I had an excellent experience with Ulysses! He did an amazing job working on my bass, and I'm…read morereally happy with how everything turned out. His attention to detail and quality of work really stood out. What I appreciated most was the great customer service. He took the time to explain things to me and recommended some products and tips to help me properly take care of my new bass and keep it in great condition. It's always nice to work with someone who genuinely cares about their craft and their customers. I definitely appreciate Ulysses' work and would recommend him to anyone looking for quality bass setup and service!

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!

Billy and Jack are wonderful. Professional, knowledgeable, and friendly. Billy is a fantastic…read moreluthier. Jack is a remarkable technician. I used to have to drive to Hollywood or the valley to find good work. It is great to have Beach Music in our area.

Came here to accompany my sister with an electric guitar string replacement and Billy was so…read morehelpful! He taught my sister and also showed us around the shop. For any folks interested in picking up an instrument, Beach music is the place to go! I used to play a few instruments and Billy's encouragement and the welcoming atmosphere makes me want to get back into music! Highly recommend anyone to check this spot out. I'll definitely be back!

My first time. I came in with my little pink guitar that was out of tune. They helped…read moreMe immediately. I was out within 15 min. So friendly and kind people. Love this place.

I love this place. Came in to get a sax and flute cleaned and another sax repaired. Their service…read moreis awesome and their prices are great. I'm getting all my instruments needs done here going forward.

Kim the owner is a quality human being and a pleasure to talk with . If you need equipment or…read morelessons give him a try you won't be disappointed.

Customer service and communication could be improved. Scheduled a lesson over the phone for me and…read moremy wife and was excited to take a lesson after seeing the great reviews but unfortunately we caught the flu and woke up in the morning feeling like crap and my wife was bed ridden. I texted the instructor or owner, Kim, asking if we can reschedule because we still wanted to take the class. Received no response, so I made a courtesy call to provide a notice and was received by Kim,to my surprise I was met with the response of "no you can't reschedule" after explaining to him that we were very sick and how can he expect us to show up when we don't feel well. His next response was "I need a 24 hour notice" I'm sorry Kim but the human body doesn't work that way. I told Kim that I'm willing to still come in myself but Im very sick and was being courteous as I do not want to get him sick. That's when his tone changed and agreed to a reschedule. Thanks for offering the reschedule but no thanks. There was never a mention about a 24 hour notice over the phone, and do you really want potential customers who are sick coughing in your face? I guess customer customer service is not a priority, so I will take my business elsewhere.

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.

1 1/2 minute read: On 05/06/2026, Greg Sinclair and I,…read morearrived at NORMANS RARE GUITARS as previously planned by Greg. 1 1/2 minute read Today (05/05/26), ahead of the invitation extended (to me) by esteemed colleague- Greg Sinclair, Administrator of a FACEBOOK renowned Surf Group "TUBES", today I went on a scouting mission. Relying on GOOGLE'S Siri, I arrived around 09:15 hrs m, to find business hours had been slightly rearranged at Norman's Rare Guitar Shop. Not being one to waste time, in the same little strip mall (TOPEKA VENTURA PLAZA) I saw a coffee shop (PEET'S) and decided to treat myself to some (coffee), and I did. I went in, got hot black coffee & a Blueberry Muffin. Before realizing it, it was 11 am. So I mozied'on'over to NORMAN's. The video I took, as I approached the guitar shop main door, will tell you more than words could ever say. Once I was in the guitar shop, I felt a nostalgic Deja-Vu pinching me. The same atmosphere, feel, sounds surrounded me like when I used to go to Sam Ash and other, now gone, guitar & Pawn shops. Be that as it may, I hope my photography will satisfy your curiosity of this scouting mission I went on today and as always ... ... thank you for stopping by! 05/06/26 ... UPDATE As promised, Greg Sinclair drove from Redondo Beach (I think) up to my place in North Hollywood, and picked me up. AS YOU RECALL. Greg has been inviting me to accompany him to go to NORMAN'S RARE GUITAR SHOP. We first had lunch on Venture Blvd at BLU JAM. It was very trendy for me, at least. Then we got to the guitar shop and Greg introduced me to Michael, whom you will see a short clip playing one of their guitars. Greg and I had a very satisfying visit at NORMAN'S, as we strolled around inside. We also met another guitarist who works there-Joey, I believe and if I'm wrong, I will correct my error. They have live music on certain days and as soon as I can get their schedule, I'll share it! All in all, THANK YOU, GREG, for your considerate invitation, picking me up at home, treating me to a fabulous lunch at BLU JAM restaurant, a fun time at NORMAN'S RARE GUITARS, and best of all ... your companionship. Update, 05/17/2026: Click link https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02sSQznzKewuHeGR2yfjHRxaA7qc6x88RgkhxcGj3FtyF6DHE6u1HKH878WtavKUvUl&id=1222849448&mibextid=wwXIfr

