Thanks to others for sharing their negative experience at Greenville guitars. Blane Hampton the owner is by far the most rude individual that I've ever run across. Don't believe me? Go in for yourself, ask a simple question about guitars and see how that goes. A friend of mine went in and was looking at guitars. Blane asked him, "What are you playing now?" He replied, " Looking to start playing ." Blane replied, " There's nothing for you in here. My friend was pretty shocked that a store owner would be that rude and dismissive. He walked out, never to return. I'm heading to Raleigh to purchase another martin guitar. I'd rather drive to Pa.to purchase a martin, wouldn't buy a pick from this guy. Go check him out if you feel like being insulted. read more

Such a disappointing experience. I was excited to check out Greenville guitars. The man behind the counter was chatting with someone. Didn't stop chatting. No hello or welcome to the customer as I came in. I looked around and was still ignored. It was the customer who told me it was ok to ask the guy behind the counter a question. By that point I knew I wouldn't feel comfortable here but asked if he knew anyone offering lessons. The man behind the counter just looks at me and says "no". He just glared at me. I have never felt less welcomed in a space. I would never recommend this shop to anyone. The selection was decent which is super unfortunate. I've played guitar for 20 years. I would have enjoyed a local shop. The lessons were for my kids. read more

Shop was not very welcoming at all. I walked in on the shop owner and assuming a friend having a conversation, and there was no welcome. I paused before going to the guitars to try and say hi without interrupting the conversation, and was not acknowledged at all. I was prepared to spend money on a guitar, and was hoping for a little bit of guidance and salesmanship, but it felt like pulling teeth to get the guy to talk to me. Selection was decent, but customer service needs improvement. read more

I'm flabbergasted at how the owner just spoke to me. Very knowledgeable man but has an ego that runs just as much as his mouth. I came in for a specific part that required my guitar to be present to choose. I was belittled for not knowing that. I was treated as if I didn't know a thing and was far beneath him. Incessant talking.... He only talks. He doesn't listen. I asked if he knew anything about a specific amplifier (Spark Amp) that uses an app, and this dude went off calling it crap that's been around for 35 years, again belittling me and telling me he didn't want to talk about it. I paused and said "You're very abrasive, have I done something wrong?" And he told me "I was just getting ready to put you out. So get out and don't come back, you never buy anything anyway. I wouldn't sell anything to a FAT TUB OF LARD like you." He's off his rocker and must have some serious heat behind that counter talking to people like that. In my life, I've never met a bigger Ahole. Blaine is his name. After analyzing our interaction, he seems to be very disgruntled at anything that has to do with the internet. Me showing him the Spark app on my phone was what sent him off the rails. I should've noticed previously when he kept running down people that buy online because they are "lazy and uninformed". It appears he's disgruntled predominantly due to not knowing a thing about the internet, new tech gear and the fact that his sales and shop traffic seems to be virtually nonexistent existent. "Has been" syndrome seems to be his biggest weakness and it shows. read more

I've known the owner, Blaine, for decades and bought many instruments from him, mostly Martin Guitars but most recently a Kentucky KM 272 mandolin. He was far beyond fair with the price and the mandolin was properly set up. Blaine has his ways but he is one of the most honest and fair men I know. He doesn't have a phoney bone in his body. What you see is what you get and if that offends you, too bad. I respect that kind of upfront genuine honesty. Also, he is a wealth of information about new and vintage stringed instruments (and just about anything else. He is old school, hates the internet and refuses to start a website. There's not many like him left, a true legend in my opinion. He has a great inventory of guitars, banjos, ukes, etc. new and used. No cheap junk, just quality instruments at a fair price. If you are looking for true vintage Martins or Gibsons, he can rake care of you. Also any instrument you buy will be properly set up (which you rarely get with an internet purchase) and you have a resource for a skilled person make any adjustment specific to your needs. I highly recommend Greenville Guitars. read more

The owner was full of useful information , and like me, has an opinion. the selection was amazing and if you want straight up good advice, i suggest you stop by and stop by often. read more

I visited two or three times before I decided to never return.. but my first visit told me all I needed to know, the other times were confirmatory. The owner ranted about his perceived success, made condescending jokes... made rude comments upon both my entry and exit... I was having a banjo appraises and seem to remember a comment being made about the fact I was black.. because someone the interaction took a very inappropriate turn. Visualize this: The man goes behind the counter and pulls out a stack of KKK branded, bluegrass vinyl's and shows them to me. I saw the track list, where a few of the songs had n*gger in the title, including one song titled "Run Nigg*r Run" (I can't make this up, because I didn't even know such a thing existed before that moment).. it's as if he thought it was a funny joke or conversation topic.. or maybe had some other reason for showing me ‍ for the record, he's an older white man, I am multiracial, with brownish-tan skin and distinctly black/African features - In other words, he knew I was black when he did this... he then gushed about a black bluegrass band (Carolina Chocolate Drops) as if to try and show he wasn't a racist because he liked listening to this black band... Sorry buddy, even slave owners loved to hear their slaves play fiddle for them. I had an $850 dollar banjo, with online & catalog proof of value, I think he appraised it somewhere between $200-300 dollars and mocked me, when I questioned this (I later sold it elsewhere for around $800) I did still spend money there on some gear, which I regret to this day... not only because of the first visit. Months later my old bandmate was in town.. he is a guitar prodigy, the kind of guy who played entire Van-Halen, Whitesnake, Satriani, Jeff Beck solos when he was still in 8th grade... being a proficient & professional guitarist who often bought new guitars for his collection, I told him about a store in town with a great selection, but warned him the manager was odd and rude... even so, we were not prepared for what would happen. We walked in and my friend browsed around for a moment, stopping at the nicer guitars to explain their features and value, then he picked up a mid-level guitar that was on display out on the floor to test out the action and sound. He plays expertly, with ease, as always, and we started to sing along to whatever song it was. Nobody else was in the store, so I know it was no disruption. Suddenly the man barks "THIS IS NOT A BAND PRACTICE" my friend and I looked at each other, speechless for a moment, then my friend laughed nervously.. but the man continued to yell "ARE YOU GOING TO BUY THAT?" "If not, you don't need to play it, this is not a rehearsal space!" I stepped in.. "I have spent hundreds of dollars here, and probably would spent hundreds more and brought you business from my friends and other pro musicians..but I won't be spending my money at an establishment where I'm not respected. As we walked out he gave a half-committed, half a$$ed apology, while also justifying his rudeness in the same breath.. we kept walking. I wish I could give fractions of a star.. or even zero. It's worse than "you should not shop here" He should not be allowed to run a business at all.. It seems like he doesn't care to make money, but rather to show off his collection and draw people into his "store" which is really a personal guitar closet & an avenue for him to brag-to, condescend-upon, berate people.. and to take out whatever frustration or craving for an ego-stroke he may have at that time. Warn every musician you know. read more

