Our Story

Ah, 2022—a year full of curveballs!

For Isla Instruments, one of the biggest challenges came from the global semiconductor shortage, which paused production of our S2400 Sampling Percussion Machine. But as we waited for the chips to become available, a new opportunity presented itself.


We stumbled upon a huge collection of vintage music technology gear—synths, drum machines, and all kinds of electronic treasures—sitting in a Florida museum that had been closed since the early 2000s.

Naturally, we couldn’t pass it up. After acquiring the collection, we realized we needed a better way to sell it.

That’s when the frustrations set in.


Most online marketplaces were packed with distractions—upsells, features we didn’t need, and gear that didn’t fit our niche. And while we’ve got a lot of love for brass band instruments and acoustic guitars, they weren’t what our music tech community was looking for.


So, GearTrader.net was born!

A marketplace designed for music technology enthusiasts.

No ads, no upsells, and no distractions—just a clean, focused platform for buying and selling the gear that sparks creativity.


Whether you’re into synthesizers, drum machines, or modular setups, we’ve built a space where music creators can connect and find exactly what they need.


At GearTrader, our mission is simple: make buying and selling music tech as easy and enjoyable as playing with the gear itself.


No fluff—just the stuff you care about.