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 | £70 (~$93) | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £60 (~$79) | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £46 (~$61) | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £32 (~$42) | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £18 (~$23) | 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 ukulele is worth what is being asked:
- Laminate construction, which sells for very little
- Friction tuners that will not hold tune
- Cracks in the top or back
- Warped necks with high action
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Solid mahogany or koa construction
- Recognised makers with a following
- Geared tuners that hold pitch
- Original gig bag or 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 ukulele, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
Tune it, leave it, and report honestly. Slipping tuners are the common fault on inexpensive ukuleles and they are replaceable, but the buyer should know.
Give the name and the scale length. Soprano and tenor feel completely different to play and buyers choose deliberately.
Look inside the sound hole at the edge grain. Solid tops sound better as they age and are worth more, so it is worth establishing.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Check the soundhole edge for solid or layered construction
- Tune it and check it holds after a few minutes
- Note the size: soprano, concert, tenor or baritone
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 ukulele front on, whole
- The headstock and tuners close up
- The bridge and saddle area
- The body sides and back, plus any crack, open seam or scratch
Details to confirm before you commit
- Size — soprano, concert, tenor or baritone — and scale length
- Body wood, and whether solid or laminate
- Whether it has a pickup, and the tuner type
- Whether it holds tune, the action, and any crack or seam separation
Live ukulele 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 before Christmas and in September as lessons restart. Beginner instruments sell fastest in those windows; solid wood instruments sell year round.
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 ukulele 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 ukulele for what to photograph and how to price, or what ukulele is worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for a used ukulele?
Around £10 to £46 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 ukulele 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 ukulele 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 · ukulele value guide · selling ukulele · Music & Instruments · condition grades.