I stopped into this place today thinking I'd give the "small guy" a shot vs the bigger box guitar Chain stores. Lesson learned - stick to the devil you know. As for guitars they had shit selection for anything even remotely affordable. read more

Every few months, something of mine breaks down. A guitar's buzzing for no reason, power supply on a P.A is shot. Or sometimes I just feel like getting a guitar set up after years of it sitting in the closet. I take my gear here every time. And without fail, they repair everything quickly, professionally and very reasonably priced. Accessories? They got 'em. Strings, picks, cables, pedals. You name it. I've met both owners, each with their own personalities, and I always found them to be professional. I wouldn't be returning often if they were anything less. Guitar Center isn't far, but these guys do such great work that I couldn't dare to go anywhere else. read more

Freedom Guitar is San Diego's premiere, and quintessential vintage guitar and instrument store. Offering a variety of instruments, and accessories, the 45 year veteran store owners Dewey and Les Bowen provide exceptional old school, personalized customer service, and have a host of skilled technicians, like Rudy, to effectively service a variety of instruments and amps. The prices are very reasonable, and the inventory offers a wide range of singularly unique, and vintage guitars, and instruments. If you are shopping for an instrument, or need yours' serviced, Freedom Guitar is the place to go, and a must see stop when in San Diego. Professor T read more

I had an issue with Freedom Guitar about a year and a half ago when I lost my younger brother. We had lost our mother in in a botched surgery a little while before this and my little brother never did recover from his loss. He's been involved in bands and the local music scene since he was 13. Avid guitarist and all around composer. Well he let the best get to him and developed a drug habit as an easy way out. He was a good kid, but unfortunately towards the end he had sold both his and my guitars to support his habit. He took mine to Freedom Guitar and his to Guitar Center in La Mesa. I called Guitar Center and told them the situation and that my little brothers guitar had great sentimental value and if I could purchase it back. Without hesitation the woman offered to sell it back to me at cost, no questions asked. She was amazing, and I'll never forget her generocity. Freedom on the other hand.. well I had told them the story and came in with my original receipt of purchase with my john hancock printed right on it and asked if I could buy my guitar back for a reasonable price. They told me there'd be a 250 dollar mark up on it. Outraged I told them, legally, it was stolen from me and was never theirs to begin with. They we're incredibly rude to me telling me "that's life, bud. and this is a business, not a charity". My father had to come back in to buy the guitar back because I couldn't keep my composure. My entire family is involved in, and plays music and have all bought from Freedom Guitar over the years. Never again, will I, or anybody close to me, or my family, step foot in this establishment again. In response to the other poster, if god is to take retribution on anybody it'd surely be this shop owner. If I remember correctly greed is one of the 7 deadly sins. -Matthew Wick read more

So, I hadn't been to this place in years--I live in LA now--but just the other day, when visiting San Diego, I drove by it again, marveling that it was still open. I wondered if maybe they had gotten any less unpleasant, mellowed over time maybe... I considered actually stopping in again. Then, randomly, I logged into my Yelp account for the first time in a while, and found a personal message from Sylvester, the guy who was such a jerk that day. This message was sent three years after my original visit & review, so apparently he's had some time to consider it. Here is the full text of the message: From Sylvester B., Owner: is your bad music still making all amps shut down???? Awesome, right? Some companies provide support & customer service after sale, but Freedom Guitar promises you years of insults. Good to know some things never change! For the record, I'm still pretty much the same mediocre guitar player I was way back when, and my bad music has yet to destroy any other amps. :-D Also, God has yet to deliver that vengeance as originally promised, so I guess the Big Guy is taking more of a long-game approach... read more

To be honest I've never liked them & they have a bad reputation. However, they do have a lot of inventory, & if you just have to have something & can't find it anywhere else, you could do worse... read more

Several bad experiences at this place, not counting the multiple wasted trips because they are not actually open the set hours they advertise. With Guitar Trader closing last year, there's not much choice in San Diego for the required accessories associated with playing guitar. Sadly, my bad experiences with Freedom and Marks has left me feeling bitter towards local music shops and I'm better off shopping online and risking quality since I can't try anything first. Example: Brought in a $200 hihat stand to trade towards a pedal. They offered me $15 for it, and STILL expected over full retail for the pedal. I ended up selling the stand on ebay for $160 and buying the pedal for $40 less. It's not "High-End", just marked up really high. read more

