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Imperial Vintage Guitars
4.9 ★★★★★ 79 Google reviews · Guitar & music store in Orange, California
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
- Today see hours ·
- Phone (714) 364-5000
- Website imperialvintageguitars.com
Hours
| Monday | 11 AM–6 PM |
| Tuesday | 11 AM–6 PM |
| Wednesday | Closed |
| Thursday | 11 AM–6 PM |
| Friday | 11 AM–6 PM |
| Saturday | 11 AM–6 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
What's on the wall
“I had a great experience here with Jarett, he fixed my broken classical guitar tuners and restrung my guitar beautifully 😍😍😍 it's playing better than ever.”
“Jarrett is the man - he took great care of me and I’m leaving with a rippin’ 2003 Les Paul double cut that’s totally dialed to my specs.”
“They have four locations and I was in 2 of them, Burbank and Orange and the guitars, amps and pedals were exciting.”
“If you’re a guitar player—or just someone who appreciates craftsmanship and good vibes—this vintage guitar shop is a must-visit.”
“They also offer full repair and modification services, which is a huge plus for players who want to keep their gear in top shape or add a personal touch.”
“Super stoked with my new electric and am currently taking lessons at Imperial with Jarett.”
Brands they deal
What players say again and again
“Gave me great advice on moving to LA, and the guitar shop/lutherie scene around Southern California.”
“On top of that, he’s approachable, kind, and genuinely excited to share his knowledge without an ounce of pretension.”
“The shop is filled with a wide and thoughtful mix of instruments, from high-end collectibles to more affordable, everyday players.”
From the reviews
If you’re a guitar player—or just someone who appreciates craftsmanship and good vibes—this vintage guitar shop is a must-visit. From the outside, it has that unassuming, tucked-away feel, but the moment you walk through the door, it opens up into a surprisingly spacious, well-curated haven for musicians.
A really cool shop filled with all sorts of beautiful, special guitars which I should not buy and many which I simply can not afford to buy! Still, they are wonderful to look at. In a lot of ways, it's like visiting a vintage guitar museum.
I visited Imperial Vintage Guitars at 864 N Main St a few months ago, and the experience has really stuck with me. The staff were genuine, knowledgeable, and super helpful without ever being pushy. The selection of vintage instruments was incredible — every guitar had character and history.
This place is why brick and mortar stores still exist. Jarrett is super friendly, very knowledgeable and just a pleasure to talk to. I took my dad’s guitar there to get appraised.
Selling or trading gear at Imperial Vintage Guitars
Imperial Vintage Guitars 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.
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