Sometimes you stumble upon a gem of place that is world famous and you don't even realize it. Here…read moreI am 5 years on and realize just how amazing this store is! 2019 Was traveling around the 50 states and hopped into this place as I was passing by... Just blown away by the instruments they had! Not sure how long I was in there, but everything from droolworthy original D'Angelicos, original Epiphones and more... So much of music's history of the past to the present. After I get home and watching guitar videos I keep seeing this store pop up. Keep saying 'Hey, I was there!'... Do. yourself a favor and stop by. See the amazing selection of instruments they have on hand / display. The staff was super friendly and always willing to help when I asked. Thanks guys! Look forward to seeing you again!

Visiting from out of town; decided to checkout Rudy's after reading about it's incredible history…read more Walked in with a matcha from a coffee shop (with a lid); guy at the door was rude about it. listen. I get it. I really do. but the guy wasn't just cautionary. he was abrupt and rude. came back later, without the matcha. met Rudy. great guy. and his manager Zeke. also very cool. nice shop. my friend bought some strings. but the dude at the door... uncool. unfriendly. unwelcoming. sorry, Rudy. thought u should know.

I didn't end up purchasing anything, but as a music lover, I wanted to see what was available. Very…read morecomplete store. The guys working there are so kind and attentive! They let me play one of their pianos for a little bit. Will be back for a guitar soon.

I took my ukulele in to have the strings changed, and the tech convinced me to let him clean it and…read moremake any necessary neck adjustments. I said "okay". When he called to let me know it was ready, he said he had tried to tune my Low G string to a High G and it broke. He had to use a classical guitar string of similar gauge instead. I don't know how anyone can confuse a low G for a high G, but anyway, the next time I came in to have strings changed (I buy the strings elsewhere) another tech replaced the strings. No sooner did I have it home and the A string broke. They only had one set of replacement Low G strings, so I had him put those on. That was less than two weeks ago, and now the A string has broken again. I never had broken strings before, after playing for eight years. I've been using GC to service my ukuleles for years, but I never had an experience like this. I could probably get them to replace the broken string at no charge, but it seems like a waste of time.

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!

BEWARE: Do NOT sell your gear with this store. Mine was sold on consignment over a year ago and I…read moream still waiting for payment. The owner says he does not have any money to pay. Total scam.

Never having sung before in my life, I was a bit nervous and uncomfortable booking a voice lesson…read moreahahaha but in my 27th year on this floating rock I have learned that life is WAY too short to not do things you want to do just because you may be a bit embarrassed. I have found leaning into discomfort is where the comfort is. I walked into NYC guitar school on the 7th floor of 251 W 30th St ready to test my vocal prowess. The entrance is beautifully curated, with guitars coating the walls every direction you look. Immediately I was struck with a creative energy that I was excited to be around. I checked in and sat on the couch as I was about 15 minutes early. My middle school basketball coach would always say "if you're on time you're late." I normally am late but on the off chance I'm not I love to throw that quote around. Gaby, the girl giving my lesson, came in and got me off the couch. Her vibe was RAD. As we walk down the hall into a separate sound proof room thoughts began running through my head. "She better not give me any kind of compliment about my voice or she will create a monster..." I thought to myself while picturing my band selling out the Garden 8 nights in a row. We sit down, and she asks me what kind of music I like. I begin to give my spiel that I give everyone about how I love the Red Hot Chili Peppers and J. Cole, but I'm not a corny J. Cole fan as I saw him at the house of blues in 2010. I am always hopeful this will build some credibility... She immediately names DEEP cuts from both artists that I didn't think there was any chance she would know. "I'm in the right place..." I say to myself. I begin to tell her how I have never sang, but think I have good energy for it and how I kinda think I have a nice voice hehe haha. "You don't need to be a great singer to be a great frontman," she says. BIG mistake, Gaby. That is the first step to creating a monster. She begins to ask about me and what I like to do and I coyly tell her I have a major passion for writing. I'm really shy (shy monkey emoji). "What kind of stuff do you write?" She asks. I told her I write in my journal a lot, as I don't want to tell her the bulk of my writing is yelp reviews she'll think I'm a nerd hahaha. I eventually do tell her my unrelenting passion for writing yelp reviews, and we share a laugh. She then asks "have you written any songs?" I mean of course I have, but haven't we all? I initially resisted giving her a hard yes, but eventually did tell her "I have written a few..." "Will you sing one for me?" she asks. I was taken aback. My internal dialogue "She wants me to sing? In front of her? wtf?" I then immediately snap back into reality that I did indeed pay for a voice lesson, so she probably needs to hear me sing ahahaha. I said the same to her and we had another good laugh. She was so great at calming my nerves, saying things like "I PROMISE you I've heard worse," "Just have fun with it!" I have a bit of a moment here, sitting across from the stranger with anxiety rushing to my head preparing to sing when I hardly even sing to myself seriously. I take a deep breath and begin: "I knew right when I seen ya, I knew that, that I need ya Where you from, Valentina? What's your drink, tequila soda? That's your friend......" Alright I can't give y'all all of it, come to one of our shows at the Garden to hear the rest. My voice cracked a couple times in the beginning, but once the nerves died down a bit I felt I did it justice. "WOW! That was actually really good!" Gaby says. "You have a nice voice and a unique sound which is rare!" Maybe she was gassing me up a bit, but I'm taking that compliment and RUNNING with it. She immediately tells me to keep going and runs to her piano and starts playing notes to try and get the key I am singing in. Once she finds it she runs over and picks up her acoustic guitar, and starts playing chords along with my voice. Next thing I know I am singing this song that I wrote playing over chords, that was so F'in cool. Overall, the experience just made me realize how I need to be around these kinds of creative people more often, it's just so inspiring. Gaby gave me some things to work on until our next lesson! THANK YOU NEW YORK CITY GUITAR SCHOOL! GABY IS THE GOAT! IG @jnov_ Tiktok @jnov__

