HomeNorth CarolinaAsheville › TheGuitarTrader

TheGuitarTrader

4.5 ★★★★★ 52 Google reviews · Guitar & music store in Asheville, North Carolina

Buys used gear Vintage specialist

Plan your visit

  • Buys & trades used gear they buy, trade, or consign used instruments — bring the case and any original parts, and expect trade credit to beat the cash offer
  • Today see hours ·
  • Phone (828) 253-2003
  • Website theguitartrader.com

Hours

Monday 12–4 PM
Tuesday 12–4 PM
Wednesday 12–4 PM
Thursday 12–4 PM
Friday 12–4 PM
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed

Hours can shift for holidays, clinics, and lesson schedules — worth a quick check before a special trip.

What's on the wall

Instrument and gear categories at TheGuitarTrader, confirmed in players' own reviews and the store's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🎼 Acoustic Guitars 2 mentions

“I've bought a vintage MIJ Strat and acoustic guitar from here, both very cool and at a great price.”

All stores with acoustic guitars →

🎸 Electric Guitars 2 mentions

“I've bought a vintage MIJ Strat and acoustic guitar from here, both very cool and at a great price.”

All stores with electric guitars →

🎸 Bass Guitars 2 mentions

All stores with bass guitars →

🔊 Amps & Pedals 10 mentions

“The owner even offered to let my toddler play a set of bongos while we talked about guitars, amps, pedals, Asheville life, etc.”

All stores with amps & pedals →

🏆 Vintage & Rare 10 mentions

“Also, I decided to follow them on Facebook and now I get to drool at the great vintage and new gear they are constantly putting on their shelves.”

All stores with vintage & rare →

♻️ Used Gear 6 mentions

“Went in to get rid of some beginner tier pieces not expecting a whole lot, but they offered to buy as part of a trade in.”

All stores with used gear →

🔧 Repairs & Setups 5 mentions

“Guitars are actually cleaned and set up, and there is a human who actually wants to help you buy gear.”

All stores with repairs & setups →

Brands they deal

Brands players name in their reviews of TheGuitarTrader — the fastest way to tell what's actually hanging on the wall before you drive over.

🏷️ Fender

Who else deals Fender →

🏷️ Gibson 2 mentions

Who else deals Gibson →

Brand mentions are mined from reviews and the store's own info — they tell you what's on the wall, not formal authorized-dealer status. If warranty coverage matters, confirm dealer status with the store or the brand's own dealer locator.

What players say again and again

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 52 Google reviews — with their own words as proof.

🧼 spotless & clean 3 mentions

“Very personable and professional staff, clean facilities, not your normal pawn shop.”

🔧 expert setups & repairs 4 mentions

“Guitars are actually cleaned and set up, and there is a human who actually wants to help you buy gear.”

🤝 fair trade-in offers 5 mentions

“Went in to get rid of some beginner tier pieces not expecting a whole lot, but they offered to buy as part of a trade in.”

🎸 let you play everything 2 mentions

“It's great because you can actually put your hands on and inspect the gear before buying.”

🧠 knowledgeable staff 3 mentions

“This place is great very friendly and knowledgeable staff.”

From the reviews

I was informed that I was their first in-person customer in 14 months, so they are now open for business after the pandemic. Gave me a really great deal on a vintage V1 Small Stone phaser.

★★★★★ — John, May 2021

This place is a little jewel so seriously, why go to a chain when you can get a PRISTINE guitar, for a better price right here in Asheville? But you better throw down quick. They had an Alvarez, beautiful inlay, just right. I left to think about it that night, and it was gone the next day.

★★★★★ — Jill, Nov 2012

I love the guitar trader. I have bought everything from stage lights to drums and cords and guitars and mics and recording equipment from them. I have purchased Venue DI's and pickups from them and even left my Martin there to get it set up.

★★★★★ — Ben, Jul 2012

Trustworthy business. I shipped Steven my guitar from Louisiana to North Carolina, with full faith in a piece for piece trade. I was completely satisfied with the transaction. Everything was as described. Communication was on point. He fairly assessed the value of my instrument.

★★★★★ — Corey, Apr 2016

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 52 reviews →

Selling or trading gear at TheGuitarTrader

TheGuitarTrader comes up for buying and trading used gear — confirmed on their own site. Two things make the trip go better. First, bring the whole package: the case or gig bag, the original tremolo arm or bridge parts, the paperwork if you have it — a complete rig is worth real money more than a bare instrument, and it saves the back-and-forth of "can you bring the case in?" Second, know that trade credit almost always beats the cash offer, usually by a healthy margin — if you're upgrading anyway, price your old gear as a trade against the new one before you take cash. Either way, expect the offer to be below what the gear sells for on the wall; the gap is the store's margin for setup, warranty, and sitting on it until the right buyer walks in.

Check trade-in info on their site

Where to find TheGuitarTrader

732 Haywood Rd, Asheville, NC28806

Get directions Instagram

Guitar stores near TheGuitarTrader

Asheville Guitar Pedals

4.7 ★★★★★ 35 reviews

444 Haywood Rd Ste 103, Asheville, NC

expert setups & repairsknowledgeable stafffriendly staff

under a mile away

Skinny Beats Sound Shop

4.5 ★★★★★ 127 reviews

4 Eagle St, Asheville, NC

Lessons

Classes for drum-playing and handpans, along with gongs and other musical tools for healing.

2.6 miles away

Finkelstein's

4.7 ★★★★★ 84 reviews

21 Broadway St, Asheville, NC

fair trade-in offersknowledgeable staff

Pawn shop featuring jewelry, guitars, musical instruments and gold pieces, along with friendly service.

2.6 miles away

All guitar stores in Asheville, NC →

Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and player reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this store? Claim your listing — it's free.