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 | £180 (~$240) | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £153 (~$204) | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £117 (~$156) | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £81 (~$108) | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £45 (~$60) | 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 a classical guitar is worth what is being asked:
- Laminate tops, which sell for far less
- Lifting bridges, a serious structural issue
- Cracks in the top or sides
- Warped necks with high action
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Solid cedar or spruce tops
- Recognised luthiers and better factory models
- Straight necks with comfortable action
- 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 a classical guitar, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
Look at the grain at the soundhole edge: solid tops show continuous grain through the thickness, laminates show layers. It is the main price factor.
Measure the string height at the twelfth fret. High action on a student guitar makes it unplayable and is the commonest complaint.
Say full, three-quarter or half. Parents buying for a child filter on this before anything else.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Look into the soundhole at the edge to see if the top is solid
- Check the bridge sits flat with no gap
- 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, plain background
- The soundhole edge, showing whether the top is solid or laminate
- The bridge and soundboard, showing any lifting or crack
- The neck sighted down its length, plus the headstock
Details to confirm before you commit
- Size: full, three-quarter or half
- Whether the top is solid wood or laminate, and which wood
- Action height at the twelfth fret and neck relief
- Any cracks, bridge lifting, and whether a case is included
Live classical guitar listings
Nothing matching is listed at the moment. Browse music & instruments for what is live now, or everything on the site — stock changes daily and new listings are free to post, so it is worth checking back.
When to buy
Lifts in September as lessons start and before Christmas. Student sizes sell fastest in those windows.
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 a classical 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 classical guitar for what to photograph and how to price, or what classical guitar is worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for a used classical guitar?
Around £26 to £117 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 a classical 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 a classical 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 · classical guitar value guide · selling classical guitar · Music & Instruments · condition grades.