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.

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!!!

Just finished Absolute Beginners with Sam. Loved the class; it was small and intimate and broke…read moredown the chords and strums into easy to follow steps for someone who had never picked up or strummed a guitar before. Felt super accomplished playing a song on their stage after only 10 weeks of lessons! The staff at the UES location is amazing and very helpful in rescheduling any missed classes. Finally, the online course that comes with the tuition is awesome. It breaks down the lessons into two minute mini lessons; super easy to follow and a great way to brush up on chords and skills learned in class. Definitely looking forward to continuing my guitar education with NYC Guitar School.

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.

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!

Considering selling my (now vintage) high school trumpet, so stopped by Jon Baltimore Music for…read moreadvice on things to do to put take it from quite good shape to the best condition, as well as guidance on selling it. The team was friendly and very knowledgeable. Also appreciated Jon himself spending a little time, providing his insight. A great experience. Great service. Thanks! Would recommend checking Jon Baltimore Music out!

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.

We all know what guitar center is. It's big, it's corporate, and employees range from knowledgeable…read moresaints to miserable slags who are constantly questioning what they did to deserve their lot in life. To be fair I'd be miserable too if I had to deal with the idiots that wander in to this place on an hourly basis, having to listen to dudes play butt rock blues riffs from sun up to sundown. However GC is good for picking up basic supplies, and great if you want a simple set up for your guitar. The repair team at this location is supremely helpful, and above all else accessible. Most experienced luthiers in the neighborhood act like you should kiss their feet for gracing you with their presence, only working three days a week (if they feel like it) and charging outrageous hourly fees. Guitar Center is affordable and always there. That's something I appreciate.

To the "wanna-be cop" manager at Brooklyn guitar center asking me to hold my backpack in my hand or…read moretowards the front of my body after I was already in the store for 2 hours and on my way "out" the store I'd like to share a simple google search that says guitar center "has NO bag policy" and while we are in the mood to give each other rules or advice id like to say use that same energy to maybe dust off the guitars in stock, maybe worry about the finger prints and grime on your product. No maybe better yet ask your employees to walk around the floor and ask if anyone needs help instead of hanging out behind the counter. If security told me my bag was a problem at the door then it's not a problem or if there was a sign in front- again not a problem - but to repeatedly ask me like I'm a child if I'll move my bag with my son with me like you're some cop or school teacher reprimanding me understand you lost a sale and a future customer. Btw, there were customers in your store with big acoustic guitar bags bigger than my backpack you douche!!!!!

I was looking for the first CD recorded by our band, Boricua Legends, more than 13 years ago and…read morefound it at El Barrio Music Center. I had contacted people in Japan and Netherlands who said they had it but couldn't deliver it to me. This store has music that you can't find in other places. The owner is very pleasant and provides great customer service.

This store has a lot of CD's, instruments, and miscellaneous objects (shirts, posters, toys, etc)…read more Towards the back of the store they have a couple of crates full of records which is the main reason I stayed for two hours. They have a lot of records, 95% of which are latin: mostly salsa with a lot of Fania, a lot of boleros and slower Latin music, and some English here and there. They have a lot of repeats as well. I went into this store on a short visit to NY, but will make it obligatory to stop by every time I'm in town from now on. Also spoke with the guy working the store the whole time and he provided great service.