We've been renting instruments for my little sister there for a while now, they offer excellent customer service and are very friendly people. Just recently I went back to return an instrument and the owner (I think) was so nice and gave me some guitar strings for free! hehe:) They have a huge inventory and great quality stuff... I would recommend this place to anyone and everyone!! Thanks again for your great customer service! God bless you all:) read more

If you walk into Freedom Guitar, bring your A-Game. Sylvester will twist you inside out, and ring out your pockets, but they do have some real gems in that store. They need to dust that place though. The guys here are really helpful, but you have to watch your back with Sylvester. He is lurking with bad intentions!!!! The guitar tech, Rudy is an A-1 repair man. He works quickly, and reliably. read more

Couldn't find Jazz Bass pickup covers and a threaded saddle bridge anywhere - and I mean anywhere - else locally. They got me fully set up with everything I was after and I was out the door in minutes. What I really didn't enjoy was paying 60% over MSRP... next time I may be a little less impatient and buy online; I might still come out ahead even with expedited shipping. read more

I've lived pretty close to freedom guitar for a few years and I'm still puzzled by all the really nasty experiences I have heard from many people who have done business with them. So far, they guys (Syllvester, the guy with the glasses and the young guy with the glasses and fuzz) have all been pretty chill guys. I've tried some neat gear.. 60s mustang bass, 1980s japanese fenders and that old fender rhodes that's now gone from that.. I agree with the majority that the prices in the store are not that reasonable.. the most i've really purchased were some guitar cables, picks and some books but I have gone here to repair my tele or my p-bass and they have been really reasonable with their set up charges.. I even got a discount on a monster cable once for being a loyal customer? (yeah like once every two months haha) this store does carry a really large amount of things and has a lot of history.. I know joe perry from aerosmith recently purchased an amp there.. and some guy from some 80s hair metal band used to frequent the story daily when he was a kid.. haha anyways check it out for the selection.. theres always random stuff to find in the store (old pedals, old junky guitars, random pickups, cases etc...) read more

Run away!!!! I sent these guys a request for some pictures of a 1958 les paul they were offering, along with an offer of cash plus a nice PRS private stock....here is the response they sent me via ebay (along with my original question)...note they go by vintageheadquarters on ebay, "what for so you can bitch! bitch" - vintageheadquarters Click "respond" to reply through Messages, or go to your email to reply From: ------------ To: vintageheadquarters Subject: Other: oasis*guitar sent a message about 1958 Les Paul Special-Gibson #400258319178 Sent Date: Dec-30-11 06:05:46 PST Dear vintageheadquarters, Hi, Could you please send more photos to (e-mail removed). As many detailed photos as you have (including electronics) would be great! Thanks.... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I think that pretty much says it all. What a joke! Go to lakeshore guitars or Jimmy Wallace or (insert reputable, non douche bag, vintage guitar dealer here).... UPDATE... the guy replied back apologizing... He indicated that his e-mail was intended for different customer and was sent to me by mistake... Not sure that makes it any better but oh well... Good luck dealing with these guys. read more

My experience with Freedom Guitars was partially my fault. Although I agree with all of the bad reviews, in my case I really didn't do my homework which included yelping a business to determine whether or not I should do business with them. Being new to San Diego and having a gig coming up soon I made the mistake of purchasing an item there (I needed to return it because it failed for a useless store credit). I would warn people to simply do your homework, their prices are outrageously overpriced and the gear is not well maintained. Hopefully this review and the others will encourage FG to step up their game. read more

I bought my first guitar here many moons ago. I take my stuff to get fixed here all the time. The guys have always been very friendly to me? confused by all the low ratings. read more

I love Matt so I Just Say No to Freedom Guitars. Go to Dusty's Music in Oceanside instead... the drive is well worth the selection and wonderful, knowledgeable customer service! read more

I had a totally positive experience at Freedom Guitar. Sylvester was friendly, knowledgeable, and made me feel like a long-time customer, even though this was my first time visiting his shop. I was apprehensive when I read some of the reviews on Yelp, but my experience was 100% positive. read more

Great prices, knowledgeable guys, and wouldn't go anywhere else if I had a choice. Picture is my son playing my Dad's guitar he got from Japan when he was in the Navy! read more

Freedom Guitar - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - San Diego, California

