Independent stores are the BEST! Martin Music is owned and stocked by Eric Martin, long-time guitarist and Memphian. The hand-selected instruments and accessories represent the level of quality and taste appreciated by his customers. Customization and repair/upgrades can be done in-store! My husband had a telecaster I bought him online upgraded with humbuckers and new frets. They sell pedals, amps, straps, picks, strings, and can get basically anything you need ordered in. Beautiful colors, textures, shapes, sounds and the smells of wood, vinyl, and leather entice the senses. Located across from Taco Bell on Poplar near Evergreen next to Joe's, Martin boasts its own private parking lot and doorbell-entry security door. Yes, you get to play! My husband lusted after an Anderson guitar he played, and I took note. The Black Friday weekend sale came up and I called the store to buy it over the phone! read more

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Terrible service, a white Flying V was sold to me with a false description. It was said to only have marks from guitar stand on the neck. I talked to them by phone and was told it had some additional cracks but they weren't visible on camera, which is fal, marks on bottom of guitar and headstock. I was only told I could return it within 48 hours after arrival, but after complaining I was then told I could return it but had to pay shipping back and a 3% restock fee. read more

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I have purchased a number of top quality guitars from Eric and his staff and will continue doing so. I also take a weekly leason at Martin from one of the best players in this city and I will probably do so until I can know longer hold a guitar. An amaizing place!!!! read more

I had a Washburn guitar that belonged to my Grandmother. She died in 1969, so that gives you some idea of how old it is. I took it to Martin Music to see if it had any monetary value. There were two young men there, one named Eric. They were so very kind, friendly, knowledgeable and helpful! As one young man walked up to the counter he said "is that a Washburn?". It has a lot of damage to it from sitting out of a case for so long (heat really took its toll) and from poor repairs made in the past, but it is still a beautiful guitar. We discussed whether I wanted to keep it or if I wanted to sell it. Since no one in my family wanted it, and if it just hung on a wall at my home it would continue to deteriorate, I decided to sell it. I was very pleased with their offer. I'm thrilled that it will have another life now and hope that whoever eventually purchases it loves it, takes better care of it than I did and makes beautiful music with it again. read more

One of my mother's post retirement hobbies is playing the guitar. She was looking to add something to her collection and we decided to check out Martin Music. Even though they had more than a few customers the staff was pretty friendly and attentive to us. We originally came in looking for an acoustic capo clamp but mama spotted a cute little guitar she had to try out. Of course she loved it, so you know what came next lol This is a locally owned business and I believe it's family owned as well. Check it out for any guitar needs in Midtown. read more

Martin Music - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

I don't live in Memphis and I'd never heard of Martin Music. I stumbled onto them because I was searching for a fair deal on a German Hofner bass and they popped up. After checking out the website, talking to the owner, and reading their Yelp reviews I decided to pull the trigger on a German Hofner club bass they had in stock. They shipped it promptly to my home in Washington state. However, the bass's pickup mounting bracket was broken in transit. Eric went above and beyond to quickly find a replacement and patiently walk me through the installation process. Me not being a luthier, this marked a graduation of sorts. Now I've owned the bass for a while and it's become a favorite in my collection. Long story short, I'm glad to have stumbled onto Martin Music and happier still to have done business with them. You probably will be too! read more

If you like music, and great guitars this is a MUST visit type of place. And if you are in Memphis and don't like those things...i don't really want to know you, ha! Seriously, just walking through the doors at Martin Music makes you want to be better at making music. Being surrounded by such beautifully crafted instruments lifts the soul. The staff is extra friendly, and don't be worried or intimidated, you won't be judged if you don't know how to play well, or at all really. I love this place. read more

If you need your guitar set up, this is the place to go. It will take a couple of weeks but it will play better than it did new. Super friendly staff and a great selection of new and used gear. This is my go-to place. read more

Just came from Martin Music and it was well worth the stop. In town visiting and dropped in the check it out. Guys where so nice and took the time to show me some gorgeous acoustic guitars and a couple of mandolins. Been to shops all over country and this one is now on my map of favorites. Wish there was a shop like this in Los Angeles. Thanks again for the chat and letting me play some beautiful instruments. I'll be back for sure. read more

Very high end. Best selection outside of Nashville. Employees were knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. Although we were just looking - my husband will probably purchase his next guitar here... read more

Worked with Eric and bought a PRS McCarty 594 electric guitar. Eric was most helpful and patient. I highly recommend this shop.

