Why Ann Arbor Guitar Sellers Choose Edgewater
Ann Arbor has punched well above its weight in American music. Iggy Pop was born here as James Osterberg. Madonna passed through as a University of Michigan student before her career took off. Bob Seger wrote “Main Street” about the city. The Blind Pig, open since 1971, hosted Nirvana, R.E.M., Pearl Jam, and Smashing Pumpkins before any of them were famous, and The Ark has been a listening-room fixture for folk and acoustic music since 1968. A college town with that kind of history has guitars worth knowing about sitting in closets and cases all over Washtenaw County.
Edgewater Guitars is a specialist vintage and used guitar buyer serving Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Indiana. We are not a pawn shop, and we are not an out-of-state buyer who lowballs you once we have made the trip. We pay 70 to 85 percent of retail value, with same-day cash offers and no pressure.
Expert valuations, not guesswork. We know the difference between a real vintage instrument and a reissue, and we price accordingly.
Same-day cash offers. Send photos and get a firm offer within 2 hours.
We come to you. Kerrytown, Old West Side, Burns Park, or anywhere in Washtenaw County.
Transparent pricing. We show you the comparable sales data behind every offer.
No pressure, ever. Get your free appraisal and take as long as you need to decide.
What We Buy in Ann Arbor
Vintage Electric Guitars
Gibson: Les Paul Standards, Customs, Juniors, SGs, ES-335s, Flying Vs, Explorers, pre-1970 models especially
Fender: Stratocasters, Telecasters, Jazzmasters, Jaguars, pre-CBS (pre-1965) instruments command the highest premiums
Other collectibles: Gretsch, Rickenbacker, Guild, Epiphone, Danelectro, Mosrite
Vintage Acoustic Guitars
Martin: D-28, D-18, D-45, 000-18, OM-28, pre-war and golden-era models
Gibson: J-45, J-200, Hummingbird, Dove, LG series, Banner-era acoustics
Amplifiers and Effects
Fender: Twin Reverb, Deluxe Reverb, Bassman, Champ, Princeton, tweed and blackface eras
Other brands: Marshall, Vox, Mesa Boogie, Dumble, Matchless
Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County Service Area
Ann Arbor Neighborhoods
Kerrytown, one of Ann Arbor’s most walkable historic neighborhoods
Old West Side, known for its Victorian and Craftsman homes near Main Street
Burns Park, close to the University of Michigan’s main campus
Downtown and the State Street and South University campus areas
Extended Washtenaw County
Ypsilanti, Saline, Dexter, Chelsea
Pittsfield Township and the surrounding townships
We also drive into the greater Detroit and Southeast Michigan area for the right instrument. Have a guitar somewhere else in the region? Ask, we likely still cover it.
How Selling Works in Ann Arbor
Contact us with photos. Text or email shots of your guitar, front, back, headstock, serial number. Takes 2 minutes.
Get your free expert appraisal. Within 2 hours, you will receive a firm cash offer with a full explanation of how we arrived at the number.
Accept our offer. We will meet you anywhere in Ann Arbor or Washtenaw County, your home, campus, wherever works.
Get paid. Cash, Venmo, Zelle, check, or wire. The in-person process takes 15 to 20 minutes.
Why Not Sell to an Ann Arbor Pawn Shop or Music Store?
Pawn shops typically offer 20 to 40 percent of an instrument’s value, they need large margins for overhead and risk.
Music retail stores like Music Go Round on Oak Valley Drive are a fine option for trading modern used gear, but buying true vintage instruments for resale is not their specialty, and offers reflect that.
Online platforms such as Reverb and eBay cost time, fees, and shipping risk for a fragile, valuable instrument, and you will wait weeks for the right buyer.
Edgewater pays 70 to 85 percent of retail value immediately, with no fees, no shipping risk, and no waiting.
Ann Arbor Guitar Selling FAQ
How much is my vintage guitar worth in Ann Arbor?
Values depend on make, model, year, and condition. Our free expert appraisal gives you a real number based on current market data, comparable sold listings, auction results, and dealer pricing, not a guess.
