Switches+Strings

I received my first delivery last night — a beautiful Fender American Standard Telecaster. I had been thinking about buying a Telecaster for awhile but I really wanted to try one out to see if I’d like the Tele’s single coil tone. (I’ve alway been a Humbucker guy). Switches+Strings lets me try out the guitar using my amp, in my home, for as long as I want. And best of all — they deliver the guitar right to my door! This is an awesome concept for anyone who wants to play multiple guitars, basses, amps, pedals and mics but can’t or doesn’t want to shell out the bucks to buy them outright. If you live in the Chicago area and play guitar, you should definitely check this service out!

I am really a fan of this service! I first heard of them at a street festival in Chicago, and was instantly drawn to their display of actual real instruments that were not just your entry level ‘big box’ shop beginners. Don’t get me wrong, they offer those as well if you are interested in trying those out before you buy. It is totally worth the service fee just for the ‘try-​before-​you-​buy’ aspect of it! But the customer service is the amazing part that made me want to give 5 stars… I had requested a Telecaster, and for some mix up they ended up bringing me a Strat (keep in mind it is the best strat I have ever played, and I own quite a few) well immediately upon Switches+Strings realizing this, they immediately set up a time to bring me the Tele, AND offered to let me try a pedal that was in my queue at the same time! amazing! super nice guys who deliver the instruments right to your home! could not be better and very reasonable monthly fee! A++

Top notch, hands-​on customer service. The person who delivered my guitar was very knowledgeable about the program itself, along with the music industry as a whole.
I plan on staying signed on for many years to come.

I can’t believe a service like Switches & Strings exists. Sure you can go rent a guitar from a music store and pay much more for an entry/​student level used up piece of junk.
Or…
You can pay a small monthly fee and try as many Guitars, Basses, Amps, Pedals and Mics as you want. And they bring it to you!
Sure they have entry level stuff too, but they have a lot really nice higher end gear as well.
I used to get so frustrated with the big music stores. First, employees aren’t usually helpful and only want to push the few brands they make the most from. Second, I don’t get why they have 300 guitars that are mostly the same damn models in different colors. Third, how well can you actually hear the instrument on their cheap amps while being judged by everyone in the store. What if I don’t want a Fender/​Squire or Gibson/​Epiphone? Can I play a reverend? No. How about Ibanez that’s not the base entry model? No! Warwick or Lakland Bass. Hell no! Try out a nice tube amp at a decent volume. No way!
You can with these guys!
Do yourself a favor and check out the gear they have available! Most items are brand new or very close.
I’ve received guitars and amps that I would’ve bought because of their reputation. Play them for a week and hated them. Also tried some that I never would’ve considered just for kicks and totally loved them.
And to top it off… the people here really know their stuff. Great customer service too!
I’ve recommended Switches & Strings to everyone I know and will continue to do so.
You guys rock!

Great service and great value. Their drop off /​pick up service is awesome and reliable. Tons of cool gear available. Great for trying out new gear before you by, or adding a new toy to you rig every few months!

It’s a really good service if you play bass or guitar and want exposure to a variety of instruments, amps and pedals. The range of pedals is pretty extensive, but nothing super boutique. Same is true for the other items they offer. You’re not going to find thousand dollar+ instruments in their offerings (at this time). Maybe they’ll add some if the service becomes more successful.
I use the service to try out items with my own rig as an extended trial before purchasing or to get a particular sound for a tune/​gig that I currently can’t get.
One of the downsides is that deliveries are usually limited in my area to one a week. So if I’m busy that night, I’m «stuck» with the item for a week longer than I want. Really not too much of a drawback, but it’s worth noting. I’d be nice to see what on my list is currently available instead of having a mystery item from my list get delivered as well. Again, minor quibbles.

Switches+Strings is an incredible service! It’s basically Netflix for guitars — I signed up, started building my dream list of guitars, basses, amps, pedals and mics, and they delivered them right to my front door, all for one flat monthly fee. Seriously — it seems too good to be true but it’s real!
I never thought much about guitar rental, but this is the perfect way to try things in your own home. I’ve gotten gear to record demos, play shows, and just have fun. It’s reinvented how I play music. Sort of like they handed me the keys to an awesome guitar shop, and I get to walk in and take whatever I want, play it as long as I want, and swap it as often as I like.
This is a must for any musician!