The Guitar Shop Industry: Growing Stronger Through Community, Not Competition
In the guitar shop industry, it’s easy to focus on competition—but we’ve learned that real success comes from collaboration. As a music store, we’ve experienced both ends of the spectrum. Whether we’re connecting with other builders, retailers, or musicians, one truth continues to stand out: when we support one another, the entire industry thrives.
Our experience in the band world taught us how negative and ego-driven competition can stifle growth. But our time in retail has shown us the opposite—how encouragement, generosity, and shared values help us all grow stronger.
Learning from the Legends: Builders Who Share
We’ve had the privilege of learning from builders who lead with confidence and humility. Dana Bourgeois and Richard Hoover are two shining examples in the guitar shop industry. Dana, in particular, impressed us with his willingness to engage with competitors—not to criticize, but to learn and share ideas. His confidence in his own craftsmanship allows him to appreciate others, even if their approach differs. That’s the kind of openness we admire and strive to emulate in our own business.
Legacy Stores Who Paved 
the Way
Before we even opened our doors, Elderly Music was a source of inspiration. Their catalogs helped shape our early ideas about service and storytelling in retail. Today, we continue to admire how they operate with integrity and excellence. We’ve learned a lot from Stan Werbin, and people like Lillian, who go out of their way to collaborate with other stores. Their approach reminds us that in the guitar shop industry, the best businesses don’t guard secrets—they share success.
Big Box Giants: Learning from Scale
When we look at companies like Sweetwater, it’s clear they’ve built something remarkable. Some retailers are quick to criticize, but we respect how they’ve grown through hard work, not shortcuts. They’ve created an incredible customer experience, and while we take pride in offering a more personal touch, we’re inspired by their commitment to excellence.
Similarly, Thomann—a massive retailer in Germany—has accomplished feats in logistics and scale that rival major tech companies. Seeing how they handle tens of thousands of orders daily reminds us what’s possible when innovation meets dedication in the guitar shop industry.
Struggles at Scale: Cautionary Tales
We’ve watched Guitar Center evolve over the years. While they’ve helped introduce countless people to music, we feel they’ve drifted from the personalized, passionate experience that makes this industry great. Their struggles show how important it is to stay connected to your core mission. We don’t consider them direct competition, but their presence still shapes the landscape of the guitar shop industry.
Sam Ash, another big name, has faced similar challenges. The ripple effects from their financial setbacks have impacted many manufacturers and stores like ours. It’s a reminder that we’re all connected—when a major player falls, it affects the entire supply chain.
Peer Stores Worth Admiring
One of the coolest relationships we’ve built has been with Casino Guitars. We originally found them through YouTube, and what started as admiration turned into a real friendship. Baxter and the team have been open, supportive, and willing to share real advice. We’ve talked shop, manufacturers, reps—you name it. That kind of transparency is rare and refreshing in the guitar shop industry.
We also deeply respect Ernie Williamson Music (formerly Springfield Music), where we got our start. Our relationship has evolved from employer to peer, and we still collaborate and support each other regularly. Trust like that takes time to build, and we’re grateful for it.
Rising with Online Voices
We love seeing how YouTube has given stores a new platform. Alamo Music brings a fresh energy and perspective, and we find ourselves learning from their creativity. Music Villa (Acoustic Letter) also stands out for their incredible presentation and customer-first approach. Both have made us reflect on what we could do better and reminded us of the power of being authentic in the guitar shop industry.
Global Inspirations with Local Energy
Across the ocean, the Fellowship of the Acoustics has shown us what kindness and professionalism can look like. We’ve chatted with them and even considered collaborations. We wouldn’t mind losing a customer to them—because we know they do it right. That’s the spirit of this industry.
Back in the States, Chicago Music Exchange continues to be a dream destination for electric gear. It’s the kind of place we’d visit just to be inspired. Down Home Music, run by Steve, is another shop we’ve come to know and admire, especially after spending time together at the Fretboard Summit. He’s a genuinely good guy with an eye for cool gear.
Mentors & Foundational Influence
We owe a lot to Oldtown Pick and Parlor and Kit Simon, who offered advice long before we ever launched The Acoustic Shoppe. Kit was generous with his time and knowledge, answering our questions and encouraging us to pursue this dream. Even now, we stay in touch and share updates. His mentorship was pivotal, and it reflects what’s best about the guitar shop industry—passing on what you’ve learned to the next generation.
Why the Guitar Shop Industry Must Collaborate
This industry is full of passion, but passion without perspective can turn toxic. We’ve seen what happens when shops view each other as threats—it creates anxiety, burnout, and resentment. We’ve chosen another path. We believe that when we collaborate and lift each other up, everyone benefits.
From sharing inventory tips to connecting over industry struggles, we’ve grown stronger by opening doors instead of closing them. Whether it’s someone like Dana Bourgeois at a booth, or Baxter from Casino picking up the phone, every conversation makes this industry better.
Conclusion: We’re All in This Together
Our journey in the guitar shop industry has taught us one lasting lesson: we don’t need to compete to grow. In fact, we grow because we connect. Whether it's working alongside peers, learning from builders, or sharing resources with other shops, we’ve seen how powerful it is to rise and build the music world together.
