Ever since my first review over 14 years ago this shop keeps getting better and better! I'm used to other chain guitar shops that only chat with the guy who's with me but action music treats everyone the same! Hilarious (dis)respect! Jk. They are amazing and make everyone feel welcome! I stop by time to time to browse and purchase items or get service done. I would highly recommend as I was expecting a restring of an acoustic and a small electric guitar repair to take a few weeks but I was in and out in under 30 minutes. I really have to thank Mr. Matt and the rest of the incredible staff. It makes me want to continue my music journey and come back very often. A big plus is their location now. Parking is ample and signage is clear! read more

Action Music - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Falls Church, Virginia

See all

I want to thank Mr.Mike for helping me figure out if my parts were genuine. Awesome dude. Always helpful when it comes to gear! His Knowledge is very extensive and amazing! Love that guy! And also want to thank John and Matt for the Mods to my guitar. Its always love when i come here, i drive an hour in traffic just because i know these guys are human and know their stuff! Always good Vibes and Beautiful instruments here! If you want a Rare and Unique guitar or amp, simply walk in and see what speaks to your soul! Im beyond happy with my last visit. Legendary Guys and Legendary Shop. Thanks Guys read more

Action Music - X Series Jackson Dinky with SFC Black Winter Pickups with Coil Tap Mod. Thx John and Matt! - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Falls Church, Virginia

My husband purchased a guitar here and I was very pleased with how knowledgeable and kind the staff was. They source so many unique guitars and it's amazing to see so many in one place. He has already made a plan to come back the next time we are in town! read more

Excellent instruments with superb, friendly, and knowledgeable staff. Action Music is the real thing for the best instruments I've seen!!! Mike Barrett read more

Brought my guitar in for a standard setup. In the 2 years of ownership, had no idea it had the potential to play as great as it does . It's like a completely new instrument! Matt is a master Luthier with 37+ years of experience. He explained exactly what needed to be done, how, and why very patiently and clearly. I got schooled on many things like pros and cons of various gauge strings, how that tension affects the neck, frequency (and necessity) of periodic tuneups....the list goes on. It's the kind of information that isn't easy to research on the internet because there's so many nuances in maintaining the instrument. I could immediately see his passion and respect for each and every guitar, as if each had a soul. I chose this shop over all the others nearby because of the profiles in the "about us" page and overall professional/tidy look of the shop. Matt adjusted my guitar in one day after listening to my needs and guiding me EXACTLY to what is best for me; not overselling a service or taking advantage of my ignorance. I'll be back with my secondary guitar because of the exemplary customer service and unique collection of beautiful stringed wood instruments that are not just guitars. Truly a gem I'll continue to mine! read more

See all

Knowledgable and friendly. Repaired my son's guitar for a reasonable price. From now on, this is our place.

Great staff helped me find some new guitar strings for my acoustic. Will come back again for any other guitar needs!

If I could give more than 5 stars I would. Matt and Mike are the best and Action Music is a wonderful store and totally honest. Matt and Mike have a ton of experience and are experts in their field. The big chain stores are no comparison. Action Music fixed my broken amp within an hour right in their showroom. They did the troubleshooting and figured it all out for a cost effective solution. Excellent customer service. read more

I brought in a 1971 SG that was still having electronics issues after a "setup" I had done at a big chain guitar place. The guy at the counter told me it would be a 3-week turnaround, then someone else (I guess the owner) came out and repaired it right on the spot free of charge, then chatted with me about the guitar for a bit. That was 18 months ago and the guitar has had no issues since. You can't beat that. Expertise and class. read more

A couple weeks ago I asked Collings for a recommendation for a luthier in the DC/NoVa area. They recommended Action Music. So, I brought in my precious Collings mandolin and asked Matt to replace the stock tuning machines with a Rubner set I bought. The installation required countersinking and routing to make the Rubner machines fit properly, plus Collings glues the bushings, so one must heat them to get them out. About a week later, they called to say it was ready. The end result is fantastic! Matt's work is just superb - like it came from the Collings shop that way. And the price was very reasonable. I am so happy with the new tuners and the installation. They also stock many fine instruments and accessories. I'm so happy I found Action Music! read more

So rarely do I get the WOW factor from a small family owned music store, but WOW. This is a jewel in the rough. It is a great location, the staff is super knowledgeable, and the products are top of the line. I am in aw with a ton of there products. I will be back read more

Matt sold my guitar from underneath me. I don't question his ability as he had made my Bartell of California XK-150 sing better than it did in 1967. I brought in a Hondo II Les Paul with German carve on Natural color Ash. I finished and graduated rehab and he had sold the guitar while I was away. Is space that tight where he couldn't have kept it hanging up somewhere? I'd still shop there and recommended everyone else do too. read more

GREAT shop. Cool gear, friendly service, honest and reliable. There aren't many gems like this left.