I came into the store looking to buy my first guitar. I had a genuinely wonderful experience. Mr. Blaine took the time to help me pick out the perfect guitar for me. He also taught me a bit about the different types of acoustics and how to tune and maintain my guitar. Mr. Blaine was so very kind and knowledgeable. I absolutely love my guitar and I will certainly be coming back in the future! read more

This guy knows his stuff and was very helpful. We will definitely use him for all of our guitar needs. He is very decently priced too.

Great selection of guitars and very knowledgeable about Vintage Guitar's. I've been buying guitars from this guy for over 25 years. Highly recommend him. read more

If I could leave negative stars I would. The owner is extremely rude and condescending, read it all from the others, my story is the same as theirs. I had real money to spend on some nice high end Martins, but he insulted me and I vowed to never return. And I haven't. Reverb and Redphish Music are viable alternatives. Please use them instead of throwing your hard earned money at this petulant little man. read more

Almost a decade ago I went into this store Looking for a cheap guitar I could write songs on while I was traveling. I explained to the owner I played music full-time and what I needed and instead of selling me a guitar he berated me saying I was lying and did not play music for a living asking what It said on my tax return. Musician I said.. he replied OK come back In 10 years and tell me what it says. I never came back...I've been living my dream for 15 years. This guy left a mark on a young ambitious musican that I still remember to this day. If this place is still in business keep the next generation of musicians away. read more

I dropped in to check out some guitars (I'm shopping for my first acoustic). It's a small shop but well-stocked. The Martin selection was impressive and the owner (the "scraggly short older guy" described in another review) couldn't have been nicer. Yes, he can spin a tale - not a problem as far as I'm concerned. He was very helpful, recommending a very nice used all-solid Guild as my first acoustic as well as some budget Martins (which he was willing to discount a bit more). He insisted I take a Martin catalog - this thing is like a book more than just a pamphlet! Unfortunately, I had to run before making a decision but I'll be back. BTW, if people would just show shop owners some respect by not pawing merchandise they can't afford, by being upfront about what they're looking for, and by taking some time to show some basic human kindness and chat for a couple of minutes, you'll be treated right (and not just by this fellow). read more

Owner is very knowledgeable and willing to take time with you. Wish the inventory was a little more robust.

I've been three times and every time I've been in the store I have personally witnessed the owner scam customers and give them terrible advice - often being extremely condescending about his years "as a professional musician" that I find extremely hard to believe happened. Awful selection, prices, and customer service. Save yourself the hassle and go somewhere else - dont give such as close minded and unprofessional man business. read more

Not a business that should be supported. Owner rambled on for an hour and a half to me about his life, his father, who's as bad of a business man as him, and how cops who retired after 20 years or so of service are bad people. He arrogantly criticized me for my age. Not a soul walked into the store during this time and then he exploded at me telling me to leave cursing at me and saying "I wasted his time" even though I was waiting for him to ring me up practically the entire time. read more

I own around 50 vintage guitars of very nice quality. I had heard he was a Martin dealer. I own a LOT of Martins. I was interested in looking at a D-41 or 45. I could see several nice guitars behind the counter. I asked to be able to look at them and he immediately said no. He didn't ask what I was looking for or if he could help. He just said no. Worst customer service experience ever with ANY store, guitar or not. I've read some of the ratings in which people speak of this guy as knowledgeable. I'm sure he is. However; I'll never darken his door again and will tell all my friends. What an A$$. read more

The owner may be grizzled know-it-all, but he knows his stuff, has a wonderful selection, and my husband got a great banjo for a great price! read more

I am a beginner left handed guitarist after looking everywhere for a left handed guitar I went to greenville guitars and the owner and I spoke about different brands and models. He showed me 2 martins he had in stock 1 expensive and 1 that fit me and my budget perfect.I have read the other reviews and the owner is a no nonsense guy who tells it like it is,being in a college city he has probably seen it all when it comes to bull shitters and tire kickers he knows his stuff. I purchased a martin from him and after 5 months Im coming along.if you need a guitar to fit your needs give him a try. read more

I visited this store and encountered the worst customer service I've ever experienced in my life. The employee (scraggly short older guy) was incredulously arrogant and condensing at almost any question that didn't fit his narrative. I recommend avoiding this store until the employee gets a psychiatric evaluation. read more