We Buy, Trade, and Consign!

Do you have a used or vintage instrument that you’re looking to sell? We’d love to help! Give us a call at 206-634-1662 or email us at music@dustystrings.com and we’ll be happy to discuss what you’ve got and whether it’s a good fit for selling through Dusty Strings.

What are we looking for?

The main thing is quality. Quality can exist at almost any price, and assessing it is at the core of how we select both new and used instruments. From entry level to top-of-the line, we’re looking for instruments that are well-built and, with appropriate adjustments or repairs when needed, will perform as well as possible for anyone who picks them up.

What specific instruments are we looking for?

We’re primarily looking for high quality American-made (open to some exceptions) used and vintage acoustic guitars, electric guitars and amps, mandolins, banjos, and ukuleles, as well as Dusty Strings brand harps and hammered dulcimers. This includes, but isn’t limited to, brands such as Martin, Gibson, Fender, Collings, Waterloo, Taylor, Lowden, G&L, National, Dobro, Beard, Paul Reed Smith, Deering, Bourgeois, Huss & Dalton, Froggy Bottom, Santa Cruz, Kamaka, and of course, Dusty Strings. Note that even high-quality instruments sometimes need repairs, so don’t let a need for repair deter you; we’ve got top-notch repair technicians who can do amazing things to get quality instruments ready to play and sell. The bottom line is, if in doubt, call us!

What are we not looking for?

Because we can’t carry and repair everything, we generally are not looking for non-Dusty Strings harps and hammered dulcimers, violin family instruments, woodwinds and brass, drums and other percussion, zithers, autoharps, homemade instruments, most total restorations, and most other “world instruments”, including ouds, bouzoukis, citterns, bowed psalteries, bagpipes, accordions, concertinas, sitars, and many other less common instruments.

What is the process?

The first step is to call or email us and tell us about your instrument and what your goals are. Be sure to let us know whether you’re just looking to sell or if you’re also interested in making a purchase and would like us to consider a trade. Depending on which path is appropriate, we’ll make arrangements with you to bring your instrument in for evaluation.

Evaluations can normally be completed by the next business day; exceptions include vintage and unusual instruments, which may require more time for detailed repair evaluation and extra research. We’ll contact you to discuss options once our evaluation is complete.

Our basic evaluation fee is $30 per instrument; this fee is waived if we move forward to buy, trade, or consign your instrument.

To inquire about your instrument(s), give us a call at (206) 634-1662 or email music@dustystrings.com.