The owner of this store is far too comfortable being mean to his customers. I have never met a store owner who will pontificate ad nauseam the way Matt does when you ask him a very simple question. His comments often demean and belittle, insulting the intelligence of the asker, even after those same people have shopped in his store in all three of its locations (and after spending thousands). And rarely does he ever tell me anything I didn't already know. Like thanks for wasting 45min of my life with your soapbox speech Matt, didnt need to hear about how you're divorced when asking about your return policy. Its a shame because the other staff here are all super courteous and welcoming and the selection is very cool. Not sure Im gunna come back tho! Foxes is right there and Chuck Levins isnt really all that far either. read more

Went in recently for a setup on my guitar. The staff, beyond great. Explained everything, asked questions, and helped me. Everything was within the quote. As a newer player, having people be so warm, open and helpful was great. A shop I will be back too. Such a great place for the work. read more

No one does it better and more professionally than the experts at Action Guitar in Falls Church,Park Ave.Expert craftsmanship ,quick turnaround,very fair pricing.They are very patient and will take you through the repair/setup service,step by step.Super nice guys to deal with!I highly recommend this company to all.... read more

Matt and crew are awesome. my husband was looking for a sound and played several different instruments to compare and was able to plug in his personal bass to compare sounds! We will absolutely be back! read more

What can you say? Friendly, knowledgeable staff. Amazing rotating selection of guitars, amps, effects, and accessories. I've gotten several guitars from Action in the last couple of years, and every...single...one is a total gem, with a purchase experience to match. Support your local guitar store, folks. This ain't the big-box store. read more

This place is absolutely terrific! I'm looking to modify my Gretsch with some new pickups and a Bigsby vibrato bar. They had a guitar with the mods I'm looking at doing, so I was able to bring my guitar in and do a direct comparison. They told me they wouldn't be able to put the exact pickups the other one had into mine, but they spent a long time researching to find what would work. Then they ordered the pickups and Bigsby for me. Meanwhile the owner spent a lot of time talking to me about a beautiful Gibson SG they have. There was no pressure to buy it and he answered all my questions. I've been looking for a guitar store like this in this area -- excellent inventory, helpful and knowledgeable staff. Very happy to find this! read more

Just a bunch of people who genuinely love guitar and gear. Unique stock, knowledgeable staff, and even though I wasn't ready to buy I was treated with a ton of respect. Got pretty busy too, but they were really attentive to everyone. I feel fortunate to have a shop like this in the area. read more

Action is hands-down the best music store I have ever been in. Every other guitar store I visit has the same real estate with, like, ten guitars and three pedals. No one else is ridiculously packed to the gills like Action is. I am excited every time I walk in to run into something new. Once you visit enough and the crew get to know you, it feels like a real community spot, a hangout to talk shop or try new things. And the staff knowledge is just vast, both wide and deep. read more

As a frequent customer of Guitar Center, I could summarize a few reasons why I'd visit here. First, this is pedal heaven. They carry a lot of high end brands of pedals you just won't find at other guitar stores. Secondly, if you're looking for great condition mid to high end used guitars, this is the best place in Northern VA. Thirdly, if you want someone to work on your guitar you might have better luck at this privately owned place than Guitar Center where your luthier expertise varies highly from person to person. read more

See all

They always have some cool vintage amps. Nice inventory of effects pedals. Good choice of Acoustic and electric guitars for all budgets. Definitely worth checking out read more

Very friendly and knowledgeable people. Super collection of acoustic guitars to fit most budgets and needs, new and used. Prices reasonable easy parking. read more

