A Guide to Guitar Stores in San Antonio - Roaming Texas (2024)

There’s nothing quite like a local music shop.

While you can certainly get a wide variety at the big chain stores, any musician will tell you there’s something special about the neighborhood shop.

The next time you’re looking for a guitar or guitar accessories, do our local economy a favor, and don’t sleep on these great guitar stores in San Antonio.

Map of Our Favorite Guitar Stores in San Antonio

Sam Ash

My husband is a musician and Sam Ash is hands-down his favorite store in San Antonio. It has a little more soul to it than Guitar Center, but its selection beats other San Antonio guitar stores, too. Because Sam Ash is a bigger brand, you can get just about anything you need here, from acoustic guitars to accessories and lessons.

P.S. Sam Ash also does financing! If you want to buy a really nice guitar, they offer 36-month terms so you don’t have to front all of the money at once.

• Address: 25 NE Interstate 410 Loop, San Antonio, TX 78216
• Website: Sam Ash San Antonio

Alamo Music Center

Alamo Music Center is an oldie but a goodie. This shop has been around since 1929, so it’s celebrating nearly 100 years of business in San Antonio. I’ve stopped by their Babco*ck location a few times and it’s definitely a quirky space with lots of character. But if you’re in the market for a guitar, Alamo Music Center is a solid choice! They carry brands like:

• Fender
• Martin
• Ibanez
• Yamaha
• Taylor
• Gibson
• Guild
• Furch

They even carry Lanikai brand ukeleles if that’s your thing.

Alamo Music Center sells used and consignment guitars as well as new, so if you’re in the market for a good deal (or something with an antique sound), it’s a good idea to shop here first. Alamo Music Center has plenty of stools around the shop, too, so you can comfortably try out a guitar before you buy.

Even though this shop is pretty established, it’s beginner-friendly. They sell guitar bundles that come with the guitar, picks, a case, cleaning equipment, and sometimes an amp—perfect if you’re trying to find everything you need to play. Alamo Music Center also does in person and online lessons if you want to hone your skills.

P.S. They’re closed on Sundays, so get your guitar fix in before then!

• Address 1: 1530 Babco*ck Rd, San Antonio, TX 78229
• Address 2: 425 N Main Ave, San Antonio, TX 78205
• Website: Alamo Music

Bandstar Music

Bandstar Music is one of the smaller guitar shops in San Antonio, and it definitely isn’t for everyone. You won’t find a huge selection of guitars here, but Bandstar is a go-to for guitar rentals. With rentals starting at $20/mo, it’s a great way to get your hands (or your kids’ hands) on a guitar without a huge upfront investment.

(By the way, Bandstar specializes in mariachi rentals, which is the most San Antonio thing I’ve ever heard.)

If you aren’t in the mood to stop by the store, Bandstar has a Zoom Room that allows you to shop as if you’re in the store. Check out their inventory, talk to an associate, and even sign contracts without leaving your couch.

Just keep in mind that Bandstar has weird hours. They’re open during the week, but they’re closed on Sundays and are only open on Saturdays from 11 am – 2 pm.

• Address: 8035 Culebra Rd, San Antonio, TX 78251
• Website: Bandstar Music

Dellview Music Center

Dellview has been around since 1964, and they definitely lean into their funky, retro vibe. It’s a humble, independent music shop with lots of character. If you’re in the market for vintage or used guitars, Dellview is the place to go. They’re even an authorized dealer for Alvarez guitars, so they’ll take good care of you. Sometimes the shop will feature live music on its miniature stage, which is always a blast!

If you want to learn from the pros, Dellview also does music lessons via Zoom for guitar, bass, ukelele, drums, brass, and keyboard. The shop also sells books, records, sheet music, accessories, and even vintage toys, so there’s something for everyone here.

One of the best things about Dellview is its Monday night Finger Fitness group. It’s totally free and open to all skill levels. Bring your guitar and hang out for an hour to practice different shapes and finger exercises to improve your technique.

• Address: 122 Latch Dr, San Antonio, TX 78213
• Website: Dellview Music

Century Music

Century Music might operate out of a converted shop in an old industrial area, but it’s a go-to for guitar sales, repairs, and more. Sure, Century specializes in setups for live events as well as amp repair, but musicians trust them for primo guitars, too.

Century sells guitar brands like:

• Mesa Boogie
• Orange
• Roland
• Bergantino
• Genzler
• Ernie Ball
• Music Man
• Godin
• Ibanez
• Riversong
• Seagull
• La Patrie

Century is an old-school guitar shop that lets you pick up their guitars and test them out before you buy. Their techs will even set up the guitar according to your own specs for free, which is really cool.

Need repairs? Century repairs acoustic, electric, and bass guitars. They’ll even do emergency repairs for touring bands, covering everything from cracks to electronic work to strings.

• Address: 214 W Rhapsody Dr, San Antonio, TX 78216
• Website: Century Music

Music Go Round

Music Go Round specializes in selling used and vintage guitars. So, if you’re looking for a gorgeous old-school Fender guitar, this is the place to be. Music Go Round also does guitar repairs: setups start at $65 and they also handle restringing, electronics, and tuner replacements.

If you want to offload an old guitar, you can sell it at Music Go Round. Stop by the shop (open Monday – Saturday from 11 am – 7 pm) with your guitar and they’ll give you a quote. This location specifically wants to buy electric guitars, bass guitars, acoustic guitars, and guitar effects pedals.

• Address: 7115 Blanco Rd Suite 109, San Antonio, TX 78216
• Website: Music Go Round San Antonio

Robot Monster Guitars

Don’t let the lime green paint or taxidermy decor fool you: Robot Monster Guitars is a serious music shop. Located off the music-loving St. Mary’s strip, these folks sell guitars, records, collectible toys, amps, and more. They sell some sick used and vintage guitars, so if you’re specifically looking for an older electric guitar, it’s worth a trip to the strip.

• Address: 517 E Woodlawn Ave, San Antonio, TX 78212
• Website: Robot Monster

Lark Guitars

Unlike other guitar shops in San Antonio, Lark Guitars only sells guitars and guitar accessories. For a small shop, it’s got a surprising amount of inventory, too! Choose from its new and used acoustic, electric, and bass guitars from brands like:

• Paul Reed Smith
• Fender
• Mesa
• Gretsch
• Collings
• Gibson
• Ibanez

Lark also offers 6 months of zero-interest financing if you want it.

• Address: 5103 McCullough Ave Ste 101, San Antonio, TX 78212
• Website: Lark Guitars

Guitar Tex

Guitar Tex originally opened in 1999 as a guitar repair shop. While repairs are still their bread and butter, they also sell used mandolins, banjos, ukeleles, and guitars. It’s a small shop, but you’re still likely to find something that’s the right fit. If you want to nerd out with fellow musicians who take the time to get to know you, Guitar Tex is the place to be.

• Address: 4330 McCullough Ave, San Antonio, TX 78212
• Website: Guitar Tex

SpaceTone Music

SpaceTone sells both new and vintage guitars. They actually have a surprisingly big selection in such a small space. What’s great about this shop is that they sell vintage accessories, sheet music, and magazines that you won’t find elsewhere. If you’re trying to repair or restore a guitar and just can’t seem to find the right parts, swing by SpaceTone to find what you’re looking for.

• Address: 416 Austin Hwy, San Antonio, TX 78209
• Website: Spacetone Music