An Honest Reverb Review

When searching for a guitar online, chances are you’ve come across the company Reverb.

Reverb is a fantastic music community to explore musical instruments and gear.

And there are no boundaries. You’ll find everything from bargain guitars to an amp used by Jimi Hendrix. Reverb has it all.

Even so, like with any online gear retailer, you may have trust issues. So it’s perfectly reasonable to ask…

Yes, Reverb is legit. It’s a trusted, reputable marketplace to buy and sell gear. Since its launch in 2013, Reverb has become a go-to for vintage musical equipment and now has a huge catalog. They offer secure transactions and in the event of a dispute, buyer and seller support.

In this post, we’ll discuss all the benefits you’ll get from shopping at Reverb. And reveal ways to protect yourself from scammers.

Is Reverb Legit? – Company Background Info

To help familiarize with Reverb here’s some background information.

Reverb is the brainchild of former recording engineer David Kalt. After purchasing a famous Chicago guitar store, he found trading guitars online to be frustrating. So, Kalt launched Reverb in 2013.

Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the aim was to create a trading platform for musicians to buy and sell gear. The platform was a hit. By 2016 Reverb generated $16 million in revenue.

Having become a frontrunner in music gear exchange, on August 15, 2019, Etsy acquired Reverb for $275 million.

Reverb is now a trusted company in the music community. Millions of musicians use Reverb per month. Famous artists like Billy Corgan and Steve Vai have used the platform to sell their gear.

Is Reverb Safe? – Reverb Reviews

Some musicians prefer to buy gear the traditional way in a physical store. So, for many players, buying new and used online is a cause for skepticism.

If this sounds like you, you may ask…

Is Reverb Safe?

Reverb is safe. As one of the largest music gear exchange platforms, they have a huge rep for favoring musicians. The Reverb Buyer Protection covers all purchases on the site. And the customer support offers fast assistance in case you run into any issues.

If you’re unsure, let’s explore some feedback on Reverb from reputable review sites.

ScamAdvisor.com – Scam Advisor awards Reverb a ‘Trust Score’ of 100%. Based on 1240 reviews this site states Reverb is safe to use.

TrustPilot.com – Trust Pilot gives Reverb a ‘Great’ rating. Out of 1318, 66% of users rated the site as excellent. Excellent reviews tend to mention the seamless transaction and low costs as highlights.

Reasons to Shop at Reverb

Reverb is a go-to for many musicians. So why do artists use Reverb?

Using Reverb has many benefits making the buying experience enjoyable. And in the unlikely event that things don’t go to plan. Customer support is on hand to help.

It’s understandable to want peace of mind. Reverb offers some very rare gear that isn’t cheap, so you need guarantees.

Let’s talk about some advantages of shopping at Reverb.

Wide Array of Merchandise

Consider Reverb a musical equipment equivalent to eBay.

Musicians can sell second-hand gear while many shops put their new stock on Reverb. Considering the sheer amount of users. The marketplace has a wide variety of gear.

From rare guitar pedals to vintage guitars, you’ll find it all. So much so, searching through Reverb is like strolling through a museum. You’ll come across amplifiers used by rock-and-roll icons.

You can find vintage equipment for eye-watering sums. But there are plenty of bargains. Reverb is a magnificent site to find your dream guitar for cheap.

There are guitars from every era by all brands. With pedals and amplifiers in every shape and size, you can explore building your rig on the cheap. There’s something for every musician.

Ease Of Use

With the sheer amount of options on Reverb, browsing could be overwhelming. But, looking through Reverbs mass market isn’t over complicated.

In fact, it’s one of my favorite pastimes. For any guitar geek, I’d recommend getting lost in a sea of killer guitar gear on Reverb.

There are many ways that Reverb is easy to use.

There’s an app so you can keep track of the marketplace on the go. And once you’ve signed up, you can customize your feed to show only gear that you’re interested in.

A helpful feature is the ability to receive notifications via email for new products. For example, if you search for ‘PRS Custom 24’, you can click a ‘Follow This Search’ button.

Reverb is a personal experience catered to your tastes while the website is easy to navigate.

Sell Your Old Gear

Another reason to shop at Reverb is the advantage of selling your old gear. Once you’ve set up your account, you’ll have this option.

And it’s a good perk to have. If you’re anything like me, you’ll have the odd pedal laying dormant. The opportunity to cash in on any unwanted gear while searching for a new instrument is savvy.

A reason for selling on Reverb is the audience that your listing will reach. Because Reverb is a community for musicians, the relevant people will view your gear.

Also, the listing is free. So it’s a no-lose scenario. If your old gear sells, you’ll have a 5% selling fee, and a 2.7% processing fee will occur from your sale.

Reverb Buyer Protection

Reverb is a collection of individual sellers and shops, so return policies vary. First, look at shop policies so you know where you stand.

This aside there’s always the Reverb Buyer Protection to fall back. For worst-case scenarios, if you’re in disagreement with a seller, you’ll be protected.

If any products arrive damaged, or not as described contact Reverb within 7 days. You’ll have 14 days from the expected delivery date if the item doesn’t arrive at all.

If the shop cannot resolve this issue, and you’re within these time frames. Reverb will step in to mediate.

In the scenario that you cannot resolve, Reverb will look into refunds. For payments through Paypal, Reverb will talk the buyer through the dispute process.

