Editor’s Note:Guitar Junky is an affiliate for Sweetwater.com. However, this does not, in any way or form, affect this detailed comparison review.
As the two largest online music instrument retailers in the world, Sweetwater and Guitar Center are often compared.
But how do they compare to one another?
This article will break down their key differences so you can see which store is better for your needs!
Contents
Sweetwater Overview
Sweetwater
4.5
Pros:
- 2-year Warranty
- Expansive list of instruments to choose from.
- Great support & customer service
VIEW MUSIC GEAR
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Sweetwater is a family-owned business that sells high end instruments and music gear.
They have been around since 1979 (founded by Chuck Surack), so they’ve had plenty of time to make their niche in the industry!
Sweetwater also offers expert advice from an actual music professional who can answer any question you may have about your purchase.
The company takes pride on being able to offer personalized service with every customer no matter how small the request might be!
Guitar Center Overview
Guitar Center
4.3
Pros:
- They have a wide selection of guitars from different brands.
- Offer great deals and discounts
Cons:
- Service can sometimes be too pushy and bothersome
VIEW MUSIC GEAR
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Guitar Center is the largest music instrument retailer in North America.
It’s a publicly traded company with over 700 stores and employs more than 18,000 people nationwide.
The Guitar Center mission statement includes providing “the best possible customer experience by delivering innovative products that inspire passion for musical instruments.”
Sweetwater Vs Guitar Center: What’s the Difference?
Website User Experience
When you go to Sweetwater’s website, shopping is efficient.
You can search for items by category and then narrow your results down by brand or the type of instrument.
While Guitar Center does have a few features that Sweetwater doesn’t, it lacks in comparison when it comes to filters.
The only way to narrow your search is by the instrument or brand, which in Sweetwater you can do both.
Price
Guitar Center and Sweetwater generally have the same price on all music gear.
Sweetwater will also price match if you find an item at less than the retail cost listed on their website.
So while both stores tend to offer the same pricing, from time to time either one may run limited-time deals which can make an item you are looking for more affordable.
Sweetwater also provides free shipping on all orders nationwide, no matter how small.
Customer Service
Sweetwater offers excellent customer service.
Sweetwater employees are well-informed and will answer your questions with detail, if you’re interested in their product.
Sweetwater also provides free shipping on all orders over $50 for customers nationwide!
Guitar Center is a more accessible location since it has retail stores across the U.S., but they don’t have the same customer service Sweetwater offers.
Gear
Both retailers offer the same brands (including guitars, keyboards, drums, etc.).
As for used gear, Guitar Center might be a better option as they have large selections listed on their website.
Nevertheless, Sweetwater has long been the more trusted place to buy all of your gear in one place.
Not only that they have more items in their warehouse than any other music instruments retailer, they specialize in helping people build studios, event spaces, and can even design them for you and build them.
They have way more to offer for a one-stop shopping visit than any other musical instrument retailer.
Shipping
- Sweetwater offers free shipping on everything, regardless of the total. Only very large oversize items have a freight shipping charge (like a giant desk, for example.) They are considerably better than Guitar Center in this regard.
- Sweetwater AND Guitar Center areonly allowed to ship within the USA.
Support
Unfortunately, Guitar Center does not have dedicated Sales Engineers, unlike at Sweetwater.
Yes, Guitar Center has people you can call.
But at Sweetwater, you are assigned a Sales Engineer that is yours forever.
They will call you to make sure you got your order.
They will call you and find out what your goals are for your music and if they find a new cool piece of gear they will call you and let you know that it would fit in nicely with your studio goals.
So, in overall support, I’d say Sweetwater wins this round.
Warranty
Sweetwater’s return policy is quite lenient, with a 30 day money back guarantee period and 2 year warranty.
Guitar Center’s policies are less clear cut; they offer exchanges on most items for up to 90 days after purchase but their warranties last just one year from the date of purchase.
Return Policy
Sweetwater offers customers a money refund if the customer is not completely satisfied with their purchase.
Any goods purchased can be returned for any reason, so long as it has been within 30 days of the sale date and all original packaging materials are included.
