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Subway Guitars

4.5 ★★★★★ 123 Google reviews · Guitar & music store in Berkeley, California

Quirky, retro-style shop packed with new, used, vintage & custom guitars; group lessons available.

Plan your visit

Hours

Monday 12–6 PM
Tuesday 12–6 PM
Wednesday 12–6 PM
Thursday 12–6 PM
Friday 12–6 PM
Saturday 12–6 PM
Sunday Closed

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 Subway Guitars, confirmed in players' own reviews and the store's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🎼 Acoustic Guitars 2 mentions

“Was in search of a solid, cheap acoustic today and boy did I ever find a place that delivered on that.”

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🎸 Electric Guitars 2 mentions

“I love my Subway Tele and I will be ordering again.”

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🎸 Bass Guitars 4 mentions

“They sell mostly affordable and budget high quality guitars, banjos and mandolins, but also pro level models, plus they are expert assemblers of new custom guitars and basses.”

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🏆 Vintage & Rare 2 mentions

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♻️ Used Gear 5 mentions

“Packed floor to ceiling with used inventory of guitars and amps of various makes and models with just the right amount of used broken-in character.”

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🔧 Repairs & Setups 8 mentions

“They completed the repairs the following day, texted me that it was ready, charged a really low repair price, and the bass has never played or sounded better.”

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🎓 Lessons

“Now my son is taking guitar lessons with the shop owner and thriving!”

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🪕 Ukulele, Banjo & Folk 5 mentions

“They sell mostly affordable and budget high quality guitars, banjos and mandolins, but also pro level models, plus they are expert assemblers of new custom guitars and basses.”

All stores with ukulele, banjo & folk →

What players say again and again

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 123 Google reviews — with their own words as proof.

🧠 knowledgeable staff 4 mentions

“They sell mostly affordable and budget high quality guitars, banjos and mandolins, but also pro level models, plus they are expert assemblers of new custom guitars and basses.”

💵 good value 3 mentions

“They sell mostly affordable and budget high quality guitars, banjos and mandolins, but also pro level models, plus they are expert assemblers of new custom guitars and basses.”

🔰 plays well with beginners 3 mentions

“Great place for kid's first guitars, but also a renowned destination for famous players seeking the best.”

From the reviews

A true guitar lover's dream store. Funky, exciting and fun. Packed floor to ceiling with used inventory of guitars and amps of various makes and models with just the right amount of used broken-in character. This place is genuine and could never be duplicated. Let the music play on, forever...

★★★★★ — Daniel, Feb 2020

Robin is muy simpatico! I couldn't remember my venmo password and he let take my two sets of Black Diamond Classical strings home. "Pay me when you get a chance". Turns out they take $zelle called him up and settled. Beyond Bueno

★★★★★ — Robert, Dec 2024

Went in looking for a used ukulele. They have a ton of instruments (seriously, the contents of the shop would fill at least a shipping container!). Found several, including one with beautiful tone at nearly half the retail price of a new one. Planning to go back when i have the $$ and purchase it.

★★★★★ — Javier, Apr 2022

Excellent in all aspects! A Berkeley icon right in your neighborhood. You can feel the history, the pride and the magic the moment you walk into the door. Be it for a purchase of a classic or a repair of a beloved stringed friend, you just can't go wrong. Stop in, feel the vibe, it will make your day every time.

★★★★★ — Model, Apr 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 123 reviews →

Where to find Subway Guitars

1800 Cedar St, Berkeley, CA94703

Get directions

Guitar stores near Subway Guitars

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WIND & BRASS

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Music shop specializing in repair services for brass and woodwind instruments.

1.0 miles away

All guitar stores in Berkeley, CA →

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.