WishThrift right now:
When to buy
Steady all year with a lift before Christmas and in September. Recognised brands sell within a fortnight; unbranded beginner guitars are plentiful and slow.
Prices move against that cycle for a buyer: the cheapest time to buy is when sellers are listing most, not when demand peaks.
Paying and collecting safely
WishThrift does not process payments, hold funds or offer buyer protection — you agree the price and the method with the seller directly, which is what keeps the platform free on both sides. Meet somewhere public where you can, inspect before you pay, and keep the conversation on the site so there is a record of what was agreed. Be wary of any seller who wants to move the conversation elsewhere before you have agreed anything.
Selling one instead?
If you already have an acoustic guitar sitting unused, it is free to list and there is no commission — the price you agree is the amount you keep. Read how to sell acoustic guitar for what to photograph and how to price, or what acoustic guitar is worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for a used acoustic guitar?
Around £32 to £162 in good condition, more for barely-used examples and less for anything with a described fault. Compare against the seller’s photographs rather than the grade alone.
How do I check an acoustic guitar before buying?
Ask for the serial number and where it was made, whether anything has ever been repaired or replaced, and for a photograph sighting down the neck from the headstock.
Is buying an acoustic guitar second hand safe?
Yes, with the ordinary care any private sale needs. WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or hold funds, so inspect before you pay where you can, meet somewhere public, and keep the conversation on the site. Neck and truss-rod problems on stringed instruments, and undisclosed repairs — especially a repaired headstock break, which permanently changes what an instrument is worth.
See also: all buying guides · acoustic guitar value guide · selling acoustic guitar · Music & Instruments · condition grades.