In a significant development for musicians and the online music gear community, Reverb.com, the leading marketplace for vintage and used musical instruments, has announced its acquisition by a dynamic duo of investors: Creator Partners and Servco. This pivotal move sees Reverb regaining its independence after being part of the Etsy family since 2019.
Reverb Independent Again
This exciting news signals a fresh chapter for the platform renowned for connecting musicians with unique and sought-after gear.
Both Creator Partners, with its investments in music and creator-focused companies like BMI and SoundCloud, and Servco, a company deeply rooted in the musical instrument industry since 1937 with a long-standing relationship with Fender, bring a wealth of experience and a shared vision for Reverb’s future.
David Mandelbrot Statement
David Mandelbrot, CEO of Reverb, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “The musicians, shops, and brands who use Reverb have always been at the center of all that we do, and these two partners will help us support our music-making community in new and better ways. Creator Partners and Servco share our passion for the musical instruments industry and a community-first approach, plus a deep desire to strengthen creative industries.”
Crucially for the Reverb community, the company has affirmed its commitment to remaining an independent entity.
Fender
There will be no merger with Servco, Creator Partners, or any other companies within their investment portfolios. Furthermore, Reverb has explicitly stated that its relationship with Fender, in which both new investors also hold stakes, will remain unchanged.
Initiatives like Fender’s Certified Pre-Owned program will continue without preferential treatment.
Reassuring its user base, Reverb emphasizes that buyers and sellers should anticipate a seamless transition. In fact, Mandelbrot hinted at exciting developments on the horizon, including “expanding access to music-making software on Reverb” and the pilot of a novel selling option designed to expedite payments for musicians while streamlining the listing and shipping processes.
“All and all, there’s a lot for our community to look forward to and I’m very excited about what’s coming as we move forward as an independent company again,” Mandelbrot concluded.
Trump Tariffs
This acquisition comes at a potentially opportune moment for the second-hand musical instrument market.
With the looming impact of the Trump tariffs expected to increase the cost of new offshore-built instruments, more musicians are likely to turn to the value and unique finds available on platforms like Reverb.
The return to independence, backed by investors with a strong understanding of both the music industry and creators’ needs, positions Reverb for continued growth and innovation in the online musical instrument marketplace.
Musicians worldwide can look forward to an enhanced experience and a continued dedication to the vibrant community that makes Reverb a unique destination for buying and selling music gear.
