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7 Tips For Finding A Great Acoustic Guitar Dealer

Buying an acoustic guitar from a brick-and-mortar music store is ideal for many customers for a simple reason: It lets them play, feel and compare actual models. That tangible playing and listening experience can be invaluable. Plus, a good store or guitar dealer will have a knowledgeable staff that can help you narrow and define your search.

Here are 7 tips for finding a quality guitar dealer:

1. Ask around.

Find out where other local musicians buy their gear. Between traditional word-of-mouth recommendations and small business review sites like Yelp, you should be able to get a sense of which stores are popular and why.

2. Visit stores.

You can usually get a good sense of the vibe and philosophy of a store and its staff by spending time there. Even if you feel a little intimidated because you’re not a gear expert, if it’s a good store, the staff should make you feel comfortable there.

3. Look for authorized dealers.

Especially if you’re interested in particular brands, authorized dealers for those brands will tend to have a strong model selection and product knowledge. They’ll also be more inclined to feature in-store events sponsored by guitar manufacturers. For example, Taylor’s Road Show events are presented at Authorized Taylor Dealers around the world. You can find a list of authorized dealers on most guitar companies’ websites.

4. Look for a healthy guitar selection.

A great guitar dealer will carry a broad array of brands and models at different price points. It makes the store a more appealing destination point and gives you more options to compare. The best-performing dealers always stock a robust selection of models.

5. Check the store’s return policy.

A good dealer wants a happy, long-term customer, and its return and other service policies will help you gauge their level of customer support.

6. Visit the store’s website.

While a slick website isn’t a sure sign of a great dealer, the website gives you a basis for how the store operates and engages with customers. Many share their history and story there, and a good dealer will usually feature up-to-date product information on their site.

7. Check their involvement with the local community.

If you want to support your local independent businesses, find out how the store interacts with the local music scene, either through their lesson program, sponsored events, etc.

Enjoy shopping and be sure to download The Definitive Guide to Buying an Acoustic Guitar be for you go!

Featured photo: The Music Zoo

Thank you for reading.