My son is just getting started in guitars, but we have several pro's in the family. He has built a nice collection. He stopped in Martin's looking for a particular guitar. The man was RUDE and a SMART A$$. I guess he thought a young man would not have the money to spend and he was not going to take the time to help him. This guy has no business working with the public. He is unprofessional at best. Go somewhere else. read more

Below are the emails we shared regarding the guitar I was "looking at". I feel that a phone call prior to selling the guitar would have been the courteous thing to do. -----Original Message----- Again, a phone call would have sufficed. The guitar community is a small one. I will be certain to share my experience with your "establishment". -----Original Message----- If you had asked me to hold it I would have been happy to. You sir, did not. - I am vindicated by my relief that I did not do business with your store. That feeling is mutual. Good luck. -----Original Message----- Actually, I would have thought you had integrity to a prior customer who you told that you would be available until the close of the day regarding the purchase of this guitar, either by phone or email, and who asked for a few hours to get the details together fot the purchase, to which you readily agreed. This is in stark contrast to what I think of you now. I am vindicated by my relief that I did not do business with your store. -----Original Message----- Hi Ray, I appreciate your frustration. However, I would not have called you back to say someone else was looking at it as that could be misconstrued as a way to pressure you into buying something. That's not how we do business. On the flip side, how would you have felt if you had told me you were ready to purchase it and I had said hold on, I need to talk with another customer about it first? I'm guessing you wouldn't have liked that. Best regards, Eric -----Original Message----- A phone call that if I wanted it I had to act immediately would have been the courteous thing to do nice since I told you I would call you by the end of the day. I would not have waited to get home to speak to the wife. I will pass on the burst. -----Original Message----- It never fails that a guitar can sit on the shelf without hardly any interest and when one person looks at it someone else does too. The burst is still available. Eric Martin Martin Music -----Original Message----- Ouch. That hurts. -----Original Message----- Hi Ray, Yes, a customer placed a deposit on it about an hour before the store closed today. Eric Martin Martin Music -----Original Message----- Hi Eric, This is Ray. We spoke earlier today about this guitar. Did you sell it already? read more

These guys know what they're doing. They're all super knowledgable, helpful, and pretty easy on the eyes (bonus!!). They've got patience and never try to pressure a customer into purchasing things they don't need. Plus they sale ukeleles. Score! read more

Great Guitar Store. One of the best in the US. Eric Martin is a tremendous help to anyone looking for true fine guitars. Staff is very helpful too. Highly recommend them. Either way... If you walk in... You'll never leave empty handed due to their impressive assortment. read more

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It's the test of every retailer when things go wrong. Mine was not a smooth transaction. UPS misrouted the guitar that I ordered from Martin Music, and it arrived approximately a week later than the original delivery date. I feared, at times, that it would not arrive at all. This was a frustrating inconvenience, not a catastrophe. Yet, I had spent a fair amount of money on the instrument, and I wanted it in my hands. During the entire period when the guitar was in limbo, the lines of communication with Martin Music were open. I kept Eric informed about my progress, or lack thereof, with UPS Customer Service, and he did the same. He often initiated the contact. And, in the end, it was he who unraveled the mystery and got the matter sorted out. The important point is that he never left me hanging. He responded to my e-mails quickly, courteously, and informatively. He never abandoned me after the sale, and took responsibility correcting a mistake that was, in truth, not his fault. When, at last, I received the guitar, it arrived well-packed and secure. (My fear was that after so much hard travel, it would be damaged, thus adding insult to my injury. But that was not the case.) The guitar was as described on the Website. If anything, the description was perhaps a little restrained. But better to under sell and to over deliver. This was the first time I had purchased anything from Martin Music. I would not hesitate to do so again, knowing that if anything should go amiss, Eric and his guys will have my back. They sell great gear. They're knowledgeable, informative, courteous, and helpful (We, of course, corresponded about the guitar before I purchased it, and Eric provided many helpful insights that enabled me to select the instrument that was right for me.) They care about their customers. What's not to like? You can buy from Martin Music with confidence. Makes me wish that I lived closer to Memphis. read more

