Guitar Center — Local services in Williston

From CT but was coming through... you know with guitars, they can look great online, but you need to touch and play them individually. Was thinking the entry Taylor mini might be the one, (it didn't look that small online) but was open to entry level Guild and Martin too. The acoustic room was well set up... everything tuned. Had been looking since my son got a new guitar this summer at GS Manchester.

I've been playing for 30 + years but still wouldn't say I know how to play. My seagulls s6 and s12 lasted 20 years through kids and pets but need to be put out of their misery... the 12 is essentially a frankenstein.

I just wanted a basic acoustic quality but entry guild/taylor/martin level.

Had looked at a lot of reviews on some smaller parlor sized, but not travel or 'baby' sized guitars. Wanted a big sound, a normal neck, and a smaller overall body.

I had promised 15 mins while my wife sat in the car (she's awesome). so I was in a hurry, and wasn't needing to purchase unless a guitar really spoke to me. I figured just go try a few of the one's I've been watching reviews for and thwn we'd head to church street.

Saw the Guild OM 240 CE and it just stood out in my price range. Sat down... they let me use a pick and I was pretty sure this was the one. Associate came in and let me try the Taylor, but just didn't fit and seemed a little too small. Told him I was in a rush but was pretty sure I was digging the Guild (and also that my awesome wife was waiting patiently in the car). He cut right to the chase told me the important deets comparing to the Taylor. And gave it a quick critical check out/ run over himself.

As I was just checking in to get more info, I hadn't brought my hardcase. Associate went to get me a box just to keep it nice til I got home. While I was checking out he brought out a leftover gig bag he found to let me have for the trip home. 👍☮

I was in the store... played... found the guitar that sparked joy... and was back in the car in just 15 minutes AND felt solidly good about the experience.

Thanks...

Extremely displeased with their service center. Dropped my guitars off 5 weeks ago. 1 needed a simple intonation and string swap, the other had what I suspected to be a wiring issue so that one would probably need some time which is totally normal.

Upon dropping off I was told 10-14 days. All good. Called with no word after two weeks they said another 1-2 weeks. Then I called again, still haven’t been touched and they said they would pull them right then and they’d be done that night or the next day. Here we are 3 days later and they had even been looked at. I saw how they were stored in the back room, two 1000$ guitars buried under other guitars so I took them back. The man I spoke with said they were 3-4 weeks out on all services which I reminded him I’d be entering week 5 of waiting.

I don’t expect miracles or two day turn arounds in this day and age but at least a string change shouldn’t take 5 weeks. It’s pretty unacceptable. I chose to use them out of convenience, I work emergency medicine and don’t have a ton of free time and they are conveniently close to my work. Needless to say I’ll not be using them anymore, not that I can say I used them in the end.

I will say, the desk staff I spoke with were extremely nice and dealt with my calls very well. This review is directly aimed at the services and guitar tech alone. Once again this feels like another case of it’s Vermont and your choices are limited so we’ll do it as we please, customer be damned because who else...

The general manager is extremely rude and super unenthusiastic about working here, he first sold me the wrong cable and tried to convince me it was correct, all whilst texting on his phone while I was asking him specific questions. after figuring it out myself I returned it and he still couldn't tell me what cable to get, ended up getting one too short so looks like I will be headed back for a nother return, after he was done with me another customer came in asking for wireless microphones and was previously in there 20 minutes before. she came back and the manager had 0 recollection of her after 20 minutes went by and she was visibly frustrated as he did not help her find a correct microphone, it might be a good idea to higher peoe who know about music equipment at a music equipment store. If I could give this guitar center less than 1 star I would. It's really that bad. Every single time I'm looking for something they might have I'm met with arrogant attitudes and leoe who look like they would rather die than to help a customer. Buying new gear should be fun!! They somehow make it not fun. Make sure you know exactly what you need before you walk in here because none of the employees know...