I haven't been to Guitar Center in forever! There was an ad for a free guitar lesson/open house and I will forever do something random that is free. The air wasn't working and Jacob (my instructor) and I were definitely sweating like we were in a sauna. Lol He was great though as far as answering questions and being patient. I didn't necessarily get far, but I did get an idea of how to play a few notes on an electric guitar and I actually had fun learning. He also helped me pick out a couple of starter guitars that were cheap if I wanted to just grab something, but not feel like I wasted money if I didn't use it often. The manager, Brandon, checked in before my lesson and after. Both individuals were personable. Tip: Go ahead and have an idea of what you would like to play and have a song in mind. I was under the impression that they had select guitars that they would allow you to use and that there were set songs to choose from but I was wrong. It is nice that you have choices though! read more

Guitar Center - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Hoover, Alabama

For an update The Guitar Center manager call me shortly after my original post and said he would help me if I would come in and see him. He said he had only been at that store a short while. To make a long story short I went in, and he was very nice and helped me pick out different guitar and I am very pleased with it and the service he gave. I'm sorry I forgot his name. read more

It seems like this Guitar Center has been here forever, but it's certainly not what it used to be. I loved to come here years ago to check out the latest selection of keyboards (which was always extensive and cutting edge back in the day), but my most recent visit left me disappointed. The few keyboards they had were either extremely overpriced, or seemed very cheap in quality. There was also no discernible order to their songbook/sheet music section--piano, saxophone, ukulele, guitar, vocal and all others were mixed together pell-mell, as if no one could be bothered to organize the books in a way that might be even slightly helpful to those browsing them. Lastly, I roamed around this store for a half hour and not one Guitar Center employee said a word to me or offered any assistance. Not a great experience. read more

These employees, I have known ova' 13 yrs. always make me fill welcome once I see all my fellas in guitar center attire .. ready to help and always considerate of my concerns and needs and if I cant find it.. they will go thru drastic measures to find a alternative.. as the way it should be and for that I have ever never been disappointed with my experience :) God Bless each and every one of them & ALL YOU DO !!! read more

Guitar Center - Eddie, would have been privileged to visit these guys in Hoover, AL. - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Hoover, Alabama

Very helpful staff at this location. Went in to trade in some unused gear on a few things I needed this past Saturday evening, and the two staff members I dealt with were super helpful. Thanks again! read more

Chaz was super helpful and made sure we got everything we needed!! Great salesman! The wedding will have great sound now thanks to Chaz.

Something for every level of musician. I have been in this location twice now. Both times I was greeted when I first entered the store and asked if there was anything I needed help with. Both occasions I just indicated I was looking around, to which they let me know if I needed any assistance to let them know and they would be happy to help. My first trip I really had the itch to get an electric guitar. I had been looking around and just wasn't overly happy with anything I had turned up. Then I walked into Guitar Center!! I mean the name really says it all, right? Literally a wall of guitars from the front of the store to nearly the back. Something for beginners, intermediate and of course high end for the ax master. After looking at several options I thought I had made up my mind. After talking with one of the sales specialists, I had a change of heart. Yes, it was an up-sell. No, I don't typically go for those tactics. But, in this case I ended up getting something that was higher end beginner and low end intermediate. Something that would keep me happier for a longer period of time. My most recent trip was to look at their selection of amps. Again, impressive supply that can meet any need. This trip was really just a window shopping excursion. But, when I'm ready for an upgrade I will be returning here. These guys aren't just guitars. They have drums, piano's, bass, and accessories for everything. Friendly, helpful staff. I will be coming back! read more

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Great service. They even put my strings on my guitar. Their selection of guitars and other instruments will keep you busy looking if you're like me. Go there! read more

I recently bought a Fender Acoustasonic and I absolutely love the guitar. I was bringing in some gear to do a trade and was helped immediately by the staff. I had no complaints. Antonio, Reagan, and Zack were all very helpful, informative, and friendly. I'm giving this review 4 stars solely bc the corporate side of guitar center is GARBAGE. When it comes to selling your gear they never have given people a fair offer. It felt like I was at GameStop. With that being said, I'm not a happy customer. I'm a satisfied customer. *Mic drop read more

Man, f*ck this store. The dude with blonde hair has been a douche about every time I come in. He has this look in his eyes like he would rather be dead than be doing what he is doing. If I worked in a guitar store I'd be happy as a clam. This guy will tell you anything to get you to leave him alone, or lie to you. Some of the other staff are cool, but no one knows what they are selling. Last time I came in I tried out a used strat, quickly realizing that it has a busted input jack. One of the employees told me he would call when it was fixed. That didn't happen. He also told me it was a Chinese strat when it clearly read on the back of the headstock that it was MIJ. Can't tell you how many times I've come into the store to try something out, and one of the employees has sat down and played super loud over me. I usually wait for them to stop, but most of the time they continue to play over me and I walk out angry. Today this person was actually the older manager guy. Honestly, I would never go here, but it's like 5 minutes from my house. Otherwise I'd just go to highlands music where the staff actually have gotten to know me and actually remember my name. Bottom line: Stay away. Staff are useless. Give your money to people that deserve it, like the guys at Highlands's music. read more

