Guitar Center was such a cool store, and I had a blast simply walking around it! I'm not a musician, but I still loved meandering around and looking at all the guitars, drums, pianos, stage lights, etc. I loved how they also had a room where you could schedule lessons, as well as equipment available for rental. Perhaps something to keep in mind for the future! Even though I can't pontificate on the specifics of their merchandise, Guitar Center was still such a fun place for a novice like me to wander around for a little while! read more

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Perfect experience! I bought a guitar at this location, staff was friendly, knowledgeable. I would definitely buy a guitar at this location again. Special thank you to Mr Mangleione staff member for all your help. They have a nice selection of new and used gear, worth the trip from sumter to shop this store.. read more

I want to thank Ken and Ronald from Guitar Center along with the manager of the store. This is the 3rd time I've tried to update this review so I'm going to keep it short. There was a mistake made with my order and because of my schedule it took some extra time to get everyone on the same page, but once I was able to explain to the manager what was going on and what had happened he was professional, empathetic, and gracious even when I was aggravated. We all make mistakes and there is zero doubt that this was an honest one....what we do to fix the mistakes is what shows character and in this case customer service and appreciation and they get a 5 star rating from me. Guitar Center is unique in that it is a major chain, but it's a really niche franchise in a pretty specific market and it's threatened by online retailers who will just send you a box with a thing in it at a fixed price. Being able to go to a local store and talk to people who know the gear, but also to be able to buy used gear from a knowledgeable seller who you can trust is an important resource to have in my opinion. read more

Knowledgeable guitar associate who plays helped me. Kind of knew what I wanted so made things easier. Had advice from seasoned singer songwriter (Brother n law). Quick & painless but the price, although on sale. Beginners American made Stratocaster. read more

Guitar Center - American made Stratocaster sunburst - Guitar Stores Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

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Thank you to store manager, James, for going above and beyond with customer service, delivering a keyboard to our son at USC when the corporate order didn't arrive on time to do a parent pick up while in town! We really appreciate you. read more

Nice quiet location, clean and comfortable store with an adequate amount of staff available. I'm shopping for a particular electric guitar, and although they have lots of beginner and some mid-tier guitars, not much selection available in the professional or high-end range. Pretty much the entire inventory that I saw was $1k and below, with probably 75% if that at $500 and below. (A handful of exceptions) They do have a TON of accessories tho! read more

I dig it here. They have a lot of great audio equipment and knowledgeable (and nice) staffers. I haven't encountered that at other locations. I bought some mics and some cables and am planning to return for some potential lighting and a new amp. And maybe for a guitar? read more

Every time I go into this store I leave with a bad experience. This time I managed to get the attention of one (of the many) employees to help me. When he couldn't find what I needed he left to find someone who could better assist except he never came back. I went to look for him but he was helping someone else. I went up to three guys that were just standing around (they instantly scattered) and got one to start to help me but then he passed me off to another person who had just walked up. I've never seen anything like this in a retail environment! Then when I came up to purchase my items the cashier that had been available left. Just turned and walked away. There are so many employees (way more that how many customers are shopping) but getting any assistance at all is always like pulling teeth. It's ridiculous, I hate when the local owed music shop, down the street, doesn't have what I need and I have to go here instead because it's always a terrible experience at Guitar Center! read more

Hello all reading this... So I will be honest and say I haven't contacted this specific guitar center directly about this issue but I am writing this to share my overall experience about the lack quality of service I endured. I paid for a general setup for my guitar which cost $55 which was SUPPOSED to come with a " 22-point setup" and includes a polish and restring. I never got my guitar polished. Is this a big deal for me? Well, kind of because I paid for a service and they did not honor their end of the deal. As well as they told me their guitar tech was highly requested and then this happens. Even though I can polish my guitar afterwards at home, you should polish and clean before a RESTRING which was their responsibility. So the fact that I looked at my guitar when I got home and It still had streaks and grime on the body was concerning/disappointing as a customer. So on top of the unfinished service that I paid fully for, I went in to also exchange an instrument for another BUT in the end, I had(rightfully) changed my mind and wanted a refund instead. The woman who was helping me at first seemed to be having a bad day and she showed it through her attitude and demeanor but I try to be sympathetic as we are still in a pandemic. Unfortunately, this associate was rude form start to finish, and at one point to finish the transaction I had to ask a Different worker to help because the female associate was nowhere to be found. Then, when she saw another associate helping me she came back and moved the other associate out of the way to finish the return and get me out of the store. Overall, my experience was diminished by these two situations happening back to back. I am hoping that this specific guitar center can rectify what has happened, as my usual experience here has gone without a hitch and I have been a loyal customer. But if nothing is done then I have to take my business elsewhere and hopefully let those that are reading this, take my experiences into consideration before shopping at this location. Buyer beware! read more

I've called several times and nobody picks up the phone! I'm looking to ask a few questions about trading equipment. Would be nice to actually speak to someone, instead of traveling 50+ miles. read more

