Used classical guitars in Australia typically sell for A$77 to A$345 (about $54 to $240). Classical guitars are bought on top construction and action, so say whether the top is solid cedar or spruce or a laminate, and give the string height at the twelfth fret.
What classical guitars are worth in Australia
| Condition | Typical | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | A$345 | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | A$293 | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | A$224 | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | A$155 | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | A$86 | Not working or incomplete, sold as seen |
Guide ranges converted from sterling at the 2 August 2026 rate, not quotes — sellers set their own price. Grades are seller-declared; WishThrift does not inspect or verify them.
What lifts the price
- Recognised luthiers and better factory models
- Original hard case
What pulls it down
- Laminate tops, which sell for far less
- Cracks in the top or sides
Selling a classical guitar in Australia
Bank transfer via PayID is instant and is what most private buyers will offer. Cash on collection remains common for larger items.
Australia’s second-hand market is strongly local and strongly seasonal, with most activity concentrated in the eastern capitals and buyers who expect to collect.
Australia Post covers everywhere, but distance pricing is real and interstate parcels cost meaningfully more than local ones.
Australia is a pre-launch market, so it is worth saying what a seller here should expect when it does open. Distance dominates everything: interstate parcels cost several times a metro delivery, and bulky items effectively only sell within a city. Most trade concentrates in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, and buyers in those cities expect to collect rather than wait. Seasons run opposite to the northern hemisphere, so listings that follow UK or US timing arrive exactly half a year out of step — warm weather items want September, not March, and winter gear moves from around May.
Working out what yours is worth
- Look into the soundhole at the edge to see if the top is solid
- Measure the string height at the twelfth fret
Getting it ready
- Measure the action at the twelfth fret and sight the neck for relief.
- Check the bridge for lifting and the top for cracks, and fit fresh nylon strings if the current ones are dead.
Photograph
- The full guitar front on, plain background
- The bridge and soundboard, showing any lifting or crack
- The neck sighted down its length, plus the headstock
Put in the description
- 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
Size, top and brand: “Yamaha C40 Full Size Classical Guitar, Solid Spruce Top”. Size matters — full, three-quarter and half are separate searches for students of different ages. Solid top versus laminate is the main price driver.
Lifts in September as lessons start and before Christmas. Student sizes sell fastest in those windows.
It costs nothing to list
There is no listing fee, no selling fee and no commission, so the A$345 a buyer pays is the A$345 you keep. You and the buyer settle up and arrange the handover between yourselves; WishThrift does not hold the money or ship the item.
Where in Australia
Australia is a big place and what sells well moves with it. These are the parts of Australia with their own page for classical guitars.
- Selling a classical guitar in Sydney
- Selling a classical guitar in Melbourne
- Selling a classical guitar in Brisbane
- Selling a classical guitar in Perth
- Selling a classical guitar in Adelaide
- Selling a classical guitar in Gold Coast
- Selling a classical guitar in Canberra
Common questions
Where can I sell a classical guitar in Australia?
List it free on WishThrift and deal with the buyer direct. There is no selling fee, so the whole amount stays with you. Bank transfer via PayID is instant and is what most private buyers will offer. Cash on collection remains common for larger items.
Is the top solid?
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.
Is a lifting bridge repairable?
Yes, by a luthier, but it is a real cost. Buyers treat it as a significant deduction, so disclose it.
Do classical guitars improve with age?
Solid-top instruments do mature tonally. Laminate ones do not, which is another reason the distinction matters.
More: how to sell a classical guitar, what classical guitars are worth, or Music & Instruments across Australia.