Sweetwater will also pay to ship back the item at their expense. Read more about their policy here.
On the other hand, Guitar Center also offers a 100% money back guarantee if an item has been purchased within 30 days of the date it was delivered or shipped, if it is in new and resalable condition, and if the original packaging materials are included.
Guitar Center does not pay for shipping of returned items unless they need to be repaired or replaced.
Both of these companies have great return policies, but Sweetwater puts the burden on their end, to make sure customers are satisfied enough to want to return their item. Read more about their return policy here.
FAQs
Is Sweetwater owned by Guitar Center?
No, Sweetwater is not owned by Guitar Center.
Guitar Center has been in the business for over 50 years, while Sweetwater is privately-owned company that has been in business for over 30 years.
Guitar Center is owned by Bain Capital and a group of private equity firms.
Is Sweetwater a good company?
Sweetwater is a well-established company.
Sweetwater prides itself on excellent customer service, and they offer low prices with no hidden fees.
Sweetwater has been in business for over 40 years, which means you would expect their reputation to be outstanding!
Does Guitar Center Price Match Sweetwater?
Not directly, however, they have a Low Price Guarantee Policy.
Guitar Center’s prices are competitive with Sweetwater’s and they often run promotions that offer discounts on certain items or bundles.
But, if you find the same item at Sweetwater for cheaper than what it is at Guitar Center, or the other way around – buy it!
Sweetwater Vs Guitar Center: Which Store Should You buy?
Sweetwater
4.5
Pros:
- 2-year Warranty
- Expansive list of instruments to choose from.
- Great support & customer service
VIEW MUSIC GEAR
We may earn commission from purchases made from our links, at no additional cost to you.
Guitar Center
4.3
Pros:
- They have a wide selection of guitars from different brands.
- Offer great deals and discounts
Cons:
- Service can sometimes be too pushy and bothersome
VIEW MUSIC GEAR
We may earn commission from purchases made from our links, at no additional cost to you.
If you’re still on the fence about which guitar store to choose, let me help break it down for you.
While it may seem like Sweetwater and Guitar Center are neck-and-neck in terms of pricing (which is somewhat true), there are a few other factors that need to be considered before making your final decision.
For example, while both stores offer plenty of guitars with different price ranges and styles – what if I told you that at Sweetwater every purchase comes with free shipping?
What if I also mentioned how they have an unparalleled selection of gear because they sell everything from amps to books?
When we take these two things into account as well as their warranty policies, customer service level, return policy etc., we can see that Sweetwater is the better option.
What do you think of this comparison?
Let me know in the comments below.
Also Read: 10 Best Places to Buy Guitars Online
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FAQs
Are Guitar Center and Sweetwater the same company? ›
Sweetwater and Guitar Center are competitors. Guitar Center does not own Sweetwater. It's owned by Chuck Surack, who founded the company in 1979. Guitar Center is owned by Brian Capital, the firm that also owns Musician's Friend, another popular online guitar store.
Who is bigger Sweetwater or Guitar Center? ›Also, since Guitar Center is a larger brand, they're more likely to have a particular guitar in stock if you already know the exact model of guitar you want. At the end of the day, both Sweetwater and Guitar Center offer an excellent experience when buying music gear.
Should you buy from Sweetwater? ›Yes. Sweetwater is one of the biggest online retailers of musical instruments in the US, and it's top-rated on review sites. You should have no dilemma when it comes to ordering from the Sweetwater site, thanks to their service, no-hassle return policy, sales team, and rigorous inspection process.
Is Sweetwater a good store? ›Sweetwater is absolutely legitimate. They're arguably the biggest online music, sound, and gear retailer in the U.S. They have top ratings on a variety of websites and serve millions of customers every year.
Who is Guitar Center's biggest competitor? ›Guitar Center main competitors are Vudu, Fender, and Factory Direct, Inc.
Is Guitar Center worth buying from? ›Yes, Guitar Center is a legit retailer that you should by and large feel safe to buy from. That being said, we would suggest exercising some caution as they have been known to sell used items as new, and can sometimes mess up their used listings, leaving you in the lurch.
