Will they really give me a fair appraisal?
Every acoustic guitar has its own unique history
That’s why, when you decide to part with it, you naturally want to “pass it on to someone who will truly cherish it”
Advance Guitars takes that sentiment to heart
Ukulele, Banjo, and Mandolin Buyback
Ukulele, Banjo, and Mandolin Purchase Examples
Introducing the latest purchase examples from Advance Guitars
October 24, 2024
Brand
Martin Style-0
Purchase Price
50,000 yen
Representative’s Comment
“The Style-0 debuted in 1916 as Martin’s first ukulele. Even now that production has ended, it remains a beloved model that can truly be called a timeless classic. The all-mahogany body produces a light, resonant sound, and its natural feel is incredibly comfortable.”
Purchase Price
52,800 yen
Staff Comment
“This is a banjo from Tokai Gakki, a long-established Japanese manufacturer. Even a banjo from over 40 years ago can still be played today if properly maintained. The T1200R was a top-of-the-line model at the time. This particular instrument features exceptionally beautiful inlays on the fingerboard and head.”
August 4, 2023
Brand
Gibson 1978 Florentine 5-string Banjo
Purchase Price
880,000 yen
Representative’s Comment
“The Florentine is Gibson’s flagship banjo. It is a luxurious and beautiful instrument where you can feel the tradition and pride in every detail, from the resonator and neck heel to the fingerboard and head.”
June 15, 2023
Brand
Gibson 1986 Earl Scruggs Standard
Purchase Price
200,000 yen
Staff Comment
“A signature banjo from the legendary banjo player Earl Scruggs. This is an extremely popular model based on the standard Granada. The rim label features Earl Scruggs’s handwritten signature.Gibson banjos are produced in limited quantities to begin with, and they are no longer in production. We buy trade-ins at our store, so please feel free to contact us.”
April 29, 2024
Brand Purchased
Eastman MD-315
Purchase Price
50,000 yen
Staff Comment
“An Eastman mandolin with an all-solid-wood construction. The violin-like coloring and satin finish created a wonderful atmosphere. Both playability and sound were exceptional.”
May 6, 2025
Brand
DOBRO, 1977 Model 66
Purchase Price
77,000 yen
Staff Comment
“An original Dobro with a wooden body and single cone, featuring a very beautiful sandblasted (desert) design. We also purchase resonator guitars and other instruments that have a dedicated fan base.”
June 17, 2025
Brand Purchased
Fender 1950s Champion Lap Steel
Purchase Price
110,000 yen
Staff Comment
“A 1950s Fender Champion that inevitably makes one think of the birth of the Telecaster. Although the tuning pegs, pots, and capacitors have been replaced, it’s still a wonderful vintage lap steel that’s fully playable.”
October 8, 2024
Brand Purchased
Fender 1975 Deluxe 8 Lap Steel Guitar
Purchase Price
80,000 yen
Staff Comment
“We also buy lap steel guitars, which served as the foundation for the electric guitar. These instruments are truly exciting because their coloring and parts reflect the characteristics of their era. The original Stackpole pots and Gray Bobbin pickups were still intact. The blond finish, slightly faded in places, has a subtle, vintage charm.”
Ukulele, Banjo, and Mandolin Buyback Price List
Check out the latest buyback prices for popular manufacturers and models
Ukulele
K.Yairi ‘olu’olu
Buyback Price
80,000 yen
KAMAKA Soprano Ukulele White Label
Buyback Price
30,000 yen
KAMAKA HF-2
Buyback Price
40,000 yen
Martin S1 UK
Trade-in Price
20,000 yen
Banjo
Gibson Floral 5-String Banjo
Buyback Price
1,000,000 yen
Aria SB-10G
Buyback Price
10,000 yen
Tokai T-400R
Purchase Price
15,000 yen
Aria SB-500
Purchase Price
17,500 yen
Mandolin
Gibson A-40N
Purchase Price
100,000 yen
Epiphone MM-50VS
Trade-in Price
10,000 yen
ARIA AM-20E Mandolin
Trade-in Price
6,000 yen
KENTUCKY MANDOLIN KM-620
Buyback Price
33,000 yen
Trade-in prices are subject to change based on market conditions at the time of trade-in. Please feel free to contact us for the latest trade-in prices.
