Chuck Levin’s Washington Music Center

I went to Chucks in an attempt to purchase a specific Gibson ES 335. The salesman that «helped» me was focused on trying to get me to want what they had. Because he was only concerned with what HE wanted, I had to spend my $ 5300.00 online at Guitar Center. Too bad, my first of 3 guitars from Chucks was purchased in 1971. Spoiler alert — there’s too much competition out there now to ignore customer service. The public doesn’t need you, you need the public. Try acting that way.

I’d like to give this store a better review because they have a great selection and are local (not a big chain). However, I’ve now been here three times in the past month. The first two trips I looked at acoustic guitars. I was there 30 – 45 minutes both times and both times no one even walked in the room to ask me if I needed help. I went in again today to look at amps. Someone did help me, but he basically gave me a chord, answered a few questions and disappeared. I appreciate hands off service, but unfortunately my experience here has been that there doesn’t seem to be any great interest or desire in providing assistance.

I have been to Chuck Levin’s on a pair of occasions but I am not overly impressed with the service. The first trip in the store, I was looking to see what they had and the selection of guitars is awesome. The second trip to Chuck Levin’s was to actually buy something. There were three guitars that I was interested in and since my wife was buying me a guitar as a gift, she tracked down a salesman, whose initials are L. U. and brought him over to me to assist.
Mr. L. U. asked what guitar I wanted to see and I said there were three of them. Mr. L. U. told me to «cool my jets» and that I «needed to set my goal lower». Suffice it to say, that pissed me off and really pissed my wife off. My wife went and got one of the managers on the way out, one of Chuck’s daughters, who took care of us and got someone else to take care of us. Everytime that Mr. L. U. walked by, he would leer at my wife and I. I eventually bought an American Strat there and got a fair deal but I haven’t been back since. I will say that I learned a valuable lesson though, buy stuff where you are treated decently.
I am hoping that Chuck Levin’s staff reads my review and understands that their employee treating me like crap literally cost them thousands of dollars in sales. Since my dismal trip to Chuck Levin’s, I have acquired 6 additional guitars, mostly new Gibsons, including a 58 VOS.

I stopped in for the first time in about ten years to pick up guitar strings. Im a middle aged fed with a badge around my neck in business attire. Clerk stops me from walking in telling me I have to leave my book bag behind the counter. Work lap top is in my bag. I said so and no, I’ll hold onto my bag, thanks. He says I can carry my laptop but the bag doesn’t come in the store. I said thank you, you just lost my business. I understand the needs of small business but this is exactly why its easier to shop online. I won’t be back.
I’m in the market for a new acoustic electric and they just lost a sale.

Phenomenal. We stopped here tonight just as they were closing. We needed reeds for our son, who will need them tomorrow. Despite the fact that the man (apologies but I didn’t get his name) was in the process of locking up and going home, he let us in and sold us our reeds. There is a reason Chuck Levin’s has been around so long– whether a large or small purchase (beyond these reeds, we’ve bought guitars and saxophones here)– the people that work here love music and are always eager to help. No matter if you are an established musician or a young kid just starting out, Chuck Levin’s is awesome.

This place has a good selection of instruments and helpful staff, but the reason they get a low mark in my book is that they don’t have prices on any of the guitars. None. I asked one of the salesmen about it, and he said it’s because Guitar Center comes in there regularly to take stock of their prices and undercut them. Problem is that when I’m shopping for an instrument, price is a consideration, and I start my search by sorting by which ones are within my price range, finding brands/​models I like, and test driving the instruments from there. That’s pretty much impossible here. It’s a shame, because I’d love to buy from them — the service is better than Guitar Center, but as a customer you have to be able to know what prices you’re dealing with.

If you’re looking for a specific type of gear they will probably have it. It will be crowded (and loud) on the weekends but weekdays around 5−6pm are excellent if you are looking to test out a new instrument and wish to properly hear tone quality. Added bonus is that staff will not hassle you when you are simply looking around.
They’ll treat you like a king if you are looking to buy something new, but look out otherwise as most salesmen give off a vibe which can only be described as «I hate my life and therefore hate you.» Beware if you have many questions as they are quick to be annoyed.
The store is one of a kind however, and they are willing to price match online offerings so I will be returning. Newbies may want to do a bit of research before making the trip so that it is a quick and painless visit.
Most sales are final, so again, make sure you do your research. Use the internet to research, use Chuck Levin’s for purchasing and actually trying out the product you want to buy.

