SCUM OF THE EARTH. So this past weekend i decided i was going to splurge and finally buy some shit ive been wanting for a while. I made it a point to call ahead of time to make sure they had this certain peice of equipment in stock before i make the drive all the way up there(from chula vista). So i call. The guy over the phone enthusiastically tells me "yeah! we have 1 in stock." So im like sweet. hold it for me."yeah ask for HENRY when you come in" but... ...you know what.. i dont even want to get into this. bottom line is that make sure, even when you call, that they physically check that they have their shit in the store. Because then you show up and they actually dont have it and then try and sell you other shit or offer to ship it from another store. If you could've shipped it from another store you shouldve just told me over the goddamn phone! It would've saved me the time and gas. And it wouldn't have pissed me off so much and caused me to go spend my monies else where. I was ready to drop about 1,000 bux that day. but oh well. never again. if i could give them zero stars i would. THANKS ALOT HENRY. read more

They don't even deserve one star. I took my guitar to replace the bottom strap holder which it is also the AMP connection. The guy that took it in got the part told me it will take a couple of days. I said no problem and left. 3 days later I called and the guy was upset because they are supposed to call me, he said mine was at the bottom of the pile and they'll call me. 5 days later I called again the guy says they don't have the part and it will take longer since they have to wait for part and got mad for calling them. Finally 6th day I go pick it up I just said I know my guitar is not ready but I'm taking it now please, he went inside talked to the other technician if he was going to work on it, I kindly said can I just take my guitar please? The guy gave me the hand and said "I heard you the first time okay?" I bit my lip and waiting for him to give me my guitar and walked out. Took it to a different store it was done in 2 hours and they did more work and had the parts read more

Never again. I have a $10,000 credit line with Guitar Center which will be closed as soon as my balance is satisfied. I've spent thousands of dollars at this store, but they'll never see another penny. It's an absolute nightmare trying to get them to honor their "price match" guarantee. I found an AKG C414 on reverb.com, brand new in the original factory packaging for $630 from a dealer by the name of MGQ gear, or something to that effect. The original Guitar Center associate that I spoke to told me they would not honor the match, "because MGQ is not an authorized dealer" (even though they offer a warranty and great refund policy). I then called back and talked to an associate named "Dave" who apparently doesn't understand what "can I speak to a manager" means. He heard me out then decided that he would give me to an actual manager named "Patrick", who was very cordial and polite, but who still didn't fully understand the value of ensuring that a customer always feels satisfied when they interact with a Guitar Center associate. He also came back with a "I'm not going to be able to do that". So then I called Sam Ash Music, who just opened a location not far from where I live. They were an absolute pleasure to do business with. They honored the match and I left their store with well over $1K in purchases. I left happy. They will be getting all of my business from this point forward. Don't bother with an apology Guitar Center, this isn't the first bad experience, but it's definitely the last. The one star is for the employees that threw in some acoustic foam when I spent $3K at the store awhile back. If any Yelpers are thinking of making a music purchase, go to Sam Ash and ask for Junior. He'll take care of you. read more

I used to frequent this GC for years. I recently went back and to my amazement, the place has had a complete overhaul and looks great! However, looks don't equal good service. I went in recently to purchase a powered mixer and while I found what I was looking for, the perks that I used to get are long gone. First of all, when they asked if I purchased there before, I said yes. They tried and tried to look up my info to no avail, so I had to give it again. *sigh. I then asked if they could throw in a XLR cable. I was given a hard NO. I then asked if I could get a discount on one. Again...a hard NO. WTF! I've spent so much money here and always used to get a free cable or SOMETHING thrown it because of my patronage. No more I guess. This place just lost a long time customer.... read more

I called this store today inquiring about selling a bass guitar and a piano. The guy on the phone gave me a price they might buy it for and told me to bring it in. We drove half an hour to la mesa just to be told that they're not buying pianos at the moment. We went to the guitar station and had the bass appraised. The guy asked for my ID and then disappeared. Another guy came and I waited 15 minutes for him to finish with another customer(who arrived after me). He finally took the bass and then told me he couldn't buy it. Although they were nice about it, these guys really need to communicate better. They need to tell their phone guys what instruments they're in the market for and not waste customers' time. Definitely won't be going back. read more

