Guitar Center Reviews 

2,919
TrustScore 3.5 out of 5

3.5

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Looking at 314 reviews, most reviewers were somewhat happy with their experience overall. Consumers frequently praise the store staff for being exceptionally knowledgeable, helpful, and genuinely attentive during in-store visits. Many people deeply appreciate the expert guidance provided when choosing musical instruments, testing equipment, and completing purchases. Some reviewers were not happy with online orders and general fulfillment communication issues. Several buyers reported receiving used gear missing essential components like power supplies, manuals, or protective cases. Additionally, a few consumers also mentioned receiving faulty equipment that clearly lacked proper inspection prior to shipping. These ongoing problems with product consistency often created frustrating situations for customers expecting reliable service.

What people talk about most

Product

Reviewers highlight ambiguous aspects of product, reflecting a split opinion among buyers. Some consumers... See more

Staff

People report positive experiences with staff, highlighting their professionalism, extensive knowledge, and... See more

Order

Clients share ambiguous opinions on order, as experiences vary significantly between smooth transactions and... See more

Customer service

Customers had ambiguous experiences with customer_service, reflecting a wide range of opinions. While many... See more

Service

Users describe ambiguous interactions with service, reflecting a wide range of differing experiences. Many... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Bought a Shure Mic WITH Waranty 7 months ago..it broke...after a Day with no luck..I got In Touch with Jason at the Peoria store....He Immediately took care of the problem...and switched the Defective... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Valerie made our shopping experience—buying my 14 year old son his first acoustic guitar—stress-free and fun. We appreciated how educated they were about guitars and that they genuinely loved to share... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Josh helped set up up with a free mini lesson with Zac. My daughter has wanted to try guitars for a long time. Well, it was a great experience. We decided to offically start lessons. Josh helped set... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Matchable to Yamaha 88 Key Case for $40 less and included Special 2-day handling - Priceless. All information was accurately entered, Visa struggle on the numbers is the Card issue - not service ce... See more

Company replied


Company details

  1. Music Store

Written by the company

Guitar Center offers great deals on guitars and other musical instruments including bass guitars, keyboards, and amplifiers


Contact info

3.5

Average

TrustScore 3.5 out of 5

3K reviews

5-star
4-star
3-star
2-star
1-star

Asks customers to review

This company invites their customers to review, whether positive or negative

Replied to 95% of negative reviews

Typically replies within 1 week

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3.5

All reviews

(2,919)

293 reviews in the last 12 months

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Order #GCSF0003138360


Order #: GCSF0003138360
Zach Welch helped me with my bass guitar and case purchase. He was able to get me some discounts to help with the price a bit. The bass was perfect. However, the case sent was a cheap road runner case for a guitar, not bass.
Zach told me I could go to the local GC and they could exchange it out. I got everything squared away with the local store and got my case a couple days ago. I’m very pleased with Zach’s help. Despite the case hiccup, I still rate this 5/5

June 5, 2026
Unprompted review
Guitar Center logo

Reply from Guitar Center

Thank you so much for the 5-star review!

We truly appreciate your kind words. Providing great service and making sure our customers feel confident in the products they choose is always our top priority. It means a lot to know that you felt well taken care of during your visit.

We look forward to hearing from you again soon! 🎶

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Outstanding!

I would like to recognize Javier and the entire team at the Emeryville Guitar Center for their outstanding customer service and professionalism.

Javier's consistency is impeccable. He is always welcoming, hospitable, patient, and extremely knowledgeable. Every time I visit the store, he takes the time to listen to my needs and guides me in the right direction with honest, accurate information. His recommendations have always helped me make the right decisions for my DJ equipment and audio needs.

What stands out most is the leadership Javier demonstrates. The entire staff reflects the same level of professionalism, courtesy, and expertise. They operate like a well-oiled machine, creating a positive and comfortable experience every time I walk through the doors.

As a long-term customer, I am proud to continue doing business with the Emeryville location. The exceptional service provided by Javier and his team is the reason I always look forward to returning. They truly make me feel like part of the Guitar Center family.

Thank you, Javier, and thank you to the entire Guitar Center Emeryville team for your dedication, professionalism, and outstanding customer care. It is greatly appreciated!

June 8, 2026
Unprompted review
Guitar Center logo

Reply from Guitar Center

Thank you so much for the 5-star review!

We truly appreciate your kind words. Providing great service and making sure our customers feel confident in the products they choose is always our top priority. It means a lot to know that you felt well taken care of during your visit.

We look forward to seeing you again soon! 🎶

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I purchased a used guitar

I purchased a used guitar. The store noticed the pickup switch didn’t work. The store contacted me by email. I called and they offered to fix it. They still had it shipped to me very quickly!

June 5, 2026
Unprompted review
Guitar Center logo

Reply from Guitar Center

Thank you so much for the 5-star review!

We truly appreciate your kind words. Providing great service and making sure our customers feel confident in the products they choose is always our top priority. It means a lot to know that you felt well taken care of during your visit.

