Guitar Center wants to get political now? So is Fender and Gibson. I guess I won't be buying any large purchases from these guys anytime soon. read more

Norman in pro audio was so rude and had the worst costumer service ever racist and very mean to me and his fellow employees. Let the manager know and did nothing about it (Jack). Will never shop there again. I felt very sad read more

I walked in, nobody said anything. There were more employees than customers. I stood at the drum section for a while before I went to look for somebody who can help me. The guy fixing the guitar said, "we will send someone over ASAP." Well, that didn't happen. We bought speakers, drum set, music sheets, and etc.. I won't be back again after I was treated like nothing . One less credit card :-) There was a worker standing at the counter by the door as I walked out. Again, he didn't say anything. I might be invisible. read more

This guitar center is an example of why people talk badly about guitar center. My disappointment began with excitement. I found a great deal on a guitar in the used section and it showed the guitar in stock at this store. I called the store to ensure the quality and availability. I said I was sold and asked what would be the best way to pay. The woman on the other side said to just place the order online. I promptly ordered the guitar and received confirmation of my order. The following morning I get an email saying my order is back ordered. How could a 14 year old guitar that was a limited run be back ordered? After calling corporate and the store the details came clear. After I followed the employees directions and purchased the guitar online(and was charged), they put the guitar back on the floor and sold it to someone else. Then they send me a backorder notice. The guy who gave me these details had the nerve to offer keeping the order open just in case another one came in! Another call to corporate and my order is cancelled and I am awaiting the money to return to my account. read more

SUMMARY: My experience here has been STELLAR. Jerry matched Amazon's price on the keyboard I wanted to the CENT. He was awesome and extremely helpful! THE WHOLE STORY: I had been eyeing the Yamaha DGX-640W keyboard for a couple months on Amazon. But I like supporting local businesses, so I went in to check if they had it in stock. Lo and behold, they did! I tried it out and loved it. The price, however, was higher than Amazon's for the same model. I figured, it wouldn't hurt to ask if they could give it to me for Amazon's price. I asked Jerry behind the counter. He took a look at the Amazon price (including tax) and after some fiddling, he matched it! I was happier than a pig in sh**! I promptly took my new keyboard home and played for hours. Thank you so much for all your help Jerry! read more

I love boutique music stores for their expertise and you feel good supporting a small store, which is typically run by good people who support the local music scene. Bakersfield has an important music scene, and we have important boutique shops. We also have one of the best Guitar Center's I've ever visited. Seriously, some Guitar Center locations in LA, and other large cities, have a big problem with consistency in quality of staff. Our Bakersfield store has awesome people, in every department. The live sound guys know their inventory, and know how it stacks up to products GC doesn't carry. Can you find some of these products cheaper on Amazon or Musicians friend? Maybe every once in a while you can, but not often. Do they make it more difficult for the boutique stores to operate successfully? Probably, but they're not Wal-Mart and I support companies that are successful because of good people. Our GC has gone out of their way to make special accommodations for my requests. Combined that with amazing prices, and it's a win win. read more

This place is fantastic. My wife and I went in to get an acoustic guitar for my son. We know nothing about guitars. Joe helped us. He was courteous, professional and very knowledgeable. Most importantly, he suggested a great guitar and then tuned it for us on the spot. All of the employees seem to really enjoy working there and helped each other while taking care of customers and making the overall experience very, very enjoyable. I was even thinking about taking lessons from them because the atmosphere was so great. I'd recommend This Guitar Center wholeheartedly! read more

Wow , what a place for music lovers . Everybody is so helpful and knowledgeable . They do every thing to have an answer for you . I had a question about a musical instrument I used to play back in India abs Hannah went online to see if that is available any where here . What can I say . So pleased with their attitude . I guess once you are associated to music you become amazing individual . I am not a music pro or any thing but these people in the store are amazing . read more

So Far It has been the worst experience I've ever had with any Music Store. I ordered a $1500.00 Mesa boogie Road King amp online from these guys and it arrived to my house in Florida in terrible shape! All the tubes but two had fallen out of the sockets and were jut laying in the bottom of the back of that amp with tons of broken glass which ended up on my floor. One broken tube was stuck in the socket and I had to remove it painstakingly with needle nose pliers piece by piece. The head had been knocked loose and a transformer bent significantly .The packaging was terrible. Just two boxes taped together with a lot of bubble wrap is not sufficient for a 50 pound amp. Especially when you don't label the outside of the box appropriately. Kind of a no brainer when you have glass in a package, to label it fragile and put arrows saying this side up. Its been over week and I have not received any replacement pcs and there is no ETA as to when they should arrive! This is absolutely ridiculous! If I make a mistake at my work place then It is taking care of promptly. Not when we feel like it. I know that UPS is also at fault but this falls on Guitar Center to make it right. I was told to not file a claim with UPS because it was a waste of time and they wont own up to the damage. Right now all I want are replacement tubes for the ones that are broken but that doesn't seem to be happening anytime soon. I will be returning the amp very soon and then it will be their headache and they will lose even more money. I uploaded photos. The broken glass picture is just a fraction of what I had to clean out of the amp. From reading some other reviews on here it tracks with what people are saying. Not a great place and obviously they are bad at customer service. read more

