At Catawiki, we auction rare, collectable, and playable musical instruments and equipment. Each submission is selected for quality, authenticity, and appeal to passionate musicians and collectors. Each object is reviewed by our in-house experts to ensure it’s of premium quality and ready to excite our bidders.

Follow these guidelines to increase your chances of a successful sale.

What we accept

We’re looking for high-quality, complete, and desirable musical instruments and related items. To be accepted, your object must:

• Fall within our accepted categories:
  • Stringed and bowed instruments (violin family, bows, guitars, mandolins and other traditional stringed instruments).
  • Wind instruments, such as saxophones, trumpets, clarinets, oboes, flutes.
  • Keyboard instruments such as pianos, keyboards, accordions.
  • Drums and percussion.
  • Electronic instruments and amplifiers.
  • Accessories: effect pedals, vintage mouthpieces, collectable cases.
• Be playable and tested, OR be a Restoration Candidate of high intrinsic value (see Section 2).
• Be vintage and/or collectable and no longer widely available in retail.
• Include proper documentation, if the instrument is subject to CITES (e.g. ivory, rare woods). Remember that for ivory, we accept instruments only if they are built before 1940 and you provide CITES certification.
• Meet the minimum expected value of €75 

(You can combine objects in one submission to meet this threshold)

What increases your chances of approval:

Instruments from recognised, established, or high-end brands are highly encouraged:

• Acoustic strings (mandolins, banjos, lutes): Gibson, C.F. Martin, Deering, Collings.
• Wind & Brass (saxophones, flutes, clarinets, etc.): Henri Selmer Paris, Buffet Crampon, Bach (Stradivarius), Yamaha (Professional/Custom Lines).
• Accordions: Pigini, Dallapé, Scandalli, Hohner (High-End Models).
• Percussion/latin percussion: Latin Percussion (LP), Meinl, Drum Workshop (DW).
• Drum sets: Drum Workshop (DW), Pearl, Gretsch, Ludwig, Tama.
• Acoustic pianos: Steinway & Sons, Bösendorfer, Yamaha, Kaway
• Electronic/vintage keyboards: Nord, Moog, Sequential, Roland, Yamaha (High-End Synths).

📌 Examples of accepted objects:

What we do not accept

To keep our auctions trustworthy and attractive to buyers, we do not accept:

• Low-quality, mass-produced retail Items (Items widely available in large online or generic shops, lacking high-quality features or intrinsic value)

• Generic/unbranded items

• Toys, decorative items, souvenirs, miniatures, or non-functional/dummy models
• Generic accessories (e.g. straps, new cases, drumsticks) submitted as single lots
• Unplayable instruments (unless qualified as a restoration candidate)

📌 Examples of rejected objects:

Getting your submission ready

1. Fill in all the details and write a clear description

When you submit an object, you’ll see fields to guide you in providing information like: brand or maker, model, type, year, country of manufacture, serial number, material, weight, condition, etc. These fields ensure your listing is clear, searchable, and easy for bidders to understand.

Note on testing: Please write clearly if you are able to test the instrument properly (e.g., played a full scale, tested all keys/buttons, verified sound quality). If you cannot perform a proper test, you must explicitly state that the instrument is offered in untested condition.

Condition definition (aesthetic & functional)

Condition is assessed on the overall state of the instrument (playability + working condition + aesthetics).

• Mint – Like new condition, including original packaging, perfect functional status, and no signs of use.
• Visually Excellent (Untested) – Aesthetically flawless, but functional status and playability have not been verified by the seller (e.g., inherited or stored item). Requires professional testing.
• Excellent – Minor cosmetic wear, fully functional with all components performing as intended.
• Very Good – Slight aesthetic scratches or marks, but fully functional and ready to play.
• Good – Working condition, with visible and declared signs of wear.
• Restoration Candidate – Requires extensive functional or structural repair, but its high intrinsic value (brand, rarity) makes it worth restoring.
• Fair / Poor – Functional issues or clear cosmetic flaws that compromise playability. NOT accepted unless designated as a Restoration Candidate.