We look forward to hearing from you again soon! 🎶

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Do not go to the Orem

Do not go to the Orem, Utah Guitar Center…or any other. Do not shop online. I used to love the place, but they suck so bad now. Last week I tried to buy about 2500.00 worth of recording equipment , speakers and drums online and pick up in store. Like I usually do, but the site was messed up. It took me 90 minutes to figure out that it wasn’t going to let me buy anything. So, I hoped in my truck and drove 50 miles to the Orem, UT store to see if I could get some of it there. There was one employee on the sales floor with a bunch of customers shopping and two waiting at the counter to be rung up. 5 minutes passed, I knocked on the backroom where it looked like about six were standing talking about cars? I asked for some help, they acted urgent and said they would be right there. Another 5 minutes passed, there are 5 of us at the registers. 4 with stuff they just wanted to buy. I went to the one employee on the sales floor and said I was going to leave, if someone doesn’t come out immediately. He made a call and an annoyed little snowflake came out and rolled his eyes. He walked right up to this little brat who was arguing with the rest of us to b his order in waiting, and talked to him. Took forever to sell the pick strings. By the time he was ready for the next customers they had all put their stuff down and left. I told him no thanks and left…forever!!! I will never spend another cent at Guitar Center!!! They’ve been foing downhill for awhile, they have finally hit the shithole level. Went to Sweetwater online in the truck right after. Had everything I needed, some stuff I wanted and the best customer service I’ve experienced since Nordstrom. Oh, It cost about 350.00 less than Guitar Center!!!!

May 30, 2026
Unprompted review
Guitar Center logo

Reply from Guitar Center

Hello Eric! I’m sorry for the inconvenience you experienced at our Orem location. Please email us at YourVoice@GuitarCenter.com with the details of your order, along with your preferred contact method, and we’ll have management follow up with you. Thank you.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Above and Beyond Support in Fixing an Order Mix-Up

I had an excellent experience at Guitar Center Kansas City thanks to Phoebe.

I placed an online order for a used amplifier, but there was a listing error in the system and it was incorrectly identified. I called the store and Phoebe went above and beyond to help resolve the issue. She personally pulled the amp from inventory to inspect it and confirmed its condition was great. After identifying the mismatch, she promptly canceled the original order and ensured the correct item was reordered without any hassle.

On top of that, she personally walked the item through to the shipping area to make sure it was processed correctly and would ship at the earliest opportunity. Throughout the entire process, she was professional, attentive, and extremely kind.

Her customer service was outstanding from start to finish, and she made what could have been a frustrating situation completely smooth and stress-free. Thank you, Phoebe, for your help and for going the extra mile!

June 8, 2026
Unprompted review
Guitar Center logo

Reply from Guitar Center

Thank you so much for the 5-star review!

We truly appreciate your kind words. Providing great service and making sure our customers feel confident in the products they choose is always our top priority. It means a lot to know that you felt well taken care of during your visit.

We look forward to seeing you again soon! 🎶

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Rated 3 out of 5 stars

Hello

Hello, I ordered a Spector Icon ns 5 and I was wondering when it will start shipping to me. I have made my order a week ago and would like to know more about it.

June 1, 2026
Unprompted review
Guitar Center logo

Reply from Guitar Center

Hello ____! I’m sorry for the inconvenience you experienced with your recent online order. Please email us at YourVoice@GuitarCenter.com with the details of your order, and we will follow up with you. Thank you.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Super helpful

Super helpful, from setting up lessons for my son to purchasing him guitar, the customer service was beyond great.

June 1, 2026
Unprompted review
Guitar Center logo

Reply from Guitar Center

Thank you so much for the 5-star review!

We truly appreciate your kind words. Providing great service and making sure our customers feel confident in the products they choose is always our top priority. It means a lot to know that you felt well taken care of during your visit.

We look forward to seeing you again soon! 🎶

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I'll never use synchrony again

I'll never use synchrony again. They never sent me my first email statement for my first payment and have now charged me a $30 late fee and they refuse to refund it. And of course they did send me a past due statement. They have lost a customer. Will Guitar Center make this right for me or will you all have lost a customer too???

June 5, 2026
Unprompted review
Guitar Center logo

Reply from Guitar Center

Hello Joe! I’m sorry for the inconvenience you experienced with Synchrony. Please email us at YourVoice@GuitarCenter.com with the details of your order, and we will follow up with you. Thank you.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Total failure

Total failure - the question is whose fault it was, Fed Ex’s (highly likely) or Guitar Center’s:

In anticipation of my new band’s debut show on June 5th, I ordered a $2,000 Marshall Combo Tube Amp. It shipped out on 5/24 with a final destination of Guitar Center in North Charleston, SC. Package tracking showed it arrive in Charlotte last Wednesday then there were no tracking updates. This weekend came and nothing. After multiple phone calls to Fed Ex, the tracking was updated to show that my amp had been inexplicably shipped to Bloomington, California, which eliminated any chance of me receiving the amp in time for my show.

Meanwhile, I had also ordered a Fender Squier Jazzmaster 12 String from Sweetwater Music (because Guitar Center did not offer the color that I wanted). It arrived today with no issues in plenty of time to be show-ready.