Very knowledgeable, and nice people. It might depend on the workers there. So there's this old guy there who I told him I was leaving for the military and he got me a case for an average price. Then I asked him I'll come back in a week to install a pick up. He's like cool it should take around $40 for half an hour. I was like aright. Then I come back in a week. He seemed like he already forgot I came in last week and I asked about installing a pick up. He said that they charge $80 and hour so I assume they would only do it for $40 still. Then I come back to get my ukulele, and it's $125. Wow, I gave him the parts and everything to have it done. Maybe he charged me labor for an hour which is $80 plus a $2 battery for $45? T.T read more

(1) Way overpriced. (2) a fairly large percentage of things shown on their web site simply isn't there. read more

Took my Casio keyboard in for a repair. The service was friendly and super quick - the repairman was there at the time and fixed it within the hour. Price was extremely reasonable and much less than expected. Overall great experience and will be back in the future for any repairs. read more

I've been to Freedom Guitar three times over the last several years. The first time I visited the store was such a negative experience that I did not return for about 3 years. I was treated like I did not belong there without even getting a chance to try anything out. I entered the store ready to spend upwards of $1k on a vintage amp I saw online and when I asked to try it out the response was, "well, are you going to buy it?" How am I supposed to know until I try it out? Why would I walk into your store instead of just buying something unseen off Ebay? I felt like the attitude was old fashioned, eletist, and condescending. If they want to run a good 'ol boys club instead of a customer - oriented shop, that's fine, but they're losing business and I don't understand why they choose to do this. I gave them another chance a couple more times in recent years and fared little better; just glares, attitude and overpriced gear. I really wanted to like this place. Now I just stick to Moze guitars, where I was welcomed warmly from the start and able to create a friendly relationship with all of the great guys who work there and who appreciate my loyalty. I tell people to steer clear of this place and recommended them elsewhere. read more

I brought my 1979 Music Man stingray to sell because I fell on hard times. The skinny guy with glasses on the side laughed at my instrument and said my USA made bass was worthless compared to Fender( who says that to a customer) anyways they got behind the computer and said they were only going for $300.00 on eBay witch I know was a lie. Because I searched eBay before leaving the house. But I had to sell because I need cash in a hurry. Hey gave me $300.00 Bottom line they ripped my ass off. I felt like shit leaving without my bass I had for over 10 years. I went back 3 weeks later to see the price they had on it and maybe I could buy it back. It was there and the price tag was at $1,200.00 I will never go there. Stay clear of that place read more

'Line 6 authroized dealer' is the ONLY reason I chose to use this place. They should call this place 'Hostage Gear', not Freedom Guitars. I dropped off the amp for repair in the second week of December. Got a call 2 days before Christmas to pick it up. $95.00 charge. Got it home and within 10 minutes, it was dead again. Brought it back in. Repair guy (who speaks with a thick accent and broken English) can't figure out what's wrong with it. I had to make suggestions to see if he was testing it properly. (He hadn't done what I suggested, by the way!) He recommended I replace the entire board since he can't figure it out. My GOD, if you have a guy who can't speak the language, don't have him be your point of contact for your customers! Anyway weeks go by. No calls. So I call them to find out what's going on. I get the excuse that Line 6 is closed for inventory for a week. Gee, thanks for letting me know! More weeks go by, still no calls. I call them again. I get a new excuse that Line 6 is closed for the entire month and will not ship any parts. OK, finally I get a call on February 10th that the damn thing is ready. At an additional cost of $133.00. Save yourself time, money and aggravation. Go anywhere but here! Jeff is the ONLY bright spot at this establishment. Nice guy. The main guy was rude and dismissive. (Sylvester, I think.) He told me that it was Line 6 that I was upset with, not his store. Yeah, keep deluding yourself, buddy if that helps you sleep at night. Do yourself a favor and bring your business to a place that actually appreciates your patronage, NOT to Freedom Guitars! NEVER AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! One more thing...don't pay cash. Your credit card may be your only avenue of dispute with these jerks! read more

BEWARE - Bought a $1600 USED Ampeg from these guys which come to find out is about $250 too much. They said they did a full overhaul AND changed the tubes, so I decided to buy it disregarding the high price. Brought it home to play and it cuts out after about 15 minutes of playing it every time I use it. They had already told me they replaced the tubes so they couldnt use that line on me. They instead said that they would look at repairing it but any parts AND LABOR would come out of my own pocket. Ampeg themselves told me that it is impossible to fix the problem without a whole new circuit board (basically a whole new amp). That same day, my brother bought a Jackson from these guys - once again, about $200 - $250 too much. Went to have the action lowered and a fret job because of buzzing frets. The guys at Top Gear told us the neck isnt just bent - its TWISTED! There is no way they even looked at that guitar before putting it on the shelf unless, of course, they knew very well and just didnt care. If you want a piece of used gear you're better off on Ebay, and if you need any servicing, setups, repairs no business in San Diego is better than Top Gear. read more

