Great experience! So much knowledge and patience and I got my dream guitar for an amazing price/trade. Best guitar store I have ever been too to be honest. Zero pretention and lots of fun. Thank you guys

I was informed that I was their first in-person customer in 14 months, so they are now open for business after the pandemic. Gave me a really great deal on a vintage V1 Small Stone phaser. Smaller selection but quality stuff, good vintage selection and I saw several interesting vintage guitars and pedals that were new to me—that’s saying something as someone who has worked in the business for a decade, really unique selection.This business functions very casually and it feels like buying a piece of gear off your friends. They will not try to sell it to you, they’ll just lest you decide what you think and go from there. If you’re looking for the guitar center experience—go to guitar center. Nice folks, small but good selection, fair prices.

The guy that works there...... Dave, has a huge knowledge of musical instruments, amps and effects

Political views aside, definately a great place to find some cool gear, Trump 2020.

Not very welcoming, that fella. And let me explain why. Since apparently I just started grabbing things without asking. (See reply to my first review)I walked into the shop several times throughout about a year, as I was always in the neighborhood. Not once did the owner, (or whoever was working) even take the time to look up from his laptop, after his initial greeting, to see if I needed anything. I never touched or played anything, or even asked to because I genuinely felt like I would be inconveniencing him if I did. And heard from several other people that they have the same feeling anytime they would stop in. So they, just like me, stopped going in. And this is a shame because I do have a problem with buying guitars, and enjoy shopping in boutique shops like this all over the country. Not asking for a bubbly personality by any means. But maybe an attitude closer to helpful business owner who wants to make sales. And less on the side of oh good, another person coming to bother me.Wont be coming back or recommending to my community of touring musicians.

This place is a little jewel so seriously, why go to a chain when you can get a PRISTINE guitar, for a better price right here in Asheville? But you better throw down quick. They had an Alvarez, beautiful inlay, just right. I left to think about it that night, and it was gone the next day. That happened to me TWICE there. But the vibe when you walk in? So chill. The dude who runs it feels oddly angelic: the whole experience is musical sweetness at its best. And no one paid me to say any of this, nor. do I know them personally. This has just been my experience. I hope theyre open on Sunday cause Im ready now!

This guy is the real deal. He knows quality and has some real rarities that I have not seen anywhere else. If youre a guitar player you should definitely stop in. Well worth the trip

Trustworthy business. I shipped Steven my guitar from Louisiana to North Carolina, with full faith in a piece for piece trade. I was completely satisfied with the transaction. Everything was as described. Communication was on point. He fairly assessed the value of my instrument. I hope this review will help others do business with Steven in full confidence. Thank you Guitar Trader.

Bit over priced, but cool dude, neat guitars, and he offers trade in value towards gear you might want. Very personable and professional staff, clean facilities, not your normal pawn shop. Ive got my eye on the cry baby wah pedal there, well see ;)

My favorite music store in Asheville. Seriously a true gear appreciator. Always a super cool and eclectic inventory and cool cats to guide you with any questions and interesting features. 3 decades of playing, nearly 20 professionally so Ive been around the block. This is a quality spot.

Awesome store with really cool guitars and really nice staff.

Went in to get rid of some beginner tier pieces not expecting a whole lot, but they offered to buy as part of a trade in. The buying prices were really fair considering the work that likely had to be put into getting my old instruments in tip top shape.When I mentioned interest in a bass (with no knowledge on them really) I was given quite a few options to mess around with, didnt feel any judgement or shame for not knowing anything past being able to pick through a few scales messily.Loved the info and respect for someone new. Thats a rare treat in the music scene (and I know this from years and years playing as a classical musician)Ill be back and would ask people to check out the neat selection they have here. Thanks for finding me a bass that really... resonated with me...

This place is awesome. They have a great selection, really easy to talk to and just a really cool place!!! Check these guys out for sure, you wont regret it.

A local spot thats been around a long time and retains some local color. Got my first guitar here. They have a lot of niche stuff that is more expensive, but they always have a few beginner models too.

Small selection of pristine used and sometimes truly vintage instruments and gear. The owner Dave clearly loves music, musical instruments and musicians. This is a tiny shop in hip west Asheville--this aint Guitar Center! If youre in Asheville you owe it to yourself to check this gem out!

Ive been into this shop a bunch of times in the two years that I have lived in Asheville. In the last few months its like this shop has been reborn! Super clean inside and a friendly staff make just perusing the selection a joy. They always have some really quirky gear and really nice tube amps and vintage stuffs. This is a great place to stop into whether youre looking to buy or looking for a neat experience!

Not sure if it was the owner or a crummy sales clerk but he was a total deuchbag. Ego, attitude and prefered to have you leave more than buy something...2 stars bc they actually have some decent gear. Reply was wrong, dude was rude...

Went in excited because Im shopping for a new guitar. Gibson hollow body. I asked to see it and the clerk said he doesnt get that one out very often.So now Im thinking its a vintage piece. I asked what it was, and its just a 2012 Custom Shop. Now dont get me wrong, I love Gibson Custom shop, but they arent that rare, and used run 2500-5000 for your average stuff. Right in my price range.He gets it and tunes it for me.Then hands it to me in a room full of amps without even offering to plug it up.I hung it up and left. Suddenly the noise at guitar center doesnt seem so oppressive because at least they seem like they want to sell you a guitar.