Who has the best guitar collection in the world? ›Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay has spent 25 years assembling the world's leading collection of rock 'n' roll, American history and pop culture artefacts.
Is Sweetwater or zZounds better? ›Overall, these companies are pretty even in terms of pricing, shipping and inventory. Sweetwater maintains a slight edge in customer service, and their website is more professional and easier to use. They also offer a free 2-year warranty, something that zZounds does not offer.
What is the largest music store in the United States? ›Guitar Center is an American musical instrument retailer chain. It is the largest company of its kind in the United States, with 294 locations. Its headquarters is in Westlake Village, California.
How trustworthy is Sweetwater? ›In short, yes Sweetwater is legit. They are one of the largest and most reputable music retailers in the entire world, right behind Guitar Center. They offer products from the biggest brands in the industry and also offer benefits such as free shipping, a free 2-year warranty, and an excellent return policy.
Can you return things from Sweetwater? ›
"No Hassle" Return Policy:
If you are not satisfied with any new product, for any reason, you may return it for a refund of the purchase price or an in-house credit, or you may exchange for another product within a fair amount of time from the shipping date (usually 30 days).
Sales engineers start with a salary guarantee in the mid 30Ks. In the second year they go on commission, with an average earning of 35K. The average for the second year is 53K, in the 5th year 75-85K, and six figures after 10 years. 15% of the sales staff makes $95,000 or more a year.
What is Sweetwater famous for? ›Sweetwater is the center of the leading wind power generation region of the Western Hemisphere. It is sometimes called the "Wind Turbine Capital of Texas". The largest wind farm in Texas is Roscoe Wind Farm.
Do guitars from Sweetwater come set up? ›A setup typically involves our world-class Guitar Workshop installing your preferred strings, adjusting to a requested action height, and even installing new pickups or other parts. If you would like your instrument set up before it ships, simply tell your Sales Engineer. They'll be happy to oblige.
Is Sweetwater hard to get approved? ›Being a store card, the credit score requirement for a Sweetwater card is lower than the score that would typically be required by a bank or other external creditor. The score needed to gain access to Sweetwater credit is usually 630.
What is the number 1 guitar brand in the world? ›To sum it all up, the best guitar brands are Ibanez, Fender, and Gibson. The best overall option would be the Ibanez JSM100, based on its overall quality and versatility. The Fender Telecaster is our number one Fender recommendation, while from the Gibson range we would single out the ES-175.
Who is Guitar Center competition? ›Guitar Center competitors include Sweetwater, Amazon and Best Buy. Guitar Center ranks 4th in CEO Score on Comparably vs its competitors.
Who is World No 1 guitarist? ›| Rank | Guitarist | Top Strength |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Guthrie Govan | All-Around Technical Virtuoso |
| 2 | Pat Metheny | Jazz Voicing & Picking |
| 3 | Tommy Emmanuel | One-Man Band |
| 4 | Steve Vai | Technical & Harmonic Prowess |
- Stairway To Heaven – Led Zeppelin.
- Smoke On The Water – Deep Purple.
- Sweet Child O' Mine – Guns 'N Roses.
- The House Of The Rising Sun – The Animals.
- Enter Sandman – Metallica.
- Sweet Home Alabama – Lynyrd Skynyrd.
An online buy is a great idea if you know exactly how much you want to spend, and you buy a guitar that fits the style you like. If you're not sure what to buy, buying online can be a good thing—if you go to the right place.
What will Guitar Center not buy? ›
Yes, Guitar Center buys used gear including guitars, amps, and pedals, and just about anything you could want to sell to them that's guitar related. They also buy a small number of keyboards, recording equipment, and drums. You may however find that consumables such as strings, picks, and drum sticks are a no-go.
Who has smashed the most guitars? ›Matthew Bellamy of Muse has the Guinness world record at breaking the most guitars in one tour, with 140.
