A while back, Cory adjusted my Les Paul Studio's frets, which were trying to steal the show by…read morelifting and impeding my ability to enjoy my beloved! Not only did he do it well, he also convinced Gibson that they and not I should pay. I have a monster 8-string acoustic and the strings are too high and tense for my old-man fingers to grapple with. So I called and and Elijah answered my phone call today and took a detailed note with charm and accuracy. These human interactions matter and from a large corporation like Guitar Center these matter even more. Great people working there. And that matters.

Guitar Center is one of the largest music stores in New York City, offering two floors packed with…read moreguitars, basses, drums, keyboards, recording equipment, amps, and just about every accessory a musician could need. We walked into a space that felt overwhelming in the best way, the kind of store where you could easily spend hours wandering through the aisles and testing equipment. The layout was organized by instrument and gear type, making it easy to navigate despite the sheer volume of inventory, and the ability to try many of the instruments before buying added to the hands-on appeal. The guitar selection is the biggest draw. We spent time in the dedicated acoustic room, where the quieter environment made it easier to hear the tone of each instrument, and the extensive electric guitar wall offered a wide range of brands and models to try. The large collection of used gear often included unique finds, adding an element of treasure hunting to the visit. The store also carried a wide range of pianos, synthesizers, microphones, studio equipment, and other music production gear, making it a convenient one-stop shop for musicians across different skill levels. The drum and keyboard sections were equally well stocked, and the recording equipment area gave us a sense of the store's depth beyond just guitars. The staff were generally knowledgeable and willing to help with recommendations, setups, and finding the right instrument, though service could vary depending on how busy the store was. We noticed it could sometimes take a while to find an available associate, especially during peak hours, but when we connected with someone, they were helpful and patient. Even with the occasional wait for assistance, the sheer selection and opportunity to test equipment in person made Guitar Center one of the best places in the city to explore instruments before making a purchase. The hands-on nature of the experience and the variety across the floors made it a practical stop for anyone serious about music.

I love this place, it's one of my happy places…read more.. I've had a few guitars serviced here and they did excellent work. I hear from other people that they can take on a variety of difficult repairs... I just had some set ups and pick up changes. They were don't well and my guitars play like butter. The vintage prices seem fair and their stock of accessories are top notch. The only reason this doesn't get a five is because of slow turn around time. Obviously they're busy and it's understandable, they do great work and people are flocking over... if this is my only critique, this place is killing it!

had my equipment at main drag for year to date i still have not been paid i've know this owner for…read moreyears when the shop was on bedford ave and did business with this store but now karl myers is bullshiting me and now we go to COURT and maybe TV THIS SUCKS it may seem because he's doing business in willamsberg brooklyn that he's on the up and up

NYC Guitar school is one stop for learning guitar, restarting guitar, singing or wanting community…read morewith other musicians (there are also ukulele, bass lessons - and a ROBUST rock band program). In addition to classes there are many events at NYC Guitar School from open mic, workshops, guest talks... SONG LAB is a great new addition to that line up - members and non-members alike can join. Song Lab is a 3 hour block - everyone involved (ALL levels of singers, bassists, rhythm guitars, lead guitars) are taught their part of the chosen song by one the amazing teachers at NYC Guitar School. By the end of the 3 hours the song is played as a group in a performance type setting. Past SONG LAB songs include Rebel Rebel, Sweet Child of Mine, Creep, My Girl. SONG LAB is an amazing way to start playing with other people, test your skills, learn new skills, learn a song you have always wanted to play in record time, meet other musicians that you will see again in either virtual or in person classes, open mics, or join in rock band. My overall experience with NYC Guitar school and their top tier teachers has been so gratifying - I highly recommend Song Lab to anyone new or seasoned - it is a lot of fun.

