By C.

If you’re sitting on a vintage guitar, whether it’s a family heirloom, a long-forgotten instrument collecting dust, or a prized piece you’re finally ready to part with — you’re likely wondering the best way to sell it. Do you list it online? Try your luck at a local big box music shop? Wait for a private buyer who might never come?

Here’s a better idea: sell it to IVG! We’re one of the most trusted names in vintage instruments in Southern California. Here’s why working with us isn’t just a good option, but the smartest and easiest way to get real value for your guitar and less hassle.

Do you have a vintage guitar or bass you’d like to sell? Contact us here

1. Fair, honest offers from experts: One of the biggest concerns sellers have is whether they’re getting a fair deal. And that concern is completely valid — the vintage guitar market is full of misinformation, wildly varying prices, and, unfortunately, lowball offers and time wasters.

At Imperial Vintage Guitars, your instrument is evaluated by seasoned experts who understand the true value of vintage gear. We are people who live and breathe guitars, not pawn shop generalists or online resellers trying to turn a quick profit. We’ve bought and sold thousands of vintage guitars and can spot the subtle differences between a ’64 and a ’65 Strat (and will pay you accordingly). Don’t get snowed into thinking your estate sale find isn’t worth the trouble, come to the folks who know what they’re looking at!

When you sell to our shop, you’re not just getting an offer based on book value or internet listings. While we do factor them in, you’re getting a real, knowledge-based and market-accurate price based on condition, rarity, playability, and current demand. We pride ourselves on our vintage expertise, and if we really don’t know, we’ll discover together and give you a transparent understanding of what you have and what we can realistically pay for it.

2. Avoid the headache of selling on your own: Selling a vintage guitar on your own might seem like a good idea at first. Sure, you’ll get a couple more bucks than selling to any dealer. It’s as simple as posting a few photos, write up a brief description, and wait for the cash to roll in, right? Not quite..

In reality, private selling can be a minefield. Between the endless questions from tire-kickers, lowballers trying to knock hundreds (or thousands) off your price, the risk of scams and tricksters, and the stress of shipping a fragile, or high-value item across the country (or globe), it’s a process that quickly becomes overwhelming.

Even selling locally has its risks. Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace meetups can be sketchy, and finding someone who actually knows what they’re buying (and is willing to pay for it) can take weeks, months, and sometimes years. Imagine selling a family treasured guitar only to be lambasted by a local buyer who is unhappy with the fret levels, dirty switch, or replaced output jack (all of which you may have been unaware of) and blows up your phone or inbox with aggressive messages. It happens, and when dealing with the public and the particularities of guitar buyers, having a little extra know-how will go a long way in selling a vintage piece.

Did you know we also buy collections? If you need to sell multiple pieces at once quickly and easily, send us an email or give us a call for more info

By contrast, selling to IVG is smooth and secure. You get a serious offer from serious professionals, and we handle the rest. No shipping guesswork, no meeting in a parking lot, no worrying whether you’ll actually get paid.

3. Fast, simple transactions: Whether you’re looking to get paid quickly or just want the guitar off your hands without a drawn-out process, we make it easy. We have 4 brick-and-mortar locations in California and an established reputation, so you can walk in, show us your instrument, and leave with a check right away. Don’t suffer dealing with a big box retailer, waiting for so-and-so to come off lunch break, call their higher ups to get a price, hang around while employees shuffle boxes and answer an endless stream of phone calls before someone decides to pay you. You’ll be there all day, we promise..

Don’t live nearby? No problem. We regularly work with out-of-state sellers and can guide you through a safe, hassle-free shipping process. You’ll still get a fast quote and quick payment. It’s as simple as that.

4. You’re selling to a shop that respects and appreciates the instrument: For many sellers, parting with a vintage guitar is emotional. It might have been your go-to for years, or belonged to someone important in your life. Selling to a faceless buyer online or corporation can feel like sending it into the void. And nobody wants that.

When you sell to Imperial, your guitar doesn’t disappear. It goes into the hands of a shop that truly respects its history, and will likely place it in the hands of another musician who appreciates its legacy just as much as you did.

The truth is, selling a vintage guitar doesn’t have to be stressful, risky, or full of guesswork. When you sell to Imperial Vintage Guitars, you’re choosing fairness, expertise, safety, and simplicity.

Whether you’re cashing out or just ready for the next chapter, you can trust that we’ll treat you and your guitar with the consideration you both deserve.

With 4 stores across Southern California, we’re always buying! Not sure what your instrument is worth? Bring it by the shop or schedule an appraisal online