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Monterey Park, CA

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Guitar Center

3.3 (108 reviews)
Closed • 10:00 am - 9:00 pm

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Harmony C.

If you're looking for musical instruments This is the only store, This location is new and has more options. The ambience and design were perfectly planned out. The customer service was great very professional and knowledgeable of all the products. The prices are a bit high but other than that it's a great experience.

Fender Strat

Don't ever bring your guitar for a setup at this location, the guitar technician is not qualified. I brought two guitars in different times, not happy with the result. I wish there was somebody that could do this with knowledge and quality.

12/9/24: Happy TSAKT. Got some new TRS cables for it.
L C.

I was in the area. Never visited this Guitar Center. So I decided to go inside with the intention of purchasing some TRS cables for TSAKT. Found them. Purchased them.

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3 months ago

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6 months ago

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1 month ago

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1 year ago

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Guitar Center

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1 year ago

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7 months ago

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1 year ago

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1 year ago

Friendly, knowledgeable service, when it comes to your music needs. Plenty of instruments to choose from.

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7 months ago

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9 months ago

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11 months ago

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

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3 years ago

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4 years ago

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

Like the fart smell here lowkey, my bro gets lessons here and the instructors here are chill af, vibes are never off here in the evening

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2 years ago

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5 years ago

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4 years ago

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4 years ago

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3 years ago

This place has an in-store guitar repairman (very knowledgeable) and the manager is very helpful! I highly suggest this place.

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Page 1 of 3

Ask the Community - Guitar Center

Review Highlights - Guitar Center

“Went in with my husband and I told him I just wanted to "look around." I actually planned to surprise him and buy him an acoustic guitar.”

Mentioned in 5 reviews

Read more highlights

You might also consider

Guitar Center

Guitar Center

(349 reviews)

$$

East Pasadena

Walked into Guitar Center Pasadena with my brother, our unleashed service animal, and a budget that…read moreclearly needed adult supervision. Things got off to a rocky start when there was some confusion about the dog, but Evan checked with his manager, got it sorted, and we all survived the great leash controversy of 2026. From there, Evan was awesome. Super cool, patient, and actually knew DJ gear because he DJs himself -- which is always better than someone confidently explaining equipment they've only met that morning. By the end, we were joking with him: "You really did everything you could to not sell to us... and somehow we still bought anyway." Funny start, great ending, and Evan helped us leave with a new DJ setup and speakers. Guitar Center almost fumbled the bag, but Evan recovered the sale like a pro. Shoutout Evan.

I get that they're understaffed and busy, but you have to try hard to be as unhelpful as they are…read more One gentleman kept rolling his eyes when I approached to ask a question. I made a purchase of a couple strings and an accessory that required me to take out my inhole sound pickup, so I asked if I could borrow a screwdriver (to literally turn the screws to the left a grand total of two times). He tells me "sorry, we don't usually loan tools out for use," which is totally understandable! So I ask if he can then just help me out and turn the screws himself if I'm not allowed to touch the screwdriver -- he audibly groans and looks at me, then finally turns, practically dragging his feet as he grabs the screwdriver to help me out. I was starting to be pretty stunned by this point. Then, when I was about to leave and putting my purchases in my gig bag outside pocket, the other guitar technician, Mike, starts staring daggers at me across the floor, then tells me to show my receipt to the guy at the door-- he thought I was stealing. After I'd been walking around the store for 2 hours and making multiple purchases. My jaw literally dropped. I don't know what's going on at this store, or if they treat every customer this way, or just me. I would speculate that because I dress quite basically (like a skateboarder, roughed up clothes, maybe?) they assumed I had no money/was poor to justify how they decided to interact with me. No matter who I am or what I might look like, staff should treat EVERY customer the same. I was considering buying a guitar from this store, the Yamaha AC1R specifically that they have in the acoustic guitar room, but now I don't ever want to come back.

World of Music - Lobby.  Official Sterling by Music Man Dealer.  Hallway to our classrooms.

