I have been going to Fretworks since it opened its doors in Bluffton, SC. Rick Holaus the owner has…read morealways been very helpful and pleasant. Always greets you with a warm smile whenever I visit the store. He and the staff are very skilled. I highly recommend this store. Miriam Petra Tierno

Fretworks is always nice to me and everyone and offer great quality instruments and really anythingread more

I've been a customer of Mike at the co-op for about ten years. There's a bunch to say, I'll give…read morethree examples of Mike's integrity, graciousness and supportiveness. On my 30th birthday, I bought a thirty year old Yamaha from Mike - it called to me. Somebody had sold it to him, and he had fixed it up nicely. I played it unplugged for a few years and loved it. When I started playing plugged up, it had some issues, so i took it to the co-op for an operation. I expected to and was willing to pay for whatever needed done to get the pickup working properly. Mike remembered me buying the guitar and (after two years- with no promise or warrantee) insisted there would be no charge. Wow! I'm an unnoteworthy gigging musician, and sometimes I don't plan ahead. Mike will leave a pack of strings hidden for me to pay for later if I can't make it to him before 5. My friend Shelby told me today that Mike has come to the shop on Sunday- his only day off to help a musician for a gig. Wow! I had scooted in the door just before 5 yesterday for some strings. There was a young couple with maybe a 5 year old. It was literally 4:58. I had forgotten my wallet. Mike tossed me some strings on honor system, I played a cool new (used) j-45AG. I left at 5:05 - on a Saturday - Mike's only weekend night. He was patiently still helping this family with information about their first guitar. They had told him they weren't buying today, he didn't care. He wanted to accommodate and nurture new musicians. Holy crap! What a guy! What a shop! And.... Alvin Ords awesome sandwich shop is across the street. Icing on the cake! My name is Thieme Hall and I approve this message.

Mike always gives the best deal he can on his stuff. He also rents band equipment for local…read moreschools. Stop by and say hi.

i rent a guitar from John's every year for my vacation. This year Scott Evans made my experience…read moreseamless with generosity and kindness. I love John's. if you ever need music services or lessons on Hilton Head I strongly recommend!

Excellent knowledgeable owners and awesome people in general. I am so happy I found this great shop…read morefor my guitar needs!!!

Great Customer service and Andy always gives me the best deals and free things. Best guitar store…read morein the area by far.

This is the best guitar shop that I have been too! The owner, Andrew, is usually behind the…read morecounter. He is super friendly, super knowledgeable, and super passionate about guitars! He paid attention to what my daughter needed and explained everything in detail, providing suggestions for her. He picked up her guitar and played some superb fast finger work! As testimony to his passion, before we left, he was excited to show us an 80s Les Paul Deluxe that he just bought for himself. It was sharp! It was less of a shopping experience and more just "hanging out" with Andrew. This is called a music center, but they are a guitar shop. I didn't see any other instruments inside. They are a cozy shop located on Hwy80 on the "old" side of Pooler. Downbeat Music Center is an orange amp dealer. Andrew is really excited about them, and proud to be be a dealer. They have instructors that offer guitar lessons. He said he has honed into a set of high quality instructors. We came in for a new set of strings on my daughter's acoustic guitar. Andrew strung them, cleaned the guitar and straightened the neck for us...all while we waited. I am not a guitar person so this level of service was perfect to help keep my daughter's guitar in tip-top shape. The work-while-you-wait strategy is dangerous as we walked out with a new (used) electric guitar. My daughter just fell in love with it! They have a good selection of both new and used guitars. The main room you enter is filled with electric guitars. The back room is filled with their acoustic guitars. I'd highly recommend this place if you are looking for a a guitar shop. They provide friendly, expert service. This isn't just a job, they are serving you because of their passion for guitars.

I left a 5 * review on the other Portman's page so will summarize here. Not sure why they created a…read moresecond page. Maybe for better pictures. This place is fantastic. I am a 40 year beginner/ intermediate that sometimes takes a break for a year or two. Every time I go here I increase my education of guitars and music. I bought an Acoustic Alvarez that I play every day. They have a great selection of beginning and mid price guitars but also have high end Martins and Taylors. Prices are competitive with Revere and Sweetwater. What stands out for me is their patience and understanding with a beginner. Jeff, their guitar guy has a wealth of knowledge on all types of guitars and amps. The store does get busy! Give yourself some time if you are searching for an instrument.

I don't understand the litany of bad reviews this store received. People seem to not understand…read morethat this isn't a business that simply caters to an immediate transactional need. These guys are not minimum wage cashiers waiting on you hand-and-foot. It appears that most of the reviews come from uptight affluent class customers who don't understand that this is a multifaceted business and things may take longer than 5 minutes. If you are so desperate to get your needs met than do your own research and buy online. This isn't the banana republic or burger king. If you're patient and have the capacity of a reasonable person you will be rewarded with the answers to your questions. I've only ever had good experiences with this store and ultimately saved myself a lot of heartache and time by getting to a dialogue with one of the employees. Go to the right department and if your so inconvenienced by the fact you need documentation and a credit check for an instrument than do the sensible thing and just buy a $150 guitar. I seriously doubt at 7 years old your kid is a sonic maestro or prodigious lyricist. Entitled morons. Portman's is awesome!