Reverb.com

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Template:Short description Template:DMCA Template:DMCA

Page Module:Message box/ambox.css has no content.

Page Module:Infobox/styles.css has no content.Page Template:Infobox company/styles.css has no content.

Reverb.com
Company type
Private
ISINScript error: No such module "WikidataIB".
IndustryScript error: No such module "WikidataIB".
PredecessorScript error: No such module "WikidataIB".
IncorporatedScript error: No such module "WikidataIB".
FoundedScript error: No such module "WikidataIB".
FounderScript error: No such module "WikidataIB".
DefunctScript error: No such module "WikidataIB".
SuccessorScript error: No such module "WikidataIB".
Headquarters
Chicago, Illinois
,
U.S.
Key people
Ben Stahl (CEO)
RevenueScript error: No such module "WikidataIB".
Script error: No such module "WikidataIB".
Script error: No such module "WikidataIB".
Total assetsScript error: No such module "WikidataIB".
OwnersPage Template:Plainlist/styles.css has no content.
  • Creator Partners and Servco (2025–present)
Number of employees
Script error: No such module "WikidataIB".
ParentEtsy (2019–2025)
Websitereverb.com

Script error: No such module "Check for conflicting parameters".Script error: No such module "Check for deprecated parameters".

Reverb.com is an online marketplace for new, used, and vintage musical instruments, like guitars, amps and effects pedals,[1] including ones used by notable musicians.[2] It also lists consumer and pro studio mixers, recorders, and associated audio equipment. Reverb was founded in 2013 by David Kalt,[3] and roughly 85 percent of its employees are musicians.[4] As of 2016, Reverb.com was a multimillion-dollar business[3] and, as of 2017, it had more than 10 million monthly visitors.[5] In 2019, Etsy acquired Reverb.com for $275 million;[6] in 2025, Etsy announced it was selling Reverb.[7]

History

Reverb was founded in 2013 by David Kalt, shortly after he purchased the musical instrument store Chicago Music Exchange and reportedly became frustrated with then-available options for buying and selling guitars online.[3][5]

Funding

In November 2013, Reverb secured[8] $2.3 million in funding from investors including Cheap Trick's Rick Nielsen, Lightbank co-founders Brad Keywell and Eric Lefkofsky, David Lowery of Cracker and Camper van Beethoven, Silicon Valley entrepreneur Eric Ries, and country music star Brad Paisley.[9] The company raised another $4.2 million in January 2015 before announcing an additional $25 million led by global growth equity investor Summit Partners in December of the same year.[9]

In August 2017, the company announced another $15 million in funding from 65 investors, including PayPal co-founder Max Levchin, Silicon Valley investor Roger McNamee, former Twitter COO Adam Bain, and Jon Oringer, CEO of Shutterstock.[10]

Growth and international expansion

In August 2017, Reverb was named No. 18 on the Inc 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies, with 12,327 percent three-year growth (2013–2016.)[11] In 2016, the company generated $16 million in revenue and supported $240 million in sales of new and used equipment through its platform.[12] As of December 2017, the company anticipated closing out the year with close to $400 million in sales.[13] In August 2016, Reverb hired its first on-the-ground employees in the UK, France, and Australia.[14] In the same month, the company launched its mobile app outside of North America. Within a year of its expansion into Europe, the company grew its users in the region by 700 percent and its sales in the region by 300 percent. As of 2017, the company has additional team members in Germany and Japan.[15]

In late 2017, it launched Reverb LP, an online marketplace for LPs and other physical music,[16] and the Reverb Foundation, with non-profit supporting programs and initiatives to increase access to music education, equipment, and playing opportunities.[17]

Acquisition and sale by Etsy

In August 2019, Etsy completed the acquisition of Reverb.com for $275 million.[6]

In April 2025, Reverb was acquired from Etsy by Creator Partners and Servco, returning it to independent ownership.[18][19]

Business model

Reverb allows sellers to create free listings for musical instruments and other related equipment. Reverb then charges a commission fee to the seller and a percentage fee for credit card processing upon sale.[11] To help users determine market values for instruments, Reverb has a price guide of real-time transactional data. It offers iPhone and Android apps that include the site's main features. As of 2017, it offered in-person support in the UK, the Netherlands, Australia, Germany, France and Japan.[20]

The company also provides informative content, such as demo videos and how-to articles to drive traffic to the website.[21]

Notable artist sales

In addition to shops from individuals and dealers, Reverb has hosted sales for a number of notable artists, including:

References

Page Template:Reflist/styles.css has no content.

