Love the shop. I do my best to shop here when I am in the east bay. Good mix of old and new guitars, nice amps. They have a work bench for repairs. Staff are friendly and accommodating. Since Leo's and Starving went out of business, shops like this need and deserve support. It's better than doom scrolling Reverb. I can usually pick up an interesting and used pedal for a few bucks. Instant fun! read more

As others have said, this is a great little shop. Nice selection of guitars, fairly priced, as well as amps, pedals and all the accessories you would need. Johnny is cool and will answer all your questions and let you try out anything that interests you. They do great setup and repair work as well. Johnny gets rave reviews for his skills and knowledge. I wanted to give props to their excellent amp repair tech, Steve "Doc" Boyd. Amp repair is tricky. There aren't that many places you can go without traveling some distance. Nobody can give you much info over the phone. You often have to make the calculation as to whether the amp is worth repairing or not. You often have no idea as to the cost involved and the time required to fix it. With these guys, you leave your amp at the store and Steve usually gets to it within a few days and calls, texts or emails you pretty quickly with his assessment of the problem. He will give you your options in an honest and straightforward manor. He's a very personable and friendly guy who is really easy to work with. This was my experience: I brought a very nice small Swart hand wired tube amp in with a problem with some crackling and popping as well as the reverb not working. I had checked and replaced the tubes, cables, and the reverb tank and still not fixed the problem. Uh, Oh, this was way above my skill level and involved detailed knowledge of the circuitry and soldering skills that wouldn't make things a real mess. Steve has extensive experience at testing amps and he diagnosed the problems, stayed in touch with me on the repairs and returned the amp to me very quickly for what I felt was a very fair price. They also have a guy who takes smaller amp enclosures and mods them into great little practice and small gigging amps that are thoroughly checked out if that's what you might be looking for. These guys are local Oakland guys with a commitment to the community and they deserve our support. I was totally happy with their service and will continue to be a returning customer. Highly recommend! Tom F read more

Oakland Guitars - Back of Swart Space Atomic Junior - Guitar Stores Near Me - Oakland, California

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Great shop and a great vibe, very welcoming. Johnny was wonderful, even shared some of the shops history with us. Shop small, and support small business. Thanks so much Johnny, we'll be back for sure! read more

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Extremely nice folks. Helped my son out for free-good vibes!! I hope they prosper and always enjoy there work read more

I've had setups done on my guitars for many years by some of the best luthiers in the Bay Area. The set up done by Oakland Guitars on my 00 acoustic is one the best . . . and reasonably priced. Great store ...great vibe! read more

Exceptional service and staff. I had an older Goodwin from college days that has been broken for decades. They revived it and it looks and plays beautiful. read more

Not only does Oakland Guitars have some of the most interesting guitars and pedals on the wall, this is by far the most welcoming store I've even been to. Within seconds of arriving I was greeted and told "play anything you want". The owner Johnny is incredibly friendly and very knowledgeable in both modern and vintage instruments. He also is very active in the community. This is the kind of person and small business I am proud to support. I frequently go back to see what new pedals are in stock and I bring all of my guitars in for work whether that be a setup or a pickup install. Walter does great work! Long story short this is a fantastic shop! I cannot recommend this any more! read more

Oakland Guitars - Oakland Guitar - Front of store! - Guitar Stores Near Me - Oakland, California

They did a great job on my acoustic - bringing the strings down and installing a pickup. I was surprised about how simple the pickup looks and functions. Feels like a new guitar. Thanks! read more

Oakland Guitars - Pickup plug/strap - Guitar Stores Near Me - Oakland, California

They had a soft guitar case my kid needed. $20 a bit dusty but all good. Will definitely sho here again.

I recently had a fret job and bridge and nut replacement on my Epiphone Zepher Regent. I'm completely delighted with the results. I really liked the guitar before, but now I love it. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend their shop for repairs. Dan Powell read more

This place is awesome, everything I would want from a corner shop. Diverse inventory, used stuff, and a few store exclusives. The pro tip is to raid the clearance bin. That's where you can really get a deal! read more

Oakland Guitars - I got a could of used pedals for cheap! - Guitar Stores Near Me - Oakland, California

Oakland Guitars is awesome!!!!!!! Honest, kind, generous, good people run this place.