I've done business with Dewey and Ves since about 1972 when they first opened down on Market St between 4th and 5th. I'm still playing and love my D45 I bought from Dewey 27 years ago! I understand some off the rookie comments by some of the reviewers - but I suggest it is a learning process. You folks need to understand you are walking into a real business with experienced traders whose purpose for being there is to make money. My feathers were wrinkled when I first visited Freedom nearly 40 years ago, nevertheless I returned and learned how to do business with them and I've enjoyed a good and respectful relationship ever since! You need to really know what you are doing, and the real market value of what you are trading adjusted to wholesale. If Freedom can't sell your gear marked up for profit they won't buy it! that's business! I will continue shopping at Freedom because I know what I'm doing and I understand where they are coming from. I understand Ves's personality - life has not been a bed of roses for these guys, if you only knew! I count Dewey Bowen among my old and valued friend's. Nevertheless, if he can get the best of me in a deal I know he will. It really boils down to what I'm willing to accept. In the meantime, if we treat each other with respect it goes along way. The guys at Freedom will pick up on it if you talk to them respectfully and personably. If you are real, they will be too. If you are a rookie, hot shot, think you know it it all and they smell blood - you are dead meat! My hats off to the Bowen Bros and staff for all the years serving musicians in southern CA. I plan to visit soon and make a deal! Don' be shy! Last of all, I have traded and purchased countless guitars and amps at Freedom - Marshall's, Hi-watts, Fenders, Acoustic, Gibson's (electric and acoustic), Martins, Guild, and Gretsch over the years. What a blast playing and trading all this stuff! I only gave them 4 stars because nobody gets 5 stars! on a personal level though I give them 5! - Gary Newman read more

I do not recommend them at all. I was referred to them by Casio since they are a middle-man for Casio parts. I ordered a part (gave them the number and photos of the part) and they ordered the wrong part. I returned it and they ordered the right part. When that came in and did not fix the problem with the keyboard they said they would not accept a return. I was never told that they would not accept a return. Very disappointed. They told me "the industry does not accept return on parts" yet they failed to mention it at any time. I will never do business with them again and I recommend you go anywhere but Freedom Guitar. Bad experience, very dissatisfied. read more

"Caveat emptor -- let the buyer beware!" should be the Freedom Guitar unofficial motto. Essentially everything used is sold "as-is" with no guarantees whatsoever, which is somewhat uncustomary. Do not expect anything to have been tested or tweaked. Do not expect anything you purchase to work once you get it out the door. Do not expect that any defects or deficiencies in your purchase will be or even can be repaired. You are better off price-wise buying from a reasonably reputable eBay outfit, and probably are not taking much more of a chance, because at least you KNOW that at Freedom they will not stand behind anything they sell, whereas an unknown entity might. Sad that they have been doing business this way for over four decades because they know that there is always "another one" coming along. read more

If I could give a negative star rating I would. Sylvester, the owner ripped me off and screwed up my guitar. I have a project guitar with a bolt on neck that I bought without a neck plate. I drove by the store and stopped in to see if they had a neck plate that would fit. The plate is a unique size and they didn't have one that would fit so Sylvester said he could make one that would work. The guitar also needed some wiring to be done for some EMG pickups. All told, he said it would be an hour and a half of labor charged. I pick up my guitar and the wiring was not done at all and the neck moved around because he used a crappy piece of metal as a neck plate and it didn't hold the neck in place. I took it back and Sylvester said he would fix it. So his "fix" was an equally crappy new neck plate and he glued the neck to the body because he couldn't get his neck plate to hold the neck in place. And as an added bonus, he used screws that were too long so two of them poked through the fingerboard! So I took it back to him a third time to have him remove the neck from the body sine it was glued on and he had to steam the guitar to get it off. He did offer to fix it again, but I didn't want anymore crappy work or damage done to my guitar so I just took it back. So for about $120 I got my guitar back without the wiring done, no neck plate that would work, with a bunch of glue residue in the neck pocket and two custom installed holes in my fingerboard.... Nice job Freedom Guitar! Run from this place. read more