Musician's Friend

Very unhappy with this purchase. It came jammed into a big box with no protection for the neck. The tuner didn't work because the battery was dead. The agent made no effort to solve the situation. He said return the guitar - no apologies for the fact it was so badly packaged, tuner dead, or the fact it came from Guitar Center - not Musicians Friend. I have bought several guitars from them, but this is the last.

Recently purchased a guitar thru musicians friend because now they're selling Guitar centers, used gear.
Called the store before my guitar purchase to make sure it came with a case, which they said it did.
Placed order thru musicians friend, order was shipped without case in a box with packaging peanuts and bubble wrap. Called customer service and the store and got a constant runaround. They said it would ship out by 5:30 the next day. NOT... Had to call 5 days in a row before the issue got resolved. They never emailed a tracking number. Waiting a week to finally send case out, received case and more than half the top of the case is cracked. Unbelievable experience. I can't wait until they go out of business, they deserve it...

I bought a Martin guitar a few months ago for $1726. Though the guitar is great - Musician's Friend is NOT great. I should have had $130 in Reward money to spend there - I never got it. After 5 calls over a month to their customer service - with each one politely assuring me the money would be in my account - it never happened. Bottom line: I don't like being lied to.

These guys (musicians friend) are scumbag con artists! That's being nice. I ordered a mixing station the behringer xtouch and 2 extenders for my music studio and not only did they not give me reward points on my purchases but they only sent me the two extenders which were near 500 bucks each and not the xtouch controller. I contacted them back they kept promising me the controller but it never arrived. I waited almost a year. The two extenders are not useable without the controller so they basically lied to me, now I've had enough and demanded that they give me my money back and send me a prepaid shipping Lable and they said no! The last conversations I had with representatives they promised me my money back because they knew the situation and I was patient but my patients has worn off and I want my money back and to never do business with them again. I feel that this is misleading for them to do this and manipulate. They got their money so who cares right! Well I do! I strongly advise anyone looking for music gear to take their business elsewhere!

I thought I was alone in my experience, but after checking this site it appears that I'm not. They had "in stock" a guitar that I've been looking for that seems to be on backorder most places. I paid, and was given a shipping window of 6 to 8 days. About 4 days into waiting and hearing nothing from them, I called the phone number. I got transferred several times, and eventually connected to this lady that clearly wasn't well versed in English. She provided me no help whatsoever, just telling me that I'd be receiving it 8 days from ordering. Fine, I can wait.

6 days later (today) I finally get an email - not from musician's friend - but from guitar center, saying that all they have is a floor model that has some scratches. They provided the phone number to call to proceed with or cancel the order. I called the number which led to a guitar center in New York with some very rude guy saying that my order number doesn't even exist. I replied to the email and actually got to cancel it. No apology, no professionalism, and almost no communication whatsoever.

Screw this place. From step one, they have been horrible to work with. I wouldn't dream of ever ordering from them again. In fact, I don't think they should be allowed to operate. I hope they go under.

I ordered a brand new (said in stock) Pioneer PLX 500 turntable after them saying there's one on the way the first order was cancelled without even talking to me because the Guitar Center who claimed they had it ended up deciding they actually DIDINT have one. This situation ended up being a wash rinse repeat situation 5 effing times. 5 orders, 5 cancellation's and then they finally notified me that they shipped it. Mind you I paid for a brand new Pioneer PLX 500 so I got pretty excited. After saving for what seemed like an eternity I finally had the money to buy it. What I received was an out and out offensive item. 1st it wasn't even CLOSE to a new turntable 2nd it was placed and shipped in a box that was big enough to fit 2 Pioneer PLX 500 turntable's in it 3rd it had absolutely ZERO PACKING MATERIAL in it and 4h it arrived in about 50 pieces. This turntable was completely broke, the top shell was shattered and obviously they attempted to (of all things) taped together which obviously didn't work, it was missing all cords, manuals, one leg from the turntable was missing, as well as any and all accessories. I COULD NOT BELIEVE they would even consider mailing something in this condition. As I stated above I ordered and paid the purchase price for a BRAND NEW ITEM. It turned out they shipped me a completely broken and trashed open box display model that was completely unusable. That was the last order they made so a total of I believe 5 orders. DO NOT BUY ANYTHING from that buisness the only result you can expect is anger, frustration, and heart break. Below is photos of what I received.

