Guitar Salon International

The best guitar vendor out there! I've been coming to GSI for as long as I can remember, and the staff, guitars, and atmosphere is amazing. I would recommend every guitarist to visit at least once - if you haven't, you're missing out!

I echo the 5 star reviews of GSI -- they combine the largest inventory of top level (and cosmic level) guitars, sales people who are only interested in helping in every way -- including giving you hours of time by yourself if you wish -- and have a beautiful room and acoustic to try out their wonderful instruments.

Their level of help is extended even if you are not going to buy from them, but directly from a luthier. They will still bring out guitar after guitar to help you understand just what to ask for.

In other words, they love guitars, and helping guitarists get what they need.

I have bought several top end instruments at GSI and have been very happy in every respect. David, JohnPaul, Kai, and Andrew are all terrific representatives of GSI.

Dr. Alan Kay

Specialised guitar store for classical and flamenco guitar enthusiasts, with a friendly and helpful staff. Got myself a hand made student flamenco guitar at a reasonable price. I'd definitely go back there in the future to browse through their stock for more guitars!!!

Gentlemen - I was in Los Angeles in 2016 for the Turner Classic Film Festival, and had made arrangements to come by the salon to look at some guitars. I had been talking with JohnPaul before coming, and he had shipped my a Sakurai-Kohno for a trial which I then tested with my teacher. Rather than making a decision then I waited until I was in the showroom to see and hear a number of instruments. We arrived for our appointment and JohnPaul brought out a number of instruments for me to try. My wife, who is a professional harpist, was with me and provided the expert ear that I wanted and needed to make the best decision. We spent about two and a half hours playing and listening, and ultimately I chose a Cordoba Master Series Torres. I did because the sound it produced was amazing - just bell-like and sounding as if it were in a cathedral of sound. No range overpowered the others, the blend was perfect, and we walked out with my dream instrument. Fast forward to today, and I am still playing and loving the guitar. My teacher and I have done a lot of experimenting with strings over the last several years - starting with D Addario Pro Arte and running the gamut through almost every brand carried by Strings By Mail. We ultimately settled on Augustine Classic Black which produced a marvelous tone, and had stopped experimenting for about a year or so. My teacher found some Galli strings - the titanium and the nylon - and I tried those in that order. Then, last Thursday, we changed back to the Augustines - and the results were incredible. You could have knocked both of us over with a feather. The guitar just came alive - volume was incredible, projection was clear and full, the voices were singing, and my teacher, who has two really beautiful and much more costly instruments himself, couldn t stop playing my guitar!! I fell in love with it all over again - and this time, with much more appreciative ears.

What s the point of this email? I just wanted to say thank you for initially providing us with a truly memorable experience in the salon, and for your gift of providing music to a world that sorely needs it through the sale of your instruments. Perhaps its because we are all so confined and constricted in our daily lives that we are having a chance to reflect on what is important. I want you to know that I am truly grateful that I have the chance to play an instrument that I love, that can produce beautiful music (in the right talented hands!!), and I treasure all it represents.

Thank you!!! Thank you!! Thank you!! Stay safe, stay healthy, stay sane - and keep providing music to the world.

Very over priced. Buyer beware of there quality/craftsmanship when you receive the guitar.

I am an overseas customer and I bought two times guitars from this shop. I highly recommend them. They are really running 10 extra miles to make shure that you get what you want.
Perfect documentation, perfect shipping. And the most interesting guitars. All said.

Quite positive. I made an appointment and came in with a short list of guitars that I wanted to look at. I recommend this because they have so many. JohnPaul got them out, and then left me alone to play until I needed him. He is very knowledgeable about construction and luthiers, just what you hope for. Good conversation and guidance. I bought one, which I am loving. This is a great shop.

Great place! JohnPaul sold me a great guitar. Highly recommend visiting this place if you are into flamenco guitars!!!

These people are the most low key, knowledgeable, respectful guitar sales folks I have ever in my 75yrs encountered. Make an appointment, sit down and play, ask questions and learn. I spent almost 3 hours playing their guitars with virtually no problem, no pressure, no interference. Occasionally someone would check to see if I was doing O.K. or had any questions. I can't say enough the positive atmosphere they create. Check it out. 7 months later and Andrew in particular has spent a great deal of time and attention on my many questions since I bought the Loriente Carmen ( not the most expensive guitar in the world) Lots of great advice and extraordinary patience. Also 2 performance recommendations -Vicente Amigo and Yamandu Costa that were out of this world. Thank you. Enough said.