I started playing guitar when I was 13, and now I'm in my 70s. I never took a guitar lesson until…read morea couple of years ago, when I joined NYC Guitar School. It's terrific, and my teacher (Josh Torvi) has helped me a lot. What I like most about Josh is his flexibility. He understands that each student needs to be taught differently. I'm an old guy, somewhat set in my ways. Josh doesn't force me to play in a certain style, learn certain songs, or insist I learn music theory. He doesn't tell me what to do. At the start of each lesson, he asks me what I want to work on. He'll gently suggest I try new things and get out of my comfort zone, but he doesn't push me when I just want to have fun and play stuff I know. That's what keeps me coming back every week.

Alec is THE BEST! If I could I would always take lessons from him for the rest of my life!!…read moreI am an adult guitar player; still learning. I had to move from NYC , my guitar lessons and becoming more proficient in such a professional, happy and thoughtful place, I miss a ton (inspiration for this review). Alec not only plays at a professional level and has a natural ear for music but can teach and simplify things so you can easily keep growing on all levels of music proficiency ( reading music, music theory, classical and electric guitar). For me as a medical professional with a heavy science background; I really wanted to understand a little of music theory each lesson. Somedays, when I was tired from the hospital though, I could goto a lesson, learn a new song and be playing it by the end of the lesson. I found every minute of my lesson super valuable! I also find having moved around the country a ton that guitar teaches at NYC guitar are on a much higher level of postgraduate music training. I personally like many types of music from classic rock, alternative, big band, jazz and even opera. This place has so much to offer; I sometimes wish I was a kid with more time because there are so many fun opportunities here!!!

I have taken group classes and private lessons at the school. The experience of creating art…read more(Wynton Marsalis describes music as the invisible art) is very personal and leaves one feeling vulnerable, so a nurturing environment is crucial. This place and the folks who work here are beautiful. I have learned and have been challenged though never felt anything but concern, care and support from all of the staff and especially from my individual teachers. And I can now really play music thanks to the teaching and motivation I've received. I cannot imagine a better learning environment. If you want to learn to play music, there cannot be a better alternative.

I feel a tad bit overzealous writing a 2nd review for The Music Inn so soon but I just had to make…read morethese thoughts public. The Music Inn open mic is hands down one of the best in the world! So I live on Long Island and it can be pretty daunting at times driving all the way into the city, especially on a Thursday during rush hour, however The Music Inn is totally worth it, and then some!! Sign up starts at 730 (best to line up as early as possible though, say around 630ish) and performances begin at about 8. Last night it ran to about, and every act was incredible. I performed as well and the audience was super supportive and engaging. I saw one person who was there for the first time and they had such a ball that they ended up buying a gong, for like $200+. I love that! He would randomly hit it outside and proclaim loudly "I fricking love this place!" and I found it absolutely hilarious. The best part for me was the impromptu jam happening outside on the covid-era outdoor patio section. I joined in and we jammed for at least an hour, singing and playing everything from blues to rock to jazz. Lately on my daily drives I've been learning how to sing "Devil town" by Daniel Johnston and this was the perfect opportunity to try and perform it. Everyone joined in, we had a lead guitarist, a drummer (playing on a makeshift high hat from an empty plastic chinese food container), and several guitarists keeping rhythm. It was such a magical time! Oh and the cover is only about $5-7, depending if performing or not. If you're looking for some of the most authentic and passionate music in the city, head to Music Inn on Thursday nights at 8pm, you won't regret it!

Totally bogus crap show. The "vintage" instruments are beat-up, dusty old rubbish that Mr. Slatnick…read morehas purchased over the years from Mid-East Mfg., which specializes in importing cheesy tourist-grade junk to sell to naive out of towners. People who can't discern between cheapo tourist garbage and proper instruments are easily wowed by the profusion of "exotic" instruments. No serious musician would ever be fooled by this stuff which barely rises about the status of firewood. The original owner Jerry Halpern, not the friendliest guy, was an honest seller of quality instruments. Give the jungle of dusty cardboard garbage that's on offer since Jerry passed away, he must be spinning in his grave.

