Frequently Asked Questions

"How does this all work?"

At Guitarworth our goal is to make the once time consuming and expensive process of getting your musical gear appraised as simple and quick as possible.  Simply download our photo guideline PDF file for your piece, send us the required photos, and we will typically have an answer for you the same day.  In the rare cases where a longer process or more photos may be required, we will work with you every step of the way to ensure we have the best information possible to evaluate and appraise your gear.  You don't need a fancy camera either - most smartphone cameras will be enough to make it work!
 

"Will you sell my guitar for me?"

We are focused solely on appraisal services, but we will be able to recommend what we feel is the best course of action for any piece, both to help make your experience selling as quick and painless as possible and to maximize the potential value.
 

"After I have my appraisal, how do I sell my guitar?"

There are many different options in the used guitar market, from the large, well known music gear retail stores to online auction sites, to boutique shops that specialize in rare & collectible gear.  It can be as simple as taking your guitar into a store and seeing what they might offer based on their market and client base, or as complicated as posting your piece online.  We will recommend what we feel is the best course of action for any piece.
 

"Can you appraise a guitar I want to buy?"

We cannot appraise a guitar without the current owner's consent and involvement, but we understand how these deals are sometimes.  We will work with you and the current owner to make the appraisal process as quick and painless as possible.  Keep in mind, either party may not be pleased with the verdict - there's a lot of information out there these days, and not all of it is of equal quality - but we will recommend a fair, open market value for the piece.

“I HAVE MORE THAN ONE GUITAR I WANT APPRAISED… DO YOU DO DISCOUNTS ON MULTIPLE-PIECE APPRAISALS?”

We will offer a discount per-appraisal for customers with more than one piece, but given the large difference in the time it can take to research and accurately appraise a given piece versus another, we can only do this at our discretion on a case-by-case basis.

“WILL YOU APPRAISE MY WHOLE COLLECTION?”

If you have 10 or more pieces you’d like appraised, reach out to us through the Contact page, and we will work with you on making this possible. This service is available only on a case by case basis.

"Do you only appraise vintage guitars?"

We will appraise any used gear, regardless of age or vintage qualification.
 

"What other types of gear do you appraise?"

We can evaluate and appraise guitars, basses, amps, effects, and some pro audio/live sound gear and keyboards.  Currently, we will not be able to appraise pianos, wind & brass instruments, classical stringed instruments, accordions, DJ equipment.  If there's a question whether or not we might be interested in looking at your gear, please contact customersupport@guitarworth.com.

"What payment methods do you accept?"

We accept major credit cards and Paypal.

"Can I get an appraisal if I'm not in Hollywood, CA?"

Absolutely.  Our process is email-based, so we can evaluate & appraise your piece without you leaving the comfort of your home.  For appraisals on gear outside the US, please contact customersupport@guitarworth.com

"Which vintage guitars are worth the most?"

The most valuable pieces have always been certain Gibson electric guitars made from 1957 to 1962, certain Martin acoustics from the 1930's, and early Fender Stratocasters, but there are a few others that have appreciated significantly over time.

"Which guitar is the best investment?"

This is probably the question we hear the most often, and it's a bit trickier than one might think.  Putting an accurate number on a guitar has always been a bit like hitting a moving target, and recent online resources and international markets' influence have made this more difficult than ever.  We've all heard the old "grandma's attic" stories and seen six-figure valuations on Antiques Roadshow.  Unfortunately, for the most part, these stories are a thing of the past.  Most collectible pieces are known to the market today, and priced appropriately.  That said, there are always ways to make money in the guitar market.  Reach out to us today to see if your piece is a hidden gem.

"How do we get started?"

Visit our store, select the service you're interested in, and we will reach out to you as soon as possible.