How to prepare a guitar or amp before selling it

Think the buyer only cares about tone? They care about condition first. Small fixes change offers a lot.

What to check first

Start with a fast run-through. Look for big dings, loose parts and any broken wiring. Note serial numbers and the model name so you can list them later.

Check the neck: hold the instrument upright and look down the fretboard under good light. Look for big warps or uneven frets. Minor fret wear is normal; deep grooves matter.

For amps, plug in with a guitar and turn knobs slowly. Listen for crackles, hum or missing channels. If an amp is noisy, a quick tube swap or contact cleaner might fix it.

Cleaning and basic setup

A clean, easy-to-play instrument gets better offers. Wipe down the body, fretboard and hardware. Tighten loose knobs and strap buttons. Replace worn strings—cheap strings make a guitar feel dead.

Set the action roughly: lower the action enough so the guitar plays cleanly but not so low it buzzes. If you can, do a basic intonation check (tune open, then check the 12th fret note) and note whether the saddle needs adjustment.

Photos, description and honesty

Good pictures save time. Shoot clear photos from a few angles: full front, back, headstock close-up with serial, and any damage. For amps, include a photo of the control panel and speaker cone.

Honest notes build trust. Mention recent repairs, replaced parts, and any issues you heard while testing. If you had a tech do a setup or a tube swap, say so.

• Show model and serial clearly in one photo

• Include close-up of wear spots or dents

• Photograph electronics and jack sockets for amps

• Note which strings or tubes are installed now

• State whether the case or gig bag is included

• Say if the piece has a recent service or setup

• Give a short history: age, how often used, and why selling

Testing: what buyers will do and what you should offer

You should test both guitar and amp together. Plug in and play a few chords across the neck. Strum hard and soft. Try the pickup selector, tone and volume knobs, tremolo if present, and any switches.

Micro-moment: You meet a buyer in a public place. You plug in and the amp hums loudly when the buyer touches a cable. You swap cables and the hum goes away. That quick swap proves the amp works and saves both sides an awkward return.

If you hear static from a pot, try a spray contact cleaner first. If a jack wiggles, tighten the nut or replace the jack. Small fixes often cost less than the drop in offers they cause.

Pricing and negotiation tips

Check local second-hand prices for similar condition gear. Price a bit above what you’ll accept. That gives room to negotiate without digging in.

Be ready to show your work. A receipt for a recent setup or tube change adds value. If something is cosmetically damaged, drop the price rather than hiding it—buyers assume a hidden flaw exists and will lowball.

Packing and handoff

Include the case keys, footswitches and spare tubes if you have them. Pack the amp upright with the speaker protected. For guitars, loosen straps slightly and secure the headstock inside the case.

Carry a simple written note: model, serial, and the issues you disclosed. It’s calmer for both sides and prevents confusion after the sale.

Small fixes are normal. Structural problems are not — separate the two before you agree on price.

Today’s takeaway: Clean it, test it, tell the truth, and a small setup will usually win a noticeably better offer.