A plethora of bands call San Diego home, plucking out the diverse soundtrack to our laidback lifestyle. But where do all of our super sick guitarists go to obtain their axes—and to fix them up after those especially rowdy gigs? Across the county, San Diego guitar shops serve seasoned shredders and newbie musicians alike with instruments and accessories that help drive the city’s joyful noise. Here are six of the best.
Music Mart
Long gone are the days of trying out an instrument that caught your eye… only to be met with a scoff of disdain from a 20-year-old Guitar Center employee. North County’s Music Mart understands that a test drive is critical to finding your six-stringed soulmate and encourages shoppers to jam accordingly.
Address: 122 South Solana Hills Drive, Solana Beach
Hours: 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Monday–Saturday; 12p.m.–5 p.m. Sunday.
Imperial Vintage Guitars
If your dad’s midlife crisis involved the purchase of some old guitar with a cracked neck that he insists he’ll learn to play, take him to this spot to finally get it repaired. Kearny Mesa’s Imperial Vintage Guitars specializes in second hand axes, so the store maintains its carefully curated instruments with a little more TLC than your average curio shop would.
Address: 7878 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, Suite 5, Kearny Mesa
Hours: 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday; Wednesday by appointment only; Closed Sunday.
Moze Guitars
Have you ever considered starting a Hank Williams cover band but then didn’t take the plunge because you had no idea where to buy a steel guitar or banjo? Just me? Either way, Moze Guitars in La Mesa offers a niche selection of lap steel, mandolins, banjos, and of course, gorgeous guitars. Throw in a harmonica and your extra starched blue jeans, and you’re set.
Address: 8415 La Mesa Boulevard, Suite 1, La Mesa
Hours: 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Monday–Friday; 10:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday; closed Sunday.
Mark’s Guitar Exchange
Mark’s Guitar Exchange offers perhaps the most expansive selection in the city. Conveniently, their superstore-sized selection on Midway Drive is a 10-minute walk away from teen rock haven SOMA. Go straight from the pit to the store to blow your paycheck on your new favorite guitar.
Address: 3233 Midway Drive, Midway | 945 Otay Lakes Road Unit G, Chula Vista
Hours: Midway District – 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Monday–Friday; 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Saturday; 12p.m.–5 p.m. Sunday.
Chula Vista – 12 p.m.–8 p.m. Monday–Friday; 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Saturday; 12p.m.–5 p.m. Sunday.
Pitbull Audio
Guitars are cool and all, but have you ever wanted to add an obscene number of pedals to your stage just to give yourself a reason to explain where shoegaze got its name from? Pitbull Audio in National City carries not only a multitude of guitars, but also specific audio accessories to give your music the extra oomph you need to craft your totally-not-Slowdive-inspired sound.
Address: 300 West 28th Street, Suite 101, National City
Hours: 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Monday–Friday; 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Sunday.
Harper’s Music Store
Recommended by San Diego’s new generation grindcore and metalcore scene, Harper’s Music Store has remained a South Bay institution since 1962. A rent-to-own system starting at $19 makes all the offered instruments that much more accessible to your average high school garage band scraping together their allowance to pay for equipment.
Address: 627 H St. #B, Chula Vista
Hours: 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Monday–Friday; 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Music Store Live
Have you ever needed a guitar delivered straight to your house? Music Store Live is the place for that. Although it has an in-person location in National City, the guitar shop is praised online for its free shipping and 30-day returns. Guitars, pianos, basses, and drums can all be delivered right to your doorstep.
Address: 300 W 28th St Ste #102, National City
Hours: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday–Friday; Closed Saturday and Sunday.
Top 40 Guitars
Top 40 Guitars sources those hard-to-find items at the top of your wishlist. With a team of buyers, this guitar shop has a more curated inventory. If nothing suits you or you have your eye on another model, Top 40 Guitars will hunt down your dream guitar for you.
Address: 8774 Cuyamaca St suit b, Santee
Hours: 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Monday–Friday; 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday; Closed Sunday.
Dusty’s Guitar
Dusty’s Guitars in Oceanside calls itself “North County’s favorite guitar shop.” And it just might be because Dusty’s has been around since 1979. More than 40 years later, the family-owned guitar shop still specializes in guitars but it is also a full-service music store, offering repairs, lessons, and appraisals.
Address: 1609 S Coast Highway, Oceanside
Hours: 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Monday–Friday; 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Sunday.
Moonlight Music
Since 1991, Moonlight Music has been slinging guitars and hosting children’s rock bands at their Encinitas shop. A local favorite for its guitar selection, they also offer music lessons and in the summer, a weeklong children’s rock camp. Don’t forget to grab a free pick on the way out.
Address: 467 South Coast Highway, Encinitas
Hours: 12 p.m.–5 p.m. Tuesday–Saturday; Closed Sunday and Monday.
Music Central
With a hefty selection of guitars, ukuleles, and every accessory to pair with, Music Central is a small-business favorite. Along with instruments for purchase, this family-owned music shop sells instructional lessons and lesson books so you can become the musical savant you’ve always wanted to be.
Address: 8139 Mira Mesa Blvd, Mira Mesa
Hours: 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Monday–Friday; 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Sunday.