My husband and I brought our 11 year old son in today to purchase a $700 amplifier. We have been loyal customers for years and have purchased many guitars and amplifiers among other things there throughout the year. We were very discouraged at first when we called on our way over to get their opinion on the one we wanted and when Michael ( the manager on duty) answered the phone and rudely told us no one was available to answer his questions, they were " too busy" for us, we ended up going anyways in the hopes that they would give us their time when we arrived. In the store my husband was treated even worse in person while working with Michael again. He refused to budge and offer us any kind of discount, rudely stating that he "just lost a $12.000 deal by not giving a discount " and was upset about it. (?? That would mean he should try to appease us and do what he could to keep our business ) Regardless, the disregard we were given and lack of care along with terrible customer service from Michael resulted in their " losing our business " for good. Well done Michael! I advise you not to visit there. We bought the amplifier from Marks Guitar exchange. They were awesome! read more

Just showed up at this GC to pick up three drumheads for a gig. I drove approx 120 miles to get here. It was one min after closing time. Plenty of staff still there, doors unlocked, I knew what I needed, would pay with credit card, and a "manager" named Patrick wouldn't let me do the purchase! Well GC and Patrick, Amazon n Ebay sell the same shit, and that's where I'm buying next time, and every time after that. And they wonder why they are always teetering on going bankrupt. PS I used to buy a lot of stuff from this store and company. I wouldn't recommend buying from their on line store "musicians friend" either! read more

Guitar Center - Bad service Patrick!! - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - La Mesa, California

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Came in with my boyfriend to purchase a baby Taylor today at this location and was pleasantly surprised with the amazing customer service, especially by one specific employee. This employee really helped us in choosing the right baby Taylor for us and even offered a discount since we had to purchase the display model as there were none in the back. He made sure it was tuned to perfection and assisted us in a timely manner with the most amazing service. Thank you Connor for all your hard work, it doesn't go unnoticed. read more

Went once; never going back. Employee conduct was ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE. First, as I stepped up to the counter to ask for strings, two employees were talking to eachother about nothing work related whatsoever, arms crossed and leaning in a relaxed fashion. They both looked right at me and then back at eachother, continuing to laugh and joke about personal matters. After a full minute of waiting patiently, she finally turned to me, still slouching with arms folded, asking if I needed something in a tone and manner that conveyed being inconvenienced by having to do her job. After my purchase, I headed over to the basses, just broadly scanning them from a distance. Another pair of employees(again, a male and female) were talking and laughing; she turned and asked very rudly and coldly, "can i help you find something?" in a manner, again, as though she had no idea what I was doing there. Both were looking at me but still standing squarely to eachother, clearly displaying no intention of putting their conversation on pause and actually helping me. I told her I was just fine; they continued chatting. I grabbed a bass off the wall and had hardly started noodling when another employee came walking past me so hastily and carelessly(he actually brushed against me) that I was actually concered for myself and the instrument in my hands. Not even an acknowledment of what he had done, let alone an appology. I decided I had had enough of the place and headed for the door. As a parting shot, after having my receipt checked, I found the exit blocked by yet ANOTHER male-female pair of employees chatting away and oblivious to costomers. He looked right at me and DID NOT MOVE, body language and facial expressions both indicating that I should go around HIM. Still keeping my cool, I said nothing; simply looking at him until he finally got the hint and shifted(barely) out of the path of the exit. From start to finish I was very courteous, never let on that I was frustrated with the "customer service", and in general never gave them ANY reason to regard me as they did. Two stars is generous. Management; wake up! read more

I have been working with Doug since Nov. 2021 up to now (March 2022) on guitar practice. Not only is he an amazing teacher who has quite the ear for the littlest adjustments, but he was a fantastic help through the process of purchasing my first electric guitar! He walked around the store and explained the various details on the guitar, helped narrow down the amps that would be best for me, and was a great support in helping me understand the spectrum of my choices! I landed on a Shell Pink Fender (Player Series), quality amp (forgot the brand) and overall fantastic purchasing experience!! read more

