Why Troy Guitar Sellers Choose Edgewater
Troy was farmland and crossroads settlements for more than a century before it was a city. Land purchases in Troy Township go back to 1819, Johnson Niles founded the Troy Corners settlement a couple of years later, and the township was organized in 1827. Troy did not incorporate as a city until 1955, and it did so defensively, so that Clawson, Royal Oak and Birmingham could not annex any more of the township's land. It had 13,217 residents at incorporation and 87,294 at the 2020 census, most of that growth arriving as Detroit-area families moved out along Big Beaver and Rochester Road while Troy's office economy grew.
That growth is why Troy closets and basements are worth checking. Many of the guitars bought new in those decades, a first Kay or Harmony, a Fender or Gibson bought on a young family's wages, never left the house they came home to.
Edgewater Guitars is a specialist vintage and used guitar buyer serving Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Indiana. We are not a pawn shop or a general music store: we pay 70 to 85 percent of retail value, back it with a same-day cash offer, and never pressure a seller who only wants a number.
Valuations from people who handle these guitars weekly. We know a real vintage instrument from a reissue, and we price it accordingly.
Same-day cash offers. Send photos and get a firm offer within 2 hours.
We come to you. The Big Beaver corridor, Troy Corners, Sylvan Glen, or anywhere in Oakland County.
Comparable sales on the table. We show you the sold listings and dealer prices behind every offer.
No pressure. Take the free appraisal and decide whenever you like.
What We Buy in Troy
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
Troy and Oakland County Service Area
Troy Neighborhoods
The Big Beaver corridor, Troy's office and shopping spine between Rochester Road and Coolidge Highway
Troy Corners, the original 1820s settlement
Sylvan Glen, from Long Lake to Square Lake between Rochester Road and Livernois
Beach Forest, near Square Lake Road and Coolidge Highway
Lake Charnwood and Raintree Village
Neighboring Oakland County Communities
Birmingham, Clawson, Royal Oak and Madison Heights, all on Troy's southern and western borders
Rochester Hills to the north, and Bloomfield Hills a few minutes past Birmingham
Sterling Heights and Warren, which border Troy and have their own pages
Troy is also a short drive from Dearborn and Detroit. See our Michigan buying coverage for the rest of the state.
How Selling Works in Troy
Contact us with photos. Front, back, headstock, and the serial number if you can find it. It takes about 2 minutes.
Get your free expert appraisal. Within 2 hours you will have a firm cash offer and the reasoning behind it.
Accept the offer. We meet you anywhere in Troy or greater Oakland County, or arrange fully insured shipping if meeting in person does not work for you.
Get paid. Cash, Venmo, Zelle, check, or wire. In person it takes 15 to 20 minutes.
Why Not Sell to a Troy Pawn Shop or Music Store?
Pawn shops typically offer 20 to 40 percent of an instrument's value, because they price for a quick resale, not for the collector market.
Music stores like Motor City Guitar in Waterford, about 18 miles from Troy and in business since 1988, are a legitimate option: it buys and trades gear directly. It is also a full retail store with new and used guitars, amps, drums, pro audio and keyboards, and an outright offer there has to leave room for retail overhead and resale margin.
Online platforms such as Reverb and eBay can reach a fair price eventually, after fees, shipping risk on a fragile instrument, and often weeks of waiting for the right buyer.
Edgewater is a buyer first, with no retail showroom and no sales staff to carry, so more of the instrument's value goes into the offer: 70 to 85 percent of retail value, paid the same day, with no fees.
Troy Guitar Selling FAQ
How much is my vintage guitar worth in Troy?
Values depend on make, model, year, originality and condition. Our free expert appraisal gives Oakland County sellers a real number based on current market data: comparable sold listings, auction results and dealer pricing, not a guess from a pawn counter. Send photos or call (440) 219-3607 and you will usually have it within 2 hours.
Do you come to the Troy suburbs?
Yes. We travel to Birmingham, Clawson, Royal Oak, Rochester Hills, Madison Heights and Bloomfield Hills, and throughout Oakland County and Metro Detroit, for the right instrument. We also cover nearby Sterling Heights, Warren and Dearborn, each of which has its own page on this site.
How far do you travel for a Troy pickup?
We are based in Valley City, Ohio, near Cleveland, roughly 195 miles and about three and a half hours from Troy. For the right vintage instrument we make that drive, or arrange a meeting point along Big Beaver or I-75, so you are never stuck shipping something you would rather hand over in person.
How is Edgewater different from Motor City Guitar or other Oakland County music stores?
Motor City Guitar in Waterford buys and trades gear too, and it is a good shop. It also runs a full retail operation: new and used guitars, amps, drums, pro audio and keyboards, since 1988. A store's purchase price has to cover that overhead and a resale margin. Edgewater is a specialist buyer without a showroom, so more of the value reaches your offer.
Can I sell from Troy without meeting in person?
Yes. If travel does not line up, send clear photos of the front, back, headstock and any serial number, and we will send a firm offer by phone or email. If you accept, we arrange fully insured shipping and walk you through safe packing before anything leaves Troy, the same option we offer every Michigan seller.
Why do good vintage guitars turn up in a newer city like Troy?
Troy was mostly farmland until it incorporated in 1955 with about 13,200 residents, then grew past 87,000 as Detroit-area families moved out along Big Beaver and Rochester Road. Many bought a Fender, Gibson or Kay new in the 1960s or 1970s, and it has been in the same Troy house ever since.
From Troy Corners to Big Beaver
The Troy Historic Village preserves what came before the city: a restored 1800s complex with a log cabin, a Greek Revival home, a one-room schoolhouse, a print shop, a wagon shop, a general store and a church, all portraying Troy Township life before 1955.
What replaced the farmland is the Big Beaver corridor, the three-mile office district between Rochester Road and Coolidge Highway that became one of the busiest corporate addresses in Oakland County, once home to Kmart's international headquarters. Big Beaver is also where Somerset Collection sits: Saks Fifth Avenue opened a standalone store there in 1967, the original Somerset Mall opened around it in 1969, and the 1996 Somerset North expansion added a three-story wing joined to the south side by a 700-foot glass skywalk.
The city's music runs through its schools. Troy High School's Troy Colt Marching Band, part of a six-ensemble program, marched in the Smoky Mountain Music Festival Parade in Gatlinburg, Tennessee in April 2025, and Troy Athens High School runs a band department of more than 200 students a few miles away.
If you have a guitar in Troy or anywhere in Oakland County, find out what it is really worth before accepting any offer. Get a free estimate, call or text (440) 219-3607, or date it first with our serial number lookup tools.
Ready to Sell Your Guitar in Troy?
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation appraisal. Same-day offers across Troy and Oakland County.
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.
