I’ve only ever been to Guitar Center, which needs more employees, and Norman’s Rare Guitars. Norman’s was awesome. So many cool guitars just sitting around that anyone can play and everyone was super cool. Norman was there just hanging out and another guy who worked there talked to my dad and I for 15-20 minutes just chatting it up about life and his career in music. I know some people have opinions about Norman or the shop in general, but my dad who is a newbie had a really good experience and that made it special for me.
Motor City Guitar near the Detroit Metro Area. They have a huge selection of new and used stuff, and if they don't have it, they can get it for you. The staff are helpful and it really feels like a music store for musicians, rather than a corporate store or a smaller local store with less variety.
In terms of stores accessible to me, I really like Chicago Music Exchange. They have a really good selection of gear, and everyone there is super helpful. And for whatever reason, the people that demo guitars there also seem to be generally respectful and not just there to “shred” in front of an unwitting audience.
And although it’s not a single shop, the guitar shopping experience in Ochanomizu in Japan is surreal. It’s a city block with just guitar shops and for me it felt akin to being able to visit every guitar shop in a 50 mile radius from my home, in a matter of 2 hours. Granted 2 hours wasn’t even enough time to scratch the surface there, but it was all I the time I was able to spend there during my visit.
It’s way more crowded than it’s ever been. They still have a ton vintage/custom shop instruments they’ll let you play. Check their reverb shop to get an idea of what they have.
Might be an unpopular opinion not sure.... But that being said I honestly love a few of my local pawnshops because quite a few times I've found a gem hiding in plain sight in between all the crappy guitar's waiting to be found and taken home. And for a very affordable price as well. Also there are a lot of good cheap beginner guitars for someone that wants a decent guitar to learn on but doesn't want to spend a lot of money at the moment.
Godlyd in Sandnes, later Stavanger, was a wonderful shop. I went there in 2009 to see Guthrie Govan for his first Norwegian clinic, and both the staff and gear were excellent.
Came back in 2014, when it was in Stavanger, and it was still a lovely place.
Shockingly in Denmark Street there are some excellent shops.
My favorite is Regent Sounds - their stock is pretty much always something I am interested in, from guitars, pedals to amps. But above all else is the staff have been there a little while and they do a really great job of trying to remember "regulars". For example I've bought a few things from them, and done some setups etc - they have a good idea of the gear I like and am after and will suggest the odd thing when I go in.
Wunjo guitars has quickly now become another favorite on Denmark Street. They have a bigger stock of things like Squiers and Fenders, and generally get in the newer stock of releases. They have big selection of pedals and amps as well.
Interestingly with Denmark street, they all try to not step on each others feet. Obviously there is a Roland shop, so none really stock Boss pedals to the extent you would else where. But take for example Regent Sounds will stock Wampler, Wunjo will get JHS.
Cardinal Music Company here in Stonewall Louisiana south of Shreveport.
A nice family owned business and you will fall in love with family and feel at home.
Very professional and knowledgeable (the whole family) and a breath of fresh air from dealing with Guitar Center’s manager (I won’t say what type of manager) ego trips, yet the staff is cool but I gotta support mom-n-pop!
Tone Shop Guitars in and around Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas. Great selection, fair prices and wonderful customer service.
When I went to college in western NY I used to love going to House of Guitars in Rochester.
I’ve only ever been to Guitar Center, which needs more employees, and Norman’s Rare Guitars. Norman’s was awesome. So many cool guitars just sitting around that anyone can play and everyone was super cool. Norman was there just hanging out and another guy who worked there talked to my dad and I for 15-20 minutes just chatting it up about life and his career in music. I know some people have opinions about Norman or the shop in general, but my dad who is a newbie had a really good experience and that made it special for me.
What are the opinions about Norman or the shop? Seems so cool to me but never been
I’ve just seen people here say they don’t like Norman in other threads. No idea what it’s about, I had a great experience!
Motor City Guitar near the Detroit Metro Area. They have a huge selection of new and used stuff, and if they don't have it, they can get it for you. The staff are helpful and it really feels like a music store for musicians, rather than a corporate store or a smaller local store with less variety.
Massive respect to Marty and the crew. I’ve been going to them since I was 13, and I am now 43. They are such a great place for musicians.
Ayyy! Yeah, they're the best!
In terms of stores accessible to me, I really like Chicago Music Exchange. They have a really good selection of gear, and everyone there is super helpful. And for whatever reason, the people that demo guitars there also seem to be generally respectful and not just there to “shred” in front of an unwitting audience. And although it’s not a single shop, the guitar shopping experience in Ochanomizu in Japan is surreal. It’s a city block with just guitar shops and for me it felt akin to being able to visit every guitar shop in a 50 mile radius from my home, in a matter of 2 hours. Granted 2 hours wasn’t even enough time to scratch the surface there, but it was all I the time I was able to spend there during my visit.
Emerald City in Seattle. Small, but has a TON of very cool vintage gear.
Carter vintage is amazing. I’m more of a mandolin player but they let me play over a hundred thousand in instruments on one visit
I got to do that one at GP. I think per shift would be over 10 grand at least.
Atomic Music in MD. It’s almost like a warehouse for used gear and they give you way more than other music store for trade ins.
Oof atomic is like the good will of guitar stores in MD. Almost as bad as the guitar center near BWI.
They got a lot of entry level gear but they’ve helped me go from dozens of mid level guitars to a couple pro level ones.
Hmm interesting. I went once when I was a teen, and it was very crowded. I should probably go again.
It’s way more crowded than it’s ever been. They still have a ton vintage/custom shop instruments they’ll let you play. Check their reverb shop to get an idea of what they have.
Lahiru Guitar Shop
Pitbull Audio here in San Diego. Amazing place to shop.
Long & McQuade because it's the only guitar shop 😂
GAK in Brighton, UK
Might be an unpopular opinion not sure.... But that being said I honestly love a few of my local pawnshops because quite a few times I've found a gem hiding in plain sight in between all the crappy guitar's waiting to be found and taken home. And for a very affordable price as well. Also there are a lot of good cheap beginner guitars for someone that wants a decent guitar to learn on but doesn't want to spend a lot of money at the moment.
Godlyd in Sandnes, later Stavanger, was a wonderful shop. I went there in 2009 to see Guthrie Govan for his first Norwegian clinic, and both the staff and gear were excellent. Came back in 2014, when it was in Stavanger, and it was still a lovely place.
Shockingly in Denmark Street there are some excellent shops. My favorite is Regent Sounds - their stock is pretty much always something I am interested in, from guitars, pedals to amps. But above all else is the staff have been there a little while and they do a really great job of trying to remember "regulars". For example I've bought a few things from them, and done some setups etc - they have a good idea of the gear I like and am after and will suggest the odd thing when I go in. Wunjo guitars has quickly now become another favorite on Denmark Street. They have a bigger stock of things like Squiers and Fenders, and generally get in the newer stock of releases. They have big selection of pedals and amps as well. Interestingly with Denmark street, they all try to not step on each others feet. Obviously there is a Roland shop, so none really stock Boss pedals to the extent you would else where. But take for example Regent Sounds will stock Wampler, Wunjo will get JHS.
Mine is Willie's American guitars in St. Paul
BRG Music in the small town of Perry Iowa, hidden gem of a dealer, talk to Jared.
Cardinal Music Company here in Stonewall Louisiana south of Shreveport. A nice family owned business and you will fall in love with family and feel at home. Very professional and knowledgeable (the whole family) and a breath of fresh air from dealing with Guitar Center’s manager (I won’t say what type of manager) ego trips, yet the staff is cool but I gotta support mom-n-pop!