A Perfectly Good Guitar

March 31, 2006 11:36 PM

What's the best guitar store in the South?

Hi, I'm looking for recommendations for the greatest [not just good] guitar stores in the South. I'll be driving from Denver to South Carolina and I want to stop and play some fine instruments and perhaps pick one up. I'm looking for a a square-necked resonator (dobro style), if that helps.

I have some time to kill so I don't mind driving out of my way. Bonus points if you know a great shop in Nashville.

Thanks.

posted by catfishjohn19 to media & arts (11 comments total)

One of the best and most famous guitar stores in the nation, if not in the world, happens to be in Nashville -- Gruhn's Guitars.
posted by wsg at 12:29 AM on April 1, 2006

Fretted Instruments, in Homewood, Alabama, is without question the best guitar store in the South. Herb is a genius, and knows more about Martin guitars than many have forgotten. It's out of your way, by hundreds of miles, but call them and let them know you are coming and Herb will take care of you. They also carry concertinas, dobros, banjos, mandolins, ukeleles, etc. This guy KNOWS HIS STUFF, and is friendly to boot. And the chances are good that if you get there around closing time, they'll ask you to sit in and pick a few.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 1:15 AM on April 1, 2006

Not really that "southern" but the Guitar Emporium is a fantastic shop in Louisville, KY.
posted by valkane at 7:27 AM on April 1, 2006

If you want to see something interesting drop by Southpaw Guitars in Houston, Tx. The world's only real guitar store for only left handed guitars. They're good people.
posted by shanevsevil at 7:27 AM on April 1, 2006

Heart of Texas Music in Austin.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 7:33 AM on April 1, 2006

In Nashville, Cotten Music was my favorite spot growing up. I love that place.

You can find any number of larger shops either on or near the strip downtown, including Gruhn's, as mentioned before, and Gibson.
posted by dsword at 10:12 AM on April 1, 2006

Strings and Things in Memphis is a complete mall dedicated to all things musical, including guitars.
posted by wsg at 11:40 AM on April 1, 2006

I love Southpaw 'cause I am one. When I moved from houston I was greatly saddened to find that not ever major city has such a store, and I end up going back there time and time again to buy guitars.
posted by RustyBrooks at 11:51 AM on April 1, 2006

Wow, thanks for all the great suggestions, I really appreciate it. Hopefully this will help break up the drive and provide me with a new git-box.
posted by catfishjohn19 at 1:08 PM on April 1, 2006

Guitar Emporium (as linked to above) in Louisville has an international reputation -- but one warning, they tend toward the higher end of vintage, so nothing is cheap. If you have a specific request, give them a call first.
posted by mrmojoflying at 2:02 PM on April 1, 2006

Heart of Texas in Austin is a decent store, but their prices are high, customer service is virtually non-existent (and rude), and a lot of their business comes from the "i want to buy my guitar where SRV bought his!" factor.

I ended up buying my SRV Signature Strat from Guitar Resurrection in Austin. I've never been happier with a purchase (or customer service) from a guitar/music store before, and when it comes time to buy another Les Paul, I will probably deal with them again even though I now live in Houston.
posted by mrbill at 7:45 PM on April 2, 2006