Should You Buy Your First Guitar from a Shop, eBay or Reverb?
Mark Mannering Barton - Pick to Play Guitar
Buying your first guitar can feel overwhelming.
Walk into a guitar shop and you'll see hundreds of instruments.
Look online and you'll find thousands more on eBay and Reverb, often at much lower prices.
So what's the right choice?
Having bought and sold guitars myself over the years, here's how I'd weigh up each option.
Buying from a guitar shop
For complete beginners, a good guitar shop offers something online simply can't.
You can:
hold different body sizes
hear how guitars sound
ask questions
receive setup advice
usually benefit from a warranty
return faulty instruments more easily
Many shops will also carry out a basic setup before you collect the guitar, making it easier and more enjoyable to play.
That's especially important because beginners often give up because the guitar feels difficult—not because learning is impossible.
The downside
New guitars cost more.
Like cars, guitars depreciate once they're sold.
A £300 guitar today might only be worth £200–£230 on the used market a few months later or even less.
Buying from eBay or Reverb
The biggest advantage is simple:
Value for money.
For the same budget you can often buy a much better guitar.
Instead of buying a new £250 beginner guitar, you might find one that originally sold for £400–£500.
That's a significant upgrade in sound, build quality and playability.
The risks
There are a few things to watch out for:
worn frets
neck problems
poor repairs
cracks
incorrect descriptions
little or no warranty
That doesn't mean you shouldn't buy online.
It simply means you need to buy carefully.
How to buy safely online
If you're using eBay or Reverb, I'd suggest looking for:
✅ Sellers with excellent feedback
✅ Plenty of clear photographs
✅ Honest descriptions
✅ Evidence the guitar has been looked after
✅ Original case or gig bag
✅ A willingness to answer questions
On Reverb especially, many sellers are genuine enthusiasts who know their instruments well.
Don't overlook used guitars from guitar shops
This is the option many people forget.
Many independent guitar shops sell quality second-hand instruments.
You often get:
professional inspection
setup before sale
some warranty
expert advice
lower prices than buying new
For many beginners, this is the ideal balance between value and peace of mind.
My recommendation
If your budget allows, I'd generally suggest this order:
Used guitar from a reputable guitar shop
Used guitar from a trusted Reverb or highly-rated eBay seller
Brand new guitar from a shop
That's because I'd rather see a beginner playing a better-quality used instrument than a cheaper new one.
A guitar that's comfortable to play makes practising far more enjoyable.
And enjoyable practice leads to progress.
One final tip
Whatever you buy, don't judge a guitar purely by its appearance.
A beautifully finished guitar that plays badly won't inspire you.
A slightly used guitar that's been well cared for could become your favourite instrument for years.
The best first guitar isn't necessarily the newest one.
It's the one that makes you want to pick it up every day.
Ready to buy that guitar and start playing?
Whether you're picking up a guitar for the very first time or returning after a long break, I'd be delighted to help you build solid foundations and enjoy the learning process.
Pick To Play Guitar offers relaxed, one-to-one lessons for adult beginners across Teddington, Twickenham, Richmond and the surrounding areas or UK wide online. Together we'll make learning the guitar enjoyable, rewarding and, most importantly, fun.
Get in touch today for a friendly chat about your guitar journey. I'd love to help you get started.
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