When payment has taken place through Reverb Payments, they’ll issue a refund to the buyer’s credit card.

The safety of the Reverb Buyer Protection is reassuring for new buyers. Although a great service, it’s rarely needed. For the most part, sellers have high ratings and offer great service.

Reverb Payments

Most sellers on Reverb opt into the Reverb Payments program.

This makes buying a simple process. You’ll be able to use many payment options like credit and debit cards, Paypal, Apple, and Google Pay.

But the biggest advantage is not having to leave the site. Being though Reverb is secure and encrypted, it’s reassuring. The transaction is safe and secure.

Furthermore, when using Reverb Payment you’ll qualify for Reverb Protection.

Customer Support

Sometimes trying to speak to customer support at an online retailer is arduous! But should you need to speak to Reverb, it’s easy.

Customer support is accessible through the ‘Need Help?’ icon in the bottom right of the screen.

Click on this and you can look through the FAQs, or if you’re ready to speak to someone click ‘Chat With Reverb’.

Not only is it refreshing to chat with a staff member. They’re very helpful and Reverb makes a thing of employing musicians.

While on hand for important queries like disputes. You can ask them anything gear-related.

Need to know more about pickups or the valves in an amp? Ask away. I’ve found this helpful when buying vintage gear. Sometimes, the specifications for vintage equipment are harder to find than new gear.

Reverb Gives

Perhaps, not the sole reason you’d shop at Reverb. But, every purchase helps youth music programs.

The sale of everything from a plectrum to a guitar supports these programs. So, you’ll be safe in the knowledge you’ve had a part in supplying music-making instruments to those in need.

Buying on Reverb vs eBay

eBay is a household name, you can buy close to anything from this online retailer. Reverb, on the other hand, are specialists in musical equipment.

On eBay, you’ll find many products that are the subject of an auction system. This isn’t the case with Reverb. Products have a set price. But that’s not to say you can’t negotiate. Some listings have the option to make an offer.

On price, you can avoid missing out on a cheaper listing by looking at the ‘Find More On Reverb’ feature. This shows if the same product is on Reverb and the cheapest price for new and used.

If you encounter problems, eBay customer support is frustrating. Whereas Reverb is fast to answer queries. Best of all, they employ musicians so you can expect expert advice should you need it.

The sheer wealth of equipment on Reverb shows no bounds. This alone makes it a more enjoyable experience for a musician. And considering the customer support, Reverb is a platform built with musicians in mind.

eBay is a powerhouse of a site. While it’s good practice to double-check prices on both sites. The community and knowledge base of Reverb is difficult to beat.

Should You Buy a Guitar Used?

So, now we’ve covered some benefits of Reverb, there’s still a big question to ask.

Reverb has plenty of second-hand guitars available. If you’re used to buying new, the thought of a secondhand instrument might not take your fancy. So…

Should you buy a guitar used?

Yes! Used guitars are a lot cheaper. There are exceptions with vintage guitars. But, in general, you can own your dream guitar for a much more affordable price. Also, with pre-owned guitars, the woods are more aged. Some guitarists prefer the looks and sound quality of aged tonewoods.

The idea of saving a few bucks and owning a bucket list guitar takes your fancy?

Here are some tips when buying a secondhand guitar:

• If the guitar is still in production. Check out the price as new to compare.
• Check the condition. ‘Near-new’ will be as good as new. ‘Good condition’ suggests it’s had a few years of use and there’ll be slight visual signs. ‘Spares and parts’ means the guitar will be in terrible condition. This kind of sale is for re-building.
• Check other prices. Use the ‘Find More On Reverb’ feature to compare prices of guitars in a similar condition. You can also compare on eBay.
• Look at the seller. Note at the star rating and click on the seller to read their reviews.

Be wary of sellers who use generic promotional images rather than pictures of the actual guitar. These are often scammers. Don’t be afraid to ask a few questions.

And… if something is too good to be true. It usually is. So if you think you’re getting a 50s Strat for $100. Chances are… it’s a scam.

Whether the guitar is new or old. You’ll still face the problem of not being able to test drive the guitar. This is an issue with every online retailer and not just Reverb.

Looking at the individual store policies will help. Ensure you can send it back if you’re not happy.

There’s always a local guitar shop if you’re traditional and want to try the guitar beforehand.

Read Also: Should You Buy a Used Guitar?

FAQs

Can you get scammed on Reverb?

Falling victim to a scam on Reverb is rare. Most traders are trustworthy and you shouldn’t encounter problems. However, these things happen. Reduce the risk by only buying off highly rated sellers. Use Reverb Payments or PayPal and contact Reverb of the rare occurrence of a scam. They have a protocol in place to protect you in this scenario.

Is Reverb a reputable company?

Reverb is a trustworthy and reputable company. Since launching in 2013, Reverb has become a leader in trading musical equipment. Etsy acquired Reverb in 2019 and the platform continues to be well thought of in the music community today.

Is Reverb better than eBay?

Reverb is better than eBay to buy and sell musical equipment. Reverb only trades musical merchandise. Therefore, the entire platform is angled towards musicians, engineers, and producers. Reverb has lower fees and a wider array of equipment on sale. Not to say eBay is no good. It’s worth checking prices against each other. And for anything else, eBay is great.