Guitar Center

I came in for a gift for an in-​law. I am in no way, shape or form a musician, nor do I pretend to be. I was given exact specifics on the things I needed to get, to include SKU numbers. I gave my name to the security dude at the front door. But, that leads to me questioning myself. Do I look like the type to steal something? Do I look that shady? I didn’t even bring the gnome inside as I wasn’t really interested in making him do funny things in the store.
Any way, I told the cashier what I needed, and he pointed me to the wall where I could find the goods. When I went over and started to go through everything, as I wasn’t sure what exactly I was looking for, I was treated as if I was a small child demolishing the product. I’m sorry, but when you saw that I had a piece of paper in my hand with the details of the item I needed, and I was the only customer in the store at the beginning of the day, then get up and help, especially since I said please. But don’t believe me when I say I need help. That’s ok. I got what I needed, and next time, I will plan ahead and order online.

Very nice store. decent selection of used gear. some sweet Les Pauls in there.

This review is for Jerome G. He’s a highly skilled luthier. He’s worked on a mid sixties Gibson acoustic that was my great grandmothers. He’s restored its sound. So warm and gentle… this guitar is a delight to hold and strum, whereas before it was unplayable. He cares deeply about his craft and it shows.
Guitar Center is a fantastic place for all things music. Vintage guitar room, acoustic room, accessories, gently used gear, brass instruments, percussion, PA gear, and on and on and on.
Run, don’t walk to Guitar Center. It’s where it’s at.

Great customer service. I had a problem with a guitar that was 2 days old and the tech fixed it right up in about 10 minutes. Great selection and good prices.

The service at this location is remarkable. I walked in and was instantly helped (even with a busy store). The worker spent a lot of time explaining which guitar is the best deal and teaching me a little bit about the basics. I ended up purchasing a Guitar and Ukulele. When I got home I tried to tune the guitar on my own and snapped one of the strings. I went back the next day and a completely different staff member fixed my string and tuned it for me for free! I was amazed. I was expecting them to charge me for labor and make me buy a new pack of strings but they gladly fixed everything free of charge. Love this place and i’m glad I gave them my service.

This place is great! A year ago I went in to get a Zoom H4N and about 4 months ago my adaptor got stuck inside so I was putting off to return it because of how much I was using it.
I finally had a chance to return it so I decided to call Zoom for warranty but I couldn’t remember when I bought it exactly. So they told me to call the place where I bought it (guitar center) and ask for the receipt.
I called guitar center and was trying to let the person know my name and when I thought I bought it.
He couldn’t find it under any name or through the serial number, so he calls his manager because he can go through logs and databases.
Manager comes and tries to help me but to no avail.
He asks for my number and he said he’ll call me back and that this will be figured out.
2 minutes later I get a call from him (Mark, greta guy), tells me he found the receipt and that it was apparently registered under another name by accident but they found the same serial number. I called Zoom and they said it shouldn’t be a problem, as long as the serial number is there.
Went into the store that day, as he said that he would have it for me there, found him and he took it out of this folder he was carrying with him.
Both guys in Guitar Center went out of their way to help me and retrieve my receipt and saved me about 150 $. They’re the best and that’s that! GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE!

Since their renovations and new management team came on, shopping at GC, which at one time was such a nightmare, has become such a pleasant experience.
I’m always able to find someone to help these days, the staff, especially some of the newer guys they brought in from other stores, really know their stuff.
The selection of gear has improved a lot too. The platinum room has stuff for high rollers, but overall I feel there’s a better selection and inventory. Also love being able to get my own string and accessories now.
Great job GC!

As a person who has recently picked up the guitar again (after a 20+ year absence), I must admit I really like Guitar Center.
Here are a few reasons why:
1. Knowledgeable and helpful staff. Yes, you may have to «wait your turn» before you get assistance but that’s because the place is busy.
2. Competitive prices. Basically, the same prices as found on-​line.
3. Great selection!
4. The «Acoustic Room». Yes, you can actually play and hear what that beautiful and expensive Martin sounds like!
5. The place is just plain fun.
Yes, the main showroom can be a bit loud and chaotic, but it’s a music store so get over it.
The only complaint I really have is that the salespeople really push the extended warranties/​insurance. Sure, it’s their job but please respect me when I choose not to purchase it.
Bottom line: despite a couple of flaws it’s a great music store.