After 15+ years and at least 10k spent I will never be going back to guitar center. Spent 20 min or so looking at amps and not playing loud or anything was told I need to leave. Along with others. Guitar center can to f$#@ themselves from here on out read more

The customer service is horrible. I ordered an item online and went to the store to get the item and the store told me "It's not our problem because you didn't order it through our store directly." I thought they would at least try and help solve the problem instead of just say it's not our problem, but I guess not. Definitely not shopping here again. They will also cancel your order and not tell you. read more

I have purchased lots of gear over the years in many different stores and wholesale suppliers mostly across the South. I have helped set up several recording and rehearsal studios used by Grammy winning artists. I have also shopped in Guitar Center stores from coast-to-coast, but this store is my favorite. But, enough about me. I want to name a few of the experts in guitars, accessories, and the sound department who have helped me over the years, but I am afraid that I will leave somebody's name out and hurt their feelings, so I am hesitant to start naming them, but here I go. Dylan, the manager has always been super helpful the one or two times that I had technical issues with a piece of gear. Dave, Jeff, Eric and Ronnie have always given me expert advice and service, but even when they are busy I can always get good answers from the other guys. I understand that nobody can be at the top of their game every single day, so there are always some people who come away with less than a great impression of a business after only one or two visits. My experience with this Guitar Center location spans many years and I can assure you that they are the best crew I have dealt with anywhere. read more

I was an easy customer, seeing that I went in knowing exactly what I needed. Overall, this place seemed to have just about everything. While I generally like to support the small, locally owned music shops in town, Guitar Center seemed to be a good option for things like cords, mics and stands. I was helped immediately as I walked in and was out of there within minutes. I'd expound on this if there was anything else to say. It's just a big music store with lots of shiny toys. read more

This was the first store I went to for a guitar purchase for my son. I was helped by the quintessential guy working in a guitar store. I don't want you to play me a 20 minute show I want you to answer questions and provide information. He literally started asking me for requests. No joke. I subsequently purchased a Breedlove acoustic for my son sometime later here because of pricing. I'd done the research on my own. They do have a large selection. Expertise on products is lacking. I was literally told to google it today when shopping with my son. After testing out several guitars my son has determined the Gibson SG is it. I asked several questions to the staff as I'm not a musician but I've read up on the various guitars. I was provided no answers. After he played an assortment of various guitars trying out Les Paul, PRS, Gibson, American Strats and everything else we could get our hands on he decided the Gibson was absolutely it. This store has a large assortment of guitars. They sometimes have the lowest price of you know specifically what you want and you are a musician or have done your homework. I wouldn't rely on the staff. If you're like me and just a fan and you're supporting a musician go to 280 "where you are the star". Old commercial reference to a music store with a much more knowledge friendly and attentive staff! If you know what you want and this place is the cheapest. Check out the instrument top to bottom and buy it if it's what you want. read more

Very helpful. I came to see if they could fix a to electronic play electric vocal/guitar amp I had. They said they didn't have anyone that could fix it, but they referred to me to other people who could. They had a good selection of guitars as well. read more

We all know the reputation that Guitar Center has as being a place where the employees know very little about their inventory are even less helpful. Well, this place is quite the opposite, and this is coming from a self-proclaimed gear snob. I've not met a single employee who won't work extremely hard to help you out. They can't be faulted for their price or selection, that's a corporate thing - but to be honest, I've been really pleasantly surprised by the quality of some of the gear they have, especially the used items. In the past month I've seen a killer Hagstrom and even a MezzaBarba amp - haven't seen those in the more homegrown local stores (which I also love). Talk to Zack, John, Chandler, or really anyone and you will find good folks working really hard to make their customers happy. Kudos. The other GCs should use this place as the paradigm! read more

1st. I'm a drummer. So I cant speak on prices and selection of non drum stuff but I can tell you they have a lot of Guitars, Basses, Pianos, and music. Now the drum section. Super nice. Lots of variety in drums, sticks, and a whole cymbal room. Wide wide selection of hardware. Many manufacturers. DW, Tama, Gibraltar, Gretsch and on and on. They have classes also. The prices are very competitive. give this place a try. A musician should always have a local shop to call home. Don't pick one without stopping here first. read more

