Purchased two Kirk Sand handmade guitars, one nylon and one steel string, quite a number of years ago. Now I'm getting up there in years and bequeathed these magnificent beauties (both with sounds that far surpass a Martin) to a young guitarist who lives next door. My friend visited Jim and the guys at the Guitar Shoppe to get appraisals and I guess when the guys opened the cases all work at the Shoppe came to a halt although they knew Kirk's work and attention to detail still these guitars well deserve the awe that was expressed as to the level of Kirk's craftsmanship. The guitars appraised well, which surprised my friend but wasn't much of a surprise to me at all. Thank you Jim and your guys for giving my friend a great afternoon and me the pleasure of seeing his excitement with the guitars and my peace of mind knowing that they both now reside with someone worthy of now owning them. God Bless you Kirk Sand, play your guitars for the angels of Heaven. read more

this is the place to take your guitar for whatever you need. they do great work and Ben always takes care of you right.

Great people, great set up, def not happy about this (see pic), didnt see in store cuz parking running out / store got busy. But looks like a tool hit it. My guitars are all pristine, clearly not a drop or bumped -something damage, but whoever did it, no way didn't know Front right so def not a drop or bumped something read more

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I am writing to enthusiastically recommend the outstanding work performed by the Guitar Shoppe. When I brought my banjo in, I knew it had potential, but I had no idea how dramatically it could be transformed. The level of craftsmanship, attention to detail, and deep understanding of banjo setup and tone that your shop and Bill demonstrated was nothing short of remarkable. read more

everyone in here is so nice and genuine. they do great work on every instrument I bring in and have even made me guitars from parts I bring in. every guitar plays amazing once I get it back. love this shop read more

Excellent job on my new Taylor 214 CE. Plays so easy without hurting my finger tips. They set my guitar up. The tweaked the Saddle and Nut brought the action down. Very pleased. Fair price. read more

This is a fantastic shoppe! Lots of gems that you might not find elsewhere!! Highly recommend.

Perfect guitar set up. Bill was super helpful and was able to squeeze us in during a busy holiday period! Thank you! Highly recommend!

I gig for a living and put a lot of wear and tear on my gear. There's no other place I would trust to work on my guitars than these guys because they really are the best when it comes to setups and repairs. I've been going to them for years and highly recommend them not only for getting work done, but also if you're looking for a great selection of new guitars. Thanks, Guitar Shoppe and keep up the good work!! read more

Hands down the best guitar shop in the city/county/state/country/world! Everyone there is friendly and genuinely have pride in their service and product. They have never let me down and that is why I will go to no-one else. Steven M. GUITARSoundbites.com read more

These people are terrible, showed interest and nada. Acted like they wanted to help but just wanted to sell a beginner and expert guitar he couldn't afford. Made him aware multiple times I couldn't afford it but still insisted. This shop couldnt care less about you more so your wallet read more

I have spent years looking for a place that can make guitars work properly. I found these guys several years ago and they are the place to be if you love guitars. A bit of "Old California" for musician lovers. You can go to their store and play a few Martins or Taylor guitars and see what is new in electric guitar stock and amplifiers. Nice place. Great service. Reasonable prices. read more

The only place in OC I will take my bass or guitars to be worked on. Ben and the team are super knowledgeable and trustworthy. I would never go anywhere else! read more

This review is mostly for the store owner/s. I went into Guitar Shoppe this afternoon to buy a guitar. It was my first time in the store. I just started to learn guitar a few months ago and love it. I planned to walk out with a Martin OM-28 ($3,400). I came in after months of research and knowing the store had one from their website. I was there 40 minutes playing it, and trying a couple others. There were at least 3 employees at the store. And for 40 minutes, literally not one person spoke to me. It was strange and a head scratcher. When I asked a couple questions, one worker was pleasant but not helpful nor understanding that I was wanting to buy. I was there to buy a guitar, and not to make friends, but the complete absence of any interest in selling me the guitar was puzzling. I personally try to support local retail, but this experience was odd and disappointing. read more

Love this place. Great people! Always friendly and helpful. Make you feel welcome and appreciated. Soulful. This is the kind of local shop everyone in the community and beyond should support. My daughter takes guitar lessons here too and I highly recommend. read more

Had them replace a busted MIM strat neck with an American one. I'm sure that some of it is the new neck, but this is the most amazing guitar I've ever played. The setup is absolutely perfect. read more

