There's a right way to run a small music shop, and there's an overpriced and under stocked wrong…read moreway. The good news is, Goodwins gets it right. I can't stress how important it is for a music shop selling any type of instruments to create a space were sound quality sells the stock for them. Goodwin's beautifully stocked walls of Taylor, Martin and other accoustic treasures is double height to give these guitars room to sing. There is the smallest of sheet music racks with a scattering of bongos and tambourines, but really this shop is about the strings. And when I say the guys in here know their stuff, take it as rote. In fact, just assume that there's lots of good to be had in a visit to Goodwins and get over there.

An excellent example of a music shop great knowledgeable staff and super customer service…read more I've been shopping here for quite a while and I've never been disappointed

A mere shadow of it previous incarnation (and situated across the road from the huge premises they…read moreonce held) is what is left of the once great McCullough Pigotts. As music shops go it is grand, for the most part it sells sheet music - something only really in demand by the classical world these days since every budding rock musician now pulls what chords they want from the net - for free or very little anyway! At the back is Joe Lynch instruments where they sell a selection of instruments - some nice stuff too, it's just that the selection is small!

This is a one-stop shop for anyone who plays a musical instrument, whether you're a beginner or…read morepart of the National Symphony Orchestra. Small but well stocked, the staff are friendly and approachable and promised me theyd order anything I needed. Offering the biggest collection of sheet music I've seen in Dublin, McCullogh Pigott also supplies all you need for a range of instruments including clarinet, flute, guitar, piano and drums. It's the best place to go if you need a baton, a blues harmonica and an instructional DVD on guitar chords. In terms of actual instruments for sale, you can have a try of the Casio keyboards or the Cort guitars and no-one will bat an eyelid. If you need to know anything about the instruments, it seems that all the staff are musicians and they'll get someone with the right experience to help - customer service at its best. As an added bonus, the staff are great at selecting gifts for a musician friend - even if you haven't got a clue. Give whatever details you can and they'll fetch you something that fits the bill. It's the friendly feel that makes it a winner. Ask a stupid question and no one sniggers. It's laid back but professional and you get an instant welcome. You can tell this place has a lot of loyal clients. In fairness, it's well deserved.

For instrument collectors, Charles Byrne is a musical playground. Here you'll find ukuleles,…read morebanjos, bones and spoons, but also classical guitars, violins and violas. Books and beautiful cases for sale make for great gift items as well. This family-owned shop has been part of Dublin for ages, literally, since 1870, and its instrument packed windows have watched the city go though magical changes. Inside Charles Byrne you will not only find unusual and old instruments but if you listen carefully, hear the song of Irish history echoing off its walls.

This establishment can boast itself as being Ireland's oldest family owned music shop, pretty…read moreimpressive feat. This music shop has a lot of traditional Irish instruments which is an excellent selling point for it. My friend lectures music in the UK and he bought a bodhrán here, he knows his music, obviously! He recommended them for their knowledge and passion for music. They do have other instruments but the Irish assortment is impressive. Waltons has a lot of the market so if you want to try somewhere else that is a little hidden away, gave this place a lash.

Folks, no NOT trust their card system. I return a faulty amp, they put the credit on one of thier…read morecards, when i tried to use it there was absolutely nothing on it. €450 lost and the way I was treated, after 30 years of custom was a sickening shock.

I've been a regular customer for over 20 years. Very helpful staff and always a positive…read moreexperience. Would recommend to anyone starting off or looking to up their game. Recently had an acoustic guitar neck fixed and refretted there. Better than ever. Great service.

I didn't think there was space for a new guitar shop in Dublin - particularly around the Exchequer…read moreSt area which is already well served by the very excellent Perfect Pitch and slightly lesser Music Maker, but here in No. 4, the old home of an Art Gallery I think, is Dublin Guitar Centre. It is a well laid out shop and sells lesser known but noteworthy brands like HUDSON and Cort. The guys behind the desk (Dave & Alan) are helpful and as you would expect no strangers to guitars and musical instruments in general. Deal of the moment for me was the HUDSON black cutaway semi acoustic for 169 Euro - for beginner or experienced player alike it offers great value for money - both playing and sounding well. for the guitar enthusiast there is a new kid on the block and damn it, he aint half bad... which is dreadful news for my wallet!

On a recent crawl through Exchequer Street's music shops, I stopped into the relatively new Guitar…read moreCentre for a peek at the shop's offering. Tiny, bright and so new I could swear the paint was still drying, the store itself was less a Centre and more a depot for Cort guitars as it was just about the only brand available here (although some vintage models are on display). As for accessories, the variety was slim but the stock was excellent; Blackstar amps, decent effects pedals (think Boss and Electro), stands, cables and miles of string at fair prices. The size of this shop is seriously limited, but there's still just enough room behind the counter to hide a practice area where buyers can give different models a test run before making the big decision. Feel free to ask the staff anything about their stock or music in general, the two gentlemen manning the shop are incredibly knowledgeable and eager to share. Having just opened in December of 2009 there's still a lot for this little music store to prove. Kinks need to be ironed out and more selection needs to be rotated in, but I am a huge supporter of independent shops and wish Guitar Centre luck in the new year.

This is a great place to go if you're looking for used or vintage gear in Dublin…read more Jimi is a knowledgable and super friendly guy and the shop regularly refreshes it's stock with fun and interesting gear. If you're looking for something in particular Jimi can try to help out. They also do very reasonable and efficient servicing and repair of guitars and amps. Well worth a trip!

Owen and the folks at Some Neck Guitars are so welcoming and helpful. The store has a great…read morecollection of new and vintage gear too. I can't believe how much cool gear is in one shop. If you play guitar, you absolutely have to pay Some Neck Guitars a visit.

The best guitar shop in Dublin hands down. The only one it seems who can swap a pickup or do a…read morebasic job! Prices are very reasonable, and everyone's made to feel important. Top class.

I love Walton's. It will encourage any small musical bone in your body and make you feel like you…read morecould be the next greatest star. I love to pop in here and plonk on a keyboard or play guitar with amazing maestros that happen to be passing by too. They have everything you could need from beginners to pros.

Unlike some of the other music shops in town Walton's doesn't focus exclusively on one type of…read moreinstrument, but rather sells all of them and the necessary equipment you need for them. The staff are very helpful and won't mind it if you just play away on one of the pianos for ages. Walton's do everything to do with music from tuning devices to sheet music and more. If you like music, you'll love Walton's!