Quick Answer
To sell a used musical instrument in Ottawa, list it on Fliku, Kijiji or Facebook Marketplace with the brand, model, year and serial number, or ask Long & McQuade (1193 Hunt Club Rd or 3791 St Joseph Blvd in Orléans) whether it takes used gear on trade or consignment. Price by checking comparable listings, include cases and accessories, let buyers play the instrument in person and do not accept overpayments. Late August and September are strong for student instruments.
Ottawa has more musicians than most people realise. Government jobs, universities, church choirs, school bands, weekend jam sessions and a busy live scene mean there is always someone looking for a guitar, a keyboard or a clarinet. If you have an instrument gathering dust, it is probably worth something, and it could start someone else's musical life.
This guide explains where to sell in Ottawa, how to describe and price an instrument and how to avoid the problems that come with selling valuable gear.
Where to Sell a Used Instrument in Ottawa
| Where | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fliku | Guitars, keyboards, drums, band instruments | Free listing; you keep the whole price |
| Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace | The largest local audience, plus music groups | Free; expect negotiation |
| Long & McQuade, 1193 Hunt Club Rd (near South Keys) | Trade-ins, consignment (ask), repairs and rentals | Phone 613-521-5909; ask what it buys |
| Long & McQuade, 3791 St Joseph Blvd (Orléans) | The same range, in the east end | Check what each location accepts |
| Online gear marketplaces such as Reverb | Collectible or high-value instruments | National audience; fees and shipping apply |
Long & McQuade's Ottawa locations offer a repair shop with a qualified luthier, rentals and lessons, and a used-gear platform called Gear Hunter. Musicians on forums report that used gear is also sold in stores and at sales events, so ask a store whether it buys used instruments, takes them on consignment or gives trade-in credit. Policies vary by location, and store offers are lower than private sales, but they are quick and low effort. See the store information for Ottawa and Orléans.
What Sells Best
- Acoustic and electric guitars: the most active category. Beginner models sell quickly, and well-known brands and vintage models attract collectors.
- Keyboards and digital pianos: popular with students and parents. Include the stand, pedal and power supply.
- Band and orchestra instruments: flutes, clarinets, trumpets, violins and trombones for school players. Condition and service history matter.
- Drums and percussion: a full kit sells better than pieces.
- Amps and pedals: brand and model matter. Test and say that they work.
- Pianos: demand exists, but moving them is costly.
Describing and Photographing an Instrument
Musicians are specific, so give them specifics. In the title put the brand, model, year if known, and colour. In the description give the serial number, the condition, any repairs or modifications, the strings or reeds in use and what is included: case, strap, cables, picks or stand. Be honest about scratches, dings, crackling electronics and needed setup work. Photograph the instrument in daylight against a plain background: the front, back, headstock, neck, bridge and electronics for guitars, and the bell, keys and valves for band instruments. A short clip of the instrument being played helps buyers trust it.
Pricing a Used Instrument
The best method is to search for the same model and compare what others are asking and what appears to sell. Condition, age, brand and whether the instrument is current or discontinued all affect value. As a rough guide, beginner instruments sell for a third to half of retail, while well-known or vintage models can hold or increase their value. A recent professional service adds value. If you are unsure about a high-value instrument, ask a store or a technician for an opinion before you list. For the general method, read how to price used items for a fast sale.
| Item | What affects the price | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Acoustic guitar | Brand, solid or laminate top, condition | Say whether it needs a setup and include the case |
| Electric guitar | Brand, model, year, originality | Include the serial number and any modifications |
| Keyboard or digital piano | Brand, keys, features | Include the stand, pedal and power supply |
| Band instruments | Brand, service history, condition | A recent service adds value |
| Drum kit | Brand, pieces, hardware | Photograph the full kit assembled |
| Amp or pedal | Brand, model, working order | Test it and say that it works |
Pianos and Large Instruments
Acoustic pianos are heavy, need tuning after a move and have a smaller buyer pool. Give the brand, model, serial number, approximate age and condition, and say when it was last tuned. Be honest about sticking keys, cracked soundboards and pitch problems. Explain the access: stairs, narrow doors and distance from the street all matter, because the buyer will need movers. Some sellers price an older piano very low or even give it away on the condition that the buyer arranges the move. A digital piano is much easier to sell, because it is lighter and needs no tuning. For large instruments, apartment and condo access, including elevator rules, should be spelled out in the listing.
Student and School Instruments
Parents of school-age players look for used instruments, especially in late August and September. Flutes, clarinets, trumpets, violins and trombones are in steady demand. Before you list, clean the instrument, check pads, valves and slides, and consider having it serviced, since a recent service is a strong selling point. Mention whether it was used in a school program and its size, particularly for violins, which come in fractional sizes. Parents like to know the instrument has been cared for.