This is mainly in response to Mels uhhhh... review below. And honestly, Ive only been to Guitar Trader once, but I do plan on going back quite often. Ive worked in retail music stores of various sizes for nearly 2 decades, and this type of complaint is all too common. A store has to factor in the actual value of a piece, how quickly it can turn around into a sale, profit margin, all of it. It seems that when it comes to, say, getting rid of a car, everyone understands that trading it in or selling it to a dealer will rarely give you what you wanted, value-wise. Selling it on your own is always the best way to get more cash in pocket. Its the same with guitars, amps, and pedals. If you paid $600 for that *insert name of your guitar here,* the only way way youll get anything close to that is if you sell it on your own. Take it to a shop, and youre looking at 50 to 60 percent of that. Sometimes more, often less. Its business. Guitar Trader doesnt strike me as the type of place that would ream somebody on a deal. Try selling something to a pawn shop; THATS where youll truly, truly get screwed. I hope this makes sense.

Great guy and super knowledgeable. Lots of cool vintage gear.

Sweet locally owned shop with nice, mostly used, better quality equipment. Small, but no Squiers or Epiphones in the place

Knowledgeable staff good quality items...

Extremely knowledgeable and superb service. I heard about them from several local musicians and was not disappointed.

I love the guitar trader. I have bought everything from stage lights to drums and cords and guitars and mics and recording equipment from them. I have purchased Venue DIs and pickups from them and even left my Martin there to get it set up. A good return policy and a patient staff and a good revolving inventory of instruments in all price ranges. I go in there as much as possible and check stuff out....even though I dont have money to spend they are always willing to let me tool around on the guitars and amps in the shop.

I needed to sell my sons guitar a couple weeks ago. he never plays it and we needed pay the bills. the folks were nice and pleasant but offered way less for the guitar than I was told it by several others worth. We were desperate so I had little choice but to take whatever they offered. Yesterday, my cousin who owns several good guitars told me that it was worth about three times what I was offered.They may be local, but to take advantage of people in need is never ok in my book.watch out

Went into this store for the first time this past weekend. was in the mood to buy. sadly, the attitude of the associate working was so unprofessional and insulting i left and bought at Guitar Center, where they actually want to sell guitars I wouldnt buy a pick from this store. btw, i am a 45 yr seasoned player that knows how to treat an instrument and has money ro spend. Not sure how this location stays in business given the complete lack of customer service exemplified.

Left a guitar here for minor servicing and they were very polite and knowledgeable, said it probably didnt need much adjustment which was great. Told it would be ready in a few days max. Perfect. A week goes by and I call and Im told that theres no notes on repairs or if its even ready to be picked up. Fine. I call back the next day and someone tells me its ready to be picked up with a $30 tag, no big deal. Ive tried twice to pick it up now, during business hours and first time the door is locked premature to closing time, came back Saturday during business hours to try to retrieve said guitar to find a be back soon sign. Highly frustrating, get on your game and clean out your voicemail, as its impossible to leave a message for a call back.Finally got the thing back and the desk guy had almost no information on what was done, couldnt even tell me if it ever got plugged in. At least this isnt the only guitar clinic in town, 1 star due to 0 communication.

Steven and company have been great to talk to about guitars and about the services they provide. the store is appealing because the buy & sell quality guitars to help spread the love of music and encourage customers to try before you buy. it is the only shop in town I feel comfortable playing the three chord songs i favor to hear the different tones of the guitars. There is no hassle and in every dealing with them they have been straight with prices and service. I recently had Jared, the resident luthier, gave me very fair price on fixing a used takamine acoustic and replaced the broken pickup, and set up work for within $5 of what I was quoted. There were no extras to worry about, just quality work, and an awesome conversation about music that followed! I would highly recommend checking out their inventory in person and giving these folks a shot at earning your business.

Bought an Ibanez SZ 320 from Steven Eudy at The Guitar Trader through Reverb. I had a problem with the condition of the guitar, and although Steven and I disagreed on the matter, he handled it professionally and everything was cool. Thanks Steven, will shop with you again.

Having been raised in the North Carolina mtns, but long since removed, the Guitar Trader provided that good ole mountain hospitality that I miss. From the moment I walked in the door I was treated as if I had known the clerk my whole life. He quickly provided me the information I was looking for (an appraisal and their consignment rates). Then we talked like old friends for nearly half an hour. The owner even offered to let my toddler play a set of bongos while we talked about guitars, amps, pedals, Asheville life, etc.Next time Im in the area Ill make it a point to stop in an see my old friend.Great shop, great people. Reminds me what I miss and love about the mtns of NC.Also, I decided to follow them on Facebook and now I get to drool at the great vintage and new gear they are constantly putting on their shelves.

Great guys to deal with.

Always a great experience,very friendly folks.

Owner is a Garbage person, scammed me before he owned this place and many others.

Really fair buying prices. He is really honest about fair value.

Great small music shop!!!

Good selection

I will miss these guys

Steven where are you