World of Music

(10 reviews)

I have been a student of Ernesto's at World of Music for about four years, and I can honestly say…read morethat my experience has been so much more meaningful than simply learning how to play an instrument. Ernesto is an incredibly talented musician and teacher, but what truly sets him apart is his ability to connect with his students. He has a genuine understanding of how to teach people of all ages, personalities, and skill levels, and he creates an environment where learning music feels approachable, encouraging, and fun. I'll be the first to admit that when something becomes difficult, my natural tendency is to walk away or give up. I initially thought learning bass guitar would probably end the same way. Instead, I found myself falling in love with the instrument. Ernesto has always been patient, encouraging, and willing to meet me where I am. I'm certainly not a professional musician, but after playing for a while, I can confidently say that I know how to play bass. I can pick up sheet music, read it, and actually play along--and that confidence is something Ernesto helped me develop. That confidence eventually encouraged me to join the mom band at World of Music. What started as a music lesson turned into something I never expected: five incredible new friendships that have become like family. We rehearse, laugh, have an absolute blast together, and perform in recitals a couple of times a year. It has become one of the most rewarding and fun parts of my life. Ernesto is also exceptionally easy to work with from a business standpoint. The policies and payment expectations are clearly communicated from the beginning, and he provides friendly reminders throughout the year. At the same time, he has always been incredibly reasonable and flexible when circumstances arise. I have always felt that he is fair, transparent, and genuinely invested in his students and their families. World of Music is about so much more than learning notes, chords, or an instrument. It is a place where people can develop confidence, discover a genuine love for music, build community, and create lasting memories. If you're looking for a place where you won't just learn music, but learn to truly love it and feel it, I wholeheartedly recommend Ernesto and World of Music. You won't regret it. And if you're lucky, you may walk away with something even more valuable than musical ability: lifelong friendships and a community that feels like family. I can confidently say that Ernesto will always be a friend, a mentor, and someone I genuinely look up to. I'm incredibly grateful that I picked up that bass four years ago--and even more grateful that I didn't give up. Thank you, Ernesto. Thank you, World of Music.

I participated in band classes with owner Ernesto Molina for over a year. Ernesto can be a very…read morefriendly guy and has tremendous patience with amateur students. The problem is that Ernesto does not understand how to treat his students with respect and professionalism and operate a successful business. Though I had no signed agreement, Ernesto made up unfair rules, such as me supposedly paying for classes I never attended and paying some "semester" fee twice a year that I never agreed to. In late July of 2026, I informed him that my children and I would be traveling the month of August, and I needed to pause. He agreed. But then in early September, he billed me for the entire month of classes I wasn't even in the country for- and refused to remove them from my invoice even when I reminded him about it. In other words, he went back on our agreement and then threatened to drop me from future classes unless I paid. He literally sent me nasty emails ("get out of my life!") and chose to lose multiple students in our band rather than stick to our agreement and recall that the customer is always right. Again, I had no signed agreement and would never do business under such unfair terms. If you want to deal with this level of unprofessionalism and hostility, then this is your place for music classes! If you want to deal with a more competent and professional team that respects its students and works with them to ensure that they are happy and continue taking classes, then there are many other options around, including School of Rock - which, unlike World of Music, allows you to make up classes you can't attend. Sadly, I cannot recommend this business and have seen almost every member of our band stop coming over the past few months. I don't know how much longer this place will be in business. Meanwhile, former members of our band will continue to meet elsewhere and accomplish the same learning of songs under friendlier conditions. You have been warned.

Arcadia Music

Arcadia Music

(10 reviews)

$$$

A friend recommended Arcadia Music and I'm so glad she did…read more I literally paying half of what I was at a different store for renting an instrument. The gentleman who helped us, (who I assume is the owner) took the time to properly measure my daughter for the correct size intrument as well as went over proper care. I recently renewed the instrument rental and it was so quick and easy. My daughter was even remeasured to make sure she has the correct size instrument. I was also told that if she happens to have a growth spurt, we can come back and change the size of the instrument at no additional charge. Payment is through Venmo or Zelle.

As the owner of a music studio, I'm very careful about where I refer my students when they need to…read morepurchase or upgrade an instrument. We've had a great business relationship with this string instrument shop, and our experience has always been excellent. The owner was a professional violinist with a symphony orchestra before retiring and opening his shop, so he truly knows violins and string instruments inside and out. He is very knowledgeable, honest, and always gives professional advice based on what is best for the student rather than simply trying to make a sale. We have referred many students and families to his shop, and they have always been very happy with both the instruments and the service they received. It's wonderful to have someone we can trust and confidently recommend to our students. Highly recommended!

Guitar Center - guitarstores - Updated October 2026

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