Love going there,Forrest,Cody and the rest of the staff,are professional, knowledgeable and the kinda people you want to jam with
I like the guy with the one eye! He’s really great to the customers (I think he’s a manager) and will cut you a deal on “old stock” he has lying around. His one eye makes him a legend at that store, people will be talking about buying their instrument from a man with one eye in Anchorage AK for a long time…. They already come in talking about a nostalgic feeling because the store has been there for so many years. No offense if you’re reading this. Sorry for your eye. Long story short this is a great team effort business. It is ran by very intelligent and reliable team of folks, who know what you need to make miraculous music. Best stocked music store in Alaska. Martin guitars won’t even ship their guitars to them in the winter months because of humidity issues here in Alaska. Very good quality instruments at this store. Only con is it is a “Mom and Pop” shop so unlike the internet where you can have your money back (with time) if you don’t like something… Here you need to shop smart because you can only return it for in-store credit. The upside of course is same day musical excitement. Tit for tat in my eyes. I shop both here and online for my needs. Some of the more exotic guitar pedals (hand and custom made) are only available on the internet. Anyways, I’m really glad to see we have a great music store and at first I wished it was a big business like guitar center but now that I’m used to it I’m glad they are “mom and pop” as this gives me more options… besides I can always buy from guitar center online if needed.
Great store with great staff. Bought a Taylor guitar there and received lots of personal care in making the choice between Taylor and Martin and which model to choose. Very pleased. Very knowledgeable and helpful staff.
Cool folks that work there, have most everything a musician could need in a pinch. Lower rating due to little support of Pearl Drums.
One of the best local music stores
Never seem to have the basics
I’ve been a customer for years and was sold a broken used guitar that the salesman later told me that they knew was broken. Forget these guys, at least Guitar Center won’t scam you.
Nothing but problems. Been going to this place strings and such for 16 years now, but I would say I’m officially done. Would prefer to buy local but…
Staff is unpleasant unless they think you will be spending lots of money. Not knowledgeable. Not courteous. The only thing this place has going for it is a lack of competition.
I went in looking for a guitar and asked a guy if I could check out the guitars in the humidity controlled room. His response was “You don’t want to go in there, there isn’t a guitar for less than a grand in there.”
I bought a $1000 acoustic that came with a free adjustment, cleaning and strings. I took the guitar in a year later and had to pay for strings. They said it’d be done early next week on Friday. I went in 2 weeks later and they hadn’t touched it. They said it could be up to a month to honor the free cleaning they promised. I just left with my strings and cleaned it myself.
4. Petr’s Violin Shop & Guitar Central
Address: 1408 Hyder St Unit B, Anchorage, AK 99501 , Elmendorf Air Force Base , Alaska , United States
Large selection of guitars and stringed instruments, beautiful place and friendly service.
Love the service! Bought my guitar and violin here~
Great customer service and knowledgeable. Reasonably priced as well. Highly recommend this local business.
Great service, my family has purchased several acoustic guitars and a stratocaster from Petr’s shop. I still regularly use the acoustic that was purchased about 5-6 years ago, no quality problems. Had a problem with one and he provided great service in getting it fixed. Great prices and support.
Friendly and informative staff
They had small selection of bass’ but, their rosin and other essentials are just way to expensive and cost $80 dollars, not including the instrument.. {Cloth, tuner, stand end stop}
It was goodness
Went to this shop while visiting family in Anchorage…I’m from Ohio where there is plenty music shops….This is the only store I have ever visited where they didn’t want you to try one of there electrics without assistance…and they were Mexican guitars not even USA models….so I took my business to Mammoth in Anchorage, there I was free to try guitars. Employees were nice, but when I wanna guitar…give me space and let me try without supervision. Thanks Mammoth!
Went to have my viola restrung with new strings. Wasn’t as expensive as I had thought it would be, ($72 for all new strings and a new bow)To my surprise when I got it home my “A”string sounds awful! I’ve played cello and viola for a long time, so I’ve ruled out poor playing, and the instrument is of excellent quality. Kinda bummed.
The other down side was the lady that first talked to me was rude and not helpful. I wrote it off as a bad day but when I went to pick it up she was still kinda rude. She treated me like I knew nothing and had little to no respect for my opinions as well as experience. Please address costumer service.
5. Anchorage Guitar Central
Address: 1410 Hyder St unit a, Anchorage, AK 99501 , Elmendorf Air Force Base , Alaska , United States
This is the absolute best guitar shop I have ever been to. I went in to get an estimate on how much my guitar is worth, and he was so friendly and helpful. Only $65 for a restring and neck adjustment. I will be coming back. I’m so satisfied with the service. Thank you so much.
Great place with some of the most unique guitars I’ve ever seen in a store! A definite stop for any guitar player!
DO NOT trust these guys. I paid $250. For a small guitar for my son to learn to play. After getting home and put new strings on it they sold me it exposed a huge crack at the box and neck. I called them she said it was used so as is…expensive lesson!