This store deserves more than 5 stars. Music stores can be a bit intimidating to beginners and staff here made me feel comfortable as soon as I stepped in the door. I brought in an old electric guitar to restring not knowing if the guitar was past its prime. The staff told me everything I needed to know about the guitar and encouraged me to keep playing. They restrung the guitar in about 10 minutes and plugged it in to ensure it was working properly. Guitar Center would never do any of these things with that level of care and friendliness. I will be back and will recommend this store to everyone. read more

Matt and team at Action Music are just so great. In the era of big-box stores, Guitar Center, and the like, it's so refreshing to have an option that focuses so much more on excellence. I've had work done on a few different guitars, acoustic and electric, and I bought a ukulele for my daughter, and other accessories. They also have a great selection of guitars and basses, and their staff is so friendly and helpful. Very reasonable pricing, also! read more

Awesomeness! This is a must stop-by store for any musician! Incredible staff, great stuff!

My daughter was looking for an electric guitar for her 17th birthday to replace the one we got her when she was 10. She had poked around online and found something at Action Music. We had never been there before (live in Bethesda) but liked it instantly. Upon hearing what she was interested in, the sales person brought us over to a display and pretty much immediately pointed out the exact guitar she had seen! She loooooved how it sounded and we bought it. The staff were professional and knowledgeable and made the whole experience both fun and efficient. Thanks Action Music! read more

These people are awesome! I bought a cheap acoustic guitar online during lockdown to try to pick up a new hobby. I've been doing okay, but found some chords really difficult to play. So I went to Action Guitar thinking I may need to upgrade to a better guitar and wanting to get advice before buying blindly again. When they saw my guitar they noticed something a little funky and in about ten minutes, they made adjustments to my guitar - and now it feels like a totally different instrument. If you're a newbie, definitely go to them to have your guitar adjusted. They also have plenty of beautiful guitars for upgrading one day. Just a heads up - you'll want to call ahead to schedule an appointment due to Covid. read more

The team at Action Music are friendly, VERY knowledgeable, and genuinely enjoy interacting with their customers. They also are good faith brokers and have the customer's best interest in mind--not just trying to make a sale. When I go I feel like I'm just talking with a bunch of my friends about music gear. Also, Matt is stellar at maintenance/repair work. I have bought several guitars and amps from them and will continue to do so. Forget Guitar Center, get your next piece of gear at Action Music! read more

Incredible selection of professional and high end gear for guitarists and bassists. Their guitar tech is also one of the best I've ever worked with. Great work, fast turnaround and reasonable prices. Thanks guys! read more

Its a very nice shop. The people who work there were super nice. I wanted to buy a guitar and they were very helpful and tried to make sure I tried a lot of instruments out before I bought. They were knowledgeable. There is a really great stock of top knotch used instruments. More refined and high quality than the chain stores. read more

Amazing place. Bought a vintage guitar here for my son, then came back to get 2 other guitars repaired. Great selection. Staff was thoughtful, considerate, knowledgeable and committed to get the job right. Excellent experience. Highly recommend. read more

Yes, I used to work there but I was a long time customer before that. I also buy from them whenever I can even though I live in LA now. Matt has always been gracious, courteous, and knowledgeable as well as the staff. There's always a great selection guitars, pedals, amps, etc...for all budgets. Pay them a visit and you won't be disappointed. read more

Great guitar shop. I loved my visit here - the owner was very engaging and genuine... No attitudes or egos. I felt like a truly valued customer, which was a really nice feeling - sad that it is so rare these days, but this place certainly made it clear that they were interested in meeting my needs (rather than just SELLING me something). They took time to discuss what I was looking for and gave me plenty of time to ask questions, make comparisons, and try stuff out. Good selection of Gibson and American Schecters. A couple PRS, a great selection of mid to high end guitars. Of course amps and effects too. There is a GREAT selection of pedals here, both new and used. Over all a very cool shop, good prices, good people. I even saw a few employees from a certain unnamed large guitar chain store shopping here when I visited. I highly recommend this place. Stay away from that chain store at Seven Corners if you can help it. They were tough to find because I got their address from the Schecter website. I think it was a previous location or something? read more

