The Old Time Pickin Parlor

Kind of small, low brow guitar shop. If you are just starting out and you want to pick up a cheap guitar this is the place. Nothing against the place but it is not a place to find vintage or super nice guitars. I would pass this place by.

Just left this shop, and was not impressed. This stores’ atmosphere and décor were really inviting. There were not only various traditional Americana instruments like guitars, banjos, and mandolins, but also some really cool early American instruments like cigar box guitars and cookie tin banjos. You also get to see some great folk art and some good vintage pieces.
All that being said, the person working, who I gathered was the owner, did not so much as speak to my wife or me the entire time we were in there. He seemed too busy talking about himself to two older gentlemen who did not appear to be shopping (spending money), but about his own various achievements. Two other groups of people came in while we were there and received the same treatment. They quickly left after browsing. My wife and I had a few questions, and lingered in the shop. I think it was obvious we needed assistance, however were met with none. We finally left, annoyed, and with literally no interaction whatsoever from the owner.
He must have too much money.

My second stop in Nashville, this little shop seemed inviting when I initially walked in. My favorite hippy décor for any place that surrounds selling instruments; there were oriental rugs of all different patterns covering the wood floors; and the furniture they had for people to sit and test the instruments paired nicely into shabby chic. These two elements were the only organic entities that brought a sense of charm to this business. Old Time Pickin’ Parlor was a far cry from anything that the name would lend itself to. I could tell right away that the people who ran the joint were ready for us to leave as soon as my friend and I walked in. I don’t know if they were high on weed and tweaked out or what. All I know is that they barely mumbled a «hello,» to greet us; and they practically slammed the door to their in-​house recording studio as soon as we passed it walking in. I understand that this kind of equipment is expensive, but clearly we don’t look like teens and therefore we’re not going to assume that it’s there for us to play with; much less think anything in there is for sale. I caught the clerks constantly shifting their eyes back and forth at each other, and they weren’t smiling; rather, they were concerned. Did you honestly think we were going to break something or steal? Both of them stood there with their hands in their pockets making no effort to try to talk to us regarding what their shop was about; much less where the name for their business comes from. I could tell the product they had was not just stuff they ordered from a distribution center. Therefore I could only assume the product was expensive. Perhaps the instruments had previous owners, well-​known in the industry. They could have at least shared the stories surrounding how they came into possession of their obviously coveted collection.
I wouldn’t recommend visiting this place unless you were some kind of over-​entitled trust fund baby, with a narcissistic hipster attitude, ready to blow your parents’ money. I think these guys feel like they shouldn’t have to talk to you unless you weigh in starting at this point. I’d love to see the quality of their elevated customer service when concerning a potential buyer. Perhaps had they extended such an inviting attitude and not made assumptions regarding whom my friend and I were; then maybe I would have had a better review to write. Sorry guys, you deserve it. Especially when you’re right next to a shop that’s part of a major TV Network show. You are going to get clients from all walks of life. If you’re burnt out, then you need to sell your shop to someone who can handle the general customer traffic.

Though I am hardly qualified to judge this instrument shop it made me feel good when I walked in. Bright shiny banjos, guitars, mandolins, ukeleles, cigar box guitars, strings and resonators all made me wish I was a musician. Accessories and Art adorned the room. A nice Tom Waits project caught my eye but no impulse buying today, A circle of chairs in the center of the room for pickers to pick and some vintage shirts in the corner. A nice feelgood place. Did not see any prices on the instruments but the owner was friendly and chatty and not intimidating.