I purchased a Mitchell EZB Acoustic-Electric Mini-Bass.
1. Had to wait on backorder, since January 17,2021 to get the color I wanted when I could have went that day to Guitar Center locally and bought the one of a different color.
2. When I was finally notified of it being delivered, I checked the tracking history and stated that it was being shipped back due to a partial address being on the package.
3. So, I had to make a 20 minute trip to the UPS center and with a persistent conversation, the reluctant UPS person found it and pulled it off in what he said "In the nick of time".
4. I get home, unpack it and begin tuning it. I start to play it for a short bit. I place the guitar stand and hear a loud thump. What happened is the second string down, went limp. I tried to tune it, but the string kept unraveling as I turned the key.
5. I chatted (after waiting in the wings for close to a half an hour) with your agents multiple times and did refund me eventually a total of 60 dollars which I had to use to purchase a set of replacement strings (37.00) and pay a local guy music store 15+ dollars to put those on.
6. I take it back home, plug it in and this is happening: the E string is really loud and the D string also, but the two middle ones are very quiet. All are plucked at the same strength.
WOW!
I have spent many, many hours with this ordeal and have even reached out to Mitchell guitars get involved. Nothing there either.

The resolution that was suggested by both Mitchell and MF is ship it back for a replacement. (Which is even MORE of my time!) I do not want to begin this nonsense all of over again, being that the guitar is again on backorder. The quality of this guitar is atrocious! To try to make this playable, the local technician tried to salvage this guitar so I would not have to ship it back. His diagnosis, after trying to balance the pickup or something like that, stated that it was truly defective and needed replaced. (another 15.00). I just can't believe so much can be wrong with a NEW item.
Five months of this ordeal, and still have not been able to play it for any length of time!

0 STARS if I could! I recently purchased 2 NEW guitars and upon receipt I am not happy with what I was sent.

The first guitar I received (Schecter Guitar Research C-1 Platinum Electric Guitar Satin Transparent Midnight Blue) SKU #H*******2000 is clearly a very used guitar. It is covered with dead skin and hair. (GROSS) Has grime in the switches and compartments. It also has a lot of dings nicks and scratches all over the guitar. It was not shipped in its factory box and only shipped in a Jackson box wrapped in a minimal amount of bubble wrap. It is clearly a very used instrument and NOT NEW. Considering musicians friend has listed an open box for $383 and I paid $509 I asked for either like a price adjustment for the used instrument or I would have to return as I feel I did not get what I paid for.

The second guitar in the order (Ibanez AEWC32FM Thinline Acoustic-Electric Guitar Purple Sunset Fade High Gloss) SKU #J*******8000 Also appears to be not new. Possibly an open box or floor model with very tarnished strings and lots of hairline scratches across the body of the instrument and some dings.

I am really disappointed in the quality of the instruments I have received from musician's friend.

After speaking to customer service they would not discount the price to the used price of the Schecter Guitar ever though they have one for sale as used open box for $383. The rep said her boss wouldn't allow it and only offered 10% off the guitar. I declined and chose to return both guitars as both are clearly NOT NEW and they had an opportunity to provide good customer service from they horrible and gross mistake but chose to lose business and a customer instead.
If you look up complaints for them, this is very common for them to send used instruments or floor models. I plan to post a BBB complaint following this review. Take your business to zzounds.

I bought a new EVH guitar amp from MF for the full price of $699.99+tax. When I unpackaged the amp I found they shipped out a used one with damage. It had a knob broken right off and appears some of the pieces may be missing and not in the box. The end cap of the amp housing was dented into the transformer also on the left side. The amp was not shipped in the original box or packaging from the manufacturer. I paid for a NEW amp. Not a used one that is damaged. The power cord had been used. It had a price tag sticker from a microphone wrapped around it to keep it coiled up. The footswitch appeared to be new. I called MF customer service and complained about how it was packaged and to report the damage and condition of the amp upon arrival. I requested to return the amp and have a NEW one shipped out. I was told to call and have the warehouse check to make sure it was in the OEM packaging before re-ordering. Why? Open-box or used items should not be sold as NEW. I'm not sure they can be trusted after this. Buyers beware! Not a happy camper. :( (Order #: MFW*******307)

3 "new" purchases. All 3 were used. 2 were the wrong product altogether. Why would anybody use this company? The only value they have is a website and a warehouse- they ship out random uses items for whatever you purchase. Save your time and your mind- avoid musicians fiend (as in a demon that plagues musicians).

