Our church got broken into and our entire sound equipment stolen, and Shawn and the team helped us…read moreget all that we needed to get us back up and running. This young man's patience and in depth knowledge and understanding made things so much easier for us at a time where we were distraught. They genuinely made us feel special and cared for going out of their way to help us out.

I am extremely disappointed with my recent experience at Guitar Center. I ordered a brand-new…read morespeaker Mackie Thump215XT 15" 1,400W and paid for a new product, but what I received was clearly a used speaker, Mackie Thump 215 which is a different model. The packaging appeared to have been opened, and the item showed signs of previous use. When customers pay for new equipment, they expect to receive exactly what was advertised. Receiving a used item instead is unacceptable and reflects poor quality control. This experience has made me question Guitar Center's commitment to customer satisfaction. I hope Guitar Center takes responsibility for this issue and improves its processes to ensure other customers do not have the same experience. I suggest is that you check everything before you leave the store make sure you're getting what you paid for!

We rented out a viola for elementary school music class. We paid a monthly rental fee…read more The viola we received was like new. We were so impressed with the service, the product and the pricing. Dropping off at the end of the school year was easy peasy and all the staff were chatting with us and so friendly. Highly recommend if you're unable to get your hands on an instrument at the school.

I recently visited Irvine Art and Music to select a new GS Mini-e Mahogany, and I couldn't be more…read moregrateful for the assistance from Gabriel. His help was incredibly valuable and made the experience both enjoyable and stress-free. Gabriel was patient and knowledgeable, introducing me to several options and allowing me to hear and understand the subtle differences in each guitar. He didn't rush the process and ensured that every choice was tailored to my desired style and size. The GS Mini-e Mahogany turned out to be the perfect fit for my emotional storytelling music. Thank you, Gabriel, for your excellent service and for making this a memorable experience!

My first time here and it won't be my last! Loved the intimate space while watching one of my all…read moretime favorite female singers, Jonatha Brooke. The room is normally set up for sales but when a show is on the calendar the staff quickly clears it to set up the chairs for the audience. Since their first impromptu show back in 1968, McCabe's has been hosting the finest in folk, bluegrass, Americana, world music and more. It can accommodate 150-seats and is one of the best listening rooms in the world. The sound engineer was spot at this performance. Most of performers will play one of the guitars for sale here which helps keep this amazing shop going. *Located just off the 405 freeway @Centinela on Pico Blvd *Plenty of street parking (meters) *A few restaurants within walking distance if you want to grab a bite to eat before or after a show. *Guitar lessons available *FYI purchase show tickets online. You will get receive a confirmation email telling you that your name will be on a list at the door (you will not get physical tickets)

I want to be fair here, because this is really a story about two very different visits…read more The first time I came in, I worked with Barry, and he was fantastic. I had never bought a guitar in my life and barely knew what questions to ask. He sat down with me, pulled close to ten guitars off the wall, and played every single one so I could actually hear the differences for myself. He never once rushed me or made me feel like a clueless beginner taking up his time (great player btw!) By the time I walked out I had fallen for the shop and found the exact guitar I wanted, a Taylor 114ce. I was so excited that I could not wait to come back the next day to buy it. I had also planned to sign up for lessons there. The next day is why I'm writing this. Barry wasn't in, and the guy working the guitar repair counter helped me instead. He acted like I was a massive inconvenience from the second I walked up. The store was nearly empty at the time, just one woman trying out a guitar in the back and another customer making conversation up front, both of whom were perfectly friendly when I chatted with them for a minute. The guitar I wanted was a floor model with two deep scratches gouged into the front, the kind that do not buff out, plus a pickguard worn down from being played constantly. It was still priced like it was brand new. When I asked if anything could be done about the price, he went to check and came back offering fifty dollars off. I asked if he could come down to seven hundred and he flatly said no, though he said he could throw in strings. All of it came wrapped in the same cold attitude, like I was lucky he was even bothering with me. I decided to leave and went to another shop that had the exact same guitar, brand new and so pristine it clearly had never been played. I did not even think to ask for a discount because it was in perfect condition, but they gave me one anyway and knocked ten percent off without me saying a word. On top of that they set me up with a stand, a tuner, a capo, a handful of picks, strings, and even a hat, and discounted those accessories too. They were thrilled to help the entire time. I bought my first guitar there and booked my first lesson there too, and I walked out feeling exactly the way you should feel buying your first instrument. So if you go to McCabe's and you get Barry, you will understand why this place has the reputation it does. He was the reason I almost became a customer for life. There was also a gentleman there both days who I believe may have been the manager. The second day he gave me a quick hello and then stepped into the back right as I pulled the guitar down to start the process. I have no idea whether he picked up on how that interaction was going, but I really wish he had been out front for it, because a ready and excited first-time buyer walking out empty handed could have been saved. If this somehow gets back to Barry, thank you for helping me find my first guitar.

