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The Guitar Department
4.8 ★★★★★ 76 Google reviews · Guitar & music store in Akron, Ohio
Cozy, local shop stocking new and used guitars and amps at fair prices, with pedals and accessories.
Plan your visit
- 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
- Today see hours ·
- Phone (330) 753-5050
- Website theguitardepartment.com
Hours
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 10 AM–7 PM |
| Wednesday | 10 AM–6 PM |
| Thursday | 10 AM–7 PM |
| Friday | 10 AM–6 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–4 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
What's on the wall
“(New Guitar Day) thanks to the guys at The Guitar Department, this absolutely killer Fender Stratocaster with an alligator skin hardshell case.”
“Lots of variety in terms of effect pedals, lots of different guitar brands and amps as well.”
“From high end new and used gear to value added blemished and consignment gear, there is something for every budget.”
“My daughter is taking lessons there and everyone has been very accommodating and she loves her lessons so far.”
Brands they deal
“(New Guitar Day) thanks to the guys at The Guitar Department, this absolutely killer Fender Stratocaster with an alligator skin hardshell case.”
“I've always been given more than fair trade in prices, I've had success with consignment sales, and when I ordered a new Ibanez and tariffs changed the stores cost.”
What players say again and again
“I've always been given more than fair trade in prices, I've had success with consignment sales, and when I ordered a new Ibanez and tariffs changed the stores cost.”
“The staff is super knowledgeable and accommodating, at times I've sought after very specific and difficult guitars to find, and they always come through.”
“We had a blast seeing everything and left with a nice guitar at a affordable price.”
“My daughter is taking lessons there and everyone has been very accommodating and she loves her lessons so far.”
From the reviews
This is a fantastic guitar shop. They have a good selection of used guitars, from beginner types to high quality Strats and Les Pauls. The staff is helpful and friendly. And they're just a nice group of people. I recommend this place unreservedly.
I absolutely love this place. And to have this store next to Lay's is ridiculous. From high end new and used gear to value added blemished and consignment gear, there is something for every budget. This is a have to visit for any musician as the selection is constantly changing.
Very kind place!! Lots of variety in terms of effect pedals, lots of different guitar brands and amps as well. They had ukeleles at the front, as well as se microphones and light settings which of course are good for gigs and whatnot. The employees were very kind and let you try before you buy.
Great selection of guitars and misc. equiptment. Everyone is very helpful. My daughter is taking lessons there and everyone has been very accommodating and she loves her lessons so far. There is a lot to check out on Kenmore Blvd for musicians and music fans alike.
Selling or trading gear at The Guitar Department
The Guitar Department 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.
Lessons at The Guitar Department
Reviews and the store's own info mention lessons at The Guitar Department. 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 on hand for exactly this reason.
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