Top 5 Guitar Center Hacks

We know you can't always shop at a local store so here are Jonathan's 5 hacks for shopping at a big box store like Guitar Center!

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[elijahmosier]

I’ll never forget my first time walking into Times Square’s Guitar Center... two flights of escalators down and I felt like it was another Times Square just under ground, and filled with guitars. Heaven.

[sixthgear]

Pro tip: to avoid embarrassment from playing in public, go in with a mask and a gun and announce it’s a robbery, they will be so afraid of the imminent threat of death, your guitar playing will be the last of their worries, plus, if you like a guitar, they’ll let you have it!

[bdm]

I don’t know how to play an electric guitar but I want to learn. My fear is going in and looking at an instrument that catches my eye and the sales rep asks me if I want to plug it in and play. I’ll feel like an unprepared douche bag. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[greghines]

It's grest to hear someone say positive things about Guitar Center. They were nice enough to let me work part time when I retired. I wish they were around when I was a kid starting out. Back in the day our local music stores would have never welcomed anyone to play any instrument they pleased. Plus their selection of 100s of instruments would have been unimaginable.

[joelsmallwood]

My guitar center is great. They let me play a 59 les Paul re issue through one of their big JCM’s. I was also jamming with one of their employees there.

[JohnnyGuitaristOfficial]

The Hollywood Guitar Center, has always been my fav. Alot of cool vintage guitars.

[gagrs]

I was a manager at guitar center, I loved talking to everyone and helping out people as much as I could but there were definitely a bunch of people who treat it as just another retail job.

The best trick to find the best people is establish a good relationship with the tech. They know who the good players and good people are who to stay away from.

Also don’t be afraid to ask someone to grab that $5000 les Paul off the wall in guitar center, they will be able to afford you putting wear on that guitar much more than some smaller stores are.

[rdmkeytohwy]

Great video and great advice! I do have a Guitar Center within an hour of my house and will use these tips later on this week when i go in. Jonathan, you give advice with care and thought and rather than bash GC with what is wrong you are trying to make any stop in any guitar shop a positive experience. Just being nice to people is always the best way to be. You never know what deal could be coming your way. If you are a jerk it won't happen. I wish your shop was closer to me (i live in Illinois) because i have a feeling i would have a lot in common with you and the other guys at Casino Guitars. God bless and keep the good content coming!

[caseylee]

I'm so glad you mentioned 'Willcutt Guitars'! Bob Willcutt is one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. I met him over 35 years ago in his store, when I was a novice player. He was so nice to me then. I've visited him over the years, but never had him work on a guitar for me. Last year I bought a used fender pro strat, and had him set it up for me. Still as nice as the day I met him. And he's absolutely the best other luthier for miles and miles around! If you're ever in Lexington, Kentucky, be sure to go by his shop. All his people are great to deal with and very knowledgeable. KUDOS TO YOU, BOB!

[cameronmoore]

I've had nothing but great experiences with my local Guitar Center in Baton Rouge. It may be a national chain, but the staff there have great one-on-one relationships with their patrons. I've gotten great recommendations, good used gear, and great deals on new gear.

[johnlord]

My Guitar Center is great. There are two sales reps that I have a great relationship with. They know me, leave me alone to decide if I want a particular guitar or not, and always make me a great deal if I do.

[brittanygarrison]

Cool to see someone say nice things about another business. I wouldn't have lol but still cool.

[mhdz]

Some of my best guitars I bought them at Guitar Center, never ever had any problem, except once with a classical guitar. Other than that, great store, I built a strong years long relationship with the floor manager and store manager. I’ll never forget great moments I had having very cool gear at GC.

[Razrback]

Thanks for all the advice love your channel being a new guitar player it truly helps

[sloebone]

Fair and informative, not what I was expecting. Nice job.

[chrisnunez]

I know someone who worked at guitar center. We knew each other outside the store. But wouldn’t say friends. Anyway I bought a guitar and had a issue. Brought it back next day got another model. That was problematic too. Didn’t notice in the store. Finally I got a 3rd model. And the more I played it the more I didn’t like it. So 4 months later I went in and was going to trade it in to get something else because of how long I had I without returning it. I can tell you now that he went to his manager spoke to him and I got a full refund as long as I got something else. I almost cried. 4 months is 4 months. But they wouldn’t take it as a trade in. They refunded me. Great guys.

[srinip]

Very good advice, and applies to all somewhat larger stores, really. I was very lucky to get plugged into Chuck Levin's in MD many, many, many moons ago (OK...I'm old!!), so GC never impressed me all that much; but excellent points!

[jameshughes]

I've bought guitars from them and an amp. I have nothing bad to say, they gave me a great deal & a free guitar gig bag. They set the guitar up for me at no charge & the guy doing the setup was great & knew his stuff.

[bobnolin]

I love the acoustic guitar room at my local GC. Just walk around and pick up gorgeous wood to play....

[Coco-hg]

Really a nice thing to say, about another store. Makes me want to take a trip up to see your shop. Thanks.