Guitar Center

The clerk was really helpful and listen to my needs and recommend the best product for my son who will start soon to play piano. Good first experience will be coming back for sure

Seems they started to notice their poor rating over the Unilocal,even after it is too late to get their reputation back (if there was any before).
These guys are really amateur and unprofessional, they don’t know what you want and what you really care (but they do care about your pocket lol), for those who want to buy high end guitar, this is really not your place to go to (but hmm… still nice place to try because no one’s gonna disturb you).
The manager there is quite rude, still remembered that once I was going to adjust my guitar’s pickup for the UST unbalanced issue, while the unbalanced issue didn’t get any improved after the guitar tech did some simple sanding on the saddle, he insisted that the pickup was already balanced and charged me 15 bucks. He even took out a $ 1,800 Gibson to let me do comparison, and asked me to take care when I tried it because it was «expensive». I guess this poor guy has never seen a really expensive guitar or ever afforded to buy one.
So few weeks ago I went there to exchange a GS-​mini (because their poor storage in NY city when it was delivered it was fxxx dead dry), that manager was very impatient and asked me not to return the guitar again like the bad condition of the guitar they sold to me was all of my fault. After the exchange was unhappily done, when I rejected to purchase the funny protection plan he was quite surprised and further explained what it could do and asked me why I wouldn’t like to buy it. This query was so silly, I gently rejected him again but thought who the hell was gonna put the money in waste by purchasing the insurance for a GS-​mini? Even for hd28v I wouldn’t buy one because this plan does nothing to your guitar. That manager really needs to take some lesson to learn how to talk to people, especially his customers. Anyway I would never go here again.

Customer service is the worst, been waiting for 40 minutes to get a guitar appraised for my boyfriend, a guitar player for many years, and the sales clerk was explaining how volume knobs work… like really? Also the person that is supposed to be doing the appraisal hasn’t gotten out of his chair except to go to the room where they keep the amps and sit there for a bit. So thanks a lot to the lost little rascal and baby bop.

My husband (a life long musician) and I came to this store last weekend to check it out. None of the staff even noticed us, even when the hubby picked up and started playing a guitar. Obviously, these guys don’t work on commission. We were already out the first set of doors when the customer service girl looked up and asked if we found everything ok.

Visited this store to buy some ukulele picks and it took me over 30 minutes to do so, because Jorge, the cashier was a total MORON and a NASTY individual. He stops in the middle of the transaction to clear his throat of phlem and spits it in a trash bin that was by him, no apologies or excuses for this disgusting behavior! Then he proceeds to ask me all sorts of personal questions, and last he cheats me out of $ 1 when he finally gave me back my change! NEVER AGAIN!

This is one of the better Guitar Centers.
However, over the years the selection of higher quality guitars has decreased.
This Guitar Center is located near many affluent towns, so you would expect a larger inventory of higher-​end instruments for serious musicians and professionals.
Its located on a center island of Rt 22. The entrance is on the westbound side of 22. There’s plenty of parking, and a Sam Ash across the street if you want to price shop. Note that there are more guitars at the Guitar Center, where Sam Ash has more band instruments.
The store is clean and kept up well. I’ve found the staff to be mostly helpful and friendly.
As in most guitar stores, you will be treated to some beginner trying to play Sweet Child or Iron Man at full volume, while out of tune and missing most of the notes. But, that’s par for the course.
You can usually try to negotiate prices if you are serious about buying something, and don’t be afraid to ask for a manager if you want the best possible deal.

I’ll make this one pretty short and sweet. Ive had my share of problems with buying used gear from guitar center, but, since they’ve always offered a risk-​free 30 day policy if a piece of gear truly didn’t work, or had major issues, I took my chances. I ordered a Roland Gaia synth from this store (I live and work in Baltimore Maryland) — it was listed in ⁴⁄₅ star condition. (very good/​excellent)
Notwithstanding the missing knobs the unit (didn’t) come with, the unit came with a completely incorrect power supply. I called and asked about this and was told that the supply would work just fine. So — halfway into a gig, unit resets. then does it again, and again. The TC Electronic power supply used for the Roland unit apparently wasn’t up to snuff. I was certainly (and I think understandably) annoyed (but very polite when returning the unit to Towson — it wasn’t their fault — Jersey shipped the units with the missing knobs and wrong power supply) Apparently Towson coded the return as «buyer’s remorse» (Meaning I’m arbitrarily returning it with no reason other than I changed my mind… NOT SO — I wanted the unit, just a working unit) However. if by buyer’s remorse, they mean do I regret not having the proper power supply to use the unit correctly — yet, that’s true…
Then, to the real point, because they didn’t acknowledge fact the unit had an issue, they didn’t not refund me the shipping for the unit, as was always the policy with not working units. So, I’m out of pocket for the privledge of testing the theory of whether a Roland GAIA keyboard will work with a TC Electronic power supply designed for one of the guitar pedals.
I should’ve learned my lesson after receiving a fair amount of used equipment that was in terrible shape from various GC’s but, I always felt the risk was worth it because there was no penalty is something was truly not working or damaged. It doesn’t get much worse than having a unit consistently fail on a gig because a salesperson who obviously doesn’t understand power supplies wouldn’t acknowledge there was an issue, but, on my end, I am penalized… Now, there’s no chance in H88L of EVER taking a chance on a used piece from any of their stores— if they screw up and send you the wrong necessary power cable, refuse to acknowledge thats a problem, you’re going to be penalized –So, if you don’t want to be held to paying money for the privilege of trying a unit without even the correct accessories to make it work, don’t buy GC Used!

