If you have ever had to audition for a band, you will know what it is like to shop at this store. I…read morehave bought three guitars at other GC stores in other states and found them to be friendly, welcoming places. Not this store. I have purchased effects pedals, strings and a few other things here and each time felt that I had to pass an audition just to be allowed to buy something. As soon as you enter, the staff is checking you out. If you don't measure in some way that I can't figure out, you're not "in the band" and they seem to be eager for you to finish up and leave. I would give it one star, but they have an interesting collection of used electric guitars, if that's your thing, and you are cool enough to be allowed time to look at them. Not sure what you have to do to be cool enough to get to try one out though. I have lots of money and I am always looking for another guitar, but there are lots of other stores ...

Almost immediately after posting my review, a member of the Guitar Center Customer Experience, a…read moremember of the Sales Management Team, as well as the Manager at the Williston store, reached out to me by emails and by phone, and made things right. I am totally impressed and very satisfied with the customer service regarding my issue. Thank you, Guitar Center!

Wow. This place is insane, highly recommend if you want to go somewhere strange as hell and have a…read morefunny story. Pulling up to the place feels wrong. It is as if the parking lot is supposed to be empty, thats just how it should be. Coming to the door it's dark, the big display windows are nearly empty with what looks like trash, and you just get this sense which will be an overarching theme in this store. That feeling is emptiness. The windows are dark and when you open that door there is a clear isle going straight to the back of the store. On either side are the "items" in which you can peruse. The smell is what you sense first while your eyes are still adjusting to the dim light, it's something like a rotting sweat ridden couch or a nice spoiled chili. At the back we spotted what I think is the owner, and old man white a white beard hunched over some album. "You here to buy somethin' or just lookin' we reply we were just browsing. He goes back to reading and we feel increasingly uncomfortable. Behind the half-wall directly after entering is a hidden stacks of trash. A literal pile of trash on a couch. Here are flies coming out from it occasionally. We walk further in and the stores rotting carpets smells grow in intensity and there is about 15-20 total records on the wall. Some have water damage some are pristine. But the smell was getting too much for my friends and I. As we leave the store in quite a hurry I notice two large Tupperware RIGHT BY THE FRONT DOOR filled with some putrid liquid full of dead fruit flys and other insects. Walking into the parking lot I was more than happy that I went into that strange hole of a building and recommend anyone go and meet that store owner. They are open every day 11-6pm as clearly stated in the hand written note on the front door. I'm curious about how he supports himself and remains open every single day. Maybe this mysterious man came into a ridiculous amount of money and lives in an illusion that he runs some successful store. Either way it's a place that exists and I gotta give it that. Cheers

Very strange place. Looked closed but there were handwritten signs all over the door saying they…read morewere open. Inside it was very dark, smelled overwhelming musty and of dirty shoes. There were papers, boxes and instruments all over place. Things are marked waaaay up and they don't take returns. Avoid! Go to Advanced Music instead, much more professional, fairly priced!

I visited Vermont Violins 3/20 to pick up a contract and to my surprise it went horribly wrong…read more Before I begin I believe and support small business and most importantly customer service. I have been visiting/supporting Vermont Violin for over 4 years and always dealt with a front desk person who were pleasant and accommodating to my needs (5 stars), however on this day I had a chance to meet the owner and she was not nice, actually unprofessional. The problem My wife visited Vermont Violins to return back our violin and accidently left our contract at the store, so I visited the store to grab the contract that was accidentally left by my wife. You would think it would be an easy thing.. was I wrong. Apparently, since we "don't have a contract" with the Vermont Violin e.g. purchased our latest violin from them we are not allowed to get a printed version of a contract we accidently left at the shop?? Even though we have a $500 credit. The outcome - She wasn't going to print a contract. - Despite my professional approach, the owner spoke to me very rudely - I was told to leave bluntly. I was shocked. Also, for the sake of conversation, we received an email that the store was opened however they requested a call before arriving due to COVID-19. Since I wasn't picking up a violin I was told to leave. Final thoughts I just can't excuse bad behaviour especially when it comes to our hard earn money. I understand if she might have been overwhelmed, but that does not excuse her response to me. Even a follow up call would have been appreciated to say "hey sorry with how everything happened and how can we help" Suggestions for violinist and things we learned: 1. The credit you have earned can only be used for a violin purchase not for accessories, we had to learn that the hard way. 2. Do your research online, there are much cheaper solutions. I gave a 2 star because their products and I know the front desk people are hard workers and have been amazing to our family and others, however on that day I was humiliated by the owner and didn't deserve that treatment.

My wife brought in her viola to be repaired. They worked on it and had it ready very quickly. They…read moreare professional, knowledgeable and best of all -- very friendly. I am happy to recommend them .

Dan has such a wealth of knowledge and experience... and a definite passion to pass it on. I came…read morein knowing some basics and he immediately had a sense of not only my taste in music, but exactly how to scaffold lessons that are fun and understandable. The addition of videos and exercises help tremendously to keep it up successfully once I walk out of the lesson.

From the owner: Lakeside Guitar offers one-on-one guitar lessons, professional electric & acoustic guitar "setups",…read moreand repairs in Mallets Bay, just above Burlington. With over over 35 years of guitar experience, Dan would be honored to be a part of your musical journey.

I have tried to visit the store multiple times, and each time it is closed! Ignore the business…read morehours posted online or on the door. They are rarely, if ever, open! I am unsure if they are still in business in Montpelier or not.

Any musician (mostly string players) should count themselves lucky to have this place around. I got…read moremy first violin here when I was 7, and I've been a dedicated customer ever since. While their selection isn't as broad as most websites or larger stores, they're always happy to order stuff if you ask. Most of the people who work there are musicians themselves and can help you with just about anything, whether you're a beginner or an experienced player. I went in with my mom a few years ago when she was buying me some sheet music for my birthday. The woman behind the counter heard us mention the word "birthday", and we left the store with several free tote bags in hand. The owners (Oren and Kathy) are extremely knowledgeable and accommodating. They will set up times where you can try out bows and instruments in the shop and help you select what you want/need. They can help with all levels of players, especially beginners. Oren lent me a very nice viola for a few weeks when I had a solo concert and needed something with a better sound, and I spent several hours in their Burlington shop (just one of their other locations) with Kathy one afternoon trying out new violas... she was happy to put up with my indecisiveness, get sheet music for me to play, play the violas that I liked so that I could hear them, and make lots of suggestions (if I remember correctly, she studied the viola at Juilliard). If you have high-end instruments, you may be better off going to Boston, New York, or Montreal for repairs and whatnot related to your instrument, as they have more skilled luthiers with more experience with high-quality instruments. Some of my friends have complained about the selection of instruments that they have and the quality of bow rehairs that they've had done, but those aren't reasons to ignore VT Violins. But, for a little violin shop in Northern Vermont, they do a fantastic job. Their prices are reasonable for the merchandise they sell. It's a little more expensive than the same items from online stores, but I like to buy from them whenever possible, as they are an amazing local business.