
Some may matter more to you than others, which is why they are presented as a shootout. In this section, we’ll go through all the relevant factors for a hassle-free shopping experience on both of these online guitar stores. Imaginably, their website has one of the best selections of used and vintage guitars, comparable to the likes of Reverb and Sam Ash. They also have a “trade-in” policy, which means a local store will evaluate your musical gear to make you an offer if you wish to sell it. GC’s success is fuelled by a unique combination of a vast retail chain and an equitable online presence. They are one of the world’s biggest musical instrument retailer, with nearly 300 brick-and-mortar stores across America. Owned by Brian Capital, Guitar Center (GC) is one of the most reputable brands when it comes to online guitar stores. I spent a few hours on each website to independently test the user experience, navigation, selection, checkout process, and customer support. Moreover, Guitar Center has nearly 300 stores across the US, which equates to same-day in-store pickups and the ability to play before you buy.Īll else equal, here are three solid reasons to shop guitars at Sweetwater a) they stock exclusive guitars, b) they offer a free 2-year extended warranty on all make/models, and c) every buyer is assigned an expert ‘Sales Engineer,’ which is extra helpful when buying your first guitar. Here’s the Short Answer: While there is no clear winner, Guitar Center has a slight advantage over Sweetwater as they stock more guitars, ship faster, and offer a 45-day return policy compared to the 30-day Sweetwater return policy. Also, see our post on the best places to buy guitars online.We compare two of the best online guitar stores of 2022.Find out which site is better to buy a guitar and why.Disclosure: We may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.