Required information by instrument type

In your description, be sure to include the brand, model, and total number of items. In addition, please provide the following details specific to the type of instrument:

• Acoustic pianos: Key material, serial number, date of last tuning/regulation, indication of soundboard/casing flaws, technical report (recommended for high value).
• Stringed instruments (acoustic guitars, mandolins, etc.): Scale length, nut width, action height at mid-scale, detailed condition of frets/fretboard wear, and indication of all structural cracks or flaws.
• Wind & brass instruments: Key System (e.g., Boehm, Simple System), condition/type of plating, condition of pads/corks, mouthpiece make/model (if included), and indication of any structural flaws (dents, unsoldered joints, damaged keys).
• Accordions: Specific size, tuning system, number of bass buttons, current A=440 Hz tuning status, and confirmation of air leakage (or lack thereof).
• Percussion/drums: Measures (Diameter and Length/Depth for all shells/membranes), full component list, and detailed condition of all hardware.

Tip: The more detail you provide, the easier it is for bidders to understand the value of your object – and the more likely it is to sell. Find here more tips on how to write a clear, accurate description. 

📌 Examples of a well-written description:

Selmer Paris Super Action 80 Series II Tenor Saxophone 

Item Summary

• Brand/Model: Henri Selmer Paris Super Action 80 Series II (SA80-II)

• Serial Number: 445XXX (Mid-1990s)

• Lot Includes: Saxophone + Original Selmer Flight Case + Generic Mouthpiece.

Condition & Playability Status

This saxophone is in Very Good overall condition. It is fully tested by a musician and functional. It plays reliably and is ready for performance.

The original lacquer is approximately 95% intact, showing minor aesthetic scratches on the bell and light wear on contact points, but no dents or structural damage.

Mechanics & Pads: All keywork is fast and smooth. Pads are in good sealing condition (approx. 5 years old) with no air leaks. The bell and bow are true. The original case is structurally sound but shows heavy exterior wear.

• Key System: Full Boehm System.

• Pads/Corks: Good sealing condition.

• Plating: Clear Lacquer, Very Good.

2. Great photos matter

Photos are the first thing bidders see – so make them count! We recommend including at least 8 high-quality images that clearly show the condition and details of your object. This helps bidders make informed decisions and increases your chances of a successful sale.

Your photos should include:

For all submissions:

• Overall shots (minimum 4): Clear, full, vertical and frontal views of the front, back, and sides of the entire instrument. Avoid unfocused, diagonal, tilted, or cropped angles.
• Identification: Sharp photo of the brand logo, headstock, bell, or fallboard.
• Serial number/label: Clear, well-lit photo of the serial number, stamp, or label.
• Condition details: Close-ups of all declared defects, repairs, or wear (dents, scratches, cracks).

Additional requirements by instrument type:

• Acoustic pianos: Keys (full keyboard), pedals, and interior mechanics (strings, soundboard, pinblock, hammers).
• Accordions: The entire accordion with bellows open (all angles), details of the corners/bellows, close-ups of keys/buttons, interior pictures clearly showing the voices (reeds) and voice covers (leathers), and details of any defects and labels.
• Electronic keyboards/synths: The display screen (illuminated), I/O ports (back panel), and close-ups of faders, knobs, and buttons.
• Stringed instruments: Headstock (front/back), fretboard condition (first 5 frets), bridge/tailpiece, and Interior label.
• Wind instruments: Close-ups of pads/keys (confirming seal), valves/slides, wear on plating, and the mouthpiece (if separate).
• Percussion/drums: Shell interiors and badges, bearing edges, and detailed condition of hardware (stands, pedals).

Tip: Use a neutral background (white or black), avoid low-quality or stock images, and aim for natural lighting. Find here more tips on how to take professional photos.

📌 Examples of good vs. bad photos:

• The first image is well-lit and clearly framed against a neutral background, while the second is poorly lit and cluttered, making the instrument’s details hard to see.

• The first photo shows the full instrument with balanced lighting and clean presentation, while the second is dark, taken at an awkward angle, and on a distracting background.

• The first photo displays the clarinet neatly assembled in a clean case, while the second shows disassembled parts in a cluttered view that lacks clarity and structure.

3. Additional expert tips to maximise your auction success

Submit a complete and high-quality listing
The more accurate and detailed your submission, the faster our experts can review and approve it. Include clear, well-lit photos and a thorough, honest description to avoid delays.

Respond promptly to expert requests
Our experts may contact you for additional information or specific photos. Providing these quickly is essential: incomplete submissions may be rejected or postponed.

Use the ‘Message to the expert’ to stay connected
The messaging feature is the quickest way to communicate with your expert. Use it to clarify questions, provide updates, or ask for advice. A short message can go a long way in making your lot auction-ready.

Ready to sell? List your musical instruments today

Selling with us is free – commission is only applied if your object sells.

Follow these guidelines to maximise your chances of success.

Register as a seller and submit your object for auction now.