I have shopped Musicians Friend for quite a long while. My last two guitar purchases have been through them (a Rogue LX205B 5-String Series III Electric Bass Guitar Metallic Blue & a Rogue RA-090 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar Black. Yeah, I like me some Rogue Guitars). Both were open-box returns with very few cosmetic issues (i. E. The LX205B had minor scratches at the cord connection and was missing the peal fret marker on the 5th fret. The RA-090 had no discernible issues at all. Both were purchased with significant discounts on some already great but inexpensive guitars.) and played perfectly right out of the box. Out of my entire guitar collection, the Rogue RA-090 is my go-to for acoustic and my Rogue LX205B is second only to my 1979 Peavey T40 (and as a side note, my 1975 Fender Jazz, one f my dearest loves, comes in 3rd. Sorry Leo.).

The biggest issue I've run into is back-orders. I have had two or three that were cancelled that I didn't know about for several months after the cancellation when I checked my order history for updates. Although very annoying, it was nothing I haven't run into with other places. It's a fact of business that you sometimes get caught with a low inventory when an unexpected demand hits. Nothing unusual about it and I did get my merchandise after redoing the order (a Bill Lawrence A245C Acoustic Guitar Sound-hole Pickup Black).
Overall, I love their large selections; their new webpage design is a pain to navigate but I'm getting used to, and I have fewer complaints regarding Musicians Friend than I have on local retailers that I still frequent. Nothing that would make me stop patronizing any of them. I've been happy with every transaction.
***To be fair, one star off for the cancelled back-orders mentioned above. I hope someone finds this novella helpful.

I ordered an Epiphone PR150 guitar from this website that was on sale at a large discount. Today I looked on the website and it shows my order was cancelled. When I called I was told it was out of stock even though it currently shows it in stock and ready to ship. The person I spoke to said the store was out of stock and she could check other stores to see if it was in stock. She said it is out of stock at all their stores. Apparently they dont update the website and accept orders for items they dont have. First and last time I would try to order from them.

Had to cancel my order after not receiving it for 2months, this is the 3rd time this has happened to me. I waited the other 2 times but this time is pathetic... ill take my money somewhere else wont be shopping with them again. I wasnt going to even give them a star but it made me

Ordered an item no problem. The next day I get an email meant for another customer saying they couldn't fill his order. Then I get another email FOR ANOTHER customer saying they couldn't fill his order. Then I get another email - seriously- saying that they couldn't fill my order unless I wanted the one they had that was broken. WHAT? I said no BUT they took the money out of my bank account. This is a true story from someone who used to order everything musical from Musicians Friend. I can't see them lasting much longer.

Just don't. I have a terrible experience ordering a Zildjian gong from this place. After 6 weeks of "back order" and a phone call from the (I presume) owner promising it would be sent out soon, I received a cancellation notice the next day. And the next day a correction to the cancellation. And then radio silence. They still placed a "pending" charge for the full amount. TWICE. After repeated calls and a VM to the "owner" I just cancelled it. Two months is way to long for a simple order and the confusion and headaches, not to mention the delay on this 50th bday present is just ridiculous. I gave one star for the attempt at customer service.

I had a great first experience with Musician's Friend. But my 2nd order which was backordered was a nightmare.
I ordered a guitar in early January. Was told it was backordered, will be available to ship in LATE JAN. Ok, I thought. Then Feb came, nothing. I called, was told will be available to ship on Feb 14th. Ok, Fine. I thought. 2/14 came and went. Called back, was told it would ship on 2/28. Ok fine. Last chance.
(Meanwhile this entire time, the website and item in question was listed as AVAILABLE AND READY TO SHIP!) Last call, today on 3/3. Was told it's backordered until MAY.
TERRIBLE TERRIBLE TERRIBLE

On Feb 25 I ordered a pair of Zildjian Planet Z hihats. I received the product in just a few days. However when I looked at my Musicians Friend charge account online, they charged me twice on the same day for the same order. In addition, it shows they have pending three (3) more charges of same amount on the same date. They are trying to charge me 5x for the same order.

Paid for a new Martin CEO 7 and when it arrived it was in a used Dreadnaught case. Returned the used case as directed and now they don't respond to emails. What I saved on the sale I'll now have spend on the proper case. This is third guitar I bought from them in the last 12 months and every one has been in a pain. No more.

I need a product quickly. I purchased the product and paid for overnight shipping. 3 days later I called customer support to ask about my purchase only to learn it was out of stock. I checked the website and it specifically said the product was in stock. I decided to wait on the product and make due until it came. A month has passed and I am still waiting on this product to be shipping. Musicians Friend is not willing to offer a refund on delivery. I will not use Musicians Friend again. Sweetwater is my new friend.