Great guitar store, although pretty high end. Their cheapest new acoustic guitar is a Bristol (either a big dreadnought or smaller body style) for $220. The next cheapest is a Blueridge at $448. Then it climbs into the Martin/Taylor stratosphere. Having said that, they can't be beat for service, and they back up what they sell. I've purchased several instruments from them, and felt I was getting a good value for the high end stuff. If you don't want to spend that kind of money, look at Gelb Music in Redwood City or Guitar Showcase in San Jose. Gryphon is one of the great music stores on the West Coast. That pretty much sums it up. read more

Great local guitar shop. Prices a little high, but you get stellar service and extremely knowledgeable employees. They have many high end guitars there, so it's great for more experienced players, and their selection of Martins is the best in northern California. I love just going in there and playing with all the guitars. They don't hover around me, or pressure me to buy anything. High recommended. read more

This place is a treasure! I've gone through a sort of ..... "what is my instrument" syndrome thing, so I've had a lot of contact with them! Whether it's a $6000 Martin uke, or a $60 beginner uke, a Strat, a Tele, a good US-made banjo for $300 that'll last you a lifetime (Hint you'll have a Goodtime with it!) beginner or passing concert-hall star, this store seems to have the best stuff at the best prices all across the spectrum. They also have a really good book section, and I love books. I think I have finally found my musical "home", with the harmonica, and the next time I'm in the area I'm stopping in because there's sure to be a "harp" or two I'll want and the same goes for books. They also have a cool machine for making guitar picks out of credit cards, bring a few of your cards in and turn 'em into something useful. Their emphasis is on "folk" instruments, so they have a ton of open-back banjos, fiddles, harps (and I think they have "harps" too, harmonicas) mandolins, and so on. If you are looking for a banjo-uke, they're likely to have at least a couple of them. If you're a raw beginner they have lessons you can sign up for, get those finger tips all tenderized on those chords. Sit in a big group and strum, great fun. I could go on and on, it's definitely worth a visit. The only thing is, how to get there? The only way I've had work for me is, go to Fry's and then go out the back of their parking lot and past the Mercedes dealer and there they are on the corner. read more

Amazing. Old school customer service and just amazingly helpful and not pushy staff. I visited 3 times to try out guitars and learned something new every time. They genuinely want you to get a guitar that you are happy with not push some expensive guitar or sell you on something. I ended up really happy with the Martin I bought because I'd tried out so many others with great input and education from the staff. The biggest benefit is that if you don't know much about guitars, like me, they don't talk down to you or ignore you. Great place. read more

So, my guitar needed some adjustments - I took it down and the staff waved a magic wand and POP it was fixed. Okay, so not really that fast, but while I waited for the tech to become available as he dealt with a vintage electric Gibson, I got the opportunity to play a ten thousand dollar Martin. Wow. When the tech got to me, he took a quick look at the nut and bridge and informed me what the price would be and how long I'd be without it the instrument. They are reasonably priced and i got the guitar back a day and a half sooner than expected! The next guitar I purchace I'll likely go there. read more

This is acoustic guitar heaven. While most people are probably only aware of the big 3 (Gibson, Martin & Taylor), this place stocks boutique guitars that are classes above those - we are talking about guitars in the 5K-20K range here (if not more)! They stock Goodalls, froggy bottom, Olsons, and other treasures that you'd have to take out a mortgage to buy. The staff is also very knowledgable as well. One of the lutheriers there is actually world class and teaches all across the globe. I would have given this place a 5 star rating but the guitar luthier I spoke to when I was there concerning a repair for an epiphone elitist seemed a little puzzled as to why I would want to repair an epiphone even after I told him its a made in japan all solid woods version that is no longer made. read more

I had a fabulous first visit to Gryphon today. This to me was like a dream come true because I couldn't find any music store here that had anything for a lap steel guitar. I brought my 65 Oahu lap steel guitar that I bought on ebay to get tuned up. Found out that the output jack needed to be replaced and that was done in about 20 minutes. I got the guitar tuned up and bought some picks and a slide and some instructions. Paul was the one that helped me and he was really cool. The other employees there were also very helpful. They have a great selection of guitars and ukes and fiddles and banjos...truly an awesome thing to see. I highly recommend Gryphon for their products and services. Made a new fan out of me. Rock on! read more