Do you come to the Ann Arbor suburbs?
Yes. We regularly travel to Ypsilanti, Saline, Dexter, Chelsea, and the surrounding Washtenaw County area, and into greater Southeast Michigan for the right instrument.
What if I do not know what kind of guitar I have?
Send us photos and we will identify it free of charge, make, model, approximate year, and estimated value.
Is the appraisal free?
Always 100 percent free with zero obligation. Even if you decide not to sell, you will walk away knowing exactly what your instrument is worth.
Ann Arbor’s Music Legacy
Ann Arbor’s reputation as a music town runs deep. The Ark has hosted folk and acoustic performers in an intimate listening-room setting since 1968. The Blind Pig, open since 1971, became a proving ground for bands who went on to arena stages, Nirvana reportedly named it their favorite club. The Verve Pipe formed here in 1991 before their song “The Freshmen” went national, and college radio station WCBN-FM has spent decades reflecting the city’s famously eclectic taste. A university town with that much live music running through it has real instruments scattered across it, in dorm closets, attics, and cases that have not been opened in years.
If you have a guitar in Ann Arbor or anywhere in Washtenaw County, find out what it is really worth before accepting any offer. Contact Edgewater Guitars for your free, no-obligation appraisal.
Ready to Sell Your Guitar in Ann Arbor?
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation appraisal. Same-day offers across Washtenaw County and Southeast Michigan.
How do you determine what my guitar is worth?
We evaluate each instrument based on brand, model, year, condition, originality, rarity, and current market demand. Our extensive knowledge of the vintage guitar market allows us to make competitive offers based on real-world values.
Do you buy guitars in any condition?
Yes! While mint condition guitars command premium prices, we purchase instruments in all conditions, including those with modifications, wear, or damage. Even project guitars can have value.
Do I need to clean or repair my guitar before selling it?
No, please don't make any repairs or even clean vintage instruments before contacting us. Original condition—even with dust, grime, or minor issues—is often preferable for accurate valuation. Improper cleaning can actually damage valuable finishes on vintage instruments.
How do I know if my Gibson guitar is valuable?
Gibson guitars from the 1950s-1970s typically hold the highest value, especially Les Paul, SG, ES-335, and Flying V models. Key factors include year of manufacture, model type, condition, originality, and rarity of finish. Pre-1970 instruments with original parts and finishes command premium prices.
Do you offer more for guitars with original cases?
Yes, original cases—especially for vintage instruments—can significantly increase value. 'Case candy' such as original paperwork, warranty cards, tags, and accessories also adds value. Keep everything together when selling for maximum return.
What payment methods do you offer?
We offer several secure payment options including cash (for in-person transactions), certified check, bank wire transfer, PayPal, or direct deposit. For high-value instruments or collections, we can accommodate special arrangements to ensure your comfort and security.
Will you travel to my location to purchase guitars?
Yes, for valuable instruments or collections, we regularly travel throughout Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and West Virginia. For exceptional pieces, we may travel nationally. This service is complimentary for instruments meeting certain value thresholds.
How long does the entire selling process take?
For most guitars, the entire process from initial contact to payment can be completed within 1-3 days. For rare or extremely valuable instruments requiring in-person evaluation, the timeline might extend to a week. We pride ourselves on efficiency and respect for your time.
What makes a guitar "vintage"?
Generally, guitars 30+ years old are considered vintage, with those from certain golden eras (1950s-1960s for many electric guitars, pre-1945 for acoustic instruments) being especially desirable. However, specific brands and models may be considered vintage or collectible from different periods based on construction changes, company ownership transitions, or historical significance.
Do modifications decrease my guitar's value?
Modifications typically do decrease value for collectible vintage instruments, with the impact varying based on the extent and reversibility of the changes. Original parts, finishes, and electronics command premium prices on vintage instruments. However, some professional modifications on player-grade instruments may have minimal impact, and certain period-correct modifications on specific models (like Parsons-White B-benders or Bigsby additions) can occasionally increase value.