Ottawa instrument selling checklist
- Clean the instrument and wipe down strings, keys or valves
- Record the brand, model, year and serial number
- Gather cases, cables, straps, stands and manuals
- Photograph it in daylight and record a short audio clip
- Be honest about wear, repairs and any needed setup
- Set your lowest acceptable price before you negotiate
- Let buyers play it, and meet in public
Meeting Buyers and Staying Safe
Let serious buyers play the instrument, and be present while they do. Meet in a public place, such as a music store, a coffee shop or a Safe Trade location, in daylight, and bring a second person for higher-value items. Do not let anyone leave with the instrument until payment is complete and confirmed in your account. Beware of buyers who offer more than your asking price, want to send a courier or ask for a verification code.
Use the Ottawa Police Safe Trade zones when you can: parking spots at Ottawa Police stations at 466 Metcalfe Street (behind 474 Elgin), 211 Huntmar Drive in Kanata, 245 Greenbank Road in Nepean, 4561 Bank Street in Leitrim and 3343 St-Joseph Boulevard in Orléans. They are not monitored around the clock and the police do not take responsibility for the transaction, but they are a far better choice than a dark parking lot. Meet in daylight, bring a friend, and confirm any e-transfer in your own banking app before the item leaves. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre lists current scams, and our guide to avoiding scams explains the common ones.
Get It Set Up Before You Sell
A small investment in setup can add more to the price than it costs. New strings on a guitar, a quick adjustment of the action, cleaned electronics and a polished body all make an instrument look and play better. For band instruments, a repair shop can fix leaks, sticky valves and worn pads. Keep the receipt and mention the work in your listing. If the instrument needs a repair that costs more than it will add to the price, sell it as-is and say exactly what is wrong. Buyers who like projects will pay a fair price, and you avoid disputes.
Keyboards and Digital Pianos: Test Everything
Keyboards have many parts that can fail, so test them before you sell. Press every key and check for stuck or silent notes, test the pedal inputs, the headphone jack and the outputs, and check that every button and knob works. Make sure the power adapter is included, because a missing adapter is a common source of arguments. State the number of keys, whether they are weighted and any sounds or features that matter. For digital pianos, include the stand and bench, and say how they come apart for transport.
Buying a Used Guitar: A Quick Checklist
If you are buying, check the neck for warping by sighting down it, look at the frets for wear, play every string at every fret for buzzing and test the tuning pegs and the electronics. Look for cracks, repairs and lifted bridges on acoustic guitars. Ask for the serial number and the history, and play the guitar for a while rather than a minute. Bring a friend who plays, if you are not confident. If the seller will not let you play it, walk away. A fair price for a well-kept instrument is worth paying, and a cheap instrument that needs a lot of work is not a bargain.
Negotiating the Price
Musicians expect to haggle a little. Price your instrument above your minimum so that you have room to move, and be ready to explain your price by pointing to comparable listings, a recent service or included accessories. If a buyer offers well below your price, give your best figure once and leave it there. If two buyers are interested, tell each of them. Be wary of buyers who never ask about the instrument itself, because real musicians always do. Keep your serial number on record and take photographs of the instrument before the sale, so that you have a record of its condition.
Selling Amps, Pedals and Recording Gear
Audio gear has a devoted market in Ottawa. For amplifiers, give the make, model, wattage and condition of the speaker and tubes if any, and test it at volume before you list. For pedals, list the brand and model, and mention whether it comes with the box and the power supply. For microphones, interfaces and studio monitors, state the model, condition and what is included. Photograph the controls and the back panel. Musicians trust sellers who know their gear, so use the correct names and, where you can, give a short description of how you used it.
One more tip: if you are selling an instrument that a child has stopped playing, say so in the listing. Parents buying for a beginner like to know the instrument has been used gently, stored indoors and cared for. A short, honest line about its history builds trust, and often leads to a quicker sale. If you have lesson books, a tuner or accessories, include them, because they help a new player get started.
Selling an instrument in Ottawa?
List it free on Fliku and reach local musicians, students and parents. No fees.
List Your Instrument on FlikuFrequently Asked Questions
Where can I sell a used guitar in Ottawa, Ontario?
You can sell a used guitar privately on Fliku, Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace, or ask Long & McQuade (1193 Hunt Club Rd or 3791 St Joseph Blvd) whether it takes used instruments on trade or consignment. Private sales usually pay more; a store is faster.
Does Long & McQuade buy used instruments in Ottawa?
Policies vary by location and instrument, so phone the store and ask whether it buys used gear, takes it on consignment or offers trade-in credit. Expect a lower price than a private sale in exchange for convenience.
How do I price a used musical instrument?
Search for the same brand and model on Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace and compare what is asked and what seems to sell. Beginner instruments usually sell for a third to half of retail, while well-known or vintage models can hold value. Ask a store or technician about a high-value instrument.
How do I sell a piano in Ottawa?
Give the brand, model, serial number, age, condition and last tuning date, be honest about problems, and explain access, including stairs and elevators. Expect the buyer to arrange movers. Digital pianos are easier to sell than acoustic ones.
When is the best time to sell a used instrument in Ottawa?
Late August and September, when students and school bands start up, and November and December, when people shop for gifts. Large items such as pianos are easier to move in spring and summer.