Love this place! I went in to get a low G string for my uke, and the guys were really patient and helpful as they showed me how different brands would sound (I ended up going for a D'Addario nylon string, which usually goes on a guitar, but sounded magnificent on my tenor ukulele). They even restrung it free of charge! Definitely coming back in the future. read more

Gryphons is acoustic guitar heaven. Great selection of guitars, mandolins, banjos as well as a great selection of acoustic amps. The staff, including the repair dept, are incredibly knowledgable. Especially Mike. I have never had a bad experience at Gryphons. I too have never had a problem with parking. And is wallking a half-block so bad?? read more

I love guitars and this place is like acoustic heaven. Definitely not a guitar center. High quality perfectly setup instruments on display. I was impressed that I was immediately asked to remove my coat as not to damage the guitars. I had been looking for a 00-15 Martin and they had one that was perfectly setup. After playing many others I settled on the 00-15. Great sounding all Mahogany guitar. As far as service went it was polite and to the point so don't expect to have any fluff about buying your instrument. Definitely a well educated staff however. Also if you want a one of a kind guitar they have several. Top shelf. I also purchased a pickup for the Martin and it was installed within a day. Impressive. I would highly recommend this shop for anyone that wants to invest in high quality instruments for their collection, I will be back. I wanted to add that after I wrote this I found a small flaw in my new guitar and brought it in and it was fixed within 20 minutes. Good as new and they tossed in three sets of strings at no charge for the inconvenience . Great service. read more

I brought my Taylor in to get an electronics retrofit, as Gryphon is one of the few shops in the Bay Area with a repair shop approved by Taylor to do the work. Even as first time customer, I was treated with respect and friendliness from my first phone call all the way to picking the guitar up. The work was well done and I was shown a room where I could plug in and test it out. I definitely recommend this place - it's a breath of fresh air compared to larger chain music stores. read more

Infinitely superior to West Valley in Mountain View, which in comparison appears to tend more toward the general new learner, and the school trade, than Gryphon, which is primarily an acoustic instrument store but definitely more oriented to the serious guitarist. I mean they have an exhaustive collection of strings to pick from (not to mention) walls & walls of fantastic guitars (and anything else you might imagine that wears strings). As I passed it every day before actually stopping in to check it out I noted that it's in a convenient location- for me, at least. They have a room you can sit and test out different guitars, banjo's, mandolins, etc, they have an excellent little bulletin/flyer "community info" spot, and every time I've been in I've received knowledgeable and helpful service. Alive for 30 years, I hope they live another 30. read more

Within seconds the man at the counter looked at my guitar and knew exactly what was wrong with it. Then he told me he could fix it in 2 minutes and returned shortly after with a working guitar! The fix was free and quick and everyone was really nice and helpful. Thanks guys! read more

Great place for acoustic gear and high end electric guitars that are pretty hard to find out in the wild. The staff is great. I used the guitar shop several times as well, they are really knowledgeable and do great restoration work. read more

You did the right thing by firing such an hate-filled person. Public berating a person you disagree with and trying to incite others to join in is not speech- It is hate. Unfortunately the news media are responsible for the mental illnesses inflicted on (nameless) and hundreds of thousands of other misinformed folks. I will be looking to your store for future purchases online. read more

I purchased a instrument from them, used and it had a slight buzz. When I went in to have it looked at they told me, "well you didn't pay much so you get what you paid for". I was floored to say the least. I have been going there for years and one time before they told me my 12 string was "non repairable", but I found someone local who did a amazing job. They really don't have good customer service and are very weary to take any responsibility for anything. I am disappoint and I think I will not go there anymore. Sad, but I have to look elsewhere. read more

This is the best store on the Peninsula for acoustic guitars and other wonderful stringed instruments like harps. it's great fun to go in on a Saturday and listen to some excelllent musicians trying the instruments. Sometimes you'll even hear a jam session starting. The best part is the service they've given me, not only on the guitar I bought, but on my old ukulele. They are real experts! read more

Always found Frank and his staff most helpful . While I live in PA I know Franks though the industry. He always was helpful in tech advice and his knowledge is amazing. Great man indeed. Hope to actual visit his store. I have to call him for help from time to time , he has never let me down. read more