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I've purchased a few things here in the past... one of which was a Taylor guitar a few years ago and I've always received decent service. Today I went in because I am looking to spend $1000-$3000 on a stage keyboard. I went into​ the keyboard area and not a single keyboard was on. Several​ of the keyboard racks were empty and the selection present was limited. I waited for about 10 minutes and was never greeted by an employee. The store maybe had two other customers in it. After aimlessly wandering the keyboard area I decided to leave. The only motivation I had for purchasing in the store as opposed to online is that I would be able to play and hear the different options. I will be doing my research on​ youtube and will purchase via Amazon. read more

Went in today to trade in some old acoustic guitars and purchase a new one. Talked with the expert -Ricardo. He checked over my inventory and made a deal on one piece and gave me advise on the others. So far so good. Over an hour later (now with Ricardo nowhere to be found) I finally got someone to complete the purchase of one of my old guitars. Asked the fellow to please show me some solid-body guitars in the back that Ricardo spoke about, and he said "sure" and then promptly started to wait on other customers who just walked in to buy picks or something. Maybe my hair was not musician-length or I wasn't sporting facial jewelry - but whatever the case I've NEVER been so studiously ignored in a retail setting. Never going back. read more

Guitar Center has decent guitars and the associates are nice. The reason why I gave it 3 stars because I ordered a Yamaha A series guitar on October and my email said it will come 4-5 business days. Towards the 4th day I called and asked about the status and they said it was back ordered and told me they weren't sure about when it will come. I was bummed out on what they told me but I still gave it a chance, so I waited. Called next week again and they gave me a date (Nov.15). Became excited once again then waited till the day came and called them. They still told me it is still back ordered and it'll probably be there till Nov. 25th. At this point I am lead to believe that it won't come. So I called one last time, a week before the 25th, and this one associate (think his name was Jesús) took that actual time to see what the problem was. It was something wrong with the system's shipping location (i think or something) so he told me to go over there and redo the shipping order. It came on Nov. 25th. Nothing was damaged it was in perfect condition. I was really happy that it came; just wish I would've got something out of it for the mistake and the long wait. (At least something small). To conclude it was an okay experience and recommend getting whatever is in the stores inventory. read more

Guitar Center - Yamaha A series - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Bakersfield, California

I was in need of another keyboard stand so we went to check out what was available. When we pulled up up we saw 5 customers lined up outside (Covid safety protocol). Unfortunately we had to stand in the blazing Bakersfield sun a few minutes (shade only over the first 3 customers). A clerk came out after a while carrying a speaker out to a customers car, on his way back in he took a quick survey of what everyone wanted/was there for. He was able to bring in a customer with him and came back out a few minutes later holding a box with a keyboard stand in it. It was just what we needed, so he took us in, rang it up, and off we went. Thanks Jesus M. for your quick and intuitive service. read more

Super professional staff and wide selection of everything! This store has a lot of the best equipment and the expertise of the staff is very helpful! Bought a little bit of everything and was given great advice from sales person esp. Jacob! Wow!! Love this store, not too crowded, first class service and they can order and get anything and everything really fast!! Very accommodating and eager to help! Highest recommendation! read more

I recently went in to sell a ukulele I've had forever but no longer use. The instrument was given to me as a gift several years ago. Norman helped me and said he needed to verify the authenticity of the ukulele. He took pictures of my instrument and sent them to some reps in Hollywood he claims Guitar Center uses to help them verify authenticity in these situations. Norman said sometimes they take a while to respond. I gave him my number and expected to hear a response. Norman failed to call back. I contacted the store the next day asking for him and an employee stated he wasn't working that day but to call the next day. I called again the next day only to be told he was on lunch and "if you leave your number he will call you back". Unfortunately I've now left my number with him twice and have received no call. It's incredibly frustrating that I've had to contact the store multiple times looking for answers and received zero help. Thank you guitar center, I will take my business elsewhere. read more

Worst customer service over the phone. I called to ask if they had something in stock and the person that answered, I think he said his name was Norman, said "well uh, I don't think so... why?" No help at all. If you need something from this place, I suggest go in and find someone who's actually helpful or go somewhere else. Terrible. read more