Customer Testimonials
Testimonials from Customers Who Have Used Our Service
Mr. S from Osaka Prefecture
“I’ve cherished this mandolin for many years, so I hope the next owner will enjoy playing it just as much.
Thank you very much for your service.”
Item Purchased
Blue Bell Mandolin
Purchase Price
50,000 yen
Mr. K from Saitama Prefecture
“The staff wasn’t at all impersonal; they asked me about the different situations in which I’d used the instrument, so
I felt I could part with it with peace of mind here, which is why I decided to sell it.
”
Item Purchased
Koaloha Ukulele
Purchase Price
44,000 yen
Mr. T from Tokyo “I’ll miss it, but I think it’s great if someone else will enjoy it. Thank you very much for your service.”
Item Purchased
Rickenbacker Lap Steel
Purchase Price
35,000 yen
Mr. M from Kanagawa Prefecture
“It was a niche model, but they really took the time to appreciate its merits, so I was very satisfied with the appraisal.”
Item Purchased
Kanile’a Ukulele
Purchase Price
71,500 yen
Passing your cherished instrument on to its next owner.
Advance Guitars will faithfully carry on the story of your guitar.
We promise a transaction that will leave you thinking, “I’m glad I sold it here.”
💬 Feel free to consult with us right here
→ Chat with us now
📨 If you’d like to discuss this in detail:
→ Inquire via the form
📱 Just send a photo from your smartphone
→ Get a valuation via LINE
Why Choose Advance Guitars?
With over 35 years of experience and expertise, we take responsibility for your precious instruments
We’ll Handle the Transfer with Care
We’ll work with you to accommodate your needs, restore your cherished instrument to the best possible condition, and pass it on to its next owner.
Our expert staff conducts thorough appraisals
Based on over 35 years of experience, we assess not only the model, year, and condition but also the hidden value within each instrument.
Maintaining Top Condition with TC-TUNE
Our dedicated repair team performs inspections and adjustments to ensure the instrument is in top condition when the next owner begins playing it.
High-Value Buyback You Can Trust
We serve customers in-store, online, and nationwide. Appraisals, shipping, and on-site service fees are all free. We’re the top choice for those who want to “sell to a shop that truly understands value.”
Bonus for Higher Appraisal
Purchased from another reputable dealer
+10%
Instruments purchased from other reputable stores receive a “10% higher” appraisal value
Buyback
+10%
We’ll also offer a “10% higher” appraisal value when you sell back an instrument you previously sold to us
Trade-in
+10%
Trade-ins when purchasing a new instrument also receive a “10% increase” in appraisal value
[Eligible Reputable Stores] Ishibashi Gakki, Ikebe Gakki, Guitar Planet, Kurosawa Gakki, Shimokura Gakki, Hyper Guitars, Shimamura Gakki, Miki Gakki, MUSICLAND KEY, Yamano Gakki, Miyaji Gakki, Fu-Chees, Guitar Traders, ESP/Big Boss, Dolphin Guitars, Nancy, Guitar Shelter, Guitar Ricks, Dear Prudence, Walkin’, Niconico Guitars, Wood Village, Watanabe Gakki, UNISOUND, Blue-G, Rimshot, Hobo’s, Guitar Shop Tantan, Trippers’ Guitars, Ramzies, Ottleyya, funkojisan, Blue Guitars, Green Guitars, Nanda-ya, Astronauts Guitars, Guitar Shop Fumiya, Gakki-do Opus, BOW Guitar Shop, TONIQ, Yamaha Authorized Dealers Nationwide, etc... Please let us know if you’d like to use other music stores when placing your order.
*The appraisal bonus is limited to one condition (up to 10%)
Peace of Mind Guarantee
What Are the Special 80% Trade-In Terms?
It’s okay if you change your mind or get tired of it. Please let us buy it back!
