The main places to buy guitars are music stores, big-box retailers, online marketplaces, and directly from manufacturers

You can walk into a local music shop, order from Amazon or Sweetwater, buy from Guitar Center or Sam Ash, or go straight to a brand's website. Each route has a real trade-off: local stores let you play before you buy and get same-day pickup, but their prices are often higher and their stock is smaller. Online retailers usually have lower prices and wider selection, but you cannot touch the instrument and shipping can take a week or more. Big-box stores like Best Buy or Walmart stock beginner guitars cheaply, but staff knowledge varies widely.

The choice depends on what you already know about guitars and how much time you have. If you are new to playing, a local music store with knowledgeable staff is worth the price premium because they can help you pick an instrument that actually fits your hands and playing style. If you know what you want, online shopping saves money and gets you a wider range of models.

Key Takeaways

  • Local music stores let you play instruments before buying and offer informed information, but charge more than online retailers.
  • Online marketplaces like Sweetwater, Musician's Friend, and Amazon have lower prices and larger selection, but require shipping time and you cannot test the instrument first.
  • Big-box retailers stock beginner guitars at low prices but rarely have staff trained in guitars specifically.
  • Buying directly from a brand's website sometimes offers sales or bundles, but you still pay shipping unless you pick up locally.
  • Used instruments from pawn shops, Reverb, eBay, and local classifieds cost less but require you to inspect them carefully for damage or wear.

Local music stores and what they offer

A local music shop is a store that specializes in instruments and gear. Staff usually play instruments themselves and can answer questions about action, tone, and whether a particular guitar suits beginners or experienced players. You can hold multiple guitars, play them unplugged or plugged in, and compare how they feel in your hands. Most will let you return or exchange an instrument within 30 days if it does not work out.

Prices at local shops run 10 to 30 percent higher than online, because they pay rent, keep inventory on hand, and pay staff who actually know guitars. If you buy a $400 guitar at a local shop, the same model might cost $320 online. That premium buys you the ability to play before you buy and to walk out with the instrument the same day. Local shops also often offer repairs, setup, and lessons, which can be valuable if you are just starting.

To find a music store near you, search "guitar shop near me" or "music store [your city]" in a search engine. Call ahead to ask whether they have the type of guitar you are interested in and what their return policy is.

Online retailers and how to compare them

The largest online music retailers are Sweetwater, Musician's Friend, Thomann (ships from Europe), and Amazon. Sweetwater and Musician's Friend are owned by the same company and have similar pricing. Both offer free shipping on most orders, detailed product descriptions, and customer reviews. Sweetwater is known for fast shipping (often 1 to 2 business days) and a 45-day return window. Musician's Friend has a 60-day return window but slightly slower shipping.

Amazon carries guitars from many brands but prices and shipping speed vary by seller. Some sellers are authorized retailers; others are third-party resellers. Check the seller name and read reviews before buying. Amazon's return policy is usually 30 days, but some sellers offer longer windows.

Thomann is a German retailer that ships worldwide and often has lower prices on European brands. Shipping to the United States takes 5 to 10 business days and costs money, so the price advantage has to be significant to make it worth the wait. Reverb is an online marketplace for new and used instruments; it works like eBay but focuses on music gear. Reverb lets you filter by condition, price, and seller rating.

When shopping online, compare the same model across at least two retailers. Prices move frequently, and a $50 difference is common. Check whether the price includes a case or strap, because some listings do and others do not. Read the return policy before you buy—most online retailers charge return shipping, which can be $20 to $50 for a guitar.

Big-box retailers and budget guitars

Best Buy, Walmart, and Target stock beginner acoustic and electric guitars, usually in the $100 to $300 range. These are often house brands or entry-level models from major manufacturers. Prices are genuinely low, and you can see the guitar in person. The downside is that staff usually cannot answer detailed questions about playability or setup, and the selection is small—you might see three models instead of thirty.