I want to love it. It's my hometown Guitar Center, after all. But there are constant issues. As a business owner myself, who maintains a store front frequented by customers, I am astounded by the lack attention given to the customer experience. 1. The "showroom" is always in disarray, during prime business hours. Empty cardboard boxes on the floor, empty or seriously lacking displays, and so on. If they are going to display guitar amps and keyboards, they should be in working order, plugged in and ready to demo. 2. The selection of equipment is sub-par. Entire sections of the store are barren. I went in yesterday to purchase a Line 6 Helix, or comparable guitar processor. No section designated for that product type. No display; and as a result, they missed out on $1,500 that went to Sweetwater. 3. The staff are ill-equipped for their jobs. I understand the nature of the business doesn't allow Guitar Center to staff with experts. Experts cost expert level wages, and that's not practical. But the can be over come with regular, on-going training and mentorships that help new hires learn not only the products, but the science behind the sound. I recommend that Guitar Center focus on the three things that the online retailers can't offer. Equipment demoing, immediate availability of equipment, and real human interaction. If Guitar Center can't excel in those three areas, they will not be able to compete with the on-line retailers...those are the only reasons we think in our minds "I'll go to Guitar Center." read more

Exceptional and knowledgeable staff!! Great selection of equipment. Shout out to Ricardo, Blaise and Jacob for their expertise in helping me chose recording equipment, speakers, mixers and amps! We are fortunate to have a guitar center with Employees who own high end professional recording studios and can guide customers with their expertise and experience!!! Very impressive staff, courteous with great attitudes!! Highest recommendation!!! 1st class 5 star!! read more

Waiting for this store to reopen . I have a special order to pick up and there is a lot of uncertainty as to when that will be

I have been here about 4 times now, none have been for me actually haha. I love music but am not musically talented unless rapping when I was a teenage counts for something. My younger son is now in 5th grade and joining band this year so his choice of instrument originally was the TUBA!! Yea, my son is not the type of kid who will lug around that large instrument, he barely wants to carry his backpack and lunch bag!! My wife and I were able to get him to rethink it and he chose the FLUTE. Not a bad starting instrument and if he enjoys band enough, next year move up an instrument too. We can not afford to purchase one as some of the starter Flutes start anywhere of $2-300 and up so we found out Guitar Center has rentals with option to purchase later in the contract. Rental for a Flute runs $20 per month and $6 for insurance, not bad at all. And what I was extremely impressed with was that whatever you have paid for the rental (not insurance fees) over the course of the rental, it would be put toward the purchase of the instrument if you choose to buy it. The Flute we are renting retails for $800, so if we rent for 2 years that is approximately $480, subtract that from the retail price and we only have to pay about $320 plus taxes. Love that part!! The guy who helped us worked in the percussion department was doing this rental program for the first time since this is the first year of instituting this rental program for the local schools from what he explained. He did very well in explaining the contract and liabilities and going over what is expected with maintenance and how to maintain the instrument. Each time we have been to Guitar Center and this is over the past year and half for a graduation gift to something for our own children, we have experience nothing but great customer service in the way we are treated, the knowledge of the people working there and the level of commitment to satisfy our needs as a customer. read more

I went in last Saturday morning to look at a specific guitar I'd spotted on the website (used Eric Clapton Stratocaster). There were by my count four employees and one customer, namely me. Three of the employees were chatting with each other, which is fine. What wasn't so fine was me standing in the store for ten minutes looking up at the guitar - it was on the top row, thus inaccessible without a ladder - without a single offer of help or so much as a perfunctory hello. Perhaps I'm unknowingly part Romulan and have an invisibility cloak I don't know about. Anyway, I left without trying the guitar or any others. I've been in the store before and had almost always received excellent service, making this experience all the more disappointing. read more

Useless!!!!!! Do yourselves a favor and head to the Hollywood Guitar Center. Morgan needs to learn what customer service is all about. Completely incompetent staff. I don't want to waste my time with Guitar Center. Please cancel my order, instead. I was told that my purchase can not be cancelled until the item is in stock. read more

Terrible at service I waited 2 hours to sell my stuff and lol 35 dollar's value for my stuff what a big joke

The time I have gone in the store have been fine. They were nice to me and had no problems. True some of the staff did not have the knowledge of a product so they got someone that did. I can believe that someone would be rude, they hire young teens to work in the store that have not developed the people skills need to talk to a costumer. I am fortunate that I have not had that experience. read more

I use to live in Bakersfield for a wee while. I loved this shop. A great selection of modern, vintage and second hand guitars. Staff are nice, and so are the prices. I got a cool nylon Ibanez electric acoustic from here. It was cool. read more

I purchased a keyboard flawless great customer service great follow in town-best in town.