Guitar Center is a really good place to go for musicians. As the name implies that have a lot of guitar and supplies, but they also have a lot of gear for other musician types and DJs. While I buy a lot of my musical stuff online, if I need something quickly or want to try hands on, then Guitar Center is my go to place read more

Guitar Center - Guitar Stores Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

Staff has no idea what they are talking about. I was sold a wired microphone as "new", I asked the employee multiple times making sure the $100 microphone came with a stand clip, he assured me multiple times that it did. When I got back and was preparing to use it in a show an hour later I opened the box and there was no clip to be found. Do not use this place. Order online from Amazon or any other retailer. Horrible customer service, they don't answer their phones, and have no idea what they're talking about. read more

I just left the store about 30 minutes ago. I walked into the store expecting to purchase a complete sound system for my restaurant. I spent a good amount of time looking at the mixers and speakers and went to the register to ask for some help, there were 2 people there and I asked for assistance at the speakers. Instead of walking with me to the speaker setup, the associate just played a clip off his phone on a certain speaker. I went back to the speakers thinking that someone would come by to give assistance, no one showed up after a while. As I was going over to another section I noticed the same 2 people just sitting down at the register doing nothing. If they were not qualified they could have reffered me to another associate. Terrible, TERRIBLE experience here. To think that I was in here a few years ago and someone persuaded me to buy some ALTO speakers even though I was just looking around. I went back thinking I would get the same customer service, apparently looking at the reviews it's nonexistent. read more

Their selection is okay, seen better. But the staff pretty much ignores you while standing around. They don't even acknowledge you as they stand right near the entrance. read more

I've been shopping around for months for the right acoustic guitar for my first higher end acoustic and looking at many Martin, Taylor, Gibson, etc. in the $1,500 and up price range. I have been to many small stores and larger chains, such as this during my travels with work to Las Vegas, Wash DC, Tampa, and Detroit. Today I finally made the call and bought an awesome Taylor 224 Koa from this GC in Irmo, SC. The staff immediately helped me out and didn't make me feel like I was a burden to them when I wanted to toy with the nicer guitars. I came very close to buying this exact guitar in the Detroit, MI (Roseville) shop last week but the staff was very rude and asked me "are you serious?" when I wanted it unlocked. The guitar in Detroit had rusted strings on it, scratches all over the back as it had obviously been roughed up by other customers, and then when I asked if I could get it wiped down to make sure it wasn't damaged before I purchased it, they flat out told me no. When I asked for a pick and a tuner, they told me they don't loan them out (in Detroit). Needless to say, this was not the place to buy my next guitar and I am glad I waited to come back home to SC! Today the staff at this Irmo shop brought me a few different kinds of picks, including fingerstyle set, and a tuner when they unlocked no less than 6 guitars for me without batting an eye. I wish I could remember the sale rep who helped me because she was great. Her name isn't on the receipt (someone else is). If a manager sees this review -- take pride in your staff. They are awesome. I have been to many GC's around the country and this group you had today was among the best I've dealt with. read more

Been here a few times and apparently no one works there, after looking for someone to help me finally got asked "can I help you"? It's usually a bald "D*CKHEAD" that seems to have an attitude at the front desk. Prices are overpriced and hiked up. Wanna be ignored or treated bad(due to color) shop here. read more

Just walking through the front door was a complete red flag. This place is disgusting. The floors look like they haven't been vacuumed in a year, even though there were several vacuum cleaners just sitting out by the counter. I walked around for a good 20 min. waiting on help but all I heard were the 4-5 employees huddled together behind the front check out counter laughing and joking around with each other. I made the mistake of going into the bathroom....The toilet had mold around the water line and the sinks and floor hadn't been cleaned in what looked like ages!!!! I came in ready to spend good money on a bass guitar but I left with my money. The only interaction I had with employees was when I was walking out the door. One guys said, "Are you leaving"? Duh!!! I went to another local music store and gave them my cash because they got off their ass and offered help! Do better Guitar Center or you will continue to lose business. I will NOT be back. I'm sure i'll get that usual "I'm sorry you din't have a good experience" reply that i've seen on other post...but it's a waste of my time and yours if you dont do something to fix the issue with the store and it's employees!!!! read more