On Sunday July 26, 2020, I went to the Hoover AL Guitar Center to purchase my first guitar. I looked at reviews of other Birmingham stores and decided on Guitar Center. Of course, we're in the middle of COVID management which makes any purchase like this more difficult. My wife and I were greeted upon entry and allowed to just browse the different areas. After looking around a bit in the acoustic area, we sought help for a purchase. We lucked out and met Chandler. He spent 45 minutes with us demonstrating and describing several entry-level guitars. When he discovered that one of his favorites was not hanging on the wall, he took off to the store room to see if they had any in stock. I purchased a Yamaha FS800, a stand, a bag, and an electronic tuner. This experience was great, I felt that Chandler's expertise and personality made the difference in this sale. read more

I've used Guitar Center for 10 years, mostly online orders. I had the misfortune of having to go into the actual store. It was almost impossible to find anyone to help us. Once we did, the young employee was excessively RUDE, what was a 5 minute transaction took 15 minutes due to his arrogance and refusal to ring up my purchase. I regret using Guitar Center for all these years and will no longer do so. I've heard the same from many others and defended the store multiple times. They no longer have my defense, loyalty, or patronage. Other companies will be happy to take my money. read more

They are substandard in customer service, friendliness, and just seem generally crabby. Often I get an attitude when asking to try an instrument, and most of the sales people come off as arrogant smartasses. I purchase from here, but only under duress. Plus, the inventory is tiny and junky. Bailey brothers on 280 has more stuff, and highland music has the ultimate collection of used gear. Only reason to GG it is for incredible sales over BF and xmas. That's it. Otherwise I would avoid. read more

It never fails that when I go in here I get some of the worst customer service ever. We asked simple questions and the guy just replied with "I don't know man". I mean it's cool if you don't know but could you at least try to find out? Or just say no? read more

Went in to the store a week ago before heading out of a week of shows needing guitar strings. Told the dude with blonde hair I needed regular light gauge electric dadarrio strings. It wasn't till I got in my car on the way home and looked at the pack of strings- they were the super light gauge strings. There wasn't enough time to go back before leaving town so I played the week on old strings. Today I went back to get the right strings. Found the same dude I bought them from and told him that he gave me the wrong pair explaining I asked for regular light gauge. He proceeded to lie to my face about how he couldn't return strings and that dadarrio only sold super light gauge strings. (Neither of those statements are true and he admitted during that exchange to a friend that he just wanted to be lazy.) Always using regular lights, I know what I want. He then turns around to the wall of strings and says, "see there's a difference between super light gauge and regular light gauge." I'm a full time musician and take music seriously. I've never had a good encounter at this Guitar Center and have two or three more stories similar to this. I wish management would clean house and hire competent employees who care about getting musicians in Birmingham what they need to create great music. read more

The management and staff and this location are very dishonest and unethical. I went here with a friend on April 10th 2016 looking for a midi guitar and there was only one in the whole store being used as a display item. The sales associate I spoke with told me I could buy it as a display item but said he would have to look the item up in their computer system to see its price. When he looked it up, he looked shocked and said the price had come all the way down to $30.00. I asked him what was the original price and after looking it up his eyes got big and he said it was originally $250.00. Of course I told him I would take it, but then he disappeared with the guitar claiming that he wanted to "find some batteries or a power cord so he could show me that it works". I already knew he was probably really going to consult management or someone else about the price. When he returned he no longer had the guitar with him. He said "I've got bad news...I'm so sorry but it turns out that guitar was already sold online." This insulted my intelligence. It was obvious that either him or the manager had decided that they either wanted the item themselves or had the intent to now sell it online at a marked up price. First of all, before I came in the store they had the item out on display and no one knew anything about the price. Why would an item posted for sale (and sold) online be sitting out on display?? Secondly, why didn't the sales associate see that the item was marked for online sale in the system when he looked up the price?? It was very obvious what was going on. When I tried to further question it he became sharp and rude, cutting me off and repeating "its already sold sir." Needless to say I'll never deal with these clowns again. read more

Guitar Center as a corporation gets quite a bit of flak these days but the Hoover, Alabama location is a step above the norm. The dudes in here know their business they enjoy what they do and they work quite hard to make sure you come back. At no point have I ever dealt with a pushy salesman, an inconsiderate associate, a blase attitude or an issue with either a sale or a return. Sure, it's a corporate store and there ARE constraints that they have to work with, but overall this store is as warm, accommodating and professional as ANY mom and pop store I've ever had to deal with. Be sure and ask for Eric, this cat will flat square you away with zero hassle. read more

I was looking for a specific item. But ended up not getting it because the employees there have some kind of spiteful attitude. Someone was saying don't come back to the store as I was going out the door. read more

Guitar Center's staff is not knowledgeable at all. Very much like shopping at Walmart. They offer no lessons so there is no "Teacher".