reverb.com
{{Short description|Online marketplace for music equipment}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2018}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2018}}
{{Promotional|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Reverb.com
| logo = Reverb.com Logo.png
| type = Private
| founded = {{Start date and age| 2013}}
| founder = David Kalt
| key_people = David Mandelbrot (CEO)
| hq_location_city = Chicago, Illinois
| hq_location_country = U.S.
| parent = Etsy (2019–2025)
| owners = {{ubl|Creator Partners and Servco (2025–present)}}
| industry = Musical instruments
| num_employees = 270
| num_employees_year = 2022
| website = {{URL|reverb.com}}
}}
Reverb.com is an online marketplace for new, used, and vintage musical equipment, including instruments used by notable musicians.{{Cite web |last=Hardman |first=Neville|date=2023-06-21 |title=Frank Iero is selling gear from My Chemical Romance and his early bands |url=https://www.altpress.com/frank-iero-selling-my-chemical-romance-gear-reverb/ |access-date=2023-06-29 |website=Alternative Press Magazine |language=en}} It was founded in 2013 by David Kalt,{{cite web|url=https://www.inc.com/neil-c-hughes/how-this-online-marketplace-became-the-ebay-for-music-gear.html|title=How an Entrepreneur's Frustrations Created an eBay for Music Gear Marketplace|website=inc.com|access-date=January 15, 2018}} and roughly 85 percent of its employees are musicians.{{cite web |title=Relevant work experience for this startup? Try 10 years as a touring musician |url=https://www.builtinchicago.org/2017/11/03/reverb-team-touring-musicians |access-date=January 15, 2018 |website=Built In Chicago}} As of 2016, Reverb.com was a multimillion-dollar business, and as of 2017 it had more than 10 million monthly visitors.{{cite web|url=https://www.builtinchicago.org/2017/08/15/reverb-raises-15m|title=Chicago's music gear darling nabs another $15M|website=Built In Chicago|access-date=January 15, 2018}} In 2019, Etsy acquired Reverb.com for $275 million,{{Cite web |title=Etsy Completes Acquisition of Reverb, a Leading Online Marketplace for New, Used and Vintage Musical Instruments |url=https://investors.etsy.com/press-releases/press-release-details/2019/Etsy-Completes-Acquisition-of-Reverb-a-Leading-Online-Marketplace-for-New-Used-and-Vintage-Musical-Instruments/default.aspx |access-date=2019-11-27 |website=investors.etsy.com |language=en-US}} and in 2025 Etsy announced it was selling it off.{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Dylan |date=2025-04-22 |title=Etsy Announces Reverb Sale to Creator Partners and Servco |url=https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2025/04/22/reverb-sale-april-2025/ |access-date=2025-06-11 |website=Digital Music News |language=en-US}}
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.
= Funding =
In November 2013, Reverb secured{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20131119/BLOGS11/131119776/reverb-com-gets-pleasant-feedback-2-3-million|title=Reverb.com gets pleasant feedback: $2.3 million|website=chicagobusiness.com|access-date=January 15, 2018}} $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.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/6785664/reverb-series-b-funding-25-million-summit-partners|title=Reverb, Marketplace for Musicians, Cranks Up With $25 Million in Funding|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 15, 2018}} 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.