What a GREAT place !!! Now I'm a guitar geek and can find some bliss anyplace there are good guitars, but this place is a neighbourhood guitar shop for the entire East Bay. Staff are knowledgeable, very friendly, and attentive, and they have an awesome collection of instruments for purchase. I picked up a Chinese made Super Jumbo acoustic here for an unbelievable price. I hadn't planned on buying, but I pulled it down off the wall and before you could spell out "gear acquisition syndrome" I was driving home with that baby in my lap ! It was set up perfectly and I've not changed it in 2 years. Most recently I brought in a guitar I'd just bought with a Bigsby on it looking to have a $100 roller nut installed. They talked me through better options and now with a new spring and a setup she's playing like a dream and stays in tune Last thing I'll say is each time I've been in there've been some people hanging out talking gear and songs and life and it just had a feel you only get at a neighbourhood guitar shop- all easy chill and friendly (Hearts ) You can't go wrong at Oakland Guitars- repairs, vintage, player, and beginner axes in good supply and supportive knowledgeable staff read more

The best: great products, great service. But even more, Oakland Guitars has a sort of welcome vibe that just seems to bring out the best from everybody who walks in. It starts with the owner, Johnny, whose kindness and professionalism are very simply an inspiration. A true neighborhood institution, one that makes me proud to live in Oaktown! read more

I've been to Broken--now Oakland-- Guitars a couple times in recent months and had really great experiences both times. This week I walked in with a question about a possible repair for an old guitar I'd inherited, and walked out with a good-as-new instrument that had replacement parts placed while I waited. Johnny, one of the new owners, was super kind, knowledgeable, and helpful. While I waited for him to take care of my guitar we got to chat a bit, and I was heartened by his sincere desire to make the shop as inclusive as possible, in particular to women, trans folks, and people of color, and people of all experience levels. This should be norm at any music store, but as many of us know, sadly it is not. I'm so happy to have this shop in Oakland and will definitely be back! read more

Great guys, had them set up a strat for me, it's spot on. They have some very cool guitars on display, I plan to drop by often to see what's come by. read more

Johnny rules! Great little shop that cares about its customers and provides good service at a fair price. Everyone is chill here. Bonus points for their love of Jazzmasters! read more

I've been playing guitar for 25 years and have never brought a guitar in for a proper setup. Every time I played my electric guitars at home, I'd have to deal with lots of little annoyances. I'd have static and loud pops unless I twisted the instrument cable just the right way. Switches on the guitars didn't always engage and my stompbox would trigger once every couple of stomps. It was really frustrating and just caused me to stop playing. I finally called Broken Guitars and explained the problem. Although they don't service amps, we agreed that I would bring in all my gear (guitars, cables, effects, amp) and they'd be able to get an idea for where my trouble was. I ended up leaving the guitars with them for a setup, bought some new cables, and headed home. The guitars were ready a few days later and they're just incredible! They function exactly as they should and are so clean! I sound like a 2x better guitar player than I am thanks to the guys at Broken Guitars. read more

I had been passing by this place curious to know what was inside. Then the shelter-in-place happened and I decided it was time to take up some online guitar lessons. I have a beautiful purple Martin Guitar that I bought in 2008 at the defunct Haight Ashbury Music Center that I pulled out of storage. As the original strings were being changed the guitar's bridge became detached, now I had a broken guitar. I had to wait a few months for the shop to open to see if my guitar could be repaired. I got a reasonable estimate and left it to be repaired. Then the looting happened and I was worried about the safety of the shop but as I passed one day I saw the owners had taken care and boarded up the plate glass windows and wrote messages of solidarity against racism. As I went to pick up my baby today, I was impressed with how I was acknowledged as I walked in. I also noticed the love and care with which my guitar was handed back to me, Thanks Michael. I hope I don't break any more guitars but if I do I know where to take it. Broken Guitars also carry other guitar related merchandise in addition to the excellent repairs. read more

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Walked in Saturday morning, was warmly greeted by Walter. Input jack on my guitar crapped out. Walter fixed it on the spot, which surprised me. I fully expected to leave it. I'd had a lot of work done there when it was Broken Guitars. After this experience, I'm back for good, guys. Problem fixed with a bit of preventative advice as well. Thank you! read more

great people, great work setting up 2 telecaster guitars recently. super quick service also.

Came here for the 3rd time to get some strings changed for 2 guitars. Good fast reliable service .

I purchased a new acoustic guitar online from Canada. The low e string had a very bad buzz. I took it to Oakland Guitars. The owner told me that the neck needed to be adjusted. He said he could easily make the adjustment while I waited. Time after time he tried turning the truss rod with different sized truss rod wrenches. He was unable to make the adjustment. I then took the guitar to Wood Street Guitar Repair and after them, to Adam at Adam's String Shack. They both told me the same thing. The truss rod had been stripped and the repair would cost more than the guitar was worth. I then went back to Oakland Guitars. The owner told me that he thought the truss rod had been stripped in Canada. I don't think so. read more

