Carlton Music Center — Attraction in Winter Haven

I have been using Carlton Music Center in Winterhaven, FL for the last six years and thought it's a good time (March 2023) to tell folks what a great place it is. I've been a musical entertainer (guitarist and other stuff) for 50 years, gigging at weekends all that time and professional for the last 11 years. During Covid lockdown I, like many others, started using on line retailers like Sweetwater. I'll tell you now, there is really no comparison between on-line retailers and being helped by experts one on one in a shop which carries the same instruments / equipment at much the same prices. Every single person I have dealt with in the Winterhaven shop has been very helpful, friendly and knowledgeable about their area. My most recent experience was when they replaced the neck of a Fender Acoustasonic I bought on-line from Sweetwater. The neck had warped badly. As it was under guarantee I asked Sweetwater for a replacement guitar. They asked me to take it to an authorized Fender service shop, which was Carlton Music Winterhaven. After weeks of back and forward emails with Sweetwater where they wouldn't tell me if they would replace the guitar (at first they wanted me to also pay for shipment back to them). Eventually they agreed they would replace the guitar - but wouldn't tell me if the replacement guitar would have the same problem as the first one, which the Carlton Guitar tech had confirmed with Fender was a known problem with a batch of these guitars. Sweetwater had delayed, been difficult, said they knew nothing about problems with these guitars (incredible as I had a problem with this guitar from Sweetwater and Fender had admitted it was a problem batch). They frustrated me by not answering straight questions with straight answers so much that I was concerned Sweetwater would send me another un-adjusted problem guitar. In the meantime Carlton Music received a new neck from Fender. The guitar tech, Marcus (great guy), fitted the neck, and carefully adjusted the action a couple of times, letting me test it after each tweak, until he and I agreed it was perfect. I played a full gig with the guitar on St Patrick's day last week and it played and sounded great. I have also had an emergency where I was heading to a gig and discovered the special mic holder I needed was missing, I got in touch with Carlton, they didn't have one, but they could see on their system that Carlton music in Lakeland (20 miles away) did have four of them and they have a shuttle van each day between shops which could get it to Winterhaven by 4pm that day. As it happened, I was passing by Lakeland on the way to my gig, so I stopped off and right enough, Carlton music there had four of them - and I received the same great, friendly service as I always get in Winterhaven. I have also had a heavy duty European power supply replaced with a USA one on an SWR redhead bass combo in Carlton Winterhaven. Again they couldn't have been more helpful and the Electronics technician there is first class, it worked great. I've noticed recently that their guitar selection has widened, prices and price ranges are good and above all, you're dealing face to face with an expert who will advise you and has your back if you experience any problems afterwards. If you need a great place for your musical needs, this is it. Online shopping looks attractive and easy, but despite what they promise you, forget it, get yourself into Carlton, physically touch, handle, see and hear what you're buying, get face to face advice from a professional and be guaranteed of...

Sweetwater, more like…unsweet water. After my 69th missed call from my sweetwater rep last friday, I needed to get out of the house. I drove around town looking for sonic satisfaction and a reason to believe. As I tossed my ringing phone into Lake Howard, the beacon that is the blue Carlton’s Music Center sign was bestowed upon my eyes. Like a siren’s song, I was drawn to the front doors of the late 1960’s building, eager to immerse myself in its contents. Upon arrival, I was greeted by a bearded guide by the name of Joshua. Through his long, luscious lip locks, he greeted me as if I was a King visiting from a realm far away. It was then I knew…I had reached the mecca of musicians. To my left, a vast wall of guitars as far as the eye can see. To my right, the sweet, sweet 80hz frequency that only the finest Bass Guitar can produce, rumbled the floor like a giant stomping through a cave. The bearded baron asked me what I was there for, to which I replied, ‘Studio Monitors’. Just like a wise mage with a mystical staff, Joshua raised his right arm, Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster in hand, and used the headstock to point me in the direction to whom I would attest to be the hero of this story. As I approached the long-haired warlock, he turned to face me, smiled and shook my hand. His calloused hands told me that this gentlesir was a drummer, and a mighty good one at that. I informed him of my query, and he stroked the stubble on his chin. Several years of wisdom from the Carlton family legacy flowed from his lips, as he assisted me on my journey to sonic satisfaction. They say that choosing studio monitors is like a wand choosing the wizard, and that is the best way that I can describe the experience of landing on a pair of Yamaha HS series monitors. Captivated by their rich, low end response, and crystal clear mid-range, I was already sold. Brandon’s deep knowledge of decades upon decades of compositions of all genres allowed me to trust that I was making the right decision, and I still feel that way to this day, as I sit here mixing an absolute banger…and writing this review. I hope to make the journey to this musical mecca again soon, and make sure to let everyone in Central Florida know about my experience at the beautiful establishment that is Carlton’s Music Center. My Sweetwater rep has yet to call me again, because even he knew, we were never…ever…getting back together. I’m a...

Carlton Music has been around for many years and has always provided excellent service. I wanted to take a minute to share my experience with one of their drum instructors, John Ostberg. Until last summer, my son had never played an instrument. At kind of the last minute, he decided to join his high school band so he attended band camp and afterward, was placed on cymbals. He enjoyed being part of the band and playing cymbals, but what he really wanted was to play the bass or snare drum. Because he was already a junior in high school, he knew it would be a challenge to jump from the pit onto a drum in one year and with no experience. On the advice of a friend, I got in touch with John and Ryan began drum lessons in October. When he started, he was learning the fundamental basics like how to hold the sticks properly, etc.. . By the end of May, however, his hard work was showing and he was playing well enough to be placed on both bass and snare for his senior year. I credit John with much of this. Ryan worked very hard and still does, but John is an excellent, and patient teacher. I am sharing this because I thought about it as I watched Ryan march his snare drum off the field after practice today, and although he looked tired, his smile said everything. Thank you,...