Hey everyone,
I will be moving soon and unfortunately will have to part with my guitar as well as a nice european cello. Apart from the usual suspects of gumtree and ebay are there any other ways I can sell them? I tried looking at music instrument shops but they only trade ins. Hope someone can help! Thank you.
More information please.
What type of guitar are you talking about? A high-end nylon string classical (or flamenco) guitar with perfect action and great harmonics that cost you $1k or more? An electric guitar in great condition of desirable type/vintage? A well looked after 12 string with a straight neck? If it's 'none of the above', then you're best off either keeping it, or giving it away to a friend or relative, perhaps a child. The amount of money you will get for it will not be worth the time/hassle it takes you find a buyer/to sell it.
What type (maker/'brand') of cello are you talking about? Where/when did you buy that cello, and how much did you pay for it? Has the cello been well looked after (i.e. not left fully tuned up for years in storage, etc.)?
Without this (basic) information, no on will be able to give you any meaningful advice about your question.
Cellos should be kept tuned otherwise the bridge moves
Cellos should be kept tuned otherwise the bridge moves
Wow, I'm enlightened. I have always detuned my violin a few tones whenever it's not going to be played for a while, which I was instructed to do when I was young and have just done ever since. I assumed the same would go for a cello. Looking online though, I see that there is no consensus on this, even for violins; at least provided that the instrument is stored at an appropriate temperature and humidity.
It's just the run of the mill Yamaha guitar, nothing fancy. I have thought of giving it away yeah.
The cello isn't anything special, but it's a decent starter which i got for $2k new. Have re-stringed it and stored tuned.
OK, lets forget the guitar, re the cello it looks like Gumtree would be the best choice because it's very easy/no real 'work' or expense involved, and there's definitely an active 'cello marketplace' happening there right now. Currently there's more than 20 recent adds for cellos on Gumtree in Victoria alone. Tellingly, there's no 'old' (> 2 months) adds for cellos for sale in Victoria, which suggests that if you advertise it there for a fair price you will sell it relatively quickly. Take good photos, include photos of everything it comes with (case/bow/[some music/music stand]?) … and of course, only accept cash at the point of purchase.
Thanks for the advice! Looks like I will do this :)
Cash converters but I assume they don't pay well
They'll only offer a song.
Start of the school year is probably a good time… But if the music instrument shops you've tried aren't interested then I'd say an auction, probably not Ebay because shipping instruments is a hassle, easier to keep it local.
A music shop offered me $100 for a flute, I sold at a clearing sale about a year later for $280. YMMV.
Yeah there's no way I will ship them, not worth the hassle. Perhaps a clearing sale might be a good idea.
Shame you are in Melbourne and not Sydney - I'm travelling to Sydney on the weekend to try out a few cellos and choose one to buy.
I think gumtree and Facebook marketplace are your best bet. If you sell to cash converters you will only get a fraction of their value. When selling your cello make sure to include photo of the label inside, well lit photos of the back if it has nice flaming, and details of what brand strings it has on it and who set it up / which shop it was bought from - I have looked at a lot of ads lately and I'm not going to bother travelling to try a cello that don't know the make of and could be a cheap piece of Chinese crap
Haven't seen any ads with a video of it being played but that would be a nice touch
Probably won't go to the extend of making a video but I afaik it's made in Romania from local wood. Good idea about the pictures.
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/classified or FB Marketplace if you still have an account.
Possibly local weekend markets? You'll need some patience to sell it for decent money as a niche item.