As a recreational player, the time had come to part with the big boy toys. Both vintage acoustics were appraised on the spot and consigned also with generous (up to comparison) figures. A solid business deal; ideal if they sell. Sad to let go but good things end too, just like us. Only drawback was the location, a trademark Tacoma style spot to this "northerner". The fact that St Helens Street splits by design was strange and unsettling. To the owner the location is prime property even next to the tavern dive next door. It works for him. No knocks, since parking was in front at no cost. Try that elsewhere! A great deal for guitar and band fans. Need more of these elsewhere in the vicinity. read more

Great experience. Amazing just to talk to the owner. My son lives the bass guitar we bought and the history he learned.

Some pretty weird reviews. I don't know, I don't have long hair, nor am I from Boston, and I was treated well. I bought a nice Ibanez guitar, totally vintage, and it cost me $150.00. So, not sure what that person is talking about with respects to high prices. Maybe they are an illegal immigrant making 5 bucks an hour :-? Picked up a small amp for 25 bucks. I was thinking I relayed that I wanted a book stand, but he gave me a guitar stand instead. In any event, I realized it after I paid for everything. He just exchanged it, the book stand costing more, and just said "no worries". So, all in all, my experience was great. I could give it 5 stars, but I don't have much else to compare it to. I went today again, and a different crew was in. All helpful people, spent adequate time explaining a few things, so again, pleased. read more

So I called this place because I was looking for an acoustic guitar case. I confirmed my model number and they told me the used case would fit but to my demise after driving a significant distance to get here it didn't fit. They were not apologetic at all and I had to spend almost double the money for a new case. Not coming back! read more

It's a vintage guitar shop... and a local small business. These are real, every day people, and they love this shit. If you want super sales based customer service, go to Guitar Center. If you want cheap new crap, go to Guitar Center. If you want old junk crap, check Craigslist. But the vintage stuff these guys have on hand is maintained and restored and holy crap that says $2500 I'm sorry I breathed on your guitar sir! Their response: "No prob, would you like to try it out?" "No thanks, I'll just... ahem." You can't just let something gather dust for 30-50 years, call it vintage, and expect it to sell at the same price it did in 1953. Check out their pedals. No really. They are awesome. If you're on the prowl for something specific, let them know, they might be able to find it in the back. Hubby bought a JCM-800 12" combo [I believe it's from the 80s] for a REALLY good price--I won't say how much--and they threw in some replacement preamp tubes as well. They also do repairs, alignments, etc. I forget what all work we've had done there, but it's a good rate for what they do, and he couldn't be happier with the results. Really cool thing: they do keep a box of junker guitars for under $100. Good for art projects or kids or maybe busting up on stage Nirvana style. I'm also a fan of the loose guitar strings, so you can pick a custom guage set. read more

By far the best guitar store in the entire South Puget Sound. Rick always has great inventory and good prices. Guitar Maniacs is one of the best gems in Tacoma. I love this store and all the people that keep it open. I highly recommend guitar maniacs to anyone interested in guitar. They have tons of pedals and often times drums, synths and other stuff. Go check them out if you haven't. read more

Took my Seagull acoustic guitar here for a badly needed adjustment. The string action was way too high, my neck was bent way out of shape and it was just a real bitch to play. Neck, straightened, saddle, lowered, fretboard cleaned, polished, even oiled up the sides and back a little bit. Plays like a dream now, and I took it there to sell on consignment, so glad I didn't. I'm not sure if Johnny is the owner or not but you can tell that they really love guitars & amplifiers and vintage gear. It's not a huge shop, but I'm really glad that it's in Tacoma. read more

Cool place for actual vintage (i.e. not just old crappy junk) guitars and amplifiers. Usually an impressive collection of vintage Fender guitars hanging on the wall (unless the owner is at a guitar show...in which case his collection of really weird looking "shop class" Thomas guitars will hang in their places). Lots of cool old amplifiers, too.... probably the largest collection for sale in Tacoma (at least as far as I've found). Nice guys run the place, and are happy to answer questions and provide advice to newbie and expert alike. If you're in the hunt for really nice vintage guitars and associated gear, this is your first stop. read more

I bought a vintage amp from Rick. He gave me a solid deal and treated me great. He has an awesome collection of vintage amps and guitars for sale. They are the real deal if your in the market for a classy vintage musical instrument. I could not be more satisfied and highly recommend you check out Guitar Maniacs. read more

Just a great old fashioned real ass world class guitar shop with soul.If you can play you will find something to drool over if not simply wonder at.Rick and the crew are helpful and freindly folks.Truly an epic place to pick up strings,picks or other rockstar sundries and be amazed at the historic instruments that adorn this local gem. read more

Knowing Rick sense he open his first shop way but when have bought and traded he has been a friend and very trusted guy and thanks to his workers read more

Man, this place even smells vintage. Lots of unique guitars and amps. Staff were friendly.

