I have been using Carlton Music Center in Winterhaven, FL for the last six years and thought it\u2019s a good time (March 2023) to tell folks what a great place it is.
\nI\u2019ve been a musical entertainer (guitarist and other stuff) for 50 years, gigging at weekends all that time and professional for the last 11 years.
\nDuring Covid lockdown I, like many others, started using on line retailers like Sweetwater. I\u2019ll tell you now, there is really no comparison between on-line retailers and being helped by experts one on one in a shop which carries the same instruments \/ equipment at much the same prices. Every single person I have dealt with in the Winterhaven shop has been very helpful, friendly and knowledgeable about their area.
\nMy most recent experience was when they replaced the neck of a Fender Acoustasonic I bought on-line from Sweetwater. The neck had warped badly. As it was under guarantee I asked Sweetwater for a replacement guitar. They asked me to take it to an authorized Fender service shop, which was Carlton Music Winterhaven. After weeks of back and forward emails with Sweetwater where they wouldn\u2019t tell me if they would replace the guitar (at first they wanted me to also pay for shipment back to them). Eventually they agreed they would replace the guitar \u2013 but wouldn\u2019t tell me if the replacement guitar would have the same problem as the first one, which the Carlton Guitar tech had confirmed with Fender was a known problem with a batch of these guitars. Sweetwater had delayed, been difficult, said they knew nothing about problems with these guitars (incredible as I had a problem with this guitar from Sweetwater and Fender had admitted it was a problem batch). They frustrated me by not answering straight questions with straight answers so much that I was concerned Sweetwater would send me another un-adjusted problem guitar. In the meantime Carlton Music received a new neck from Fender. The guitar tech, Marcus (great guy), fitted the neck, and carefully adjusted the action a couple of times, letting me test it after each tweak, until he and I agreed it was perfect. I played a full gig with the guitar on St Patrick\u2019s day last week and it played and sounded great.
\nI have also had an emergency where I was heading to a gig and discovered the special mic holder I needed was missing, I got in touch with Carlton, they didn\u2019t have one, but they could see on their system that Carlton music in Lakeland (20 miles away) did have four of them and they have a shuttle van each day between shops which could get it to Winterhaven by 4pm that day. As it happened, I was passing by Lakeland on the way to my gig, so I stopped off and right enough, Carlton music there had four of them \u2013 and I received the same great, friendly service as I always get in Winterhaven.
\nI have also had a heavy duty European power supply replaced with a USA one on an SWR redhead bass combo in Carlton Winterhaven. Again they couldn\u2019t have been more helpful and the Electronics technician there is first class, it worked great.
\nI\u2019ve noticed recently that their guitar selection has widened, prices and price ranges are good and above all, you\u2019re dealing face to face with an expert who will advise you and has your back if you experience any problems afterwards.
\nIf you need a great place for your musical needs, this is it. Online shopping looks attractive and easy, but despite what they promise you, forget it, get yourself into Carlton, physically touch, handle, see and hear what you\u2019re buying, get face to face advice from a professional and be guaranteed of great service.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\nMucha variedad en instrumentos musicales.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\nHad repairs performed on my bass guitar. Was happy with the results. Was worried about the neck being warped. Their luthiere was able to resolve my issues, set it back up and stay within original verbal estimate over the phone. Would absolutely go back.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\nGreat service and selection of equipment.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\nI purchased a 3\/4 violin from them for $417.00. My son is no longer interested in playing so I took it in to sell back to them. When I bought the instrument it was classified as good condition and I was told at the store it is still in good condition. They offered me $40.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\nThe man who met us at the door asked if we were there for a music lesson. We explained to him no and what we were in search of. He explain rather in a short mood to us, that they do no carry that to check Best buy or someplace else. He asked if we needed anything else. I said no my daughter has her own instruments and plays well.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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