I bought my first Taylor from Eric Martin in 1997. He has built an impressive guitar empire over the years. Since that first purchase, I have been back over the decades purchasing many excellent instruments. Eric and the staff are extremely knowledgeable. As a collector and player, you will be hard pressed to find a better location to find a high end guitar or amplifier to fit your needs. Don't miss out on the luthier shows at Martin Music from Taylor, PRS, Collings, and others who come through town. This is a don't miss guitar shop if you are visiting Memphis! All the best to you, Eric! read more

Amazing service!! Our 15-year-old son plays an electric violin (with 7 strings) and had been looking for a pedal to add to his board. When we visited the store, the employees were incredibly helpful and really enjoyed working with him! They were very knowledgeable and spent a good amount of time helping him to find exactly what he was looking for. It was so refreshing to visit a store where the staff **really** knew what they were doing and enjoyed their work! Not only did he find the pedal he wanted ... he found another that he couldn't live without. We bought them both and he is having a blast with them. Thank you for your commitment to music!! As a small business owner, I thank you for your commitment to service and thank you for promoting and supporting musicians. We look forward to shopping with you on future visits to Memphis. read more

I don't write reviews but I had such a good experience at Martin Music I felt I should pass it along. I have bought two guitars and an amp from Martin Music and can't say enough about their great customer service. I am just a beginner with all the typical beginner questions they have no doubt heard a million times but every time I stop by they are patient, helpful and understanding. I had a hum issue with the amp I bought from them and they bent over backwards to make me happy. Andrew listened to all my concerns, called the manufacturer, called me back with updates, and flat out did not rest until the problem was solved. You just can't get that kind of service from an out of state on-line retailer. I am extremely happy with every purchase and will be back. Thanks Martin Music! read more

Over the past 2 years, I've spent a bit of time at this place, from buying accessories to buying my guitar. And every single time I've been there everyone is always extremely friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. When I didn't know what kind of guitar I wanted, they patiently talked me through it, put several in my hands to try, never pressured me and let me take my time until I narrowed it down and chose one. These guys are always cool and professional and REALLY know their stuff. I've visited other guitar shops across the state and this one truly is top notch and has a fantastic collection! I'd highly recommend them to anyone looking for a new guitar, amps, pedals, etc. read more

This might be the best music store in North America! It is a stellar experience for any musician looking to find gear or repairs. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and can help with just about anything a musician might need. One of the most important things this store has is it's secret weapon: Robert Scoby. Robert handles repairs and setups and does absolutely superlative work. He took a 1972 Les Paul custom I owned and basically rebuilt it from the ground up. In doing so, he turned it into the best guitar that I have ever owned or played. I patently refuse to go anywhere else to have work on my instruments done, and the only time I make purchases elsewhere, is only if it is something the store has no ability to get (which is an exceedingly rare occurrence). I would again like to reiterate: This is one of the best music stores one can find in the United States, and I highly recommend it. read more

Martin Music is a great music store with a great staff. The inventory is amazing; the care with which that inventory is selected evident. I have bought a few wonderful guitars from Martin over the years. Very much worth visiting when in Memphis. read more

Visiting Memphis over the holidays, I spent a couple of days/evenings on Beal St. listening to blues, the music museums (Sun Records, Staxx, etc) and the Gibson factory, and decided to visits local music stores. After six or so, (each of which treated me quite well), I found Martin Music, spent the better part of a Saturday morning looking and playing and talking. Great folks, Buzzy, Andrew and owner Eric. No rush, not hassle, no sales pressure, just helpful and willing to let me play to my heart's content. I found a Paul Reed Smith I really like...fell in love, really...came back the next day before I left for home in the Chicago area and confirmed my feelings. Back home, I researched the guitar I liked and found that all of their advice and knowledge were highly accurate. I called, negotiated a "layaway" plan base on my post-Christmas finances. Eric was great with a great deal, answering questions, and working out shipping to my local music store here. I've made a couple of payments and will send the balance next week. I couldn't be happier. It's clear that their focus was on fine guitars, my questions, needs and me-- and "sales" were secondary. I'll stop back whenever I'm town and highly recommend Martin Music. read more

Have bought multiple high end instruments from these guys, very knowledgable and kind. They always set them up before I go and have the best selection in Memphis. read more

Awesome music store. If you're looking to buy a guitar, dont waste your time going anywhere else. Everything from pedals to acoustics... they have it all! read more