How we price used guitars

Every price on Guitar Value comes from real, live eBay listings, cleaned and compared like for like. Here's exactly how.

1. We collect the listings

Every day we search eBay through its official Browse API for 331 guitar and bass models from 12 brands, in the guitar and bass categories only. Each model line is searched in price bands, so cheap accessories don't crowd out the real guitars.

2. We keep only complete, genuine guitars

A listing must name the brand and match the model. We remove necks, bodies, pickguards, pickups, cases and other parts sold on their own; copies, replicas and "Strat-style" or "LP-style" guitars; kits and partscasters; guitars for spares, repair or projects; guitars sold with an amp or in bundles; and anything that isn't a guitar at all. Then anything priced below what a complete guitar of that model could cost is dropped, which catches the parts that slip through.

3. We read each listing

From the title, and the start of the seller's description where the title is silent, we read whether it comes with a hard case, a gig bag or no case; whether it's new or unplayed; the year; where it was made; the finish; the pickups; whether it's left-handed; whether it's had a set-up or fret work; and whether it's been modified. We also note whether the seller is a shop or a private seller, and their feedback.

4. We work out a typical price for each condition

For each model, the typical price is the median Buy It Now asking price including postage, worked out separately for: new or unplayed; used with a hard case; used with a gig bag; used with no case; and used where the case isn't stated. Outliers are trimmed first (anything under half or over twice the model's middle price, then anything outside 1.5 times the interquartile range). We need at least 4 listings before we call a price typical. When a condition has too few, it's compared with all used guitars of the model, and we say so.

5. We score every Buy It Now listing

Each listing's total price is compared with the typical price for the same model in the same condition, as a percentage above or below. Anything 35% or more below is marked "too good to be true?" and is never counted as a deal, because that's where fakes, scams and mis-described guitars sit. Sellers with under 10 feedback, or under 97% positive, are flagged. "Safe deals only" in the finder hides both.

6. We keep a price history

Each day we save the median asking price for each model and condition, so every model page has its own price chart, and the price movers page shows which models are rising or falling.

What our prices can't tell you

We read listings automatically, and sellers don't always mention the case, the year or what's been changed. Our figures are asking prices, not what guitars sell for. Always read the listing, look at every photo and ask the seller before you buy. More on how we work and make money is on our about page.