I love this place! Highly recommend for woodwind repairs, and also a great spot for accessories (so…read moremany reed options!) and for rentals, as well. Recently, I noticed some leaky pads on my saxophone. After bringing it to a different tech who said the sax was bowed (it was not...) and gave me an estimate of $500 to fix it (after charging $40 just for the consult...) I decided to stop at IHOMI for a second opinion. I am soo glad that I did. Jim and Melanie were both amazing. They were so friendly and patient, showing and explaining where the issues were and how they could be fixed. And even though I came during the busy season, at the end of summer, just before the start of school, they were able to squeeze in the repairs and had it back to me that same week, and all for a fraction of the cost that the other tech had quoted.

This place is closed down. We drove looking for it and…read morediscovered it was replaced by a dog boarding store.

Vez Guitar changed everything! They worked on all my electric guitars but, after I got back my old…read moreWashburn acoustic I bought in 1990 that Vez worked on, my acoustic is the guitar I can't put down. My cheapest guitar is the instrument that most inspired me to play. This place is FN magic!!!!!!

Great knowledgeable and professional staff and prompt excellent service. They took of good care of…read moremy guitar.

Growing up in East Los Angeles in the 60s and 70s, I had musician friends who always spoke with…read moreadmiration about the family owned business Candelas guitars. Once I retired I decided to take guitar lessons at Candelas, and continue to admire the great teaching from Kennith Del Rio, and Tomas Delgado. This is the best place not only for guitar lesson's but also a place where everyone who works there makes you feel like family, Guitars are made there which become works of musical art. I encourage anyone interested in guitars, to visit and enjoy a true musical experience.

My friend recommended this shop to me for in depth lessons on classical guitar and music theory…read more What I found was a community staple with a rich history that welcomed me in like family. Lessons with Kenneth are very fulfilling, adapting to your needs and learning style. Tomas Sr and Jr are warm and friendly, and have inspirational dedication to their craft, customers, students, and community. Their guitars are worth the investment, and their repair service is excellent. Very grateful to have found this place.

This was my first time using the shop, and I was really looking forward to it, especially after…read morehearing so many positive reviews. I brought in my Taylor K24ce, and I also left my Taylor GS Mini that day for a neck reset. At drop-off, the front desk tech assured me the low E buzz on the K24ce would be addressed and handled as part of the standard setup. Both guitars stayed with them for nearly two weeks. I called a few times since I wasn't getting updates, and eventually was told both were ready for pickup. After driving 30 miles, I tested them in the shop. The GS Mini was done well--I could see an improvement in the neck, and I appreciated that. But when I took out my K24ce, it wasn't tuned or wiped down properly. After I tuned it, the exact same low E buzz was still there. How could that go unnoticed, I wondered--had the guitar been played after it was tuned, they would have then noticed the buzz and should have informed me by email, rather than having me come all the way down. I mentioned it to the owner, and he took the guitar to the back for about 10 minutes. When he returned, he told me that if I wanted to leave it, I'd need to pay another $90 for a deeper inspection, since it might be a more technical issue. The tech who reassured me at drop-off was right there but didn't say a word. It was close to the end of working hours, so I figured James would just have me leave it at no cost. When he didn't, I didn't feel comfortable leaving it again. I really expected a more thorough check right then or at least a suggestion to leave it at no cost. After all, I 100% mentioned the buzz to the tech at drop-off. In the end, my K24ce is my primary instrument--it's the one I rely on most--while the GS Mini is just a backup. I ended up paying close to $400 for both the setup and the neck reset. The GS Mini was done well, but the whole experience left me feeling like I spent $400 just to fix a $600 GS Mini, while my main guitar's issue was never resolved. Considering all the time, effort, cost, and travel, I really expected a full assessment and clearer communication before it was marked complete. I've attached a video so you can hear the buzz yourself.

Years took a toll on my acoustic guitar. They did an excellent job. One of the repairs was to…read morethe neck and bridge, which makes it much easier to play