Used vs new guitar prices

The typical used asking price on eBay for each model, against new and unplayed examples of the same model. The biggest savings are at the top; models that hold their value best are at the bottom.

26% middle saving buying used, across 37 models today

Model	New	Used	Saving	Used vs new
PRS SE Hollowbody	£1,484	£619	£865	-58%
Epiphone Les Paul Custom	£1,042	£550	£492	-47%
Fender Player Stratocaster	£939	£547	£392	-42%
Fender American Performer Stratocaster	£1,477	£894	£583	-39%
Gibson Les Paul Studio	£1,539	£949	£590	-38%
Fender American Professional II Stratocaster	£2,023	£1,282	£741	-37%
Gibson Les Paul Standard 60s	£2,639	£1,740	£899	-34%
PRS SE Custom 24	£907	£599	£308	-34%
PRS SE Silver Sky	£747	£508	£239	-32%
PRS Custom 24	£4,399	£3,015	£1,384	-31%
Epiphone Les Paul Standard	£600	£419	£181	-30%
PRS SE McCarty 594	£907	£634	£273	-30%
Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s	£2,639	£1,845	£794	-30%
Gibson Les Paul Special	£1,593	£1,129	£464	-29%
Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster	£439	£313	£126	-29%
PRS McCarty 594	£4,399	£3,148	£1,252	-28%
Gibson Les Paul Standard (other years)	£2,749	£1,996	£753	-27%
Gibson ES-339	£2,874	£2,100	£774	-27%
Squier Classic Vibe Telecaster	£455	£338	£117	-26%
Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul	£6,049	£4,500	£1,549	-26%
Fender American Professional Stratocaster	£1,599	£1,193	£406	-25%
Fender Player II Stratocaster	£789	£592	£197	-25%
Fender American Professional Telecaster	£1,623	£1,240	£383	-24%
Fender Made in Japan Stratocaster	£1,299	£1,000	£299	-23%
Gibson SG Standard	£1,649	£1,270	£379	-23%
Fender Vintera II Stratocaster	£972	£760	£213	-22%
Gibson Les Paul Junior	£1,539	£1,231	£308	-20%
Fender American Ultra Stratocaster	£1,863	£1,490	£372	-20%
Rickenbacker 330	£2,482	£1,989	£493	-20%
Squier Classic Vibe Jazzmaster & Jaguar	£470	£377	£93	-20%
Fender Vintera II Telecaster	£1,199	£992	£207	-17%
Fender Player II Telecaster	£807	£669	£138	-17%
Gibson ES-335	£3,519	£2,959	£560	-16%
Fender Standard Telecaster (Mexico)	£584	£496	£88	-15%
Fender Standard Jazz Bass (Mexico)	£579	£517	£62	-11%
Gibson J-45	£2,969	£2,812	£157	-5%
Fender Standard Stratocaster (Mexico)	£537	£528	£9	-2%
Fender Made in Japan Telecaster	£1,166	£1,245	–	+7%
Gibson Les Paul Custom	£3,629	£4,295	–	+18%

Median Buy It Now asking prices including postage (outliers trimmed), in pounds, eBay UK (US where the UK has too few listings, marked with a flag). Used covers every used listing whatever the case; new covers new, unplayed, ex-display and B-stock listings. See how we price.

Questions

How much cheaper is a used guitar than a new one?

Across the 37 models that are cheaper used today, the middle saving is about 26% against new and unplayed examples on eBay. Mass-produced models lose the most; US-made and discontinued models the least.

Which guitars hold their value best?

Among the models we track, these are listed used closest to (or above) new today: Gibson Les Paul Custom (+18%), Fender Made in Japan Telecaster (+7%), Fender Standard Stratocaster (Mexico) (-2%). Discontinued models, limited runs and US-made guitars from Fender, Gibson and Martin tend to hold their value well.

What counts as "new" here?

Listings on eBay that are new, unplayed, ex-display or B-stock, mostly from shops. They're eBay asking prices too, so they can be under the shop list price when a retailer is clearing stock.

Should I buy a used guitar or a new one?

Used guitars are often the better value: the first owner has taken the biggest drop, and a good guitar doesn't wear out. New gets you a warranty, a fresh set-up and no surprises. A used guitar from a trusted seller, with photos of the frets and a fair price, is usually the sweet spot.