Guitar Center... Great place to try before you buy, just make sure you buy from somewhere else. The staff sucks, most of them are elitist assholes, who ignore you, unless of course you are in a known band. Regular hobbyist musician types, like myself, are virtually invisible upon entering, and if you happen to interrupt them as you attempt to buy something, they become very rude and treat you as if you are wasting their precious time. I went in with $2K looking for a new bass rig (Bass and Amp) and could get no service. Making an actual sale doesn't seem to be high on the list of priorities for these guys. I reccomending buying from Musiciansfriend.com better prices, and decent customer service which I have never had to use. This is what I did, and I got better prices with shipping included. If anyone from GC reads this, I hope you take it as a direct insult. read more

Great music stuff selection, especially for guitar and keyboard lovers! It's fun hanging out here and trying out their instruments. Beware though that their coupons don't work with sale items and most of their items are on sale even though their sales kinda resembles the real full price. Ugh. read more

Guitar Center - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - La Mesa, California

They have some reasonable prices for their musical instruments, and some really great marked down stuff, if it's slightly damaged. My brother has gotten some great deals on his guitars here, and I also purchased mine on sale for $100 off the usual retail price. SUPPOSEDLY you can also negotiate prices for the guitars. (i don't know if this is "oh let me go talk to my manager and see what we can do for you" type of b.s. negotiating or if it's legitimate. someone pls. clarify for me if you know) the employees here are available and helpful, but sometimes their expertise is questionable. the store pretty much has everything you might need, but it helps to know what you want ahead of time. on weekends it feels like you're at costco on a Sunday afternoon, minus the bumper shopping carts. they use elbows instead here. it gets LOUD. so you may start experiencing random anxiety attacks from sensory overload. keeping that in mind, have some xanax handy in your purse or pocket. right now, they have a "green tag" sale, until the end of the month, which is 12 months no interest on purchases over $299. i'm in the market for a digital piano, and they had some great options in stock. that kind of financing might be nice just to split the cost of a large purchase over a couple months without any financial penalty. happy instrument hunting! read more

Guitar center oh guitar center.... I really have a problem with a store that treats their customers like potential thieves (I'm looking at you Fry's). Not because it prevents me from stealing stuff (which I don't), but because I hate lines. Like at costco, or Fry's or now guitar center. Weeeeeeeee!!! The staff was knowledgeable and the service ok, but outside of that, nothing special. If you can buy your stuff online. Don't get treated like a thief unless you are, in which case I recommend challenging your self to circumvent their checking your receipt and barcodes at the exit system read more

This isn't a review... but FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, YOU GUYS.... GUITAR CENTER AND MUSICIANS FRIEND ARE THE SAME COMPANY!!!! Several people have written about how they are really spurning Guitar Center and buying online from Musician's Friend. Great move. Take a look at their respective websites. Notice any similarities? If that's not enough, then actually see who owns Musicians Friend. Duh duh duh.... Guitar Center. Way to stick it to 'em! read more

Went in to purchase a Roland V-Drums TD-4KP kit and was told I'd be charged a 10% restocking fee if I were to play it, decide I didn't like it, and return it. "How would you like it if you brought a kit home only to find it had been played" is what I got from the sales person (nice guy though). Say wha? Plus, this kit isn't even set up on the floor for customers to try out, so how the heck are you supposed to know if you're going to like it? I guess we gamble on the Roland name and they'd much rather sell a $1500+ kit than a $700 one. With the CA tax thing, it's cheaper to buy online tax free/free shipping from places like Sweetwater with NO restocking fee if you decide it's not for you. Not knocking Guitar Center as a whole because I've had a lot of great experiences with them, but just found this particular experience quite odd. read more

