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 | £450 (~$599) | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £382 (~$510) | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £292 (~$390) | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £202 (~$270) | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £112 (~$150) | 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 electric guitar is worth what is being asked:
- Neck warp or a truss rod that has run out of adjustment
- Refinishing, which can sharply reduce value on collectable instruments
- Replaced pickups or tuners where originals are expected
- Fret wear deep enough to need a re-fret
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- A straight neck with a working truss rod
- Original pickups and hardware rather than later replacements
- Recognised makers and models with an established following
- The original case, especially on older instruments
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 electric guitar, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
List any changed parts. Modifications are common and often improvements, but the buyer is pricing an original instrument unless you say otherwise.
Photograph them angled in good light. A refret is a significant cost, so buyers assess this carefully and appreciate clear pictures.
Plug in and sweep every pot and switch. Scratchy pots are cheap to clean but must be mentioned rather than left to be discovered.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Sight down the neck from the headstock to check for relief or twist
- Play every fret listening for buzzing or dead notes
- Check whether the pickups, tuners and bridge are original
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 headstock showing brand, model and serial
- The frets along the neck, angled to reveal wear
- The pickups, controls and bridge, plus any modification or damage
Details to confirm before you commit
- Brand, model, finish and year or era if known
- Country of manufacture, from the serial number
- Whether the pickups, tuners, bridge and electronics are original
- Fret wear, neck condition, and whether a case or gig bag is included
Live electric guitar listings
There is 1 live on WishThrift right now:
When to buy
Steady all year with a Christmas lift. Recognised brands and models hold value strongly and sell within days when priced sensibly; unbranded instruments move slowly.
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 electric 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 electric guitar for what to photograph and how to price, or what electric guitar is worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for a used electric guitar?
Around £52 to £292 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 electric 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 electric 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 · electric guitar value guide · selling electric guitar · Music & Instruments · condition grades.