I’ve come & gone at this place, its begun to be very familiar… Although recently, they’ve initiated a major renovation & it appears to be quite refreshing.
The staff, although plentiful, all seem to be quite busy with other things people etc. Sooooo I suggest that you have a good idea of what you’re looking for upon your arrival. But that’s not to say they won’t help you; it’s just that it appears to more customers than staff.
This place has the feel of a ‘hangout’ of sorts. I mean you can place on the equipment, have a jam session, guitar lesson tutoring, there’s a drum room… I mean you can literally spend hours on end here.
I’ve never really had a bad experience here.
Musicians ROCK (pun intended) lol!!!

First, let me say I have a natural aversion to Guitar Center, as it’s always, no matter what location, an unpleasant experience. There’s always some guy — an employee!— playing Norwegian grind core through a PA system. Another guy saying, «Turn it down, Brad.» Another guy, a customer, noodling the same intro to «One» by Metallica over and over again. Another customer pounding a beatbox, the same «dom-​dah-​ch-​ch-​ch-​cha» ad infinitum.
This location is a good deal suckier than others. A lot of the merchandise, particularly the used, is dirty and dusty. The store’s also organized oddly, empty is some places, cluttered in others. One good thing: they have a pretty solid selection of used guitars and synths, as probably should be expected around New Orleans.
But my God, the employees. One or two are helpful, but the rest are raging c88k-​smokers. The egos of the guys who usually work in places like this: bafflingly gargantuan. All of them are in Voivod cover bands and think they’re the next ones to «make it big». If making it big is wearing Hot Topic goth clothing and looking like you have five pounds of pubic hair gorilla-​glued to your face, then they’re major league.
I know this might sound mean, but here’s my verbatim exchange, yesterday, with pubic-​hair-​face guy:
Him: Would you like insurance with that?
Me: No thanks.
Him (looking at me like I just crapped the floor): No insurance?
Me: No thank you.
Him: I highly recommend it.
Me: I appreciate it. But it’s a few hundred dollar keyboard. Not worth it. It’ll last a year anyway.
Him: You should get insurance. I’m warning you.
Me: (silence).
Him: Things happen.
Me: I don’t want insurance.
Him: (acting like I just urinated on his holiday fruitcake) Okay, but things happen.
Me: No, and that’s final.
Him: (rolling eyes) Give me your address.
Me: (address given)
Him: Again. Slower.
Me: (again, the address)
Him: 2. 3. (long silence, glaring at keyboard). 2. 3??? WHAT? Go.
Me: You know what, man? Your attitude sucks.
Etc.
Mind you, I *never* say this to customer service people. I empathize deeply with them. I don’t expect, nor do I want, someone pathologically cheerful. In fact, I don’t even care if they say hello. But some of these guys, they go out of their way to treat you like they’d throw a block party if you got into a car wreck.
Avoid if possible.

good selection and the area certainly needs a Guitar Center. Prices are fair and the staff is hit or miss (some really want to help you, others not so much). If you have your heart set on a rig, honestly, you’re better off buying from Musicians Friend, but GC is good in that you could probably try out whatever it is you’re looking for because of their deep selection. I’ve bought new acoustic guitar and an electric bass from this location and both were solid deals. The used gear they sell is pretty interesting, too
I’ve had to update this initial review to 3 stars. I find myself here quite a lot because it is a good store. The repair shop is top notch and their selection makes purchasing an instrument extremely easy. If we didn’t have Guitar Center, it wouldn’t be good

I really dislike this place. Had to go in there for work to buy some last-​minute equipment. I was stopped at the door and was asked if I would like to give them my name. «Um…no. I’m using it». But sadly, I had to give them my name in order to get into the store at all. Security, you know. Must be safe and must protect the company from thieves and scammers…
So sure.
«I’m Stephen Webster… that’s with a PH and not a V… Yes, that’s good… (I’m not actually Stephen Webster, just FYI. Sorry guy.). Can I go in and do my business now?»
I was informed I had to leave the equipment I brought with me for size testing at the front desk. I think they were afraid I was going to stick a guitar into the roughly 6×8 box. So I asked if I could take the specific PART with me. Manager called. yes you can.
Well Hallelujah Hoss.
Walking into this place is like walking into a really bad Techno Wannabe club/​snooty, hipster restaurant. Thump-​thump music blaring and employees walking around and past you pretending you don’t exist but somehow they smell something bad.
*sniff-​sniff* Nope. I still smell like Irish Spring.
Anyway, I got my part, went to the counter and waited 15 minutes for 1 customer ahead of me to finally be finished getting his refund. Seems managers are scarce and people don’t know how to do much without them.
I actually paid for the part using my female boss’ credit card and being all security minded, they never even noticed or checked. I signed the machine «George Bush». We’ll see what happens there.
I walked out right past the plebe who took my name and my box. He was flirting with a guy who just came in and I took my box back and walked out without him ever noticing.
GREAT SECURITY GUYS!