Selling damaged gear without bothering to tell you until AFTER you bought it!!! Ive dealt with countless music companies and chains all over the world as thats just part if my job so customer service is the basic solid beginning of any exchange in my experience.. I saw a cymbal i was interested in as I use quite a bit of gear and need different set ups to be available to me in different regions of the planet.. So ..Not my first rodeo.. I had called and asked about the piece a few times and had opted to purchase some other pieces instead and had come back to this piece as i thought it might be a good addition for certain applications.. I wasn't in this Columbia Gtr Ctr location city/area so i had to rely on the clerks giving me a sound description of its condition shape etc over the phone as well as a description of its general sound qualities.. I was told the cymbal was in "great shape all fine" and "sounded great "the first time i had called the previous week but i decided to ask for detailed photos to have a good look for myself.. Again....Rodeo... Upon receiving the images I noticed what appeared to be small cracks on the underside of the cymbal so i called about to ask about it.. I reached the"drum specialist" who could barely give me the time of day and although I was both professional and pleasant ,the love wasn't forthcoming so I just got to business and asked about the images I saw and also voiced my thoughts about the cracks as i wasn't sure if it was just the image catching the light in a weird way.. Whats happened next is the mind blowing part. He informs me that "the cymbal has no cracks" so I said "great!".... He then says :"But it does have a dent in it".. "What?!???" "Yeah,a dent..its pretty noticeable"... Silence.. I had spoken to no less than three people about this cymbal over my two weeks of considering it and know one mentioned the major issue in that the cymbal had a huge dent in it.. So this dented cymbal which i payed for is going to be sent to me with no mention of this until i happened to enquirer about something else i saw on the cymbal? I asked.. Silence.. Now lets think about how this would have worked .. They ship me a knowingly dented instrument and i unpack it when it arrives at my local Guitar Center only to see a huge dent in the instrument?!?!? So of course one would assume it was UPS denting and dropping it correct? I would.. Well ..To let a knowingly damaged piece of gear leave there store and have me think it was UPS would have been really low,unprofessional and shady as can be.. Again... I only found out because I called about blemishes I had noticed on the underside of the cymbal.. Not cool and definitely suspect.. So.. The guy got off the phone and was done with me quickly but I asked to see photos of the dent since id already payed for the piece!! He sighed and said ok before hanging up.. So i called customer service and was blown off faster than a telemarketer on Christmas so... I called back and luckily I got a professional person who contacted the store and lets just say the person at this location was less than agreeable and begrudgingly discounted a dented cymbal he didn't bother to tell me about 10%.. Honestly.. No apologies.. No call back .. No customer care nor concern in the least about selling damaged gear to an unsuspecting long standing customer? People wonder why this country is in the state its in? Here you are.. Through my purchasing the item,numerous calls inquiring about condition and sound its damage was never mentioned .. Not once.. My call about another issue bought about mention of an obvious problem with the piece AFTER I had purchased it and UPS would have been falsely blamed for denting an item that was sold as excellent when it was definitely NOT and to have the first customer service rep also not care at all followed by the store moaning and groaning about making it right? Really? That hard to do what it takes for selling damaged gear as being excellent condition ? Just low.. The service is shady and this store sells damaged-gear and passes it off as being in excellent shape to your hard working fellow musicians ,so stop acting like your bending over backwards to discount something you got busted trying to sell as clean.. In my opinion thats the LEAST you could do and you hardly even did that and it was far from satisfactory. Dont make your customers feel like they are putting you through the blender because you sell damaged gear without telling the customer.. I work hard for my money and take pride in doing excellent work.. 1 star and a -1 star if i could... This stored management and employees should as well but unfortunately that is not the case.. Simply suspect and highly insulting .. read more

Approximately a month and a half ago I purchased a USED Numark NSIII DJ mixer from Guitar Center, thinking that I would avoid the nightmare of buying something used from an individual. Boy, was I wrong! Long story short, after talking with 5 different people, I had to return the damaged unit, never got the power cord or interface cords promised after receiving the mixer without them and am still the proud owner of Serato DJ Pro for $129 with nothing to install it to because. unlike the promise of getting a FULL refund as promised at the beginning by Guitar Center, I was told that they could not refund my money for the software even though I hadn't or have, activated it. I actually thought dealing with a reputable dealer would have avoided this horrible experience. Nope! To add insult to injury, Serato halfed their price on Serato DJ Pro a couple of weeks later. I contacted them to see if I could get the sale price of $65 to minimize my loss from Guitar Center. After some back and forth with Serato, they said that they couldn't give me the sales price because I didn't purchase the license directly from them So, don't purchase any software through Guitar Center. Purchase it directly from the source. read more

Good prices and friendly staff. Love the string club. I go there at least once a month and see allot of the same guitars in stock though. I guess they are for student or low budgets. It would be nice to see some higher end gear in there. read more

Customer Service Manager James, in Columbia South Carolina was absolutley the 'BEST' in resolving a situation in returning a controller. I must say that he was very professional, great attitude and more important, he did not waste my time. This type of professionalism is what we expect from managers. Thanks James!!! You are AWESOME!! read more

Great store! Nice choice of used and new guitars. Also great selection of accessories , amps, sound boards etc.. The store even has a vinyl! Now, the employees are super nice and knowledgeable. You can tell they are enthusiast themselves! The Guitar Center also has a great website or app that you can order anything you want to be shipped to the store of your choice. I drive an hour just to go to this store! read more

Nice selection of instruments, but service is subpar. Their return system on the computer is straight out of 1996, and different employees tell different things regarding return policy. I've even had problems when calling and emailing Guitar Center's help center. If their customer service was better, I'd go back. However, I don't see that happening in the future. read more

Good selection, employees were friendly & attentive, plus Dale helped me get my oversized purchase into the car. Will definitely visit again. read more