Broken Guitars is a short walk from the MacArthur BART station in the Temescal neighborhood. It is owned by Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day who is a native of East Bay & still lives here. I moved to the East Bay a little over 1.5 years ago. I also thought that the first business in the East Bay owned by a Green Day member would be going to Rudy's Can't Fail diner owned by Green Day bassist Mike Dirnt yet I still have to visit it. The first Green Day owned business I visited was 1-2-3-4 Go! Records also owned by Billie Joe Armstrong across the street before coming here. I have been a Green Day fan since Dookie was released way back in my Freshman year of High School back in 1994. I am a product of the 1990s & feel that Green Day was a key band of my generation. So cool that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame members still live in the East Bay & have businesses here. So Broken Guitars has some beautiful guitars. They have mostly electric guitars yet some acoustic ones as well. I saw the lowest priced guitar at $100 & the most costly one at more than $1,500. Some of Billie Joe Armstrong's personal guitars are on sale here. When I think of Broken Guitars I think of the iconic image of Paul Simonon of the Clash about to smash his guitar on the cover of London Calling which is one of my all time favorite albums. True to the name of the store if you look up at the ceiling of Broken Guitars you will see several broken guitars glued on the ceiling. Besides guitars they also have amps for sale. I am a huge music fan yet never played guitar. I did play bass guitar back in the day & also the drum set. My best friend is a singer songwriter who is a skilled musician who is a great lead guitarist. My good friend in the East Bay is a singer songwriter who is also a guitarist. I would love to come here w/ her as feel she would appreciate it. The staff here were very kind. They seemed to be serious musicians as one was playing guitar & the other seemed to have a lot of knowledge. Definitely worth a stop in here if in the neighborhood especially if you are a musician that is a guitar enthusiast & it is directly across from another Billie Joe Armstrong store the quite alright 1-2-3-4 Go! Records. Both these shops are right near Homeroom, the famous Oakland Mac n Cheese restaurant that has vegan Mac n Cheese w/ heaps of toppings to customize it. I will have to check out Homeroom as it has been on my radar for some time. More than 20 of my friends have reviewed it some giving it 5 stars while others feel underwhelmed by it. Never have I seen a place more hot & cold since the now defunct Juliano's Raw restaurant in Santa Monica. I will have to visit Homeroom soon to judge from experience myself! read more

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I highly recommend Oakland Guitars for electric guitar repairs. I recently took two of my guitars in for setups and I'm very pleased with the both the quality of the work and the quick turnaround time. Tremendous value, excellent service. Oakland Guitars will now get all my setup/repair business. They have an excellent selection of guitars and amps for sale, too. Support this awesome Oakland business. read more

Great shop with awesome gear for all ranges of experience and skillet. With very reasonable and accommodating prices. What I like about this shop the most though is how the owner, Johnny, has become such a caring and warm presence in the neighborhood. From the community outreach and coat drives for the unhoused neighbors, to giving young people and less financially secure individuals free individual replacement guitar strings when they've found themselves down a high e string. Johnny has gone out of his way to make everyone that walks into the shop feel welcome and seen. I've lived in this neighborhood for twelve years and worked on the block since back when it was the original three shops on that corner (Shout out to 1234 Go! and RIP Manifesto and Bows and Arrows!) and I've seen businesses grow and I've seen businesses close, and I genuinely want nothing but the best for this shop. Also I've gotten several guitars set up and modded there and I am thrilled with the quality of work they do on that end. My Jazzmaster sounds great and plays better than it ever has, and my Harmony semi-hollow bass is so smooth to play now. Top notch work. read more

Great store with super reliable service people. Had an amo and my guitar serviced here; had a great experience with both. Really friendly and professional folks, and super helpful besides - had a tube amp serviced here and they recommended a place to go for my solid state amp servicing also and that was a great recommendation. Can't go wrong going here. read more

I've been coming to this shop for a few years and love that it continues to be a shop with great instruments and great people. Knowledgable and considerate owners (new and old alike) who take a great deal of pride in their work and town. The name may have changed, but it's still the fantastic neighborhood place it always was. With every visit, I manage to fall in love with an instrument or two. The range from beginner to pro level equipment has helped me acquire things for nieces and nephews in addition to feeding my own habits. Happy to see it thriving through the rough couple years we've all gone though with Covid. Probably time to grab some stocking stuffers for the extended family. New strings for everyone! read more

Did a great job setting up my bass and getting it back into playing shape. Feels and sounds better than ever! I'll be going back.