Please patronize this place, please avoid the Evil Empire (Guitar Center), they deserve your business. The last time I was there I was shopping for an amp for my mandolin; I told the staffer I already had a amp but it was a bass amp. He explained to me how to tweak the EQ on my bass amp to use with the mandolin, saving me hundreds of dollars. I appreciated the honesty. Please patronize this place. read more

I've been coming to Action Music for several years and have always been thoroughly impressed with the staff and especially the ownership. The guitar techs are top rate - as a gigging musician I have relied on them for my guitar set-ups and routine maintenance, as well as modifications and advice on my rig configuration, sound modeling, and gear change in general. I'm particularly impressed with the management. Matt handled a very difficult appraisal of one of my rare guitars and when handling trades or potential sales, I've always been steered in the right direction for me as the consumer - not necessarily what was most expensive or profitable for him. Matt will go way above and beyond the call of duty for his customers. In fact, I once showed up at the store to pick up an amp (which was repaired expertly, ahead of schedule and under expected cost!!!) -- the problem was I blew a tire en route to the store. Stranded in the 90-degree heat, running late, and with an infant-in-tow, his employees kept a watchful eye over my son while he helped me changed the tire and we talked shop. Wow. You simply can't beat the customer service and care. Many, many thanks. read more

When shopping for a musical instrument, many musicians always says to avoid the national chains like a plague and support your small, locally-owned music store. The problem is, of course, the small locally owned store usually has very little selection of the brands that most people have heard of and like, and the prices are usually significantly higher than the national chains. Action Music bucks this trend. Action Music may be the smaller, locally-owned store, but in terms of selection, staff, and to a lesser extent, price, it is among the best in the DC area. The selection here is plentiful. Vintage, new, large brands, lesser known, they are all represented here. For instance, one of the reasons I found Action Music was because they are the closest Orange dealer to me. In addition, their selection of pedals is top notch as well. ZVex, vintage pedals, and other harder to find pedals can be bought here. Action Music also has a large selection of Gibsons which are more varied than what you would find at Guitar Center. The acoustic room is no less impressive, with Guilds hanging alongside Blueridges and Martins. The sales staff are friendly and never pushy. They know their wares and do not simply try to upsell you. They are able to make recommendations based on your needs, and are generally friendly people who will let you try out that $2000 amp or $4000 guitar without patting you down like a criminal. Prices are generally fair. Action Music does not sell at the lowest price, but they are generally equal to or lower than Guitar Center prices. One notable thing is that the used prices are competitive, and the vintage equipment found here seem fairly priced as well. Now if I only had the money for vintage! Action Music is a quality local store in a crowded field. I recommend Action Music, and hope that people will continue to support this store even amongst the many bigger (but not better) choices in the DC area. read more

Action Music is a special place. Matt, Mike and all of the other staff are true experts and take their time to understand what could benefit you as a musician - they are the opposite of "pushy." Action is also an excellent buyer of used pedals and gear - totally transparent in their pricing model, it's a pleasure to work with them. The best amps, guitars and pedals in town. Thanks Action! read more

Yesterday I walked in because I got a loop station (ordered online from elsewhere) and when I tried plugging in my preamp to put my viola through it from its acoustic pick up it didn't work! You can imagine how bummed I was. This is a gift to myself and I was anxiously awaiting its arrival so when it came and I took ALL my music equipment out, plugged in and NOTHING??! Sad day. That was last Thursday. Then I was out of town and unable to get to a music store until yesterday, Tuesday. So I walk in, viola on my back and suitcase with all of my boxes and cables and presented my situation. Not only did both Aaron and the other gentleman listen intently and express interest in my situation, but they didn't make me feel embarrassed about having no clue of what I was doing and they even admired my viola (my baby, really). They made it feel like I was walking into my friends garage to experiment and jam! They checked my cables, and the preamp and guess what? I had the battery in backwards. !! But no worries. Aaron offered me a story about how someone sat down with a guitar to play through an amp and when he turned it on and no sound came out, he realized it was because the guitar wasn't even plugged in! Again, making me feel right at home. Then they let me test out all my equipment and new loop station in the acoustic room for as long as I desired! I didn't make a purchase but they treated me like a loyal customer and friend. I will now go out of my way if I need to just to come back to this place. They've got tons of pedals so you bet I'll be back for one (or multiple) of those!! Thanks, Action Music! read more