What is the number 1 guitar solo? ›1. "Stairway to Heaven" — Jimmy Page, Led Zeppelin (1971) Since its release in 1971, "Stairway to Heaven" has topped numerous lists as the best rock song and best guitar solo of all time, and it's primarily thanks to the masterful architecture of Jimmy Page's guitar solo.
What is the best selling guitar brand? ›Simply said, Gibson and Fender are the two most popular guitar brands.
Which is the best company for musical instruments? ›1. Gibson. Gibson Brands, is an American manufacturer of guitars, other musical instruments, and consumer and professional electronics.
Does Sweetwater check your credit? ›We may request a credit report and will work with you on the terms that are best for you to pay off the gear in either three or six months. After paying a nominal processing fee, you can split your total up over three or six months and make equal payments using your existing credit card. Minimum purchase required.
Does Sweetwater affect credit score? ›Get a decision in seconds with no impact to your credit bureau score.
Who has the biggest music catalog? ›Music icon Bruce Springsteen tops the chart, selling his catalogue of 300 songs for a hefty estimated $500 million, including classics like Born in the USA and Born to Run.
What US city is known for music? ›Nicknamed "Music City," Nashville is the epicenter of country and western music in the United States. The most famous of Nashville's musical legacies is the Grand Ole Opry, a country music and variety radio show that is still recorded live.
What is the oldest music store in America? ›About 90 minutes east of Pittsburgh is George's Song Shop, in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. It is believed to be the oldest record store in America.
Does Sweetwater charge a restocking fee? ›
All returns will be subject to a 15% restocking fee. Special order items may be returned at our discretion. We will not accept returns on merchandise that was opened, used, is missing the serial number or UPC, or returned more than 30 days after delivery.
How long does it take to get something from Sweetwater? ›Typical delivery time ranges from one to five days.
Where does Sweetwater Music ship from? ›What's more, our location in Fort Wayne, Indiana, lets us offer free shipping to nearly anywhere in the contiguous United States in a matter of days, so you won't have to wait long for your gear to arrive.
Why does Sweetwater give candy? ›For years, Sweetwater Sound has been packing handfuls of candy into boxes full of music technology and music instruments that are shipped all over the country. Little did they know that this little "thank you" to customers would one day help save a life.
Does Sweetwater offer a warranty? ›The Total Confidence Coverage™ 2-year warranty is exclusive to Sweetwater and should not be confused with a cooperative warranty from any manufacturer. We stand behind the products we sell to you and we want you to be completely confident in the products you purchase from Sweetwater.
Is Sweetwater good customer service? ›Their customer service is beyond the best. They communicate personally to make sure you are informed about the status of a product. They follow up personally to make sure your purchase arrived safely and without issue and then if you are satisfied with the purchase. Can't recommend them enough!!
How much of a discount do Sweetwater employees get? ›Employee Discounts
In addition to gear at cost, get 40% off Downbeat Diner purchases and enjoy discounts at more than 100 local businesses.
Average Louis Vuitton Sales Associate hourly pay in the United States is approximately $21.30, which is 73% above the national average.
What is an 80 20 salary? ›If a position's pay mix is 80/20, for example, then the base salary accounts for 80% of the mix, while commission accounts for the remaining 20%.
Is Sweetwater the same as Guitar Center? ›Sweetwater and Guitar Center are competitors. Guitar Center does not own Sweetwater. It's owned by Chuck Surack, who founded the company in 1979. Guitar Center is owned by Brian Capital, the firm that also owns Musician's Friend, another popular online guitar store.
What kind of music does Sweetwater play? ›
Sweetwater was an unusual band, even for the late 1960s. No guitar, but a flute, cello, conga, keyboard, and drums. They pioneered a new fusion of rock, folk, and jazz long before the term “jazz fusion” was commonly used.
Is Sweetwater affiliated with Guitar Center? ›Is Sweetwater owned by guitar center? No, Sweetwater is not owned by Guitar center. Guitar Center is owned by Ares Management, whereas Sweetwater is majority owned by Providence Equity Partners with founder Chuck Surack owning the remainder of the company after selling over half of his stake in July of 2021.