Excellence. Your dictionary will define it as «the quality of being outstanding or extremely good; distinction, quality, superiority.» It is a word that fits quite naturally within a sentence that captures the essence of Chuck Levin’s Washington Music Center which I have come to fondly call «Levin’s».
A long time customer, I have seen this excellence on display in my purchases and consultation with guitars (acoustic and electric), stage equipment of all types and studio quality arrangers, workstations, audio and keyboard equipment and the proper computer systems that are integral to achieving the best quality recordings for which my original music requires. I have been delighted to work with Todd Elliot and Paul Schein in the purchase of many custom guitars including Taylor and Yamaha and I have most recently been amazed by the depth of knowledge, customer care and follow through with post purchase guidance and support of Messrs.’ Ed Spence and Brian Hessler in studio recording equipment and keyboard workstations.
To say I am a happy customer is the understatement of the year. In fact, as I said I have been a very satisfied customer for many, many years. I am also in addition to being a singer/​songwriter and published author, I am also a CPA and graduated at the top of my class from the finest business school in the State of Maryland, THE University of Baltimore. I can speak from a knowledgeable perspective that maintaining this high level of customer satisfaction over many years is what sets Chuck Levin’s apart. It means that there is a policy commitment from Mr. Levin that dictates that this high level of performance will be the «norm» and the «ordinary and customary» manner of doing business and that their customers can rely on it over the years and not just today or tomorrow. Its a commitment to Excellence; its a commitment to the customer; It’s a validation of the value of the pursuit to make art through music as well as we can make it. «Our Lord loves us most when we create» so lets create very nice things indeed!
A commitment to Excellence at Chuck Levin’s is a solid and reliable and long lasting foundation upon which artist and amateur alike can explore their own potential to create, to grow, to express, to aspire to communicate; with EXCELLENCE.
In closing let me say that I speak to you all sincerely as I go a bit out of my way to do business with Levin’s as I live now in Los Angeles. I have found that from the east coast to the west coast and all places in between, their is simply no better place to visit for your musical needs, no business more true to the conscripts of customer service and customer care, no finer group of professionals than those at THE Chuck Levin’s Washington Music Center.
And to all my friends, over all the years at «Levin’s, I wish you and all those you love, forever, Peace.
Chris Mentch.

I went to get some repairs done on my Parkers (guitars) and I’d be hard pressed to think of I time when I’ve had a worse experience. From the get go when I dropped them off there was one guy there who was very dismissive of what I was telling them I needed done. A week later I called to ask when they’d be ready and the tech on the phone said they’d be ready the next day. Lo and behold, I show up the next and I’m greeted by frankly a very rude tech who says they haven’t even started to work on them and that they won’t be ready anytime soon. So, annoyed, I drive home (40min, because I thought this would be the best place to get my guitars worked on in Virginia). Then, 3 hours later I get a call saying they’re ready. Ok, fine. I drive back up there to get my guitars. On one they didn’t even fix my scratchy volume pot AS I ASKED, they fixed some minor things and threw the larger gauge strings on there WITHOUT EVEN SLOTTING THE NUT FOR THEM. Now, on the other guitar, I needed a full rewire. Of the bat, they put the strings I asked for on the other guitar on this one, so I waited 30 minutes in their shop for them to slap new strings on them, which apparently takes half an hour. Next, of course, instead of the coil-​split I asked for, my humbuckers are now wired in parallel when engaged. Not only that, but they replaced the output jack (which I never asked them to do) and to no surprise at all, my guitar no longer functions in stereo. I have called the guitar shop during their business hours TWICE now and they have let it ring to voicemail both times. I would refute the charge on my credit card but honestly I am just so sick and tired of dealing with these people that I’d rather take the $ 150 loss and complain about it on the internet, so BE WARNED, I would rather have my instruments worked on by a blind guitar center tech than to ever step foot in that place again. If you love incompetence, and just general ambivalence about how you want your guitar to be, Chuck Levin’s is the place for you.

They provide quick and professional service with reasonable price!
I went there to fix my flute and the technician repaired it well and when I ordered a new flute, they actually offered a price match that I found it online.

This was my first visit back in over fifteen years. The store is cluttered and crowded as you enter. I came in today specifically looking for a used guitar. I asked a salesman where were the used guitars? He showed me a new Epiphone Les Paul with a cracked neck. Then he showed me some inexpensive new guitars. I was not interested in the price, I am in the market for something used. The salesman did not get that.

The knowledge, friendliness, prices, and selection are great. I learned so much just from talking to one of the staff. A family owned business that cares about its customers. Excellent store.

What is there to say? Simply the best. The best selection, the best prices, the best customer service.

Chuck likes to see smiles. Bring your private teacher that he might now. You’ll get special service. #smiles

The «repair» shop is an entire joke. If you need to have your equipment fixed then please, spare your money and find a different shop.
If you can’t keep up with your work then you are inefficient or your management needs to hire more people. I drove an HOUR so I can go to a shop that wasn’t a guitar center. Now I rather drive two hours to ensure I don’t waste my time to see that you have locked tour doors for the week because you are «backed up.»
Nice!