We were on our big northwest college/guitar store hunt. This is a very nice store in a good location. Excellent assortment of used gear in particular - even used concert t's. This is the kind of store where regular visits are a plus. read more

As I traversed the ranges and lesser fjords of ST HELENS AVENUE I came to one of the lower peaks known only as 'GUITAR MANIACS'. Within the Caverns of the Maniacal I happened upon a haggard sorcerer with the name of HOWARD. Inside a fissure of obsidian stalagmites he wretched open a portal into the farthest reaches of space and time, and forged within this nothingness an axe capable of shredding through even the blackest chasms of Barad-dûr. When the maniacal maelstrom of black magic, and the guttural gestation of guitar on grindstone stopped... I had a guitar on layaway. read more

I have taken my acoustic and electric guitars here for setup and the returned them quick and to perfection. What more can you say. As far as I'm concerned they exceeded my expectations so I'm a happy customer. read more

@ Derrick R: hey little buddy, just wanted to let you know that the samurai look went out of style like, around 150 year ago. Now thats vintage! Actually thats antique. It's a neat little halloween costume though. Go get em tiger! read more

I know nothing about guitars. And am certifiably not cool...but my 4 year old really wanted one. I wanted one that didn't have Elmo or pink or cheap and made by other children in China. Impossible. Until walking by, I stopped in and holy crap...there is an actual real kid's acoustic guitar! Six strings and with tuners...used, but in fantastic shape! Bought immediately, guy behind counter was courteous, helpful and even gave me a spare strap. The kids happy, I'm happy...enough to write a review. read more

The owner is Guitar Maniacs is a real A-hole. I encountered him at the 4 amigos guitar show and wish I hadn't. I made him a very reasonable offer on an Echoplex he had for sale and he treated me like dirt. The whole situation was weird. One of his minions went up to talk to him about my offer and he wouldn't even give me the time of day. He made a handful of snarky comments and acted like he didn't want to be bothered. I had cash in hand and was ready to make the deal but walked away because of his attitude. Little did he know but I would have paid full asking price if he hadn't been such a jerk. Avoid this store like the plague. I wouldn't give this guy a dollar if he was begging on the street begging change which he probably will be doing soon if he keeps running his business the way he does. read more

I researched this store heavily before stopping in last vacation. Yes, Nirvana bought gear here. I wanted to buy something from where Kurt had, so when I walked in and saw a lefty strat on the wall I nearly did a cartwheel. I had just come in from Aberdeen where I spent some time visiting some of Kurt's old haunts. Upon further inspection, I noticed the guitar already had a Seymour Duncan pickup installed. I was thrilled. This was just the type Kurt would have wanted. A quick negotiating and it was mine. The guy behind the counter was Rick King himself. I told him I was out from Nebraska doing a self guided Nirvana tour. He proceeded to fill my head with tales of Nirvana and Kurt and took me across the street to where the store was back in the day. He painted such a picture that I could almost see it as he described joking around with the guys letting them try out various pieces of gear. Fantastic day. When I got home I swapped some parts, ordered a bumper sticker off eBay and now I have my very own Vandalism strat! Can't wait to go back again! read more

Went into this store several years ago. They had a 58 Gibson 335 it had a repaired head stock and had been painted black with a spray can. I was willing to buy it and pay the asking price. I asked one question does it have the original pick ups? The answer was yes. Then your salesman said oh it's no longer for sale I will remove these pick ups sell them on e bay and put in something else and sell this for the same price. Never went back to this store never will. read more

This store is as much a guitar museum as it is a store. Lots of history and lots of vintage guitars. Acoustic guitars get better with age. I bought a 30 year old 12 String Martin at a very reasonable price after Johnny played some Led Zeppelin licks on it. I recommend this store highly. Just don't expect your usual Mall type service of cookie cutter products by ignorant new hires. read more

I really like this store, and found the people who work here very helpful. It has a nice collection of instruments and amps. I like that it's a local store, that it's usually pretty easy to find parking, and that they are a drop-off/pickup location for Solderhaus amp repairs. read more