I have had Wade's do several guitar setups and purchased a Martin acoustic from them. His shop is stuffed with new & used guitars which you can play upon request. In an age of big box and internet sales, it's refreshing to have a local store with knowledgeable people who don't pressure you and answer your questions. Its like a going back in time to friendlier space and I'll keep going for all my guitar services and those Martins. read more

I bought my first electric guitar here in 1996, and I still have it and play it regularly even though I left town long ago.

Wades years ago would be the go to. NOW, the techs will claim they do work, and the use a spray and dont. I needed pots replaced on my SG, I brought it home, set it up...and noticed the knobs were sitting off a bit, so thinking it was the new pots, I took the knobs off, and they were the old ones. Now this was after they kept it for 6 weeks, and I had to keep calling to see where they were with the repairs. They gave me the BS answer that they had to send out for the part. They charged me for the new pots, as well as a couple of other things they claimed they did...I brought it back, and the guy saw it was me and said I had to talk to the manager who wasnt there..I knew he was...They ended up screwing me read more

I've owned quite a few guitars over the past two decades and Wade's stands out among the best as far as guitar stores go. Wade is very knowledgeable and sells his gear at a bargain price. Got a mint Hamer Monaco for a steal and he threw in a padded gig bag, clip on tuner, cloth and polish. They also set up the guitar perfectly. Way to go Wade. read more

I am not a guitarist. So why then, would I review a guitar shop? Because my old bandmates played the dang things, and also, Wade's is about more than just guitars. For me? They got my violin in ship shape after it went years without attention. Seriously. They also clued me into the best pick-up to use for my violin, and it works like a charm. Also, they have a nice selection of used pedals from which to choose when thinking about how to make weird noises with your violin and/or you want to be like Andrew Bird with a loop pedal. Bandmates? They used to geek out, bad. Seriously. Like total nerd-dom. & I know they weren't the only ones. When it comes to Wade's, you're talking serious repute w/ the guitar folks. The bass ones, too. I haven't been to Wade's since the fabled flood of 2010, but I heard that they (sadly) lost a good amount of inventory. I hope it wasn't too bad for them. The staff was always super nice and helpful, and really seemed to care about music/instruments/musicians. Wade's=thumbs up. read more

Very small, charming local music store. They have an interesting and diverse selection of what seems to be mostly used gear. The staff is friendly and helpful and the prices seem reasonable, although I did not compare too many of the items. It appears they also do service and the staff I spoke to seemed knowledgeable in that area as well. read more

I have been going to Wade's since he opened his doors, I have bought at least a couple of dozen amps and guitars there. I used to go to West Allis music ( Ralph Henzel ) and Matt Umanov's in NYC but there gone...I'll be at Wade's this week to have some work done on one of my guitars. read more

Arrived when store just opened and rang bell as instructed and 2 employees ignored us. Table outside said social distance. Dialed # and was told store not open. Should have at least made some gesture stating not open. NEVER AGAIN read more

All my serious guitar playing friends swear by Wade's so I thought it would be the best place to start my daughter on her career as the next Joan Jett. I was right. The guys in the store were terrific in helping my daughter pick the right acoustic. Were great about the fact that I didn't want to dump a ton of money on getting her going. At the end of the sale they talked with her about how to take care of it. All around great experience. I couldn't imagine getting the same level of expertise and help at a bigger place that sells every instrument under the sun. read more

I began playing guitar back in the late 60's and always hoped one day to buy a Martin. I stopped in Wades after reviewing their used guitar list on their website. I get bombarded by Guitar Center ads which I diligently search and review. Most of their stores do not carry very many Martins, new or used. In reviewing Wades website I became interested in a used Martin D-16 listed for sale. I drove down to the store from the suburbs and arrived only to find out it had been sold. I began asking Alex some questions about the various Martin models and was thoroughly schooled (to my delight) on many of the technical aspects as well as variations in sound quality for the Martin guitars in the shop. Being involved in very technical work involving lots of physics and dealing with a very large customer base the last 35 years I soaked it all in like a sponge!!. Most important to me was the fact that from the time I opened the door until I signed the papers and left their attention was focused on me, the customer. I knew Wades was top notch from how much time they took to explain everything to me. They didn't have the D-16 so I went the extra mile because I could afford it and picked up the guitar I have always desired to own. I was so appreciative of their customer service and very evident skill sets in observing their luthier staff I bought a D-28. Why? Because far better than the big box musical instrument stores these guys really are about quality work to the nth degree and genuine customer service. read more