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.{{cite web |title=Reverb.com raises another $15 million |url=http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20170815/BLOGS11/170819930/reverb-com-raises-another-15-million |access-date=January 15, 2018 |website=chicagobusiness.com}}
= 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.){{cite web |title=The Brilliant Way One Founder Made a Killing From the Music Industry |url=https://www.inc.com/magazine/201709/tom-foster/2017-inc5000-reverb.html |access-date=January 15, 2018 |website=inc.com}} In 2016, the company generated $16 million in revenue and supported $240 million in sales of new and used equipment through its platform.{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagobusiness.com/section/how-to-scale-your-business#dkalt|title=How to scale without crashing and burning? Secrets of 8 smart entrepreneurs #sbwchi|website=chicagobusiness.com|access-date=January 15, 2018}} As of December 2017, the company anticipated closing out the year with close to $400 million in sales.{{Cite web|title=Reverb Launches Its Online Vinyl Record Marketplace|url=https://www.americaninno.com/chicago/inno-news-chicago/reverb-launches-its-online-vinyl-record-marketplace/|access-date=2021-04-14|website=www.americaninno.com}} In August 2016, Reverb hired its first on-the-ground employees in the UK, France, and Australia.{{cite web|url=http://msretailer.com/reverb-scores-hiring-hat-trick/|title=Reverb Scores Hiring Hat Trick|date=September 8, 2016|website=msretailer.com|access-date=January 15, 2018}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.musicincmag.com/digital_editions/2017/1711_RqxxzN/single_page_view/13.html|title=Music Inc. Magazine — November 2017 Digital Edition|website=musicincmag.com|access-date=January 15, 2018}}
In late 2017, it launched Reverb LP, an online marketplace for LPs and other physical music,{{cite web |date=December 13, 2017 |title=Discogs meets Match.com on Reverb's new online vinyl marketplace |url=https://thevinylfactory.com/news/reverb-lp-new-online-vinyl-marketplace/ |access-date=January 15, 2018 |website=thevinylfactory.com}} and the Reverb Foundation, with non-profit supporting programs and initiatives to increase access to music education, equipment, and playing opportunities.{{cite web |last=Wissmuller |first=Christian |title=MMR magazine - Reverb Launches the Reverb Foundation |url=http://mmrmagazine.com/91-upfront/6135-reverb-launches-the-reverb-foundation.html |access-date=January 15, 2018 |website=mmrmagazine.com}}
= Acquisition and sale by Etsy =
In August 2019, Etsy completed the acquisition of Reverb.com for $275 million.
In April 2025, Reverb was acquired from Etsy by Creator Partners and Servco, returning it to independent ownership.https://reverb.com/news/reverb-servco-creator-partnershttps://seekingalpha.com/news/4433227-etsy-sells-its-reverb-business-to-focus-on-core-business-and-depop
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. 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, and as of 2017 offered in-person support in the UK, the Netherlands, Australia, Germany, France and Japan.{{cite web |title=Music Inc. Magazine — November 2017 Digital Edition |url=http://www.musicincmag.com/digital_editions/2017/1711_RqxxzN/12-13.html |access-date=January 15, 2018 |website=musicincmag.com}}
The company also provides informative content such as demo videos and how-to articles to drive traffic to the website.{{cite web|url=http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/948bf239#/948bf239/59|title=MSR 01 2017 (January)|website=MSR 01 2017 (January)|access-date=January 15, 2018}}
Notable artist sales
In addition to shops from individuals and dealers, Reverb has hosted sales for a number of notable artists, including:
- Steve Albini (sold mics from Nirvana's In Utero){{cite magazine |title=Nirvana's 'In Utero' Microphones Headed to Steve Albini-Approved Auction |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/nirvanas-in-utero-microphones-headed-to-auction-w502525 |access-date=January 15, 2018 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}
- Jimmy Chamberlin of The Smashing Pumpkins{{cite web |date=February 23, 2017 |title=Jimmy Chamberlin Is Selling His Old Smashing Pumpkins Stuff - Pitchfork |url=http://pitchfork.com/news/71816-jimmy-chamberlin-is-selling-his-old-smashing-pumpkins-stuff/ |access-date=January 15, 2018 |website=Pitchfork}}
- Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins{{cite web|url=http://www.spin.com/2017/07/billy-corgan-smashing-pumpkins-guitar-sale/|title=Billy Corgan Is Selling a Ton of Smashing Pumpkins Guitars and Gear|date=July 13, 2017|website=Spin|access-date=January 15, 2018}}{{cite magazine |title=Billy Corgan to Sell Guitars, Amps Used on Smashing Pumpkins Albums |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/billy-corgan-announces-plans-to-sell-classic-music-gear-w492108 |access-date=January 15, 2018 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}
- Alessandro Cortini of Nine Inch Nails{{cite web |last1=Welsh |first1=April Clare |date=August 19, 2017 |title=Nine Inch Nails collaborator Alessandro Cortini to launch new Reverb shop |url=http://www.factmag.com/2017/08/19/alessandro-cortini-new-reverb-shop/ |access-date=January 15, 2018 |website=factmag.com}}
- Mike Gordon of Phish{{cite web |date=October 10, 2017 |title=Mike Gordon Partners With Reverb To Sell Gear Used In Studio & On Tour |url=https://www.jambase.com/article/mike-gordon-partners-reverb-sell-gear-used-studio-tour |access-date=January 15, 2018 |website=jambase.com}}
- Green Day{{cite web |title=Billie Joe Armstrong is selling pieces of Green Day history - News - Alternative Press |url=https://www.altpress.com/news/entry/green_day_billie_joe_armstrong_reverb_garage_sale |access-date=January 15, 2018 |website=Alternative Press}}
- Frank Iero
- Ray Lamontagne{{cite web |title=Ray LaMontagne Launches Shop Where You Can Buy His Guitars, Amps, Etc. |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2016/12/ray-lamontagne-launches-site-where-you-can-now-buy.html |access-date=January 15, 2018 |website=Paste}}
- Linkin Park{{Cite web |date=2018-03-28 |title=Linkin Park Fans: A Rare Opportunity to Own a Piece of the Band's Gear History Is Coming This Week |url=https://reverb.com/news/linkin-park-fans-a-rare-opportunity-to-own-a-piece-of-the-bands-gear-history-is-coming-this-week |access-date=2025-01-08 |website=reverb.com |language=en}}
- Nils Lofgren of the E Street Band{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/springsteen-guitarist-nils-lofgren-selling-instruments-gear-w471861|title=E Street Band Guitarist Nils Lofgren Selling Instruments, Vintage Gear|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=January 15, 2018}}
- Maroon 5{{cite magazine |author=Pedrosa, Marina |date=August 29, 2018 |title=Maroon 5 to Sell Massive Batch Of Musical Gear On Reverb |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8472751/maroon-5-to-sell-musical-gear-reverb |access-date=June 8, 2020 |magazine=Billboard}}
- J Mascis of Dinosaur Jr.{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/dinosaur-jrs-j-mascis-selling-over-100-pieces-of-gear/|title=Dinosaur Jr.'s J Mascis Selling Over 100 Pieces of Gear - Pitchfork|website=Pitchfork|date=October 25, 2017 |access-date=January 15, 2018}}
- Brent Hinds of Mastodon{{Cite web|url=https://reverb.com/news/official-brent-hinds-reverb-shop-preview|title=Brent Hinds to Sell His Personal Guitars, Amps, and More in Official Reverb Shop|website=reverb.com|date=August 15, 2018 |language=en|access-date=2018-09-17}}
- Kevin Shields{{Cite web |date=2023-06-13 |title=My Bloody Valentine's Kevin Shields Announces Signature Guitar Pedal by Fender |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/my-bloody-valentine-kevin-shields-announces-signature-guitar-pedal-by-fender/ |access-date=2023-06-17 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}
- Steve Vai{{cite web |date=October 10, 2017 |title=Here's Your Chance to Own a Piece of Steve Vai's Gear |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/heres-your-chance-own-piece-steve-vais-gear |access-date=January 15, 2018 |website=guitarworld.com}}
- Bill Ward of Black Sabbath{{cite magazine |title=Black Sabbath Drummer Bill Ward Selling Vintage, Studio-Used Gear |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/black-sabbath-drummer-bill-ward-selling-vintage-studio-used-gear-w489475 |access-date=January 15, 2018 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}
- Deryck Whibley{{Cite web |author1=Matt Parker |date=2023-03-22 |title=Deryck Whibley is selling off a "treasure trove" of gear used across two decades with Sum 41 |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/news/deryck-whibley-sum-41-reverb-sale |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=guitarworld |language=en}}
- Wilco{{cite web |date=March 16, 2017 |title=You Can Now Buy Wilco's Old Instruments, Gear, Test Pressings, More - Pitchfork |url=http://pitchfork.com/news/72292-you-can-now-buy-wilcos-old-instruments-gear-test-pressings-more/ |access-date=January 15, 2018 |website=Pitchfork}}
External links
- [https://www.namm.org/library/oral-history/david-kalt David Kalt Interview] at NAMM Oral History Collection (2018)