if it weren't for students then i doubt this place would be in business. they have a few studios upstairs for guitar and bass lessons and they also rent beginner instruments. as a kid i took guitar lessons here and gave up on that pretty quickly (or rather my parents gave up on them) and a few years later i took up bass lessons. the teachers were nice but not the most effective. from what i've heard, they also supply rental instruments to local schools, so yeah, this place has "beginner" written all over it.
their guitar and bass selection is mostly entry level instruments, but there are some decent mid-range instruments available too. i think they do repairs as well but i've never had the urge to take my stuff here, if i can't fix it myself i will take it to Binghamtone a few miles up the road. the amp selection here can be ok, they get some cool used stuff once in a while. one thing i do like about this place is that you can buy individual strings instead of having to buy a whole pack, and you can buy single picks as well.
the service here is one of the worst parts. it's not that they have been rude to me, it's just that the workers here don't seem to care. one time i went in here needing to buy something and i had to go find the break room for an employee to ring me out. another time i was behind one guy in line who felt the need to completely talk the ear off the cashier while i waited behind him. the cashier could have said "excuse me for a second while i ring this guy out" and helped me and then continue the conversation later, but nope, both of them had no problem wasting my time.
i know it's better to support local business, but i've probably been here less than 5 times since guitar center opened in 2007. i'll have a certain nostalgia for this place but memories are all i'll have because i'm pretty reluctant to do future business here. read more