My all time favorite music store. Amazing stock of instruments, accessories and music. An equally great staff tops it off. Erik, Paul and Frank have been especially helpful to me. Also, I have learned so much from Jack Tuttle, who is one of the finest teachers I know of. Truly one of the finest music stores in the country. read more

Brian helped me with an adjustment on the neck to get rid of the buzzing. He did it quick and nicely. They charged me with reasonable price. Would recommend this place for guitar repair and adjustment. read more

The team here is incredibly nice and helpful. There is a wide range of stringed instruments to try I the show if you're not quite sure which model you want. They care greatly about the instruments and the instruments that are brought in for repair. I've brought 2 ukuleles in for repair and the service has been great. read more

I love Gryphon Strings! I bought my Taylor acoustic guitar here. They let me try guitars for hours making sure I was happy with my choice, answered all my questions, no pressure to buy. I've brought two of my electric guitars in for different repairs and they've done amazing work. Their friendly, knowledgable and what's not to love about having a local music store! You have to support the local good guys instead of the online retailers if you want good personal service. I send everyone I know here and can't recommend them enough. read more

I feel obliged to give a review for Alfred from the repair department. I bought a Taylor 114ce from someone in Reverb (probably very low end in the store). I took it for a quick check at Gryphon, and Alfred did it for me for free. About two weeks later, I figured that the amplifier is not actually working. And Alfred fixed it for me, in just a few minutes, and for absolutely FREE. If I have any friends or myself looking for repairing a guitar or just owning a new guitar in the future, I will strongly strongly recommend this store. In particular a shout out to Alfred. I appreciate for the help!! read more

I moved out of the Bay area quite a while ago, but when we lived there I had a vintage acoustic guitar with some serious damage repaired at Gryphon. I have seen the unwanted publicity they got and apparently some are posting unwarranted bad reviews. I want to say that these people did wonders for me and restored my baby back to vibrant condition with tenderness and love. In no way do they deserve any negative fall out from events outside their business. They are craftsmen of the highest order and professional in every way. read more

I've purchased a guitar, an amplifier, countless sets of strings, and other items here. These folks are the kind of people you want to be around. Down to earth, fine folks. Period. I'd recommend anybody to visit here if in Palo Alto. read more

LOVE these guys! Are as straight and fair as they come! Great instruments. Great service. Great place!

Absolute nightmare! They first sold me a guitar that was plywood when they told me it was rosewood! and the gutiar was built incorrectly! Had to have a master builder check it, and it was hopeless...anyway, After a long week of not taking the guitar back (even tho it was just purchased!!), they finally accepted to take it back only if I got another guitar, which i did...AND THEY PUT THE BAD GUITAR RIGHT BACK ON THEIR SHELF FOR SALE....I had to pay twice as much i had originally paid but I was happy this time the new guitar was built with the correct wood! BUT now the action was set too high on this guitar and they said they would fix the action! they said they do that all the time!!! THEY MADE IT WORST!! they ruined the guitar! now every fret is buzzing and the guitar sounds awful...i showed them that buzzing problem before taking it out of the store, and they went got one of the owners to tell me that i didn't spend enough money at the store for them to justify the adjustment!! I had bought 4 or 5 guitars from them throughout the years and never had such bad experience that i have had this last month - and the nightmare is still going! Now after spending almost a month with this store, I am left with an awful sounding guitar that cost me close to a $1000 ... I am now taking the guitar to a luthier to get it fixed, and I haven't had it for a full week yet!!! read more

Not a very friendly staff. Three employees that aren't helping customers and not one offers assistance. Mostly high-end instruments. read more

These guys really know acoustic guitars, and have a wide variety of electric ones as well. Great resource for any level of guitar musician. Music available seems to be shrinking, as guitar sales seem to have increased since I first visited over 10 years ago. Other stores may be better sources for wide variety of fake books, but still a good selection. read more

Super helpful and kind folks who helped me refurbish a 12 string guitar and my daughter buy her first guitar. Knowledgeable, generous people, and the place itself has such a good guitarist vibe. Don't be misled by the location. This is the type of local and community store that does so much for the people they serve. read more

this place is definitely on the pricey side. i came here to replace a broken nut on my accoustic-electric. they did a great job on it, but i ended up paying about $100 more than i would have expected, even factoring in a Palo Alto location premium. in my hometown on the east coast, i had this done for about $35; here, they charged me close to $200. read more

