MetaChat - Is there a better place to sell musical instruments

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22 August 2006

Is there a better place to sell musical instruments than eBay or craigslist? →[More:]

I badly need money, so I'm selling some of my synths. But craigslist has become really crowded (the ad I posted Sunday morning scrolled off the page by Sunday evening), and eBay is a huge hassle when you don't have a box designed to fit the odd dimensions of a 61 key synthesizer, and you don't want to pay someone else to pack it up. To say nothing of the scams that go on there. I'm wary of taking them to Guitar Center because none of them are worth more than $400 or so used, so losing 60% of that to those vultures would really hurt.

So are there any music-specific things like Craigslist? Or any decent stores in Portland, OR that give a fair amount for used gear? I asked this before but a year an a half on the internet is a lot of time.

post by: cmonkey at: 09:57 | 10 comments

Musicians' Friend?

Alternatively, your local music store's bulletin board.

posted by Miko 22 August | 10:03

Does Musicians Friend buy gear? I couldn't find anything about it.

I will definitely post something on the bulletin boards!

posted by cmonkey 22 August | 10:27

Also, most sites dedicated to a particular instrument or instrument player have a "for sale" section of their bbs. I only know ones for the bass, but I'd bet that there's an equivalent for keyboard/synths. You might have to sign up (usually free) to post though. Local posting is probably best/least hassle though may take longer to see results.

posted by safetyfork 22 August | 10:34

Does Musicians Friend buy gear?

No, but I think there's a buy/sell/trade area in the forums.

posted by Miko 22 August | 10:38

what kind of synths are you selling?

(i couldn't affort to buy one at this point - just curious)

posted by syntax 22 August | 10:53

I'm selling a Roland JP-8000, a Roland XP-50 and a Roland MC-307. I think going to buy a V-Synth to consolidate all my gear down next year.

Ooh, on preview: I just got an email from a guy who wants the JP-8000. Sweet.

posted by cmonkey 22 August | 11:07

mc-307... that's the "groovebox", right? those things are pretty cool, but i've found that i can do the same thing w/ableton live on my laptop.

have you seen the superwave p8 VSTi? it ain't quite the same as a jp-8000, but it's close.

posted by syntax 22 August | 11:29

just FYI - Musician's Friend = Guitar Center.

The thing is, all it takes is one person to buy the stuff. So if you find that person that really wants it, it doesn't matter so much who you go through. I'd start with Craigslist and take it from there. You'll have to wade through the initial $50 offers and trades for fish tanks, but it's just so damn easy. Also, you can list in other cities as well. Or what about your local free paper? Lots of those will let you advertise for free or really cheap.

Then again, time seems to be your enemy here...

If you were in NY, I'd send you to Rogue Music. I've had a few orgasms in the place.

posted by Hellbient 22 August | 11:58

I would try the Trade Up music on 48th (??) and Divison as well as Old Town music (2nd and Ankeny). Old Town has been very good to me when selling used gear but Trade Up has a bigger selection of synths.

posted by miles 22 August | 14:24

Ah, cool, I'll give Trade Up a call!

posted by cmonkey 23 August | 18:28

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