Fender has partnered with online gear retailer Reverb to launch its first-ever Certified Pre-Owned program. The newly established virtual storefront will see the sale of Fender-brand , , and that have all been professionally inspected and sold with the Big F's seal of approval. Furthermore, each new acquisition from the Fender/Reverb store will come with a one-year limited warranty at a significant discount to new gear prices.
It’s a savvy move from Fender, especially when you consider the proliferation of second-hand gear sales and the huge boom in the used guitar market that the industry has experienced over the past few years. – even from brands that have long-championed affordability – more and more players are turning to the likes of Reverb to find better value for their money. As Reverb notes, the sales for used guitars on its platform grew by more than 50% between 2019 and 2023.
Naturally, there are risks associated with second-hand purchases, but now Fender has sought to eliminate them, while also asserting its own presence in the used gear market, with its flagship Certified Pre-Owned program. “Pre-owned guitars have long been popular among players, particularly new players and collectors,” says Fender CEO, Andy Mooney. “Fender Certified Pre-Owned gives players of all levels the opportunity to own a quality instrument at an affordable price.
“Fender Certified Pre-Owned guitars represent not only a fantastic value – allowing players to purchase an inst.