You don't really find out about a business until something goers wrong and you get to see how they…read morehandle it. My co-worked was retiring soon so I ordered him a couple of t shirts because he always would talk about how many great guitars this place had. So I ordered him two t-shirts last month but one of them they sent was the wrong size. So I emailed them the day I got them about it and I got a return email telling me to send them a picture to prove they screwed up and they would then send me a return email detailing the process of how I could get what I paid for. So the same day I got the email I retuned the email with the pictures proving they sent the wrong size in one of the t-shirts and then I heard nothing... So I emailed them multiple times over several weeks with no reply. But then last week I got an email saying sorry we screwed up and your t-shirt will ship out that day. Well, I never got a shipping confirmation and a week later I still have no t-shirt. This has been going on for weeks. Luckily, I didn't order anything expensive from them. If they can screw up something so simple as a t shirt and fail to quickly remedy it, how are they going to treat you when you have spent thousands of dollars and there is a problem?? If you are not famous or in the music business, probably the same way they have treated me.

A Hidden Gem in Redondo Beach for Music Lovers and Non-Musicians Alike!…read more Admittedly, I have never owned or even played a guitar--my musical "expertise" peaked decades ago in school with piano lessons and the viola. Yet, as fate would have it, I stumbled upon Bootlegger Guitar while walking to grab Thai food for lunch, and I'm so glad I did. This is so much more than just a guitar shop--it's a welcoming, community-driven lounge for anyone who appreciates music, craftsmanship, and good vibes. The owners were incredibly gracious and made me feel like an old friend the moment I walked in. They even offered gratis sips of bourbon (yes, bourbon!) and, if my eyes didn't deceive me, I think they had a bottle of scotch back there as well. It's clear that their hospitality is as much a part of their business as their musical expertise. While I can't vouch for the instruments from personal experience (again, my viola days are long gone), the passion and knowledge of the team here speak for themselves. You can tell they care deeply about their craft and their customers. Whether you're a seasoned musician, a newbie, or just someone who loves to soak in creative energy, this place is worth a visit. For all your musical needs--or just a friendly chat and a sip of bourbon--Bootlegger Guitar is a true treasure in Redondo Beach. I'll definitely be back...maybe for a scotch this time.

Bootlegger is amazing. I bought the 5 watt amp and it sounds incredible. The guitars are way under…read morepriced for the quality. The owner is awesome.

I love this store! They have a wide range of used gear, but they don't just have anything. They…read morehave nicely curated stuff for sale. Everything from expensive to affordable... but even the affordable stuff is good (imo) affordable stuff. I picked up a cool discontinued JHS pedal. Jeremy, who works there was very helpful and set up an amp and bass for me to try it out before I made up my mind. I'm definitely visiting this shop again!

Everything a musician or, in my case, wannabe musician, could ask for in a guitar shop. Tons of…read morebeautiful older guitars and amps to try out. Lots of records to peruse. Random instruments and drums etc to check out. Extra kudos to Eric and to the Luthier Nathan who has worked on some of our guitars. Very nice bathroom too.

This place is special. A tangible guitar museum at the…read morebeach. A handsome offering of the rarest acoustic & eclectic, I mean electric guitars;) Repairs too! The "Tiffany Telecaster" for the win. OMG!!! Thanks for everything Mike.

Mike has setup 4 guitars of mine now over the past few years. He is an expert tech, but beyond that…read morehe is super knowledgable across all things guitar and music and a great guy to work with. He recently helped point me in the right direction for a pickup for my new Martin. I knew I could trust his recommendation and it ended up being as good or even better than promised. Trust Mike with your guitar needs - he is great!

Amazing studio!!!…read more Elliot is a genius and is a professional at what he does. The entire experience was smooth, and frictionless. He helped me from start to finish, and is a very creative problem solver. Highly recommend booking with him and this studio. Looking forward to the next session.

I did my audiobook recording with Erin Braswell at Hear No Evil Studio and could not be more…read moreimpressed with her expertise, precision, punctuality, and ease in her creating a phenomenal product. Use them and ask for Erin!