Buyback Guarantee
If you trade in your instrument within one month, we’ll buy it back for 80% of the purchase price (excluding tax).
Terms and Conditions
・Items with a sales price of 20,000 yen or more (excluding tax)
・In the same condition as at the time of purchase
・The purchased item must be of equal or higher value than the trade-in item
*Even if the period has passed, that’s okay—we’ll buy it back anytime. We’ll also buy it outright!
*Due to their nature, New items are not eligible for the 80% buyback offer, but we do accept trade-ins and outright purchases. Please feel free to contact us for more information.
How to Sell Your Ukulele, Banjo, or Mandolin
We offer three methods to suit your convenience
In-Store Buyback (Free Appraisal)
Store Information
2F Advance Guitars, 1-11-23 Hyakunincho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 167-0073
Business Hours: 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Closed Wednesdays)
In-Store Process
- Visit the Store & Check-in
- Appraisal
- Price Offer & Agreement
- Cash Payment
In-Store Purchases
On-Site Appraisal (Free Home Visit)
How to Make a Reservation
- Inquiries / Advance Price Estimates
- Pickup of Items
- Appraisal Amount at the Store
- Bank Transfer
On-Site Buyback
Mail-in Purchase (Shipping Costs Covered by Us)
Mail-in Purchase Process
- Inquiry / Preliminary Price Estimate
- Packing and Shipping
- Appraisal and Notification
- Bank Transfer
Just send it via Yamato Transport on a collect-on-delivery basis!
Shipping Address:
1-11-23 Hyakunincho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-0073, Purchase Appraisal Department
*We’ll send you a free packing kit upon request!
Mail-In Buyback
The Appraisal Process for Ukuleles, Banjos, and Mandolins
Steps from Appraisal Request to Completion of Purchase
❶
Request an Appraisal
Request an appraisal by phone, online, or via LINE
(Same Day)
❷
Appraisal by a Specialist
Detailed Appraisal by Expert Staff
(15–30 minutes)
❸
Price Quote
Explanation of Appraisal Results and Price Quote
(Immediate)
❹
Purchase Completed
If you’re satisfied, we’ll pay you in cash or via bank transfer the same day
(Same Day)
💬 Feel free to consult with us right here
→ Chat with us now
📨 If you’d like to discuss this in more detail, click
→ Inquire via the form
📱 Just send a photo from your smartphone
→ Get an appraisal via LINE
Frequently Asked Questions About Ukuleles, Banjos, and Mandolins
Questions We Often Receive from Customers
Q. Is the appraisal free?
A. Yes, the appraisal is completely free. You can cancel after the appraisal if you wish.
Q. Do you buy old instruments?
A. We’ll buy any guitar in good condition, regardless of its age.
Q. Can you buy my instrument even if it doesn’t have any accessories?
A. We buy your instrument even without accessories, but this may affect the appraisal value.
Q. What areas do you cover for in-home buyback service?
A. We primarily serve the Kanto region, but depending on the situation, we may travel as far as Hokkaido, Okinawa, or even overseas. There is no charge for in-home service.
Q. What are the maximum and minimum purchase prices?
A. Please send us the instrument’s details and photos in advance, and we can provide a rough estimate.
Q. Can you take it off my hands even if it’s broken (even for 0 yen)?
A. Please let us know the details of the instrument, and we’ll let you know if we can take it.
Q: Do I need to make a reservation?
A: No, you don’t. You’re welcome to visit anytime during business hours.
Brands We Are Currently Prioritizing for Ukulele, Banjo, and Mandolin Purchases
We purchase ukuleles, banjos, and mandolins from a wide range of manufacturers
G String
Famous
Luna
aNueNue
Calace
Eastman
Quint
Collings
Stelling
Deering
Gold Tone
Epiphone
We also handle other brands—please feel free to contact us with confidence
Instrument Purchase Categories
List of items eligible for purchase at TCGAKKI, Okubo Gakki, and Advance Guitars
Please feel free to contact us regarding instrument categories not listed here.