Buy Used Musical Instruments Bangkok: Guitar & Piano Complete Guide 2026

Get a Great Guitar or Piano in Bangkok Without Overpaying or Buying a “Project” You Regret

Bangkok is one of Southeast Asia’s best cities for used musical instruments: imported Japanese guitars and pianos, local brands, expat‑owned gear, and shop‑reconditioned uprights are everywhere if you know where to look. At the same time, prices vary wildly, some “bargains” hide expensive repair issues, and fakes or badly maintained instruments can quietly kill your motivation to play. The goal is not just to save money – it is to get an instrument that actually inspires you.

This 2026 guide walks you through where to buy used guitars and pianos in Bangkok, how to compare shops vs private sellers, what to look for when inspecting instruments, how to avoid common pitfalls (including fakes and worn‑out pianos), and how to negotiate and move your purchase safely. Whether you are a beginner, a returning player, or a gigging musician, you can use this as your step‑by‑step playbook.

🌶️ Table of Contents

• Why Bangkok Is Great for Used Guitars & Pianos
• Where to Buy: Shops, Markets and Expat Channels
• How to Choose a Used Guitar in Bangkok
• How to Choose a Used Piano in Bangkok
• Budget, Price Ranges and When a Deal Is “Too Cheap”
• Avoiding Fakes and Hidden Problems
• Negotiation, Delivery and Maintenance
• 🌶️ Spicy Tips for Happy Music Shopping
• Use Pickeenoo to Find Real Instruments from Real People
• 📊 Article Information

Why Bangkok Is Great for Used Guitars & Pianos

Bangkok sits at the crossroads of Thai and Japanese music gear flows: many shops specialise in importing used Japanese guitars and pianos, which are known for good quality and careful maintenance. You will also find established piano centres that recondition second‑hand uprights and grands with warranties, plus a healthy scene of local players upgrading and reselling their gear.

For expats, this means you can access instruments that would be rare or expensive back home – but you need a bit of local knowledge to tell solid used gear from tired instruments or overpriced “collector” pieces. Learning how local shops and expat channels work will save you time and money.

Where to Buy: Shops, Markets and Expat Channels

You have three main sources for used instruments in Bangkok: specialist shops, general music stores with second‑hand sections, and private sellers (expats and locals) via classifieds and groups. Each comes with different levels of price, risk and after‑sales support.

1. Specialist Used Instrument Shops

Bangkok has dedicated used‑gear stores, especially for guitars and basses. Some focus on imported Japanese brands and offer setups, warranties and after‑sales support, often in areas like Siam or Kaset.[web:206][web:209][web:213] For pianos, long‑running shops and recondition centres import second‑hand instruments from Japan and Europe, tune and refurbish them, and offer delivery and warranty packages.[web:211][web:217]

2. Expat & Local Marketplaces

Many expats buy and sell gear through classifieds, Facebook groups, and community forums in Bangkok, Pattaya and other hubs.[web:218][web:220] Here you can find good prices and honest, lightly used instruments, but you must do your own checks: meet in person, test thoroughly, and use safe payment methods.

3. Music Markets and Events

Occasionally, Bangkok hosts used‑music markets where local musicians gather to sell instruments, vinyl and accessories.[web:212] These events are ideal for trying multiple instruments in one place, meeting players, and getting informal opinions on brands and models.

🌶️ Spicy Tip: Start by visiting one or two specialist shops to “calibrate your ears and hands”, then hunt for private bargains once you know what a good instrument feels and sounds like at different price points.

How to Choose a Used Guitar in Bangkok

A used guitar can be an amazing value or a money pit. Focus on three areas: playability (neck, frets, action), structural integrity (no major cracks or warps), and electronics (for electrics). Brand names matter, but condition matters more – a mid‑range guitar well set up beats a famous logo with hidden problems.

Used Guitar Inspection Checklist

• Neck & straightness: Sight down the neck from headstock to body to check for twists or extreme bows.
• Frets & wear: Look for deep grooves or flat spots, especially under the first few strings; heavy wear means costly future work.
• Action & buzz: Play every fret on every string, listening for buzzing or dead spots.
• Electronics: For electrics, test all pickups, switches and knobs through an amp; listen for crackle and signal dropouts.
• Hardware & tuning stability: Check tuners, bridge, saddles and any tremolo system; tune up, play, bend strings, then re‑check tuning.
• Authenticity: Compare serial numbers and logos with manufacturer info if you are buying higher‑end brands.

🌶️ Spicy Tip: If you are not confident, pay a small fee to have a Bangkok guitar tech check your candidate guitar – one hour of expert time can save you years of regret.

How to Choose a Used Piano in Bangkok

Pianos are more complex and expensive than guitars, so the risk of hidden problems is higher. Reputable piano shops that import and recondition instruments usually offer better safety: they clean, regulate and tune pianos, then include delivery, tuning visits and multi‑year warranties.[web:211][web:217] Private‑sale pianos can be cheaper but may need expensive work on soundboard, action or tuning stability.

