McCabe's Guitar Shop

 

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Jason W.

Santa Monica, CA

This is a good guitar shop. It is very laid back. They do not sell a lot of electric guitars but they have an interesting collection of stringed instruments-dulcimers, banjos,etc.  I did not feel any pressure or judgment from the staff. I picked up a lot of expensive guitars and no one was leaning over my back telling me a bunch of BS---aka guitar center.  If you are looking for an unusual acoustic they may have it here. It is pretty funky and they have concerts and lessons too.

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11

Swiss M.

Los Angeles, CA

If you are frequenting Guitar Center or any chain of any genre you need only step in the door of this cozy abode to realize what you are missing AND what you are extinguishing by endorsing bigger, less quality, cheaper chain stores. McCabe's could be what life was like before we were all franchised. Who knew Los Angeles still had such gems? Inside I feel like I am in Olympia, Washington or Oregon.

Most everyone here has already spoken on their selection and quality of work. Lots of eclectic instruments from all over the world, sometimes I go just to look around. They also have a well organized list of classes if you want to learn the banjo, guitar, piano, etc. Private and group classes. 6 weeks for about $160 is not bad at all.

Cherish a place like this in our community.

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Kat S.

Los Angeles, CA

I didn't want to leave!  This guitar shop is the kind of place where you could probably kick it all day... and by the looks of it, a lot of people do.  I know nothing about string instruments, but I'm determined to learn!  My interest lies in the 4 strings... so far the ukulele and the cuatro.  I started taking ukulele lessons recently and I managed to bust a string after my first class when trying to tune it.  I had no idea how to string a uke, so I decided to stroll into McCabe's and bat my eyelashes or something, hoping someone would do it for me.  Well, there was no need for dramatics since the guy working the register was totally chill and said he didn't mind setting up the replacement strings I'd just bought.  He also tuned it beautifully for me, which I was thankful for since I am completely clueless when staring at the blinking red & green lights and bouncing lines on that thing-a-ma-jig that supposed to help me tune it on my own.  

I also have a cuatro which is a small, four string guitar similar to the uke.  I've tried searching for an instruction booklet to learn how to play it, but since the instrument is from and mostly found in Venezuela & Puerto Rico, all the manuals I've found are in espanol.  I threw my usual questions at the guys at McCabe's, and they didn't give me the quizzical, "huh?" look when I asked if they had anything for a cuatro.  They actually have strings for it, and they even had one in the store which sold a couple of months ago!  Big improvement over other guitar shops that have never even heard of a cuatro!  The McCabe's crew tried looking for instruction manuals in their database for me, but unfortunately, no luck. Well, they did have the Spanish language manual behind the counter!

This is a great, little, warm & cozy nook of a guitar shop on Pico that I will be frequenting many times in my future endeavors of musical pursuits.

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Elite '08

94

97

N.oah Q.

Westwood, CA

To any guitarists reading this review, I'm sure you can relate to the anguish of being in places such as Guitar Center, Sam Ash, and the like. I guarantee you this: McCabe's will help you re-capture hope for the future of music stores.

I recently decided to buy another acoustic guitar, and had a pretty good amount of dough available to do so. Having been to McCabe's here and there in the past to peruse their Fantasia-like collection of acoustics both common and rare, I decided to give it a shot. Nancy was the woman that ended up helping me, and over the course of three weeks she went far and beyond the level of service that I have ever experienced in a shop in L.A.

We spent hours narrowing down my choices, another day exchanging the choice I made (they have a 10-day guarantee on every guitar they sell, just in case it doesn't work out as you envisioned), setting it up the way I like it (they have a 3-year free maintenance dealie with every guitar), and simply talking. She was exactly the opposite of a freaked out, hyperactive salesman, and really cared about the choice I was making. The price was very competitive, which I wasn't expecting - more kudos for that.

The entire staff is down-home and kind, and their selection is unparalleled, coupled by the most amazing large cabin-like vibe, random artifacts, pictures, and old guitars on display...it doesn't get better than this.

Guitar Center - you have nothing on this monster. Comparing McCabe's to one of the chains like Guitar Center or Sam Ash is like comparing Bay Cities Deli to Wal Mart. Every time I can support an independent place like this with confidence, I feel like I've done something good.

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blackbird e.

Santa Monica, CA

McCabe's is great.  I love to write up places that so genuinely care about customer service.  I took in a Martin that needed restringing but the usual shop guy was out.  Even so, they called over someone to take a look and he went out of his way to help me and did it right then while I waited.  

Even though I told cute rockabilly dude that it wasn't mine, he asked if I wanted to learn how to string one.  So he showed me step-by-step and explained the whole thing.  It was fascinating to someone who knew just about nothing about a guitar.  Before he sent me on my way, he offered up a couple of suggestions for making it play better.  I promised to bring it back.  

Everyone that I encountered was equally friendly.  One of these days, I'll make it to one of their shows.

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Ethan H.

Playa Del Rey, CA

Ahh McCabe's...my favorite music store to patronize. They've been around forever and they know their shit. Acoustic stringed instruments, specifically guitars, are their specialty, and they sell all sorts: dreadnoughts, resonators, classical, mandolins, banjos, ukuleles, dulcimers etc...they've got it.