This Guitar Center has a sign on the door: «We sell the greatest feeling in the world.» I don’t know how other people feel about it, but being abjectly ignored is NOT the greatest feeling in the world. I walked in Ready To Buy a Taylor GS-​Mini (not merely window shopping, like the other 10 or 15 people in the place). I saw a Baby Taylor and a Little Martin in the same area, so I could have been persuaded that one or the other of those might have suited my needs just as well. Nevertheless, I would have walked out with one of them (actually, I would have had to order it because I’m a lefty), but they would have had another sale. But no one said «Can I help you?» Or «Hi, how are you?» Or «I’ll be with you in a minute.» No one said a damn thing. So I left and went to Chick-​Fil-​A.
When all brick and mortar stores have finally bitten the dust and Amazon is the only place left to buy anything, this, and experiences like it, will be part of the narrative.
No stars, if I could have.

I know it wasn’t much but I walked in looking for a gift card. (I don’t play instruments) the guy by the door pointed me in the direction, there was a cashier ready, I was in and out in less than three minutes. It looked clean, plenty of staff, and instruments everywhere. Plenty of parking and Sam ash across the street? I suppose if you’re look big for something this is a good place to go.

A very, very generous 2 stars for disrespectful, smug, and ultimately dishonest salespeople.
Why so drastic? Where should we start… I am back at home from New York. The first time I went to brush up my gentle, budding studio. I was looking for a condenser mic and a sound card. Mac (whose overconfident attitude made me wonder if he’d live up to his name) told me some useful things, some of which I knew, some of which I didn’t. My dad also asked some questions about why you would need a soundcard as an interface when recording, etc etc. I contributed my knowledge to the discussion as well– at least a third of the time it was me. But none of that mattered, because Mac would rather make a show of pretending I don’t exist, and continuing to bro-​bond with my dad, man-​thumping him at the end of the info-​session, as if we are at some kind of music awards ceremony. I don’t know if people think I wouldn’t pick up on this level of disrespect, or if they knew I would but didn’t care. You know, because maybe their archetypal self-​image as a rapper-​by-​night depends on having plenty of girl musicians around to talk down to.
He then goes on to try and push a designer microphone that is around 400 dollars, when I said more than once that my budget was 100 and under. Incredibly, his reply is «well, this one is a great starter mic.» and then another pearl: «I always tell people… its better to go slowly than not to go at all» What luck of mine, to stumble upon such a clairvoyant musical guru! The infinite blessings! It makes me want to go zen-​meditate until steam comes out of my ears.
Of course, maybe in his mind he can pull off these kind of boys-​club glory stunts because he’s the best rapper Jersey never heard of. About to blow up real big! I wish he would, and get out of a position where he is relied upon for integrity. And an actual good nature, not an insatiable and transparent desire to be better than others. People don’t come to music stores often… it’s like buying an engagement ring.
If I am going to buy a piece of equipment I will continue to bond with for years, and you decide to come in between that. Well… you get two stars, and a lot of heat.
And even that is a gift, a GIFT, only because I don’t want to be too extreme, and I also know that this kind of sales dynamic is becoming scarce and that is a damn shame… I guess.

I’ve purchase a classical guitar and most recently, a ukulele from this location. They were willing to not only match the price I found at another place for the ukulele but beat it! Then about a week later, I received a follow up email on my purchase checking in to see if everything is okay. Easy, friendly, personalized shopping is what will keep me coming back. Would recommend.

So I have been going to this location for years. The drum section is great, pro audio is decent, and the rest of the store is mediocre. What I have a real problem with is customer service over the phone, and having the sales people check the in-​store inventory. I live closer to the Somerville Circle location, and customer service at that one is horrible. I have been lied to over the phone about «new in box» products, and inventory, which is unacceptable. At the Springfield location, they have somewhat knowledgeable salespeople, but nothing that great. I would not recommend buying any high quality gear from Guitar Center. If you need a decent drum set, decent PA, a decent guitar, and so on, they are ok, but there are much better stores around that you can shop at. For better customer service and higher quality gear go to Sweetwater, B&H Photo/​Video, or Canal Hi-​Fi.

well i knew what i wanted… went in to get a fender… i got the one i wanted. but what blew me away was how awesome these people were… real helpful and very cordial… i highly rate them… and do have a bit of research on your side as to what models you’re looking for… it’ll help both sides to have the best outcome… i know i did… i even got a nice discount on the guitar… woohoo…

Good selection of gear. Personally I have had some bad experiences and sales staff that lie through their teeth to sell anything but really that seems to be a corporate policy at GC say you can’t blame staff. But there are good people in every store and this store is no exception.
Good place to test drive gear before shopping online. Unless you have never played an instrument or didn’t just wake up from a ten year coma don’t even bother asking questions. They will just tell you whatever you want to hear to get you to buy something.
But again you can’t compete with GC and Sam Ash inventory in person.