May 31, 2026
Unprompted review
Guitar Center logo

Reply from Guitar Center

Hello! I apologize for the experience you have had with your recent purchase. Please email us at YourVoice@GuitarCenter.com with the details along with the contact method you prefer, and we can get this addressed for you by management.
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. Again, we're sorry for the inconvenience you've experienced.

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great salesman

Great salesman, Steve worked on this for me and got done in a timely manner

June 1, 2026
Unprompted review
Guitar Center logo

Reply from Guitar Center

Thank you so much for the 5-star review!

We truly appreciate your kind words. Providing great service and making sure our customers feel confident in the products they choose is always our top priority. It means a lot to know that you felt well taken care of during your visit.

We look forward to seeing you again soon! 🎶

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I bought a lot from guitar center for…

I bought a lot from guitar center for years and years and sold gear to the store as well I'm about to buy more from guitar center again, I'm glad your store is still in Seattle Washington guitar center is easy to get what I'm looking for in instrument and pro gear.

May 31, 2026
Unprompted review
Guitar Center logo

Reply from Guitar Center

Thank you so much for the 5-star review!

We truly appreciate your kind words. Providing great service and making sure our customers feel confident in the products they choose is always our top priority. It means a lot to know that you felt well taken care of during your visit.

We look forward to seeing you again soon! 🎶

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I purchased a (over $3.000) guitar…

I purchased a (over $3.000) guitar online that was listed as being in "good condition"—rated a 9 out of 10—despite the fact that I had asked for confirmation multiple times. When I received the guitar, I found that: the top was cracked; the bridge had been re-glued, the neck as separation, and the repair work was abysmal; the electronics were non-original and defective; and the instrument was covered in scratches and dings. I returned it, yet the very next day, it was back up for sale without a single one of these issues being mentioned. The only word—and the most fitting one—to describe Guitar Center is: SCAMMERS.

May 19, 2026
Unprompted review
Guitar Center logo

Reply from Guitar Center

Hello! We apologize for the experience you have had with your recent purchase. Please email us at YourVoice@GuitarCenter.com with the details along with the contact method you prefer, and we can get this addressed for you by management.
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. Again, we're sorry for the inconvenience you've experienced.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Gina and the crew are some good people …

Gina and the crew are some good people …hard workers

They assisted me with my gm800 synth … I’ll be returning to pick up the other 2 items I ordered in a few days

Cheers !

May 30, 2026
Unprompted review
Guitar Center logo

Reply from Guitar Center

Thank you so much for the 5-star review!

We truly appreciate your kind words. Providing great service and making sure our customers feel confident in the products they choose is always our top priority. It means a lot to know that you felt well taken care of during your visit.

We look forward to seeing you again soon! 🎶

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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

The wrong item was sent

The wrong item was sent. Wrong resin

May 29, 2026
Unprompted review
Guitar Center logo

Reply from Guitar Center

Hello! We apologize for the experience you have had with your recent purchase. Please email us at YourVoice@GuitarCenter.com with the details along with the contact method you prefer, and we can get this addressed for you by management.
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. Again, we're sorry for the inconvenience you've experienced.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Kelby Durnin was very helpful in…

Kelby Durnin was very helpful in checking to see if something in stock would meet my need and then ordering what would.

May 27, 2026
Unprompted review
Guitar Center logo

Reply from Guitar Center

We love to hear it! Thanks for letting us know that Kelby is doing a great job taking care of our customers!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Valerie made our shopping…

Valerie made our shopping experience—buying my 14 year old son his first acoustic guitar—stress-free and fun. We appreciated how educated they were about guitars and that they genuinely loved to share what they knew, as well as their passion. We purchased a Yamaha and couldn’t be happier. Thanks!

May 25, 2026
Unprompted review
Guitar Center logo

Reply from Guitar Center

That's Great! We love to hear that we made things easy. We'll make sure that Valerie gets credit for a job well done.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Excellent customer service.

Excellent customer service.
It was a wonderful experience.

Mario Pinto.

May 28, 2026
Unprompted review
Guitar Center logo

Reply from Guitar Center

We love to hear it! Thanks for the review!

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Store environment was very good staff…

Store environment was very good staff was very attentive and patient to answer every question I had

May 27, 2026
Unprompted review
Guitar Center logo

Reply from Guitar Center

Happy to hear that we made you feel welcome and were able to get you taken care of!

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

False advertising

The listing said that a case was included. It arrived without a case and absolutely filthy and unplayable. I was more than willing to clean it and set it up, but for the money spent, I wanted everything that was advertised in the listing. I reached about the case and the store lied and said that there wasn’t one in the listing. The person in the help chat, Tyler S, was no help at all. Never again. If my locally owned shop or Sweetwater doesn’t have it, I don’t need it.

UPDATE: Don’t bother reaching out to the email they provide in their canned responses on negative reviews here. They won’t respond

May 25, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I was helped by Michael

I was helped by Michael. He was awesome to work with. Made the process very easy. Answered all the questions I had and was able to introduce me to Mason the roland rep. Will definitely come back and shop based on this experience.

May 27, 2026
Unprompted review
Guitar Center logo

Reply from Guitar Center

That's great! We love hearing that you had a great experience.

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