CERTIFIED MUSIC PRACTITIONER AND AUCTION WINNER
I am the winner of the first GSI Auction, a 1974 Ramirez 2a. I was very excited to bid on this instrument! The bidding process went smoothly keeping me apprised of new bids as they came in. I greatly appreciated the inclusion of a countdown timer on the bid screen. JohnPaul contacted me and quickly and completely set up shipping. The instrument was well wrapped. It was everything the description claimed. As I hoped, it has a beautiful deep, mellow voice which helps calm, relax and heal my hospice patients, their families and the nursing staff.

All of my experiences with GSI has very professional and amazingly friendly. They really know their instruments and care for their customers. Many thanks GSI and JohnPaul!

Gil ( o)===:::

I bought a guitar yesterday at Guitar Salon. Because I was not comfortable buying something sight unseen, I drove from Long Beach to Santa Monica to play it in person rather than order it online and risk not being happy with it. I just contacted them - less than 24 hours later - to tell them that my spouse freaked out over how much I spent and was told that the 48 hour approval policy does not apply (listed on their website) because I bought it in-store and not online. I can only exchange it for equal or higher cost. No mention that all sales were final was made to me when I bought it. Admittedly, I see that now listed on their website. So it is my fault for not reading more carefully and investigating their return policy before driving over an hour to their store. But it is their fault for having an insanely strict return policy. I have to admit, I would never buy another guitar from them as a result of this policy, and would not recommend that anyone else does either. Don't buy anything from them in person unless you are POSITIVE that it will work out. I'm glad it is a nice guitar, and I'll find a way to finagle the cost (no option not to do so), but it has tarnished the guitar to me a bit because of the memory of the purchase experience.

UPDATE: I never said you did not have a good selection, or good service from the sales associate. Yes, you did match the price, and I appreciate that. But in a world where Amazon, Guitar Center, Sam Ash and many Reverb instrument sellers offer a 30-45 day return policy, your failure to permit a 24 HOUR return policy is something I wish I had known before buying this instrument. I recognize that you are entitled to run your business any way you wish, but I think it is only fair that since you have that policy, potential buyers be informed of it. I wish I had been.

Once they get your money, good luck trying to get it back! They gave me every reason why I can't get my money back. It was a horrible experience that it cost $11,000.00 total for the guitar. Every time I looked at that guitar I felt that upsetting feeling about the whole situation. I will never do business with them again.

GSI is an ABSOLUTE joy to deal with. I've been a customer of theirs since starting my journey in to playing classical guitar back in 2003. Mr JohnPaul Trotter and the rest of their staff are the pinnacle of customer service and professionalism. They set the standard in the classical guitar buying world. I recently received a STELLAR Jose Ramirez 1A that John found for me. I still can't believe I have it. The entire experience as of late is everything you'll ever want or need. Save yourself any amount of heartache and don't go anywhere else... Thanks again GSI! Customer for life!

Had the pleasure of making a purchase online. They were kind enough to call me personally to verify the purchase and circumstances of delivery. They have a great selection and are accessible during quarantine. Would recommend them to and guitar enthusiast

I purchased a new guitar from Guitar Salon International and Andrew was exceptionally helpful advising me of the right choice for my budget. I cannot be happier with my purchase. Thank you Andrew and thank you GSI.

My experience with GSI and Andrew Lee was excellent. Not only is the entire staff knowledgeable about each of the luthiers they represent, they are genuine and are interested in matching the player with the right instrument. Each of my purchases have been expertly handled and I would certainly recommend GSI as The best U.S. source for Artisan-built classical and flamenco guitars. Dr. Craig Jordan

The best guitars by the best builders in the world.

GSI offers great opportunities to serious guitar students as well as professionals through its professional video recording services. It has a professional team that puts together high quality videos. One also gets to try out a wide variety of quality guitars.

The paradise of the guitars! An ideal place to find your dream instrument, in a pleasant atmosphere, with very friendly people who provide the necessary comfort and opportunity to try all the guitars you want until you find yours. In addition, they make you some very professional videos with magnificent guitars. Recommended!

