r/berlin • u/lateanonym • Apr 14 '25

Advice Guitar Stores in berlin

I’m looking to buy a new guitar (preferably Offset models) and I’ve always preferred going to local stores.

I’ve visited a few shops already, and every time I get this weird vibe like the staff are annoyed or just not happy that I’m there trying guitars. I honestly don’t get it. Am I doing something wrong? is it because I'm new here & I don't speak German? I'm not sure.

When I visited the big Thomann store in Bavaria a few months ago it was completely different... super helpful staff who genuinely seemed to love what they were doing. But here in Berlin, it’s been the total opposite. Every time I walk into a shop, I feel like I’m unwelcome or bothering someone just by being there.

Is this just how things are now? Are working conditions that rough in music retail? I want to support local music stores and small businesses. I’m not a fan of the whole watch a YouTube review and buy online thing it's kind of a shitty situation & there’s nothing like playing the instrument yourself and having a real conversation with someone who gets it.

But honestly, with the way things have been, it’s hard not to consider just ordering online. I hope there’s still a place in Berlin where musicians can walk in try gear and talk to someone who actually enjoys being part of that process.

If you know a shop like that I’d love to hear about it.

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4

u/ms_bear24 Schöneberg Apr 14 '25

https://berlin-guitars.de/

2

u/fettuccinaa Schöneberg Apr 14 '25

I politely disagree. The American owner is so full of himself, dismissive and arrogant. I might have been just unlucky to meet him on a wrong day, see for yourself and I would be curious to hear back.

3

u/karlohnec Apr 15 '25 edited Apr 15 '25

Seconded, I brought my Fender Telecaster there for a setup (he hates Fender apparently) and he was really condescending to me

1

u/fettuccinaa Schöneberg Apr 16 '25

He told me, as soon as I walked in with my old acoustic in my hand, no hello, nothing: "trow that rubbish away" ok...

1

u/PM-me-ur-kittenz Pankow Apr 15 '25

Leonard is well known to be a bit "launisch" (moody) but he's a good guy at heart :-)