Used Piano Inspection Checklist

• Brand & age: Look for reputable brands (e.g. Yamaha, Kawai); ask about age and service history.[web:214]
• Soundboard & structure: Inspect the soundboard and case for cracks, warping or water damage.[web:214]
• Keys & action: Play every key; check that they return smoothly, feel consistent, and do not stick.[web:214]
• Pedals: Test all pedals for correct function and noise.[web:214]
• Tuning stability: Ask when it was last tuned and how often; long periods without tuning may signal neglect.
• Shop services: For shop‑reconditioned pianos, check what is included: delivery, number of free tunings, warranty length and coverage.[web:211][web:217]

🌶️ Spicy Tip: If possible, bring a piano teacher or technician when buying privately; if you cannot, favour shops that allow returns or provide written warranties on used instruments.

Budget, Price Ranges and When a Deal Is “Too Cheap”

In Bangkok, imported used instruments are not “dirt cheap” but often cheaper than new, especially for Japanese gear. Shop‑backed used guitars and pianos cost more than private‑sale ones because you are paying for setup, warranty and overhead. For expats used to Western prices, some tags may still look reasonable – which can make it easy to overpay without noticing.

A helpful rule: if a price is dramatically lower than what shops or multiple private sellers ask for the same model, be suspicious. Either there is a problem with the instrument, or the ad is not genuine. Use shop prices as reference, then look for private deals 10–30% under that, not half‑price miracles.

🌶️ Spicy Tip: Take notes on 3–5 models you like (brand, model, used price) from shops, then carry that list when browsing online – it is your “cheat sheet” against being dazzled by bad deals.

Avoiding Fakes and Hidden Problems

Fakes and poor‑condition instruments exist in every major city, and Bangkok is no exception. Counterfeit “Gibson” or “Fender” guitars and heavily worn pianos with shiny cases but tired internals can be tempting to newcomers. Buying from established shops reduces the risk, but you should still learn basic tell‑tale signs.

Common Pitfalls

• Counterfeit guitars: Wrong headstock shape, sloppy logo, unusual serial number, cheap hardware or electronics that do not match brand standards.
• Repainted or heavily modified instruments: Thick, uneven paint, misaligned parts, or obvious changes not mentioned in the listing.
• Pianos with cosmetic fixes only: Shiny exterior but uneven key feel, buzzing notes, or poor sustain indicating deeper issues.[web:211][web:214]
• “Warehouse” or “unseen” pianos: Sellers who will not let you see or play the instrument before paying in full.

🌶️ Spicy Tip: If a high‑end brand is offered far below what legitimate stores charge, assume it is fake or has serious issues until proven otherwise – not the other way around.

Negotiation, Delivery and Maintenance

Once you find a candidate instrument, your next steps are negotiating a fair price, arranging safe delivery, and planning basic maintenance. For guitars, delivery is easy: gig bag or case, maybe a courier. For pianos, logistics and ongoing tuning matter much more than a few thousand baht in purchase price.

Negotiation & Logistics Tips

• Use your knowledge of typical prices to ask for realistic discounts (not half‑price demands).
• Ask shops if they include setup for guitars or tuning and follow‑up visits for pianos.[web:211][web:217]
• For pianos, confirm delivery is done by specialised movers, not generic couriers.[web:217]
• For private deals, meet in safe locations and use secure payment methods; avoid large deposits before seeing and testing the instrument.

🌶️ Spicy Tip: Factor in “first setup/tuning” and potential repairs into your budget – a slightly more expensive but ready‑to‑play instrument can be cheaper in the real world than a fixer‑upper.

🌶️ Spicy Tips for Happy Music Shopping

• Bring a simple checklist on your phone so you do not forget key tests when you are excited in the shop.
• Record short videos of guitars or pianos you test to compare later, especially if you visit several places.
• Talk to Bangkok musicians and teachers; they often know which shops and models are consistently good.
• Be patient – the right instrument at the right price will show up if you keep your standards clear.

🌶️ Spicy Tip: Choose the instrument you cannot stop thinking about a day later, not the one that just looked shiny in the moment – your motivation to play is the best “return on investment”.

Use Pickeenoo to Find Real Instruments from Real People

Want a Guitar or Piano in Bangkok That Feels Right Without Breaking the Bank? 🌶️
Use Pickeenoo to browse used guitars, pianos and other instruments from expats and locals in Thailand, compare asking prices with shop baselines, and apply the checklists in this guide when you message sellers, arrange viewings and agree on safe payments.
Browse Used Musical Instruments on Pickeenoo Now

📊 Article Information

• Estimated Length: ~2,000–2,400 words (reading time ~8–11 minutes).
• Last Updated: January 2026.
• Category: Expat Life – Thailand Guides – Lifestyle & Marketplace.