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Guitar Center

4.2 ★★★★☆ 1,201 Google reviews · Guitar & music store in Louisville, Kentucky

Buys used gear Lessons Vintage specialist Repairs & setups

Massive retailer stocking guitars, amps, keyboards, drums, mics, pedals and more.

Plan your visit

  • Repairs & setups a repair bench comes up in reviews and the store's own info — call ahead for turnaround, since good techs run a queue
  • Buys & trades used gear they buy, trade, or consign used instruments — bring the case and any original parts, and expect trade credit to beat the cash offer
  • Lessons lessons come up in reviews and the store's own info — call about openings, instruments taught, and rates before the first visit
  • Instrument rentals rentals mentioned — the usual route for band & orchestra season; ask about rent-to-own credit
  • Today see hours ·
  • Phone (502) 894-6286
  • Website stores.guitarcenter.com

Hours

Monday 11 AM–9 PM
Tuesday 11 AM–9 PM
Wednesday 11 AM–9 PM
Thursday 11 AM–9 PM
Friday 11 AM–9 PM
Saturday 10 AM–9 PM
Sunday 11 AM–7 PM

Hours can shift for holidays, clinics, and lesson schedules — worth a quick check before a special trip.

What's on the wall

Instrument and gear categories at Guitar Center, confirmed in players' own reviews and the store's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🎼 Acoustic Guitars 2 mentions

“I traded an acoustic guitar for an upgrade and they were able to make the price difference very reasonable.”

All stores with acoustic guitars →

🎸 Electric Guitars 3 mentions

“I was quite overwhelmed trying to choose my first electric guitar, but he guided my fiancé and me through the entire process.”

All stores with electric guitars →

🎸 Bass Guitars 4 mentions

“One of the largest selections of new and used guitars and basses in the Louisville metro area.”

All stores with bass guitars →

♻️ Used Gear 4 mentions

“One of the largest selections of new and used guitars and basses in the Louisville metro area.”

All stores with used gear →

🔧 Repairs & Setups

“I’m so excited to start learning on my new setup!”

All stores with repairs & setups →

🎓 Lessons

“Johnny runs the Lessons’ center here at the Guitar Center in Louisville, and he is helped by Eva, Danny, and others.”

All stores with lessons →

🪕 Ukulele, Banjo & Folk

“My boy was able to find his 14yo birthday gift: a Fender electric-acoustic bass ukulele.”

All stores with ukulele, banjo & folk →

Brands they deal

Brands players name in their reviews of Guitar Center — the fastest way to tell what's actually hanging on the wall before you drive over.

🏷️ Fender 2 mentions

“My boy was able to find his 14yo birthday gift: a Fender electric-acoustic bass ukulele.”

Who else deals Fender →

🏷️ Gibson

Who else deals Gibson →

🏷️ Martin

Who else deals Martin →

🏷️ Ibanez

Who else deals Ibanez →

🏷️ Gretsch

Who else deals Gretsch →

🏷️ Epiphone

Who else deals Epiphone →

🏷️ Rickenbacker

Who else deals Rickenbacker →

🏷️ Squier

Who else deals Squier →

Brand mentions are mined from reviews and the store's own info — they tell you what's on the wall, not formal authorized-dealer status. If warranty coverage matters, confirm dealer status with the store or the brand's own dealer locator.

What players say again and again

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 1,201 Google reviews — with their own words as proof.

🧠 knowledgeable staff 4 mentions

“Reece was incredibly knowledgeable and patient, answering every question we had.”

From the reviews

Reece was absolutely wonderful! I was quite overwhelmed trying to choose my first electric guitar, but he guided my fiancé and me through the entire process. He helped us curate a custom kit with a fantastic guitar and amp that fit our needs perfectly.

★★★★★ — Julie, Feb 2026

One of the largest selections of new and used guitars and basses in the Louisville metro area. Some of their used prices are really good and some are too expensive. I try to buy from the local shops first, but it’s good to have a physical GC nearby.

★★★★★ — Kelly, Mar 2026

Guitar Center in Louisville is a great store and has great employees. I traded an acoustic guitar for an upgrade and they were able to make the price difference very reasonable. I have purchased several instruments and electronics from them. Highly recommend them for your next purchase.

★★★★★ — Gregory, May 2026

For a while I hesitated going to this guitar center for various reasons. Today changed my outlook. I had the pleasure of meeting Nate, the new manager and he was excellent! Night and day difference from when I purchased from them previously. Keep up the excellent customer service!

★★★★★ — Joshua, Feb 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 1,201 reviews →

Selling or trading gear at Guitar Center

Guitar Center comes up for buying and trading used gear — confirmed on their own site. Two things make the trip go better. First, bring the whole package: the case or gig bag, the original tremolo arm or bridge parts, the paperwork if you have it — a complete rig is worth real money more than a bare instrument, and it saves the back-and-forth of "can you bring the case in?" Second, know that trade credit almost always beats the cash offer, usually by a healthy margin — if you're upgrading anyway, price your old gear as a trade against the new one before you take cash. Either way, expect the offer to be below what the gear sells for on the wall; the gap is the store's margin for setup, warranty, and sitting on it until the right buyer walks in.

Check trade-in info on their site

Lessons at Guitar Center

Reviews and the store's own info mention lessons at Guitar Center. If you're signing up a beginner (or restarting yourself), a quick call ahead answers the three things that matter: which instruments they teach, whether the schedule has openings at the time you actually need, and what a first lesson costs. There's no wrong first guitar — a good teacher will happily work with whatever you walk in with, and a shop that teaches usually keeps affordable starter instruments and rentals on hand for exactly this reason.

Where to find Guitar Center

4600 Shelbyville Rd #613, Louisville, KY40207

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Guitar stores near Guitar Center

Mel Owen Music

4.6 ★★★★★ 171 reviews

4210 Shelbyville Rd, St Matthews, KY

Lessons Repairs & setups knowledgeable staffgood value

under a mile away

Baroque Violin Shop

5 ★★★★★ 30 reviews

207 Breckenridge Ln, Louisville, KY

Repairs & setups Vintage specialist expert setups & repairsknowledgeable staff

Musical instrument shop specializing in stringed instruments and offering repair services by its trained staff.

1.3 miles away

Music & Arts

4.5 ★★★★★ 53 reviews

808 Lyndon Ln Ste 103, Louisville, KY

Lessons Repairs & setups Vintage specialist knowledgeable staffplays well with beginners

Retail chain offering musical instruments, audio gear & accessories, plus rental & repair services.

1.5 miles away

All guitar stores in Louisville, KY →

Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and player reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this store? Claim your listing — it's free.