The short version
- Typical range: £50 – £250
- Biggest single factor: condition — see the table below
- Category: Music & Instruments
- Cost to sell on WishThrift: nothing, at any price
What a used acoustic guitar is worth by condition
Condition does more to the price than anything else. These figures are worked from the top of the range for acoustic guitars, so treat them as a starting point and adjust for the specifics of yours.
| Condition | Typical price | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | £250 | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £212 | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £162 | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £112 | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £62 | Not working or incomplete, sold as seen |
These are the five grades WishThrift listings use, and sellers set the grade themselves — see what each condition grade means. Figures are shown in pounds as a reference point. On WishThrift prices display in your own currency, and sellers set their own asking price.
What raises the value of a acoustic guitar
- 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
What lowers it
- 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
How to work out what yours is worth
- 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
Once you have those three answers you can place your own acoustic guitar on the table above with reasonable confidence. If it sits between two rows, price it toward the lower one — items priced honestly sell faster than items priced hopefully.
Ready to sell it? Listing on WishThrift is free, there is no commission, and you keep the full amount you agree with the buyer — see how selling works or create a free account.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a used acoustic guitar worth?
Mostly a question of construction. Solid-top instruments hold value well and can improve with age; laminate beginner guitars sell for modest sums.
Does a crack ruin an acoustic guitar’s value?
It reduces it, but a well-executed repair on an otherwise good instrument is accepted by most players. Disclose it with a photograph.
What is the difference between solid and laminate tops?
A solid top is one piece of timber and matures tonally over decades; laminate is layered and does not. It is the single biggest factor in what an acoustic is worth.
More value guides: music & instruments guides · all value guides · browse live music & instruments listings.