My old guitar played badly out of tune and was hard to play. I read on the Internet this model from early 1970s frequently had this tuning problem because an assembly component had wore out. When I brought it in, I thought they would have to remove / replace the bridge and/or neck which was a very expensive repair. The guitar has been into the shop two previous times to fix this tuning problem, but neither was successful. I took it into The Guitar Shoppe after 4 other luthiers in Orange County said they didn't want to touch it and that it should go to TGS in Laguna. When I got it back from repair today, the work done was magnificent, some body refinish was expertly repaired, and the tuning was spot on without having to pull off the neck and bridge. They patiently listened to my story to understand my goal in getting it fixed. They understood my guitar's history and my prior frustration that brought this guitar to the brink of Craigs List or eBay. I'm delighted with the work I only could have gotten from an inspired guru who really understood his craft. read more

Great job great service great price. I have a custom-made Martin that needed the binding to be glued. The repair department did an excellent job and everybody there was extremely friendly and the price was very reasonable. read more

Thank you for the great job on fixing/restoring my guitar. The service was exceptional by the staff Sal, Denise and Craig. The sound room is great for getting lessons with Professor Katz. I would definitely recommend Guitar Shoppe for all your guitar needs read more

My first experience with The Shoppe was to purchase an acoustic guitar. I spent a couple of hours playing many guitars. Ben and Brad annwered all my questions with expert and friendly knowledge. I wound buying a nice Martin and feel very good about the ongoing support they include with the purchase. Highly recommend! read more

I recently purchased an acoustic guitar online for a Xmas gift. I just removed the strings to ad a pick-guard and when I put the strings back on it started buzzing really badly. Long story short, I brought it into the Guitar Shoppe and they hooked it up while I waited. They've also worked on my electric guitars, which was all fine but they helped me out in a pinch when they really didn't have to and that means a lot.. read more

I'm a local coin dealer and had a customer bring in a "kind of beat up" Seagull 6 string acoustic/electric that I bought real well. Took it to Zach and just told him to "dial this in " for me. 1 week later this guitar is like 99 % brand new! It sounds and plays so good! Thanks Guitar Shoppe read more

Been passing by this place for ten years not realizing what an incredible place is right here in Laguna. I thought it was just guitar lessons and selling the occasional Fender. Turns out it is a veritable Mecca of boutique, rare, vintage, used, and collectable guitars. Not to mention a full service tech shop and even two independent guitar builders. I found a 1988 G&L ASAT (if ya know ya know) in impeccable condition for a price so fair I didn't even haggle. Kept the shop open late for me so that I could try the guitar out, too. Also it smells like tonewoods like the long defunct guitar ghetto Hollywood stores. I may live here now. read more

My 1930's Houser Twelve String looks and sounds like new thanks to the Laguna Guitar Shoppe ! Thanks you guys ! read more

Guitar Shoppe - Guitar Stores Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

I know this business is for guitars, but I had the good luck to find master guitar builder Kirk. I managed to get my ligature stuck in the bell of my saxophone, and after trying to fish it out with a coat hanger I gave up. Kirk dropped a light inside my horn and extracted the ligature easily. Not only that, he gave me a ride home when I couldn't get an Uber. In addition to Kirk,I found the others in this shop to be highly professional and friendly. read more

Been bringing guitars here for 25 years. Excellent quality work by knowledgeable people that love guitars.

I love this place because of the location and history, but I was a bit frustrated when having some maintenance done on my guitar. 5 weeks total to get the problem sorted out when I told them what it was on day 1. I will go elsewhere for luthier service in the future, but they always have some phenomenal high end guitars in stock and the people who work there are friendly. read more

Brad at the Guitar Shoppe is knowledgeable and awesome! All the guys there from Anson, Ben and the others are top notch professionals!

Ben and Mark went above and beyond to get my Collings OM-2H intonation to work with 10-44 gauge strings past the 12th fret (it was made for 12s). After consultation with Collings and an adjustment to the bridge and saddle, it now plays in tune all the way up and sounds fantastic. Dedication to excellence at its best. Check out their Fender Custom Shop guitars while you're there. With several superb examples on hand, I was compelled to purchase a '55 CS Strat last time I was in and love it. Compared to some other shops I've been to recently, The Guitar Shoppe prices for such high-end guitars are quite competitive. read more

Really great advice on finding the perfect guitar for me. I went in with a budget of $6k for a collings. I tried out their collings guitars and didnt really care for it. Staff their suggested different guitars on hand at all sorts of price points and never pushed me to buy the collings. I ended ip walking out with a martin that i liked waaaay more and that was priced around $2700. Great staff, very knowledgeable and friendly, and a very satisfied customer. read more

I've brought two guitars here for setup, and I won't ever be back. Both guitars we're returned to me in worse shape than when I dropped them off. The string action is higher, the neck relief is nearly out of spec, and it didn't look like intonation had even been attempted. In one case, a fret leveling was done. While the worst spots were taken down, there are still plenty of uneven frets-- and it didn't help to get the strings even fractionally lower. I strongly recommend looking elsewhere for guitar setups. Incredibly disappointing experience. read more