Today marked 4 trips where not a single sales person asked if I needed help finding anything. Not a single sales person approached me in any of those 4 trips. Each time I spent about an hour in the store. So if you need assistance then this is not the store for you. In the platinum guitar room everything is understandably locked. Without a sales person, I couldn't check out a guitar I was interested in. Waited, waited, walked out of the room and waited, waited, waited some more and when you're about to spend 6K on a guitar you expect a little customer service. After an hour, I left. On top of this, their guitar selection looks very depleted and picked over. In the platinum guitar room they're plugging the holes with cheap Epiphone guitars. In the main show room there were a ton of empty slots. read more

Came here to ask questions about Lighting and needed to test a light that we had, Chris was the man and answered our questions and helped us out with our lighting. Thank You Chris. **. He's the fella with a beard and has glasses! read more

Weak. I was excited to pick up my Little Martin acoustic guitar after checking online and seeing that it was in stock at this location. It wasn't in stock. The employee also never asked how I was doing or if he could help. He asked everyone else. But not me. When it was just me in there, still not a word. Inevitably, as soon as I asked about the specific model, he morphed into customer service mode. Insisting he could order it for me. I declined. Had he treated me like a customer from the get-go, I would have placed the order. He then pointed out a used Baby Taylor. Not what I was looking for. Walked out. read more

Am surprised people are rating Guitar Center up near 4 stars. Guitar Center has minimal use for existence ever since they put the kabosh on price haggling. That was the only reason to tolerate this place previously--that you could haggle the price down and get a deal you couldn't get elsewhere. The only time they occasionally have really low prices now are on Black Friday--and even then you need the additional coupons you get in the mail to make it worth even thinking about fighting the crowds for. The only thing I use Guitar Center for now is to try instruments and equipment out to order online elsewhere (and with retailers out of state to avoid sales tax--so NO, not Musicians Friend). Because of Guitar Center's fairly large selection, it can serve this purpose marginally well. But if I'm going to a brick-and-mortar to buy music equipment, and am going to pay full retail price (plus CA sales tax, which can be avoided online) I want *vibe*. I want patient, friendly employees who know what they hell they're talking about and are worth paying commission to. I'll support a mom-and-pop if I'm going to pay full retail. Some see Guitar Center as a necessary evil -- but I don't get it. read more

Thanks to the kind gentlemen in the acoustic section i was able to find the right guitar for me Very knowledgeable and patient I love my new taylor guitar was worth coming in despite all the reviews i had seen I don't see what all the fuss was about ? I will be coming to this store for all my guitar needs from now on read more

Very friendly employees, professionals, you go to find everything for the musician spirit inside of you! read more

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I think I would like Guitar Center a lot more if my Mom would stop trying to set me up with the guys who work there. I know a lot of them, and it's embarrassing. Besides, my boyfriend knows a lot of them, too. Thanks, Ma. (She loves my BF, she just forgets... or says "Well, if you become single, [Guitar Center guy] can be back-up.") The canned sardine feeling here deserves a mention. And how annoying the wanna-be rockstar teens playing on totally out of their league equipment in the middle of the narrow aisle are. And that they never seem to have the turntable needles I need. About a particularly jarring jaunt for a new needle... I tend not to like the people who check your receipts as you exit. I once took a (clearly) used record player in to match the needle (it was old and the arm wouldn't come off.) As I was leaving, the girl there rudely yelled at me to not leave, and show my receipt. It took a lot of verbal magic, and a visit from the guy trying to help me find the needles I needed (which they didn't have) to get this girl off my back. Before she would let me go, she scolded, again rather harshly "Next time you need to put a sticker on it when you bring your own in." Now how the hell was I supposed to have known that, unless informed of it on my way in? Usually, the floor assistance there is top notch, don't get me wrong. It's just those door nazis I can't hang with. I once hung out with one of them at a party, and I've gotta be honest- she was a big, big bitch. read more

