We accept all stringed instruments:

Guitars (Acoustic / Electric)
Bass Guitars (Acoustic / Electric)
Mandolins
Banjos
Ukulele
Lap and Pedal Steel

We also accept instrument amplifiers, although certain amps are not eligible for shipping due to size.

When the consigned instrument is sold, Carter Vintage will send the payout 15 days after the purchaser’s acceptance of the instrument.

Instruments sold in store are non-returnable, and the payout will happen 15 days immediately after the sale. Instruments sold online have a 48-hour return policy. We offer 30-day layaways to customers when given approval by the consignor, in which case payout is made 15 days after the final payment is received. The customer does not receive the guitar until final payment is made.

You do not need to book an appointment to drop off your instruments for consignment. For customers consigning a collection of 5 or more guitars, we do recommend calling ahead to let our authentication and intake team know you are on your way, so as to ensure we offer you uninterrupted time to complete the consignment process, and the best customer experience.

Our showroom is open:
10am to 6pm Monday to Friday.
10am – 4pm Saturday & Sunday.

Call us at (615) 915-1851 to discuss!

When consigning with CVG, unlike online marketplaces, you have a dedicated sales team 24 hours a day working hard to sell your guitar to its next owner, which enables us to offer one of the fastest sales times in the industry.

The majority of consignments sell in less than 2 months, with over 250 consignment guitars sold each and every month.

We make selling your instrument simple and our goal is to have your guitar listed from start to finish in 7 working days.

Each instrument is closely inspected and authenticated by our team, cleaned up, provided fresh strings and a setup to get it into optimal playing condition, described, photographed, and listed on our website as well as positioned on our sales floor. Every instrument is promoted in our email newsletter, as well as featured in the Latest Arrivals section on our website.

The process is hassle free, as we do all the work for you, with the goal of getting you more money in your pocket.

Carter Vintage Sells More Guitars On Consignment Than Any Other Vintage Dealer In The World

Let us help you get the most value for your instruments. When you consign with Carter, you get access to our dedicated sales team, leading authentication professionals, and world-class repair shop. Each instrument is authenticated, setup, given professional photography, specs, and descriptions, and featured in our Nashville showroom and on our website, where we sell to collectors and players across the world.

We offer the industry’s lowest consignment rates:

            •           Below $3k = 20%
            •           $3k to $50k = 15%
            •           $50k to $100k = 12.5%
            •           $100k and above = 10%

We charge an authentication/listing fee of $75 per instrument to cover authentication, setup, fresh strings, photos, and thorough specs/description. There are no upfront costs, all fees are taken after the sale of the instrument.

Although the majority of our instruments are sold on consignment, we do buy guitars outright every day.

Our policy is 65% of the estimate sale price. For example, if we value your guitar at $1,000, we will buy your guitar for $650 cash. Selling on consignment will make you more money (our average consignment rate is only 15%), consignments are only paid after the instrument is sold.

When buying instruments, we always provide a quote on the price we would list it at under consignment, so you can guarantee that you are getting a fair valuation and the most money for your instrument.

Yes, you can trade in your guitar at our shop and use the credit towards purchasing another guitar. We offer fair evaluations for trade-ins, making it convenient for you to upgrade or change your instrument while reducing the overall cost.

As a bonus, traded instruments will offset the taxable value of the sale. For example, if we offer you $1,000 for your guitar on trade towards a new one selling for $1,500, you would only owe tax on the remaining $500 balance.

What fun would a guitar shop be if you couldn’t play the guitars?!

Carter Studios is the newest mixed-use creative space in town. Need a space to host your album release party? How about a rehearsal dinner? From networking events to holiday parties and everything in between – we’ve got you covered. Visit www.carter-studios.com to learn more.

At Carter Vintage, we welcome everyone to visit our showroom and experience Nashville’s rich music history first-hand. We’ve been lucky enough to see some iconic folks walk through our doors. Come see our gallery wall to peek at the legends we’ve hosted, and check out our YouTube channel to see some great performances from artists over the years.

We are open to the public 7 days a week! Although we can schedule appointments, it is not necessary, as you are welcome to come browse our store and see any of the inventory available at any time. Our staff is always on hand to help and welcome you in!

We are open Monday through Friday from 10am to 6pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm. We are closed on certain holidays, check out our Instagram and Facebook page for updates on special closures.

We offer validated parking in the Prima South Gulch Garage through Metropolis.

When you enter the garage, register your vehicle with Metropolis Parking by following the signs in the garage. When entering Carter Vintage, you will be able to scan a QR code to validate your free parking. The staff at the front desk can help you with the process.

You can find a detailed video with directions from Eighth Avenue here. 

We offer shipping for guitar purchases to your specified address. Once you’ve selected your guitar and completed the transaction, we’ll arrange for safe packaging and reliable delivery through trusted shipping carriers. You can also inquire about expedited shipping options for faster delivery.

A custom demo at our guitar shop is a personalized showcase of a specific guitar’s features, tone, and playability. To get one, simply visit our store, choose a guitar you’re interested in, and our expert staff will tailor a demo to your preferences, helping you make an informed decision.