Best Musical Instrument Store

There are many fine independent music stores across Atlanta, but for sheer inventory none of them can match GUITAR CENTER. The store is a guitar player's paradise, walls covered with all types of electric guitars and basses, and a mind-numbing array of amplifiers and effects boxes. There's a room for acoustic guitars, and separate areas with keyboards, drum gear and pro audio. Looking for a 1958 Stratocaster? There's space set aside for rare guitars. The customer service is excellent and we just go ga-ga over all those Fenders and Gibsons. less...

Even the most hip and independent musicians shop here sooner or later. Some never admit it. Some go to their favorite local store, get a price and then head off to the "musicians planet" to make their purchase. Why? It's the unmistakable force of gravity — created by cheaper prices and huge volume. It's Wal-Mart for rock stars. The hipsters slide in and slide out and hope nobody recognizes them, until their cover is blown when they realize that the salesman was the drummer in their first band and the guy behind the counter is a former employee of the place where they used to buy all their stuff. less...

Sure, it's a big corporate chain store, but it scores major coolness points for putting a classic image of Duane Eddy on its giveaway postcard/coupons. Guitar Center's selection and buy-in-bulk prices are mighty hard to beat, even if some of those deep-discounted Fenders are cheap imports from South of the Border. Besides, we love seeing those giant images of Brian Setzer and Jeff Beck on their outside walls as we drive past. less...