Great personal service and always willing to accommodate strange requests that guitarists always have. Good selection for a tiny space and always willing to research an order anything they don't have on hand. read more

I have purchased 3 guitars over the past decade from Wade's and even though I no longer live in Milwaukee, I still come back home to stop by Wade's if I'm in the market since my first experience was so great. First off, the stuff they have in stock is top notch. They have limited space, so every spot on the rack counts and I get the sense they only stock instruments they would own themselves. If you have no idea what you're doing, this is a great place to go since they will walk you through every single inch of an instrument, why it's cheaper or more expensive, demo it for you, and stick within your price range. For folk music, I have never seen such a sweet lineup of resonators. The used gear includes the rare and quirky, and the prices are fair. A key thing with Wade's vs. a Guitar Center is that Guitar Center unboxes their guitars and shelves them even if they're set up like garbage, where with Wade's every instrument is set up by their luthiers to play its best. Why I really love Wade's is the service. I saved up for a year in high school to get a Rickenbacker, and I finally got a sweet limited edition axe and it sounded amazing. I went to college and when I came back the neck pickup wasn't working. I brought it in and they said that should never happen, so they ordered the part and installed it for free. Then the bridge pickup blew out, and I sadly decided to part with my baby. They were almost as upset as I was, and again said this never should have happened, and assessed the trade in as if the guitar were in full working order. They also knocked an extra $100 off the strat I ultimately purchased in exchange. This kind of stuff I have not experienced anywhere else, and will always patronize Wade's over any other shop around. read more

Wade's is a smallish guitar and stringed instrument shop and repair shop. Though i have not purchased anything there besides a ukulele book and some accessories, I did bring my uke in one to have it checked out, and the staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. Though their prices are a tad higher than you might find at Guitar Center or Sam Ash, one of the big-box chain musical instrument retailers, their staff is super frienly and extremely knowledgeable and will not steer you wrong to get a larger sale. read more

Wades is my favorite place to buy guitars, amps, and effects pedals, as well as where I get all my repairs done. I have been going here for at least ten years, on and off, and have had nothing but the finest customer service I have ever experienced. The guys, Wade, Kid, Alex and Cory are very knowledgeable about just about anything I can think of asking about. They can and do special order things for me on a regular basis, and they stand by all of their products. What they specialize in is making me happy as a customer. They have earned my loyalty. read more

Wade's Guitar Shop - Just some of the super cool gear I've bought from Wade's. - Guitar Stores Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

I have been buying guitars from Wades my entire life. Well, more specifically, Alex. He worked at Cascio in Mequon, then moved down to Wades. I have always, ALWAYS been treated well there. I've bought so many effects pedals, amps, and the like from them. They are always knowledgeable about their products, and even if the shop is full, they will take time out to explain somethimg to you. I'm writing this review, however, because of an experience I had this week, and it needs to be known. I recently bought a BEAUTIFUL Paul Reed Smith Custom 22 from them. They had just got it in that morning, and it was used, a trade in maybe, I'm not sure. It had not been set up or restrung or anything. I insisted on taking it home that day because I HAD to play it all weekend. Alex told me to bring it in tuesday to be set up and buffed. So I bring it in, bright and early Tuesday morning, and Alex says it will be ready by Thursday. To my surprise, I get a call at four that afternoon saying my guitar was ready. Where else do you get that kind of service? I love Wades, and will always buy my gear from them. read more

Wade's Guitar Shop - My prs custom 22 and fender vibro champ from wades. - Guitar Stores Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Best Luthier in Milwaukee...Garrett Burton! Excellent repair work and restoration on some of my most valuable instruments. It is VERY hard to find a place and a person that you trust with your "babies". Thanks Garrett & Wade's for excellent service. You'll see me again soon... read more

Every inch of this store is covered with good products - I love walking in and seeing a wall of Rickenbackers. The staff is knowledgeable and seem happy to geek out about music/instruments. Can't speak yet to their repairs, but this will be my new go to shop the next time a tube amp catches fire. read more

Been a Wade's guy for years. They just did a setup for me-always good service. A small bug nice shop.

Brought in a buzzing/warped recently purchased 12-string and Alex clarified some guitar mechanics/repair techniques as well as the specific repair needs of my guitar. Very friendly and knowledgable. Walked out with the parts I needed and the knowledge of how to replace them. read more