  1. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.McCracken, Matt (July 2, 2025). "I've scored some of my best used guitar gear finds at Reverb…". GuitarPlayer. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
  2. ^ a b Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Hardman, Neville (June 21, 2023). "Frank Iero is selling gear from My Chemical Romance and his early bands". Alternative Press Magazine. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."How an Entrepreneur's Frustrations Created an eBay for Music Gear Marketplace". inc.com. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  4. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Relevant work experience for this startup? Try 10 years as a touring musician". Built In Chicago. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  5. ^ a b Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Chicago's music gear darling nabs another $15M". Built In Chicago. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  6. ^ a b Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Etsy Completes Acquisition of Reverb, a Leading Online Marketplace for New, Used and Vintage Musical Instruments". investors.etsy.com. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  7. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Smith, Dylan (April 22, 2025). "Etsy Announces Reverb Sale to Creator Partners and Servco". Digital Music News. Retrieved June 11, 2025.
  8. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Reverb.com gets pleasant feedback: $2.3 million". chicagobusiness.com. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  9. ^ a b Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Reverb, Marketplace for Musicians, Cranks Up With $25 Million in Funding". Billboard. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  10. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Reverb.com raises another $15 million". chicagobusiness.com. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  11. ^ a b Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."The Brilliant Way One Founder Made a Killing From the Music Industry". inc.com. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  12. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."How to scale without crashing and burning? Secrets of 8 smart entrepreneurs #sbwchi". chicagobusiness.com. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  13. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Reverb Launches Its Online Vinyl Record Marketplace". www.americaninno.com. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
  14. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Reverb Scores Hiring Hat Trick". msretailer.com. September 8, 2016. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  15. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Music Inc. Magazine — November 2017 Digital Edition". musicincmag.com. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  16. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Discogs meets Match.com on Reverb's new online vinyl marketplace". thevinylfactory.com. December 13, 2017. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  17. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Wissmuller, Christian. "MMR magazine - Reverb Launches the Reverb Foundation". mmrmagazine.com. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  18. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Reverb's Next Chapter as a Private Company". Reverb.com. April 22, 2025.
  19. ^ https://seekingalpha.com/news/4433227-etsy-sells-its-reverb-business-to-focus-on-core-business-and-depop
  20. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Music Inc. Magazine — November 2017 Digital Edition". musicincmag.com. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  21. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."MSR 01 2017 (January)". MSR 01 2017 (January). Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  22. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Nirvana's 'In Utero' Microphones Headed to Steve Albini-Approved Auction". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  23. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Jimmy Chamberlin Is Selling His Old Smashing Pumpkins Stuff - Pitchfork". Pitchfork. February 23, 2017. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  24. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Billy Corgan Is Selling a Ton of Smashing Pumpkins Guitars and Gear". Spin. July 13, 2017. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  25. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Billy Corgan to Sell Guitars, Amps Used on Smashing Pumpkins Albums". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  26. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Welsh, April Clare (August 19, 2017). "Nine Inch Nails collaborator Alessandro Cortini to launch new Reverb shop". factmag.com. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  27. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Mike Gordon Partners With Reverb To Sell Gear Used In Studio & On Tour". jambase.com. October 10, 2017. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  28. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Billie Joe Armstrong is selling pieces of Green Day history - News - Alternative Press". Alternative Press. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  29. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Ray LaMontagne Launches Shop Where You Can Buy His Guitars, Amps, Etc". Paste. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  30. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Linkin Park Fans: A Rare Opportunity to Own a Piece of the Band's Gear History Is Coming This Week". reverb.com. March 28, 2018. Retrieved January 8, 2025.
  31. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."E Street Band Guitarist Nils Lofgren Selling Instruments, Vintage Gear". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  32. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Pedrosa, Marina (August 29, 2018). "Maroon 5 to Sell Massive Batch Of Musical Gear On Reverb". Billboard. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  33. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Dinosaur Jr.'s J Mascis Selling Over 100 Pieces of Gear - Pitchfork". Pitchfork. October 25, 2017. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  34. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Brent Hinds to Sell His Personal Guitars, Amps, and More in Official Reverb Shop". reverb.com. August 15, 2018. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  35. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."My Bloody Valentine's Kevin Shields Announces Signature Guitar Pedal by Fender". Pitchfork. June 13, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  36. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Here's Your Chance to Own a Piece of Steve Vai's Gear". guitarworld.com. October 10, 2017. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  37. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Black Sabbath Drummer Bill Ward Selling Vintage, Studio-Used Gear". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  38. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Matt Parker (March 22, 2023). "Deryck Whibley is selling off a "treasure trove" of gear used across two decades with Sum 41". guitarworld. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  39. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."You Can Now Buy Wilco's Old Instruments, Gear, Test Pressings, More - Pitchfork". Pitchfork. March 16, 2017. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
Retrieved from "https://cosmopedia.co/index.php?title=Reverb.com&oldid=12771760"