How much should I pay for a guitar setup? ›A setup is the process of performing regular guitar maintenance on a guitar. This will reduce the action of the guitar, intonation, rodd, and saddle height. A professional setup typically costs around $50, but it could cost up to $100 if all the work is done on time.
Where is Elvis Presley's guitar? ›Elvis gave it to a fan in the front row of an Asheville, North Carolina, concert, and that fan is the one who has consigned it to the Auction at Graceland. Many of the items in the auction, including the guitar, are currently on display at the car museum here at Graceland, and they'll be on display until the auction.
Is it worth getting a cheap guitar set up? ›It is definitely worth getting a cheap guitar setup by an experienced guitar tech. This will correct the guitar's action, intonation, truss rodd, and saddle height, improving the guitar's overall playability and tone. A Budget guitar can convert into a highly playable instrument with a correct setup.
Is SweetWater or zZounds better? ›Overall, these companies are pretty even in terms of pricing, shipping and inventory. Sweetwater maintains a slight edge in customer service, and their website is more professional and easier to use. They also offer a free 2-year warranty, something that zZounds does not offer.
Is SweetWater a good IPA? ›Mouthfeel is medium bodied and fairly smooth and refreshing. Overall a pretty good IPA that i would have again. This is my go to IPA. Great balance of hops and malt.
What percent is SweetWater Blue? ›Georgia- Witbier- 4.6% ABV. SweetWater Blue dials up the tasty benefits of a smooth, fresh, all-natural, and bright Blueberry Wheat Ale to better position Blue inline with consumer trends of lighter, fresher-tasting, and fruit-forward brews.
Can I use my Sweetwater card at Guitar Center? ›You are preapproved for an amount, and when you've paid it off, you have your full balance available again to make further purchases, but you can't use the same card to pay for your groceries, or even online at other music retailers like Guitar Center (who also offer their own credit card).
What company does Guitar Center own? ›Today, The Guitar Center Group includes Guitar Center, Musician's Friend, Music & Arts, Woodwind Brasswind, Guitar Center Private Brands and AVDG—for audio, video and lighting needs.
Who bought Sweetwater music company? ›
Sweetwater is the largest online retailer of musical instruments and pro audio equipment in the United States, based out of Fort Wayne, Indiana. In August 2021, it was announced that its founder had stepped down as CEO after Providence Equity had become the majority shareholder of Sweetwater Sound.
Who owns Sweetwater musical instruments? ›Chuck Surack, President and Founder of Sweetwater, Inc., has been a musician and a salesman for as long as he can remember.
Does Sweetwater sell on Amazon? ›In addition to its website, Sweetwater began offering its catalog of products to buyers on Amazon, eBay, and Reverb.
Is it easy to return with Sweetwater? ›"No Hassle" Return Policy:
If you are not satisfied with any new product, for any reason, you may return it for a refund of the purchase price or an in-house credit, or you may exchange for another product within a fair amount of time from the shipping date (usually 30 days).
In 2007, private investment firm Bain Capital bought Guitar Center via leveraged buyout (aka LBO), meaning that it acquired equity interest by putting debt on it as a form of payment. “This is a classic reason for bankruptcy in general,” Pasternak says.
What is the biggest Guitar Center in the US? ›...
Guitar Center.
| Formerly | The Organ Center (1959–1964) The Vox Center |
|---|---|
| Website | Guitarcenter.com |
This oasis with sweet water amd bitter-tasting gypsum streams, Sweetwater has long been considered a place to rest one's weary feet. Long before the settlers and ranchers arived, the Kiowa Indians names the site "Mobeetie," which meant sweet water.
Is Sweetwater owned by Budweiser? ›...
SweetWater Brewing Company.
| Type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Atlanta , United States |
| Area served | United States |
| Products | Beer |
| Parent | Aphria, Inc. |
In 1971, Sweetwater disbanded to pursue their own careers and lives. Two Sweetwater LPs were released after Nancy Nevins' accident, Just for You (Reprise, 1970) and Melon (Reprise, 1971).