Big-box retailers are a reasonable choice if you want a cheap acoustic guitar to learn on and do not want to wait for shipping. They are not a good choice if you are spending more than $300 or if you want to compare multiple brands and styles. Return policies vary—Walmart allows 90 days, Best Buy allows 15 days for most items. Check the specific store's policy before you buy.

Buying directly from guitar manufacturers

Many guitar brands sell directly through their own websites: Fender, Gibson, Epiphone, Ibanez, Yamaha, and others all have online stores. Buying from a manufacturer's website sometimes gives you access to sales, bundles (like a guitar plus a case and strap), or limited-edition colors. Prices are usually the same as authorized retailers, not cheaper.

The main reason to buy from a manufacturer is if you want a specific color or configuration that is not in stock at retailers. Some brands also offer a longer warranty when you buy directly. Shipping is usually free on orders over a certain amount, but it still takes 5 to 10 business days. Return policies vary by brand—read the fine print before you order.

Used guitars and where to find them

Used guitars cost 30 to 60 percent less than new ones, depending on age and condition. The main places to buy used are Reverb (online marketplace), eBay, local classifieds (Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist), pawn shops, and secondhand music stores. Reverb and eBay have buyer protection—if the guitar arrives damaged or does not match the description, you can return it. Local sales do not, so you need to inspect the guitar in person before handing over money.

When buying used, look for cracks in the wood, rust on the metal parts, worn frets (the metal strips on the neck), and whether the tuning pegs turn smoothly. Ask the seller how long they have owned it, whether it has been repaired, and why they are selling. A guitar that has been dropped or left in a hot car may have hidden damage that shows up weeks later.

Pawn shops usually price guitars lower than Reverb or eBay, but they often do not know the instrument's history and may not accept returns. A secondhand music store is a middle ground—prices are higher than pawn shops but lower than new, and staff can tell you about the guitar's condition and history.

What to check before you buy, whether new or used

Before you commit to a guitar, check the action (how high the strings sit above the fretboard—lower is easier to play), whether the neck is straight, and how the tuning pegs feel. If you are buying online and cannot play it first, read customer reviews and watch video demos. Look for comments about whether the guitar needed setup out of the box, because many do.

Check the return policy and shipping cost. If you are spending $300 or more, return shipping can cost $30 to $50, so factor that into the total. Ask whether the price includes a case or gig bag—a decent case adds $50 to $150 to the cost if you have to buy it separately. If you are a beginner, ask whether the retailer offers setup or adjustment services, because a $50 setup can make a cheap guitar much easier to play.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it better to buy a guitar in person or online?

In person is better if you are new to guitars or spending over $500, because you can play it first and get informed information. Online is better if you know what model you want and price matters more than trying it out. Many people do both: play guitars at a local shop to figure out what they like, then buy online for a lower price.

How much should I expect to spend on a beginner guitar?

A playable beginner acoustic guitar costs $150 to $300. A beginner electric guitar costs $200 to $400. Below $150, you risk getting an instrument that is hard to play and discouraging to learn on. Above $500, you are paying for features and tone that a beginner cannot yet hear or use.

What is the difference between Sweetwater and Musician's Friend?

Both are owned by the same company and have similar prices and selection. Sweetwater ships faster (1 to 2 days) and has a 45-day return window. Musician's Friend has a 60-day return window but slower shipping. If speed matters, choose Sweetwater. If you want more time to decide, choose Musician's Friend.

Can I return a guitar if I change my mind?

Yes, but the return window and who pays for shipping varies. Local stores usually allow 30 days. Online retailers allow 30 to 60 days, but most charge return shipping, which costs $20 to $50. Read the return policy before you buy.

Should I buy a used guitar to save money?

Used guitars are cheaper, but you need to inspect them carefully or buy from a seller with buyer protection (like Reverb). If you are a beginner, a new budget guitar from a big-box retailer might be safer because you know what you are getting and returns are easier.