I've never had a problem with Guitar Center. The employees who work there are generally helpful and amiable and I've yet to run into a snobby A-hole at this particular GC location. When the store is busy, it may be difficult to get help, but that's not really Guitar Center or its employees' faults. Be patient and don't be a jerk and you'll get help eventually. Complaints about Guitar Center usually come in two varieties. They're either too snobby and inattentive, or they're way too pushy. But if you think about it, those are two wildly divergent criticisms. So which is it? Are Guitar Center employees so full of themselves that they wouldn't deign to help the most eager customer? Or are they so hell-bent on getting paid commission that they try to push the newest, most expensive widget on everyone? I have dealt with both -- snobby employees and pushy employees -- at smaller mom & pop type music stores. Those guys aren't unique to big, chain stores. If I have one complaint about Guitar Center, it's their selection, which tends to be of the ho-hum Fender/Gibson/Marshall variety. How about some interesting brands like Duesenberg or Flaxwood? When will you carry some Devi Ever pedals? read more

I've shopped here for years and I noticed you'll receive a prompt service if you bring a cute or hot girl with you. And that Bald dude in the acoustic guitars area is like a damn pedo. I catch him staring and sh*t. The drum area people seem real cool unlike the rest of the departments. The bass area good luck. Elec guitars I wouldn't know other than a bunch of people always playing metal and looking to see if you're watching them. The keyboards, mic and recording area e.t.c. You'll probably meet Henry HAHAHA read more

Pros: -reasonable prices (unlike some music shops that are overpriced) -alot of merchandise -fun to play around Cons: -Customer service is garbage -MOST employees are rude (a older long haired man in acoustic guitars just made me uncomfortable how douchey he was, and I just asked too look at a guitar!) Being that rude made me not wanna buy a guitar there just a bummer :/ At least the employees in the drum section are nice/helpful read more

Worst Guitar Center I've been to. There were a ton of employees on staff, yet no one was able to help. So when we took the initiative to grab the item we wanted ourselves, an employee came and ridiculed us (literally spoke to us as if we were toddlers) for not letting them get it for us. Then when we asked for him to get another done he was very rude and told us it was the same one as the one we already looked at, when clearly it was not. Extremely poor customer service, very rude employees, don't know what they're talking about. read more

I'm not typically a fan of the vortex of swirling chaos known as Guitar Center, but over the years I've sometimes given them my money because -- until recently -- they've been willing to beat online prices. However, during my last venture to the La Mesa store I was disappointed to learn they have a "new policy" (manager's words) that prevented them at the time from beating the out-the-door prices of online competitors like www.zzounds.com (who provide great price beating options). I don't know if there really is such a "policy" or if the manager was just trying to stonewall me, but what I do know is that it doesn't make sense to drive to GC and purchase gear when it can be purchased for cheaper elsewhere without leaving your home. If it were a small mom-and-pop shop I could see the argument for shopping there, but if it's a choice between one giant soulless corporation or another, I'm going to go with the giant soulless online corporation that provides me with the best deal. GC owns many of the major online retailers (Musiciansfriend.com, Harmony Central, Music123, etc.), so in the end the money is probably going back into their pocket anyway. I always went to the La Mesa store as a courtesy to give them the first shot at my business, but if they can't beat the bottom line prices of online retailers, there's no point in going (unless of course I need an emergency cable or something or want to test gear before buying it). Beat online OTD prices and I'll start spending my money there again. read more

I went a bought a Yamaha P115.. I was helped by Nick. Can I just say I had the best customer service ever. Not only was he nice, he was patient while I had to wait on the phone to have my credit card approve the purchase. Nick also helped bring all my stuff to the car and when we realized it wasn't going to fit he brought it back into the store to hold for me to come back. He was super nice. And he definitely deserves to be recognized... Props to the door man too.. I think his name was Doug. He helped as well. Overall just a great experience. And I love my new keyboard. read more

Drum section is terribly run. They never have products in stock to the point that I just order things on Amazon. I've made the trip out there 4 times now with them not having reallllly basic things in stock, like sticks, stands, and other basic hardware. I would recommend always calling ahead to make sure your product is in stock, and don't even deal with the staff. They won't answer the question you have. I used to love garage center when I was younger and more wide-eyed with all the gear in there, but now that I need to just get in and out with the equipment I need it's a complete pain in the ass and inconvenient. Also make sure you always price match. 2 stars because the last 4 times I've gone there I've left very irritated. read more