If you have a true passion for guitars, this is truly the place to be.

I have come to know GSI over the years as this is my regular stop for strings and studio guitars for my students.



They encouraged me to play guitars in different rooms including their big show room to make sure I was replicating a concert experience. Not only was I able to play various instruments, JohnPaul and Andrew (both excellent players) also played the guitars for me so that I could hear how the instruments sounded from the audience s perspective.

My satisfaction with the transaction and the service that I received is second to none. GSI s attention to details regarding every item they offer made this journey memorable for me; I can confidently say that Guitar Salon International is the best place to buy classical guitars and integral for players globally.

One of a kind guitar vendor with knowledgeable, professional and friendly staff. A worldwide leader in its field.

Otherworldly experience at GSI. Andy was tremendously helpful and flexible with my appointment. John Paul was there too, and he was awesome. The guys are just chilled out guitar lovers who know a bunch about what they're selling. It was an amazing, low pressure situation. Can't recommend this place enough for any classical guitar fan who's anywhere close to Santa Monica.

Great service from JohnPaul. Would definitely purchase from Guitar Salon again.

This place is like the e-harmony of luthier built guitars. They're not in the business of selling guitars, but creating matches made in heaven. That's absolutely how the staff make you feel. They are extremely helpful, and extremely patient throughout the entire journey of finding you the best instrument for your needs.

I had the pleasure of working Andrew, and ended up purchased the best guitar I've ever played in my life. I look forward to being a lifelong customer.

Aloha All, I recommend David as honest & very competant. I am a NICU/PICU RN & have the highest standards in medicine. David seems to have similar standards in guitars. Make sure you really want a guitar since sales are final but David deals in exquisite instruments & if there is problem, he will do the right thing as happened with my tuners on one of the fine guitars bought from GSI. We split the cost of Rodgers replacements, a very fair arrangement. Aloha, Mark RN retired HI, CA, MT

I will tell the end of my story first. As a result of contacting GSI I am now playing two of the best guitars that I have ever owned and am enjoying practicing in the most satisfyingly concentrated way in hours of productive pleasure.
The story begins with reaching JeanPaul and discussing a (spruce) Jake Fuller that I'd seen on the site that I knew would be wonderful. After reaching agreement on price I was floored when the guitar arrived the next day and, as I'd imagined, fulfilled my every expectation. As if that were not enough, I got back in touch with JeanPaul to talk about the possibility of sending him a guitar that I owned which wasn't making me happy with the aim of acquiring a (cedar) Giussani that I'd had my eye on. The day after this discussion, again, the guitar showed up at my door and, again, a fantastic but very different instrument.
What the story is really about, though, is the care, flexibility, enthusiasm, and thoughtfulness of JeanPaul. The man speaks form deep knowledge and experience of guitars and he convinced me from the start that he was interested in meeting my musical objectives reflected in the suggestions and advice offered which I found extremely helpful. I came away from our discussions impressed that the fairness and fun in doing business at GSI will most probably lead to owning an instrument that fits and fulfills all of your personal musical requirements. The compact version of this story: I couldn't be happier with the service .....or the exquisite guitars. Ron Puddu

Best selection of the most beautiful guitars in one building. Staff is knowledgable and helpful. Customer service is first-rate.

I have been working with GSI for over ten years now and in that time, GSI has never steered me wrong, never misrepresented anything, has always been easy to deal with and has always had great guitars in their inventory. The guitars that I've gotten from GSI over the years are STILL my favorites and the purchase experience is always positive.

And thanks to Andrew Lee in particular - I'm so glad that we got connected a few years ago. He's a real asset to GSI. He puts up with my questions and the back and forth I sometimes do on things. Andrew and GSI are always my first choice when I'm looking for something, or even when I just have a random question.

World-class space for great instruments! Recorded here a few times, always a pleasure working with the awesome and highly-knowledgeable staff. Highly recommended!

Excellent quality guitars for sale and organization of musical events, very professional people, know your business and attentive with customers

THE place to go to for world class classical and Flamenco guitars. The entire staff, from the President to the Sales Reps, are extremely knowledgeable and helpful to both the amateur and the professional.

I have thoroughly enjoyed recording demos for GSI over the past few years and they are my top recommendation for my students and fellow professionals who are seeking to acquire a concert instrument.