Sell your guitar at Echo Tone

Yes, we buy guitars.

Looking to sell a guitar, bass or collection? Echo Tone buys vintage, second-hand and quality used instruments every week.

Bring your gear into our Northcote store for a straightforward, in-hand appraisal. If it’s something we can use, we’ll make you an offer on the spot. No appointment is necessary for selling or trading.

We offer fast payment by bank transfer, or cash by prior arrangement.

Whether it’s one guitar that’s been sitting under the bed for twenty years, something rare and collectible, or an entire collection, we’re always interested in seeing what’s out there.

How to Sell Your Guitar

The easiest option is simply to bring it in:

Echo Tone Guitars
19 Arthurton Rd, Northcote VIC
(03) 9939 0752

No appointment is necessary for selling or trading.

Want an idea before making the trip? Send us some clear photos and whatever you know about the instrument using:

For vintage instruments, photos of serial numbers, labels, pickups, electronics or other identifying details are always useful.

Estimates made from photographs are indicative only. Final offers are made after inspecting the instrument and confirming its condition, originality and functionality.

Selling a Collection?

We buy individual instruments as well as complete guitar collections and larger quantities of gear.

If bringing everything into the shop isn't practical, get in touch. Depending on the collection and location, we may be able to come to you and arrange collection.

Not in Melbourne?

No problem. We regularly buy guitars from sellers across Australia and can arrange courier collection where appropriate.

If you're unsure whether something is of interest, send us a few photos first.

Consignments

For selected vintage, collectible and higher-value instruments, we may also offer consignment.

Rather than purchasing the instrument outright, we display and sell it on your behalf. Once the sale is completed, you receive the final sale price less our 20% consignment fee.

Consignment can be a good option when achieving a higher retail price is more important than selling immediately. Your instrument is presented in-store and online to our local, interstate and international customers.

All consignments are subject to an in-hand appraisal and must be approved by us before being brought into the store.

We are currently unable to accept consignment items valued below $2,500, or amplifiers and speaker cabinets on consignment. We may still be interested in purchasing these outright or accepting them as a trade.

Preparing an Instrument for Consignment

Please make sure your instrument is reasonably clean and fitted with usable strings before bringing it in.

Where cleaning or restringing is required, a flat $50 fee applies.

Please contact us before bringing in anything for consignment.

Consignment Terms

  • Consignments are accepted for a minimum three-month exclusive term. During this period, the instrument cannot also be advertised privately or through another dealer or marketplace.
  • The asking price is agreed before the instrument is consigned. We may recommend pricing based on condition and the current market.
  • Consigned instruments are insured against theft, fire and breakage to the agreed payout value, being the sale price less our 20% fee.
  • If an instrument remains unsold at the end of the initial term, we can review the price, extend the consignment or arrange for it to be collected.
  • We batch some listings with similar instruments. As a result, a consigned item may not appear online immediately.

Vintage Electronics

For electronic items we agree to accept on consignment, please keep in mind that vintage electronics can be unpredictable. While we take reasonable care when storing and handling equipment, we cannot be responsible for faults that develop during the consignment period.

Consignment Payouts

If your instrument appears as SOLD on our website and you haven't received payment yet, don't panic. A sale may still be awaiting completion, including lay-by payments or delivery to an interstate or international customer.

Payouts are processed once the transaction is final:

  • 7 days after an in-store purchase or completion of a lay-by
  • 7 days after confirmed delivery for interstate and international sales

Payments are made by EFT and generally clear within 2–3 business days.