They do excellent repair work here for very reasonable prices. Come in enough and they'll remember your name and even if you don't, their repair personnel are always happy to talk shop with you.

The salespeople are great too. It's so nice to be able to walk into a guitar shop, pick up a few instruments to play and not get hassled until you actually want help. Friendly, unobtrusive and knowledgeable...oh my!

The store has a great ambiance. A lot of wood and dark carpeting give it a very homey feel . They do live shows in the back room, which is a great place to see live music. They have upcoming events on their calendar and on their website. I recommend this place on every level.

Oh yeah...they also have free coffee! Does it get any better? Free guitars would be a good start...

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3

57

Eric S.

Torrance, CA

You know, for a divey little guitar shop with uncomfortable seats, this place just rocks.  Some of the best live music I've ever seen has been at this place.  Saw Peter Case(formerly Plimsouls) last night and he was awesome as usual. The guy is just one of the best song-writer performers of our generation and McCabes is the perfect place for him to perform his craft.  The small room with surprisingly good acoustics brought out the acoustic guitar hero in him and allows him to squeeze every drop from his folky, husky singing voice.  The encore included Carlos Guitarlos, who is still one of the best blues guitar players ever.  Non-alcoholic drinks and cookies available.  Parking just got harder recently, when the Republic of Santa Monica," parking passed" the whole neighborhood around McCabes.  The price was right and we didn't get ticketed,bonus!

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Darrin R.

CA

I have to agree with Dan O.  I have to stop myself from re-typing his review of McCabe's word for word.  I too, love this place -- and although I've never bought a guitar from them, the staff is always friendly and knowledgeable, as well as willing to repair or service my acoustic or Epiphone Flying-V, or hook me up with a cable and a free  "purloined" pic.

I love to go in and play different acoustics to listen to the different tones and feel the differences in the strings.  You can really sit and play, uninterrupted, so that you can really get to know what you'd be buying.  And the quality is unspeakable.  I used to have a Martin but I upgraded to a Cole Clark acoustic/electric.  I digress...

The main reason I'm giving this place five stars, is that on top of being the best place for all the coffee-at-the-door, acoustic-guitar-heaven reasons, I also have to elaborate on Marlane's review of McCabe's as a live venue.

The acts booked reflect a certain sensibility of musicianship that you don't see duplicated.  But I also saw Henry Rollins do about three hours of spoken word to benefit a charity -- it was the perfect venue.  The space is extremely well converted for these shows -- and just walking through this place is a hidden gem, with guitars and instruments... it's one of my favorite places in all of LA.

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Elite '08

11

35

Dan O.

Los Angeles, CA

i LOVE this place. McCabe's has an uncanny way of making me feel at home. Right when you walk in the first thing you see is a coffee maker full of free, steaming joe. The sales folks don't pester you or leer at you when you're strumming a Martin that costs more than half the cars parked on the street.  It's a player's place. Acoustic guitar heaven. I'd also encourage anyone considering learning guitar to stop in and talk to some of the folks down there. Everyone seems very nice and accommodating.
   I often stop in to drool over the guitars, but have never bought a piece there. I have, however, brought a guitar in for repair. I bought a cheap, vintage, thrift store Epiphone that had all kinds of ugliness going on. from terrible action to splitting seams. I brought her in to the McCabe's repair people and they turned that old Epi into a very sweet playing guitar. This cheapy Epi plays MUCH better than my Guild, Martin, and Gibson. I plan on bringing all my babies here for service soon. The price was reasonable as well - adjusting the action was around $50. Clamping and gluing the split seam was also around $50. One note: call ahead b/c they often have too many guitars to repair and may not be able to accept new work right away.  I dropped mine off and was told to call after a week to check in. It took a couple friendly reminders but i was finally able to pick up the finished guitar after a couple weeks. Well worth the wait!

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Elite '08

299

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fran d.

Long Beach, CA

does anyone remember mathew sweet? i came here to see him play with susanna hoffs of the bangles. it was love at first sight with this place.

if you're looking to buy an acoustic guitar, don't go to guitar center, don't go to sam ash. in fact, don't go anywhere else but here. they have a great selection of acoustic guitars and peripherals. the staff is helpful and way beyond knowledgable.

plus! free coffee while you shop!

years later i took guitar lessons here. they're very popular and the instructor i had at the time was quite helpful, witty and patient.

this place makes a great combination of guitar buying/learning experience. for those of you that are borderline, this is a great place to start.

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4

a g.

Brentwood, CA

ive been looking for the perfect place to take my guitar aka my baby into to change the strings!!!! when walking into the shop, you instantly feel the love of music and passion from all of the workers, they have a large variety of guitars and any thing else you may possibly need. i have never left my guitar with anyone, however i felt very comfortable with them, when i came back to pick it up, they cleaned it for me, new strings, and even played a nice lil tune for me! lol...i cant say anything but great things about the shop. they also have bullitens of upcoming events they host, music for children, lessons ect. they do it all, and the staff is extremely chill!!!! i wouldnt go anywhere else in LA!

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