Johnny (one of the owners) went above and beyond to help me find a starter guitar for my spouse. I picked up an Epiphone , a case and a stand for a fair price. OC is a local business worth supporting read more

This is the only guitar shop I go to in the bay. Everything from buying the basics of strings and picks. Getting work done like pick changes and fretboard work, all for very reasonable prices and a local who's always willing to share knowledge. Highly recommend. read more

I called on the phone about a Floyd Rose bridge installation on a Stratocaster, discussed it in detail, discussed their schedule and they said bring it on by. They decided it was above their skillset, recommended somebody else and turned the project away. Wasted my time - and gas - just to find out they aren't any better at this stuff than I am. Need a professional, who has respect for other people's time and needs? Look elsewhere. read more

Walked in with a broken guitar, walked out 15 minutes later with a fixed guitar. Kind of amazed. Basically the ideal neighborhood guitar shop experience. Friendly and chill vibe to the place. Sweet variety of used gear too, with super reasonable prices. Definitely will return. Super happy Oakland has a place like this. read more

I needed a small, inexpensive amp for a special nonmusical project we're doing, and Johnny had a used one in the window that he just gave me for free! Unbelievably sweet and generous, and just exactly what I needed. Buy your guitars from these guys and recycle that good karma! read more

BG's get's my vote. I'm a long time (50+ years ) g'tar picker and I visit my kids/gkids in the Oakland area regularly. I usually bring a Baby Taylor when I travel but the airlines are so random with carryons/etc. that, if there's a guitar at my destination, I'll leave the BT home. My S.I.L has an old Indonesian-made 'Montana' acoustic that over the years, has adjusted itself to become less and less playable. It was worth putting up to $100 into it for a good set-up and then it would be fine for my regular week-long visits. I looked around and e-mailed this one luthier in Oakland and explained the situation, fully expecting him to say, "Nah, I prefer to work on higher-end instruments". That is, in fact what he said BUT he then said, "take it to Broken Guitars". I brought it in, told them the situation, told them that I was leaving town in a week. They said, we can do that, called me a couple of days early and BAM!, Bob S. had a sweet-playing, weird-brand acoustic that now plays real nicely. Good folks! Straight-forward, honest, no bull. They even had a nice old Gibson J-50 on the wall that I got to play with while I was waiting. 5 stars! Thank you Gentlemen! read more

Johnny and Oakland guitars have been the first time I've ever had the experience I've dreamed about in a music shop. Community oriented, creating a safe space for people of all levels and backgrounds to explore on their musical journeys. This is now officially the only place that I'll be bringing instruments and my business to. Thank you for making a big positive change in the Bay Area music scene!! read more

This is my local guitar shack, kinda small but cozy. Service is amazing! I have had these guys setup a couple guitars for me sofar, and anything else I need will be coming here first. Thanks BG for being in the neighborhood! read more

A ways back I wanted to get into guitars. I blindly bought an electric, an amp, a whole setup... and I never used it. In my mind I would have this thing sitting near my couch ready to go when I felt like noodling around, and in an apartment with limited space it's too much of a system to get out and set up just to satisfy a passing whim to play. So I came in to Broken Guitars, explained that I'm just looking for something simple to keep in the living room and not get in the way, and left with a wonderful little Gretsch parlor guitar. Exactly what I wanted! Sounds great, looks handsome, and affordable enough that I won't be worried about the occasional scuff and ding. The staff was attentive, friendly, and didn't try to push more guitar on me than I was looking for. I really felt like they were helping me look for the guitar I wanted, and not the most expensive one they could get me to leave with (and they had an *easy* chance to do that, too). What's left to say? I wish it was bigger, they might not have the selection of "that chain store that sells guitars", but if these folks carry it, or if they can get it, they've got my business. read more

Yes this place is the real deal. Good friendly folks working there, a nice little collection of guitars and amps, and seemingly a good repair thing happening there too. I had a great experience in there a couple of months ago buying a guitar and I will be back to check out and maybe buy some other stuff. read more

FIRST AND FOREMOST: This place is absolutely the cool guitar hub of Oakland. Maybe of the entire East Bay. Possibly in all of Northern California. FIX 'EM: I brought my valuable Taylor T5Z for basic set up, and they did two things which I loved: first, they did an excellent job of adjusting the neck, pickups, and action; second: they played the instrument and reported back to me with excitement and delight. I brought in my inexpensive Gretsch Jim Dandy to replace the tuners (the stock tuners are crap, by the way), and they treated it with the same care and interest. BUY 'EM: There's a terrific, limited inventory of high-end used guitars, including, it's rumored, some owned by Billie Jo Armstrong of Green Day (I think he actually owns the place). I actually heard that the Green Day guitarist set up this place to help support his personal luthier. Can't vouch for that. But it's a great story, isn't it. HANG OUT WITH 'EM: Every time I go there, something interesting is happening. One time, a group of rockers were talking about the nuances of string weight and picks, and tube amps vs digital modeling amps. Another time, the local Gibson rep was there, holding court on the nature of various Gibson factories and on Gibson vis-à-vis Epiphone. AND REMEMBER, SPEND 'EM: Every penny you spend here stays in the neighborhood (rather than being sent to some nameless corporate overlords). So there it is: Cool. Professional. Local. See you there. read more