Brian's Guitars is a boutique guitar shop that opened in Hamden, Connecticut in September 2010. It…read morewas founded by guitarist Brian Giampietro. An avid guitar player since age 12, Giampietro eventually enrolled in the Jazz Studies program at Western Connecticut State University. After graduating with a degree in Jazz Guitar Performance, Giampietro began working at G Guitars: a guitar shop in New Haven that was owned by his uncle. Before long, Giampietro was practically running the store himself. Eventually he opened his own shop, Brian's Guitars, at a strip mall in Hamden. In 2017, after seven successful years, Giampietro relocated the shop to a larger space in his hometown of Cheshire. That same year, he and his wife Katie also opened West Main Music Academy: a multi-room music lessons studio across the street. Brian's Guitars carries a wide variety of electric and acoustic guitars, basses, amplifiers, effects pedals, and accessories. They are an authorized dealer Paul Reed Smith, Fender, Taylor Acoustics, Swart Amps, PRS Acoustics, Dr. Z, Victoria Amps, and more. In addition to the aforementioned brands, the shop also carries several used guitars and equipment from brands like Gibson, Gretsch, Suhr, Mesa Boogie, and more.
It just so happens that I know Brian Giampietro pretty well because we were both music students at WCSU during the same time. We even performed in a few jazz ensembles together. In recent years, both of my young sons have shown an interest in music as well. My older son takes after me; he likes drums and percussion. However, my younger son has shown an interest in guitars. I told my wife, "I know just the place where we can show our son some serious guitars." Although I've known about the store since it opened, my recent visit was actually my first. My family and I were blown away by the selection. My son's eyes nearly popped out of his head when he saw all of the different colors and body types. My whole family and I were very impressed with the selection. Unfortunately Brian wasn't there when we stopped in, but his staff were helpful, knowledgeable and very friendly. If my son still shows interest in guitars when he is a little older, I know that we'll be coming back.