This. Place. Is. The. Best.
It’s June 2014, and I’m ready to buy all new instruments because I’m beginning my freshman year in a university music program, as well as sending my old flute to the repair shop to be overhauled so I could sell it.
The process actually began a month earlier, when I filled out the «Ask A Question» form on the website. Within days, I received a call from Alan Levin, the super nice, incredibly sarcastic son of Chuck who asked me which brands I preferred, my price range, etc. and arranged a time for me to come in and play test the flutes. Already, I’m very impressed with his initiative and customer service, even though I was merrily a potential customer, and hadn’t even bought anything yet. Fantastic.
We arrived later in the month to a bustling store, with employees everywhere, helping the plethora of patrons. In the time we were waiting (which was not long, might I add) that every employee was nothing but patient and incredibly helpful. Alan came down ten minutes later and brought me to a conference room upstairs, where I spent a good hour testing flutes, listening to the hilarious wisecracking advice from Alan, and left with a beautiful flute and piccolo. I spent about $ 12,000 in total. Pricey? duh. Music is not a cheap hobby (or profession!) I would pay it all over again, because it was that amazing and fun. The guys in the repair shop are also great-​they work at «diagnosing» your instruments quickly, and the pricing is fair.
Three weeks after my purchase, I received a call from Alan, asking me how my flute was working, and how I liked it. Folks, no music store does customer service better than this place, and I am, and will continue to buy all my musical goods here.

I’ve been buying gear here for years, and find that the prices are very reasonable (even when compared to online purchases), and the staff to be knowledgeable and willing to help you find the equipment suitable for your needs. They lean towards equipment for rock bands: i.e. guitars, basses, drums, mikes, effects, but have a wide variety of classical instruments as well. I bought a trumpet here decades ago that I still use. The guitar repair shop is king, I brought in a busted guitar that they repaired for a very reasonable price — service there was even better than the shop! As far as effects are concerned, check in with Mitch, he always has good advice.
I would definitely buy here rather than online because the prices are better, and it really is better to try the gear out before purchasing.

Well Chuck Levin made my dreams come true. Just dropped 4k in new gear here. There is no better place in DC or the adjacent 500 miles in any direction to buy your musical gear. Dear god in heaven its divine. First of all, unlike the other box store music outlets, Chucks has EVERYTHING YOU WANT, especially keyboards/​synths. First thing walking in there you get about 5 people asking to help. Everyone cracking jokes and being warm and loving musical smartasses. Then by God their selection on everything is overwhelming, which is the way it should be. All their demos work well too. Their sales staff actually play and kill it; many thanks to Julian in keyboards and a mighty shout out to that young man. G’damn he can play too. So if you aren’t aware, the heaviest hitters in music and production shop here. Stevie Wonder — if you need an example (you didn’t think Stevie would go to Guitar Center did you?) We went upstairs to the office and met some of Chucks family– I assume his son. And while its in DC metro, it feels like some by gone era where families run legacy businesses and actually give spirit and authenticity to the community. Bless you Chuck, your family, and the entire staff. I’ll be back to buy more stuff later this month!

This place is pretty much an institution in Montgomery County. While it may look a little run down from the outside, the inside is filled with a treasure trove of musical instruments and goodies. It’s worth braving the tiny parking lot with horrible parking and its kind of weird hours.
I used to come here often for guitar-​related things and have always been satisfied with both the selection and the employees. However, a few weeks ago, I came here to look at cajon brushes and keyboards. I swung by the drum section first in order to look for my cajon brushes. I was helped by an employee who was very friendly and helpful. He not only found the brushes I was looking for (I had looked in the area several times and couldn’t find them) but he also showed me some cool accessories for the cajon I didn’t know existed. He wasn’t trying to peddle them to me; I had asked about an accessory and he just showed me a lot of things I didn’t even think of. Since the cajon is a fairly specialized instrument, I was surprised that he knew so much about it. All the while, there was no pressure to buy any of the additional accessories I saw.
I purchased my brushes and went to the keyboard section. I could not have had a more different experience. There were three employees all sitting behind the counter. One was on the phone talking to another customer about keyboards. But the other two were just looking at things on the computer or fiddling around with random things. No «may I help you?» or anything. Actually, there wasn’t even an acknowledgement that I was in the room. Their loss though; I was ready to buy a keyboard immediately (it was for a church keyboard that died the week before) but had some questions I wanted to ask first. I ended up driving about fifteen minutes to the Rockville Guitar Center where I was helped (despite them being slammed with customers) and made a purchase.
Anyways, that was my most recent experience. The percussion section went above and beyond what I had expected to help me but the keyboard section didn’t even care to acknowledge me. But I’ll still give the place four stars as it has an incredible selection of instruments and accessories and has knowledgable salespeople. It’s a popular place for both amateurs and pros alike for good reason.

Just wanted to give a consumer response to the «owner comment» letter, in response to my original post:
If you want to genuinely be about good customer service, you should follow up on your written intention to assist a customer, instead of posting a public diatribe, attempting to make others THINK you were trying to be of assistance.
Having sent numerous emails attempting to contact you, I have received NO RESPONSE WHATSOEVER. I CALL FOUL.