Listen. I've been in a hundred specialty guitar shops. Born and raised in LA. Played in a band for 10 years and released 3 albums. Am I some rock star? No. But I've been around. And the bottom line is that most of the folks in guitar stores, shops and even repair shops are notoriously condescending - NOT ALL, but most... which makes it tough for the rest of us "non-rock stars" to have a positive guitar buying experience. There is a place in LA - which I'll leave unnamed - I walked in and picked up a $500 guitar, strummed a few chords, guy walks over and says, "you planning on buying that? - because if you're just looking then we prefer you don't touch the guitars." Am I planning on buying it?????? HOW THE HELL DO I KNOW IF I'M PLANNING ON BUYING THE DAMN THING IF I CAN'T EVEN PLAY IT???? My answer? Well, I was planning on buying something but now I wouldn't buy anything from you even if I found my dream guitar. Later, dad. Well, let me tell you something. In all my years of buying and playing guitars, I've never been in such a cool place as The Guitar Shoppe. Who knew I'd have to go to Laguna to find such a total gem. I was referred to TGS by another business and initially ended up going there to have Ben possibly repair something. But then I saw the selection and went three more times before making a purchase. And each time I went, the guys couldn't have been nicer. No joke. I went into the electric guitar room with my 19-year old son, and we were allowed to play whatever we wanted. No babysitter. No hovering salesperson looking at his watch asking me if I'm buying. Brad walked in, handed me a chord and said use any amp you want - play anything you want, and I never saw him again. When I had questions about this or that - my questions were answered. And let me tell you - they have some NICE guitars. All price ranges. I played a Martin which was the nicest acoustic guitar I've ever played in my life. Played $300 fenders and $5500 fenders. What a joy to be able to get a feel for everything without getting in trouble by the angry "I never made it" guitar store police. Went back today and made a purchase because I was kindly given the time to compare and contrast so many different instruments that I was very confident the one I chose was the right one for me (my son actually). And when I was checking out, Brad told me to bring it back in a few weeks for a free set up. Wait... what? Insane. Kick ass place. Kick ass guys working there. And parking right in front. Once again, sorry... I'm from LA so this is all new to me... TGS was a really refreshing surprise and totally worth the visit. No problem dropping money in this place. Wish there were more like it. read more

It's been years since I've been into this great guitar store. Really appreciated the right level of letting me and my son try guitars and asking us if we needed help. Jake is very polite and friendly. If you are in the market for a guitar go see these guys first. They know their stuff and have a very good selection of acoustic and electric guitars. read more

Me and my dad came in to look for an acoustic guitar and Jake the employee was super kind and helpful. He was very knowledgeable about guitars and didn't pressure us into buying anything but just helped out in a friendly way. They have an awesome collection of guitars and a cool environment. read more

They transformed my Strat into a wonderful player with a full setup and much needed fret flattening. Thanks so much!

I can't say enough good things about the Guitar Shoppe in a Laguna Beach. Lessons from Peter Dobson are first rate, probably the best player, teacher and music historian anywhere. Mark Angus is a marvelous guitar maker and I live the custom 12 fret guitar he made for me. Ben and Sean make the Guitar Shoppe the friendliest, most professional and highest level of service guitar resource for new and used guitars, repairs, amps and a huge selection of music books. Don't miss the Guitar Shoppe. I have purchases several guitars, books, and amps there, never disappointed. I just wish I still lived near Laguna Beach, the Guitar Shoppe is rare find. read more

Too notch service. My bass had intonation issues and string rattle when it went in, and now it plays perfect. Thank you Ben!

great local guitar shop with a variety of selection from entry level to high end gear. Super helpful team regardless of playing ability, which is very refreshing. the best part is no pressure to buy, a very chill place to ask questions and play in stock guitars. guitar techs and luthiers are top notch. i have had several guitars set up and maintained over the years. They come back perfect overtime. stop by the shop and see for yourself, you will not be disappointed. read more

This place is awesome! Both for repairs and the shop. Wish I'd known about it sooner. I brought in a couple tricky guitars and they are playing amazing now. Jake and Ben are great to work with. read more

This place rules! It's a beautiful shop with beautiful instruments and a terrific selection of accessories and learning materials. They have a terrific selection of guitars for all price ranges. Their name brand guitars played surprisingly well and sounded great! Best of all is that great people work there! Very cool, knowledgeable and friendly people to talk with. Very helpful without any pressure to buy. I would hang out at The Guitar Shoppe if I lived in the area. read more