We went to pick up some drum sticks here. They are very, friendly. A guy named Dom helped us. He was very helpfully, and a nice guy. They are a billion times more helpful than we are used to from the guitar centers in LA. read more

This big plus about this place is that there is a wide selection of equipment for all musicians, however the only reason I give this place 3 stars is because of the pesky employees. I play drums and I go to the drum section once in a while, and each time I am pressured and asked constantly to buy things I am not even there for. It gets annoying. I don't think I need my hand held through the store, or else I'd bring my mother. The only big problem is that the employees need to lay off a little bit. read more

Really enjoyed our shopping experience here. We received exceptional help, honest and experienced guidance, and superior service from Dallas and Ryan. read more

The absolute worst customer service, had both employees and a manager lie completely about an order and the shipping. And then the manager informed me that it says their order shipping times on the web site, the funny part was I ordered and paid for it in their store, and spoke to them on the phone, but never once was on the web site, so how would I known that other than when the employee told me the item would be ready for pick up. So if you want rude employees and old beat up junk instruments, please by all means shop guitar center. read more

Awful customer service, they tried to blame it on being understaffed but they literally had two customers and five people working. The store also was very dis-organized and dirty. read more

If you come here you have to ask for Josh Burns. He has gone above and beyond to accommodate me and our little church in Wofford Heights. We needed a new sound system and Josh set us up with an awesome package and drove all the way up here to install it. We had issues with some of the software on our computer, so he offered to come back up, for free, and finish the software install when we fixed our computer. He has always been nothing but professional and courteous. ( this is our second big purchase) It's hard to find customer service like that these days. Thank you Josh and we WILL shop with you again! read more

Josh and Ricardo are great at guitar center but to walk in and try to get something over the counter the staff seems a little lost. Asked for simple thing like a set rack rails The kid behind the counter was clueless offered me something else totally unrelated. Outside of big ticket items I'm going to start purchasing things online from American musical supply musicians friend and guitar center. Ever cents Toys "R" Us corporate took over guitar center stores have been horrible even guitar center Visalia, CA is bad so if you need real quality customer care get a hold of Josh or Ricardo at Guitar Center, Bakersfield. read more

I went to Guitar Center, met with Jacob, got the pedal exchanged for a new pedal. He had given me the choice of a discount on the current pedal I had received or just an exchange for a new one. Nothing else was offered for the inconvenience. I'll leave the 2 stars. read more

This place is garbage! They don't know what they are doing, the store is always messy and unorganized. The bass guitar and guitar selection is full of nothing but cheap crappy instruments except for the 3-4 that are all the way at the top. They are more focused on pushing box combo sets out the door than trying to sell quality products. I purchased a bass amp and GK 410 cab and when I asked for a new head after testing out the floor model, the salesman said "we only have what's on the floor." Then I asked for a box and a manual and of course they didn't have either, he told me "find it online." This is not the first time I've had bad service from this place, another time I asked for a price on a used cab and the sales rep had no idea what it was and instead of finding out like I had asked, he went on to help other customers! Oh! And the best one is when I purchased used practice bass amp but I couldn't take it home because I guess you have to wait like 30 days from when GC bought it or sometime like that. Anyway, when I went to pick it up, THEY HAD SOLD IT TO SOMEONE ELSE!!! I guess it's my fault for continuing to come here but I won't make that mistake again. SWEETWATER has the best customer service! That's where I'll be getting my gear from now on. read more

Giving 1star because no stars was not a option. Every time we check the website for certain things and then go in and ask do you have this item? Because online it says ya do. They always reassure us YES, they have it. In fact they have two or three BUT they don't know where to find said amp,headphones,cable,line 6 sonic port. This was especially frustrating around Christmas time. They said they could order everything but couldn't get it in until the 24th...maybe. So here it is in Feb and they will still tell you over the phone and online that they have pv viper amp (they have two) or the headphones we wanted to get (they have 3) BUT STILL CAN'T find them. But don't worry the ppl at the front desk are super knowledgeable because they can Dj's and know lots of bands. Kudos to you, they want you to know,they know stuff. But Everyone down there can't find the items their inventory says they have and arn't gonna look anytime soon. Just get it all from Amazon. Save your gas and sanity. read more

I love this store. So much fun to go in and just hang out, jam with the guy next to you, or chat with the staff. The staff, by the way, is AMAZING. They are super cool, knowledgable, and willing to make a deal. They'll take care of you in there. read more

I participated in Saturday's workshop about getting started with recording on the Mac (Garage Band). Drew and Johnny did a great job as presenters and they answered questions, fielded comments and incorporated ideas from the participants. A very worthwhile use of 1+ hours of my time. read more