Guitar Center — Local services in Laurel

I rarely leave reviews, but my experience with Michael at Guitar Center in Laurel absolutely demands recognition. If Guitar Center is the band, then Michael is the lead guitarist. He was skillful, sharp, and for me, he stole the show.

Here’s the deal: I recently purchased a used guitar from another GC location, and it arrived with a nasty headstock crack that really should’ve been disclosed. Huge disappointment because I had fallen in love with this guitar. IYKYK. I returned it and to GC’s credit, they gave me a full refund. I was understandably hesitant about trying again. That’s when I called the Laurel store, and Michael picked up.

From the beginning, it was clear I was dealing with a professional. Michael didn’t just go through the motions, he actually listened to me. And so he trekked into what he casually referred to as “the warehouse, which I can only imagine is a cavernous sea of guitars and gear. This wasn’t some lazy “I’ll check later” promise, he actually went in, found the specific guitar I was calling about, and brought it back to give his honest, detailed feedback about its condition.

And when I say honest, I mean he took the time to look at the guitar as if he were buying it himself. No sugarcoating. No generic sales pitch. His thoughtful input gave me the confidence I needed to pull the trigger. I already had the guitar in my cart, finger hovering over the buy button. In the end it was Michael’s integrity and responsiveness made the purchase a no-brainer AND renewed my faith in Guitar Center.

In an era where good customer service is rare, Michael delivered a masterclass. He mentioned they offered lessons; I think he gave everyone a free lesson in customer service. Guitar Center, if you’re listening: this is the kind of employee who protects your brand, earns customer loyalty, and quite literally closes sales with professionalism and integrity.

Michael deserves a raise, a medal, a plaque in the breakroom or something! Until then, he has my deepest thanks and highest...

Discovering Music at Guitar Center in Laurel, Maryland

Written By Kendesi Mohammed

Guitar Center in Laurel, Maryland, isn’t just a music store—it’s an experience. From the moment you walk in, you’re surrounded by walls lined with electric and acoustic guitars, keyboards waiting to be played, and DJ equipment ready to be tested. For music lovers, aspiring musicians, and even casual enthusiasts, it’s a place where creativity and inspiration flow freely.

I’ve always enjoyed visiting Guitar Center, often bringing my son and nephew along to explore the instruments and equipment. There’s something special about being able to test a guitar before buying it, feeling the weight of it in your hands, and hearing the richness of its tone. The same goes for the pianos and DJ setups—there’s no better way to decide what fits your style than to experience it firsthand.

Recently, I discovered that Guitar Center also offers music lessons. I signed up for a guitar class, with plans to learn the piano next. While I believe YouTube can teach me a lot about DJing, nothing beats the hands-on guidance of an experienced instructor. My goal is not just to master these instruments but to incorporate them into my home as both functional and decorative pieces—turning my space into a personal music sanctuary.

Whether you’re a beginner looking to learn, a DJ perfecting your craft, or someone who simply enjoys the vibe of a music store, Guitar Center in Laurel is the perfect place to explore. With top-quality instruments, knowledgeable staff, and hands-on learning opportunities, it’s more than just a store—it’s a haven for...

I took my turntables here to sell about a month ago. In the process of selling them, I decided to just use that money to order a DJ controller on the spot instead. This process took well over an hour to accomplish.

A week later I go to pick up my order (which had to be shipped in from Dallas), and I open the box to find that it did not come with the power or USB cables nor the case that it was supposed to come with. I addressed this while still in the store and after the staff member left in the middle of assisting me to make beats with other customers for 20 minutes (with no one else stepping up in his absence despite me being the only customer waiting to be helped), I was told "We'll call the Dallas store to see where it is and contact you when it's here". Days later, follow up call number one, same response. "We'll call Dallas". A few more days, follow up call number two. Same response. Today (about a week and a half since the second call) I call one last time before I take my order back, and not only does it take 5 minutes to find my order in the system despite me providing my name, phone number, order number, AND email, I was put on hold and then hung up on after a few minutes.

This location is TERRIBLE with customer service, from management down. I don't even want what I ordered anymore, I just want my money back. I imagine that process is going to be a...