NEVER AGAIN GUITAR CENTER.
6. JBER Main Exchange
Address: 5800B Westover Ave, Anchorage, AK 99506 , Elmendorf Air Force Base , Alaska , United States
I went to the optical shop. The ladies there are great. Just ordered two more frames. Excited to see the end result.
Personable Subway & Popeye’s staff
Px is good food court could be better.
good prices great meat deals when it comes to saving or bargin grocery shopping I always leave happy with money still in my wallet. I wish they carried big red, but that might only be a texas thing.
Decent sized Exchange store. Has a very decent selection of goods for its size.
Barber Shop was not open. During normal commissary business hours. And was not going to open for 3 to 5 days. Unprofessional for a military installation to not have a place to get a haircut.
HUGE SCAM. Gun shop is pretty ok.
Bx is fine but some of the barbers in the barber shop are absolutely terrible I asked for a mid fade skin on side don’t touch the top and everytime I go in there this one individual destroys one side of my hair cut. This may be the second time iv had to shave my head to ensure I’m in regs. Posted a photo for you to see in the photos section. Do not go to the barber shop here.
Forest is a fantastic teacher! His musical knowledge is vast, and he can teach any one, at any age! Highly recommend!
I have been taking guitar lessons with Forest for over a year and as a result my playing and knowledge have greatly improved.
There isn’t a question or a playing style that Forest isn’t familiar with.
He is very motivating, especially at those times when it’s easy to get frustrated as a new guitar player.
I am thankful that I met Forest and more than grateful for being able to take lessons from such a knowledgeable and talented musician.
I only wish I would have started taking lessons from Forest sooner.
Forest is an exceptional teacher. I started guitar lessons with him about 3 years ago as a complete beginner at age 58. He has been patient and perceptive, helping me advance while keeping it fun and engaging. I truly look forward to my weekly lessons. He has set me on a course I hope to follow for many years to come!
15. Renaissance Violins and Fine Woodworking
Address: 1200 E 13th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501 , Elmendorf Air Force Base , Alaska , United States
Ace Scott is the best. He’s extremely knowledgeable and super helpful!
Plenty options, customer service is straight up.
Always smiling customer reps and asking if they can help you with anything. A great selection of equipment and a clean store.
Kids at the front friendly enough, The store is beautiful, but I’m not real happy with the communication. Left my uke to be restrung. Was told it would be some time later in the day. Got called later and told that it would be ready after 4:30. Went in at 10 the next day and was told someone would call. No one called. I went back in after 5 and the work was not done. The repairman didn’t know when it would be done and said he’d call. My beef is that no one communicated with me and I had to make several trips to get an answer. Back to Petr’s, I go.
Limited selection compared to other Guitar Centers. The salesman that helped me didn’t seem very happy to be doing it.
It’s hard to downgrade reviews of the largest and biggest selection of items in the area, but there were a few too many things I noticed here. If you know about guitar parts, I was looking for neck screws and a neck plate to reattach my fender’s neck (because I flew up with the Tele disassembled in my luggage and forgot my hardware at home). #1, they only had screws and no plate (which is like being a car shop and selling tires but not rims) and #2, the guy at the guitar counter had no knowledge of the products in his section.
Come here if you know what you’re looking for. Because the only thing these “associates” understand is the warranty that they try to upsell you at the counter.
Maskholes only! Refused me entry and didn’t provide a mask. I will gladly shop elsewhere
I was told, over the phone, they buy guitar amps. I spent 20 min cleaning my amp, 20 min driving across town, and 20 min waiting, for an incompetent employee to check someone out, only to be told that in fact, they are not buying guitar amps. Must not need a high school diploma to work there.
Amazon of music. 10 day return policy was a surprisingly short one. Had to return a monitor next day because it never worked out of the box. But cheap is cheap I guess.
20. Best Buy
Address: TIkahtnu Commons, 1200 N Muldoon Rd G, Anchorage, AK 99504 , Elmendorf Air Force Base , Alaska , United States
Gor to see what I wanted but no one greats there anymore until you leave
I like it
Wish they would open at 9 like any normal business
It was a great experience, I was given several options for wireless earbuds, and when I was checking out turns out the cashier and I share the same birthday. Happy Birthday to both of us!
They had everything I needed
This Best Buy is one of the worst I have experienced. Inventory limited and prices incorrect. No customer service except the person eyeballing you at the front door, with no greeting. Even Target had much more to offer in the way of Blue Tooth FM converters. The shelves were bare with sale stickers up. Couldn’t find one person to offer assistance, so I walked out and made my purchase at Target. Not the Best Buy of yesteryears.
Limited selection
They rarely have things out on shelves, which is understandable considering people walking out with merchandise. But it’s so annoying when there is no one to help you. If you happen to find someone to help you, they don’t know where things are. It ends up being a complete waste of time.