If I feel the need to check out acoustic guitars in person, this is where I go. They have a lot of acoustic guitars, and a lot of them are really really nice. The people that work there are also very nice. They did a great job fixing one of my acoustic guitars that was in an accident and they didn't charge me very much for the excellent work. They also have a decent selection of semi-hollow electrics, some Les Pauls and other electrics. If I lived in Palo Alto, I would go here at least once a week. I live in SF, so I only visit this store a few times a year. I enjoy it every time I'm here. read more

Gryphon is an amazing place to bring your instrument in for a check up. I'm a novice banjo player with a decent beginner instrument that needed a little help with the 5th and action. I brought it in and Frank really helped me out. He did the minor repairs while I waited. I've done a bit of doctoring to my banjo to get a certain sound. Frank was great in helping me keep that sound, regardless of the absurd props employed, not at all condescending, which I've experienced at some instrument stores. The place veritable paradise for string players too! read more

I took up mountain dulcimer a few months ago and really love it. Gryphon is just around the corner from where I live so I buy strings and picks here, a music stand and tuner - a few doo-dads. But they don't have dulcimers, or have many books with dulcimer tablature. My other instrument is the Irish lowhead harp, which they also don't support, which is why I take back one star. HOWEVER, these guys are the nicest, kindest and most supportive of the string playing community. What they Frank and Paul don't know between them isn't worth knowing and they're liberal with their information. Plus they are fine luthiers if you need an instrument fixed and have an almost-gamut of stringed instruments in the house. You don't want to miss Gryphon, they're great! read more

Not only the best stringed instrument in the Bay Area, but one of the best in the country. Knowledgable, friendly people, an amazing inventory and a repair shop that is simply the best I've found anywhere. I've bought exquisite guitars from them - and had work done on my treasured 1969 D21 several times, each with results that exceeded my expectations. It's out of the way, but worth the trip. read more

Looking for set-up? Professional, friendly repair. Looking for accoustic: Good, high end collectiom. Looking for electric or for amps? Nah. Tiny offer on electrics (mostly Gretschen and some used guitars). Tiny offer of amps, mostly Vox and some accoustic amps. read more

Great selection of acoustic guitars, good selection of music books. Staff always helpful.

Extremely helpful and kind employees (thank you Michael!). Just got two ukuleles and books. A great​ introduction to this world. Very informational and helpful about which instruments to get started with, who to work with gut lessons, etc. Will be back. read more

I just can't say enough about Gryphon. I don't know if I'm a better musician because of them, but I most certainly am a happier one! I noticed a minuscule defect in a banjo I purchased from them. Seriously, something so small it took me months to notice. Even after 7 months of daily play they offered to replace it! Even better, they were willing to replace the 11" I'd bought with a 12" pot model that I'd come to prefer. I felt bad even asking, but Tom said he'd take care of me. I'm honestly blown away. What else? Let's see... Gryphon turned me on to Jody Stetcher, my current banjo instructor. The amazing Frank Ford did a quickie setup on a banjo I'd bought elsewhere and wouldn't even charge me. Tom and Frank even looked over an instrument I was buying privately from another customer to make sure it was in good shape! I've always felt welcome, and they've kindly put up with my pitiful (but improving!) plunking as I've played every banjo that has come through their doors. Please ask for help if you want it, otherwise they'll probably give you space to explore at your leisure. Tom, Frank, an the rest of the crew at Gryphon have quite literally gone above and beyond in every one of the numerous interactions I've had with them. I've bought two banjos from them and look forward to buying more. At this point if they carry it, I'll not buy it elsewhere. Heck, I'm out of strings and I'm waiting until I get down to Palo Alto to restock! read more

This is a long, LONG overdue endorsement of your work on my $100 pawnshop Samick. After installing roller saddles and locking tuners, I still had intonation and tuning issues. The guys in back showed me how they relieve the incident angles across the nut slots to repair the intonation. What a difference. I can pop 2nd and 3rd pinch harmonics in 2nd position on the G string, which I have never been able to do on my pricy SG reissue or on the platoons of other guitars I have owned over 40+ years. I get harmonics all over the neck, as you might expect, playing the theme from "My Favorite Things" on the B and E strings. They turned a pawnshop beater into a fine axe comparable, in my estimation, to a $600-$750 Strat. read more