They are absolutely so cordial so helpful and so kind. I highly recommend them This is the placeread more

Whether you're in NYC or Alaska THIS is the ONLY place to bring your horn for repairs!!!! And they…read morehave an incredible array of new and collector's horns, mouthpieces, reeds, virtually anything you need. Honest, reliable, solid and technically proficient to the highest degree...Jon, Rachel, and the guys are the musical equivalent of NASA engineers!!!!

They listed a Drawmer 1960 on Reverb and I went into the store to buy it. The sales rep was really…read morenice and did a great job packing up the compressor so I could carry it home. It works perfectly. Competitively priced gear.

I had a bad experience with Clark who repairs keyboards. In the end he made the condition of my…read morekeyboard worse and the reason why I'm giving two stars instead of one is that perhaps he could have fixed what he broke if I was willing to take it back, and I'd like to give the business itself the benefit of the doubt that their information and service in purchasing gear lives up to a very good reputation, *my* experience was with an old keyboard that was on the line of whether it could be fixed or couldn't, and Clark was honest that it was a risk. However, I brought the keyboard in with a power supply that wasn't its original power supply and although I hadn't had a problem with it Clark was extremely argumentative that there's no way it could have ever worked because it's "just physics." He had to be right, and wouldn't let me finish any of my statements or questions. Since he told me there was an 85% chance he could fix one key that was broken, I agreed to give a $40 deposit but a day or two later I found the same model at Guitar Center and wanted to take the keyboard back if he hadn't started to work on it. I left a message for him to call and let me know if he had started work on it and was told he'd call right after his cigarette break, I called again and couldn't get ahold of him and went back in person where he told me he had called me. However, days later there is still no record of any calls or messages, and I suspect he was not being honest. When I took the keyboard home I found that the key immediately next to the broken key was now very stiff and hard to play, so his diagnostic process with the $40 deposit resulted in worsening the condition of his keyboard. I would have gone back to ask him to fix this if he hadn't rubbed me so wrong in the overall communication. I disputed the charge with my American Express and my account was credited and I don't know if this was Rogue that agreed to refund me.

Guitar Center was once a real destination for musicians. Unfortunately, now they no longer have a…read morefunctioning sales staff. Today after flagging down three people to simply get a pedal out of a case I gave up after half an hour. On two previous occasions things they listed as having in stock they couldn't find. This is why companies like Sweetwater will continue to take over more of the market... All my orders have arrived within 36 hours from Sweetwater. They've been great with returns and you can get a sales person to notice you exist on the phone. It's too bad what's happened to Guitar Center?

I would have spared Guitar Center this Yelp review but since I can not get a manager on the phone,…read moreI'm doing it here. After considering buying a new guitar at a modest price point, I talked to a very friendly young guy at the repair center and told him about my old Epiphone. He agreed that probably a simple adjustment of the neck for under $100 bucks would do the trick. Today, when I walked back into the store, there was an incredibly sour, rude, and dismissive older guy -- I didn't catch his name, but his accent told me he was of Eastern European origin like me. When he first saw me, he started heading for the back door. But I said hi. So he stopped and turned around. He did not say hi back. I told him what I needed and about my conversation with his colleague the day before.. He gruffly told me to take my guitar out of the case and then mildly barked at me when I pointed it in the wrong direction because he hadn't told me to rest the neck on a rubber stand I didn't see. He poked around for a couple of seconds. Then asked me what the value of the guitar was. I told him it was a 1970s Epiphone, nothing special, but the label was also in the guitar so he could have seen for himself. Then he announced it would be AT LEAST $1200 to fix because of all the work he'd have to do. There was no, "Sorry to tell you," or "You might want to consider..." Just a get the f- out of here kind of attitude. I said, "Well, that's ridiculous," as he turned his back and I left. I mentioned it to the security guy at the door who had signed me in (because I walked in with a guitar in case) and he said, "You're not the first person to say that {the guy is a jerk and a poor representative for the company.) And he told me to come back tomorrow. That, frankly, is doubtful. And normally, I don't rag on people online. I like to point out who is doing a GREAT job. This time, though. I couldn't let it stand.