Great service. I had trouble ordering a usb cable online but when I showed up at the store the manager was more than happy to fix this problem. They also made everything else about my purchase quite pleasant. read more

People work there thing that they are , and they are not , lousy customer service, and don't know there products, if I were to work there I would be educating my self all the time, not mindless gabbing read more

Take the Guitar out of the name and replace it with "Mark Up" and you have what GC should be called. That's right Mark up Center! As bob s. mentioned the sales people on hand are out circling the floor like vultures, surveying each prospective commission take. The fact you have to barter rather than have low prices to begin with at a big box store like GC is more than enough evidence that they're only looking out for their bottom line. It makes you wonder how many people get taken day after day. Unless you've got a hook up to get gear at reasonable prices stay away, stay far away... read more

3 stars because its not a local business (thats the highest I can rate a corporation). Otherwise its pretty much the best place in town to get what you want when you want it. Like most people I will go there to try-out a guitar and then order online. But every so often I find a great deal. My favorite parts of the store are the acoustic room and the keyboard room. The sales staff is pretty good. The guys in the pro-audio room are always the nicest. I don't get why some people complain that "all they care about is the bottom line..." Why shouldn't they? Its a business. They are supposed to do that. Always remember to ask if they have the guitar you want in the back. Try not to buy the floor models if possible. read more

Pros: great selection, freedom to doodle around with most guitars and basses, Cons: high prices, too many shredders playing at the same time, a lot of stuff crammed into a small place. As a bass player, I can appreciate Guitar Center because no local music shop has even close to the selection of bass gear that Guitar Center La Mesa has. I have purchased multiple guitars and amps from them over the years, and each time I was confident with my purchase because I was able to play around with the equipment before purchasing it. Staff can be hit or miss - some helpful and some not. Overall, they may me a corporate giant with no soul, but they have what a serious player needs! read more

The guitar tech destroyed a perfectly working music man bass. All I need was a bass pot fix and somehow pulled the action out. I have taken the bass back to the original tech I use in la mesa but no avail. Do not let that shit happen to your instrument. $1600 bass dead read more

Ah, the big box store of musical instruments... Usually pretty crowded and noisy but if you want to play around with musical instruments, this is the place for you. They have a lot more there than just guitars... Their keyboard/DJ/computer section is pretty good and I seriously doubt any other music places in SD have nearly the variety of instruments than Guitar Center. Their prices aren't particularly special but I have had a very positive experience there after I bought a guitar there that had a number of problems. I returned it the next day for a full refund with scarcely any trouble at all other than the expected form to fill out. If you just want to try out an instrument and want the option of chickening out and returning it, as long as it wasn't special-ordered this is the place to go. I don't have anybody continually asking me if I need help whenever I shop there so I can't say that they are a high-pressure sales place and they didn't even try to up-sell me more stuff when I've bought my equipment there. If you look like you know what you are there for then apparently they are happy to let you browse at will. read more

I bought an electric guitar from here a few weeks back. The dude who was ringing me up at the register was noodling on the guitar I was buying, as he was ringing me up. Could you not do that please? Annoying! read more

I've been coming here on a regular basis for years. I used to feel like the sales pressure was a bit jankey because the sales people get commission, but after the remodel I've gotten a much better vibe from this place. The store layout is now open and everything is easy to find. They've got just about everything you need and really good customer service. If something is not in stock they will order it for you and it will arrive within a couple days. What can I say? Guitar center is the go-to place for most of the professional musicians and sound techs I know. read more

I have bought so many things over the years with you guys. I purchased a turntable 2 months ago (it said it was available) and then I find out (on my own) it's backordered. After about 4 different online chats with reps and straight lies about when my TT was going to ship, I again reach out to guitar center today and they tell me they don't even have that product anymore. Pfft. Disappointing to say the least. read more