If you live in the US and you’ve been shopping for guitars or other music gear, there’s a good chance you’ve seen some advertisements for a store named Sweetwater. Because they have only one physical location, their brand isn’t as widely known as the likes of guitar center, and this may have you wondering, “is Sweetwater legit?”.
It’s a fair question, of course, with so many bait and switch websites out there, it pays to do a little research into the retailers you play to buy from. Keep on reading to find out more about Sweetwater and whether or not they’re a reputable retailer.
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Contents
- So cut to the chase – Is Sweetwater Legit?
- Company Info
- What are some of the reasons to buy from Sweetwater?
- They Have Almost Literally Everything
- They Inspect Every Guitar
- Their Sales Team are Killer
- Sweetwater Credit Card (Synchrony)
- Sweetwater Return Policy
- 2 Year Warranty On All Instruments
- Additional questions?
- Who is the owner of Sweetwater? Is Sweetwater owned by guitar center?
- How long does it take for Sweetwater to deliver?
- Does Sweetwater have a store?
- Does Sweetwater have coupons?
- Does Sweetwater deliver to Canada/The UK/Europe?
- Does Sweetwater do price matching?
- Will Sweetwater haggle?
- Does Sweetwater collect sales tax?
- Does Sweetwater ever have sales on guitars?
- Final thoughts on Is Sweetwater Legit?
So cut to the chase – Is Sweetwater Legit?
Bottom Line: Yes. Sweetwater is the biggest online musical instrument retailer in the US, serving millions of customers a year, and have top ratings on all review sites. You should have absolutely no reservations in ordering with them.
Is Sweetwater Legit? Our Sweetwater review, plus tips to save you money...
They have a 4.47 rating on SiteJabber with (at the time of writing) 684 reviews. They rate 1st for music equiptment sales, and get top marks for service, value, shipping, returns and overall quality. They have 82.7% positive reviews for the last 12 months, with comments like “hands down the best customer service in themusic gearindustry”, and “mysales engineeris knowledgeable about every aspect of pro audio and never pushes me to buy anything”.
They have a 4.7 rating on Trustpilot with (at the time of writing) 594 revirews. 89% of customers rated them “excellent” overall, with recent reviews praising the sales staff, and commenting that even “hard to find” items were in stock.
They have a 100% Trustscore on Scam Advisor, based on over twelve thousand reviews. They have zero negative highlights – zero!
They have a 4.9 rating on Google Reviews, based on over eleven thousand reviews. Google lists as highlights the fact that they have on time delivery of over 90%, accurate and undamaged orders of over 95%, with 94% five star reviews overall.
ResellerRatings gives them 9.51 out of 10 based on 1431 reviews (at the time of writing), noting they have 95% five star reviews. The most recent review there when I looked started with “Nobody compares to Sweetwater when it comes to customer service“.
Company Info
Sweetwater are the largest online and second largest overall musical instrument retailer in the US, which is no mean feat considering they only have one physical store compared to number 1 Guitar Center who have 269.
Founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1979, Sweetwater started life as a mobile recording studio run out of a 1966 VW microbus. Over forty years later, Sweetwater’s home office covers 166 acres, with a 480,000 square foot distribution center.
What are some of the reasons to buy from Sweetwater?
They Have Almost Literally Everything
Sweetwater has an incredible inventory covering guitars, amps, pedals, speakers, plus basses, drums, keyboards, all the way through recording gear and even live sound and lighting gear.
In fact if you sign up for Sweetwater’s mailing list, they will send you out a regular catalog of over 600 pages of amazing gear. You’ll never again have to be bored on the commode when you can sit and dream of owning a $25k Les Paul, or a $250 Schecter if that’s more your style.
They Inspect Every Guitar
Ok this is killer – Sweetwater have a 55 point inspection that they do of every instrument before it goes out the door. Ever gone to your local big box guitar store and almost had your fingers ripped off by rough fret ends? With Sweetwater, your guitar basically gets a setup before it arrives at your door.
Their Sales Team are Killer
When you buy from Sweetwater you are assigned a sales engineer. Your engineer will answer any and all questions you have, giving you honest answers (my engineer has talked me out of so many bad puchases) and following up to ensure you have no issues. Plus you can ask them for discounts, which is something you can’t do with any other online retailer.
Sweetwater Credit Card (Synchrony)
With the Sweetwater Credit Card via Synchrony, you can get amazing financing on a ton of gear, typically at 0%. For example, I once bought a $2300 guitar that was only $48 a month on their 4 year 0% financing. It makes gear so much more affordable, and since there’s no interest, you’re not paying anything extra.
Click here for more on Sweetwater financing.
Sweetwater Return Policy
They have a “no hassle” return policy that means you can return anything within 30 days for any reason. Don’t like the color? No problem. Realized you can’t afford it? No problem. Spouse found out you spent $2300 on a guitar? No problem.
2 Year Warranty On All Instruments
Sweetwater offers a 2 year warranty on everything, to cover all parts and labor costs on anything you buy from them. It doesn’t hurt that they have a huge number of techs onsite and turn around repairs lightening quick.
Additional questions?
Who is the owner of Sweetwater? Is Sweetwater owned by guitar center?
No, Sweetwater is not owned by Guitar center. Guitar Center is owned by Ares Management, whereas Sweetwater is majority owned by Providence Equity Partners with founder Chuck Surack owning the remainder of the company after selling over half of his stake in July of 2021. Surack moved to Chairman of the Board from the CEO position after the sale.
How long does it take for Sweetwater to deliver?
Sweetwater’s free shipping typically takes two to four days for small items and one to five days for larger items.
Does Sweetwater have a store?
They do actually have one store that is run out of their main 166 acre facility in Fort Wayne Indiana.
Does Sweetwater have coupons?
No, Sweetwater does not do coupons – even though some sites would have you believe they have coupons. In reality, you can usually get a killer deal on any item of gear from Sweetwater by… Asking!
Does Sweetwater deliver to Canada/The UK/Europe?
Yes, Sweetwater ships internationally.
Does Sweetwater do price matching?
On select items, yes. Call Sweetwater or email your sales engineer and they will get you started.
Will Sweetwater haggle?
You can absolutely ask your Sweetwater rep if they can do anything on the price on an item, and in many cases they do have some leeway. There are situations where specific retailers do enforce a strict rule on maintaining the advertised prices, but for many many items, your rep will be able to work with you on price.
Does Sweetwater collect sales tax?
At the time of writing, Sweetwater collects sales tax for the following states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
Does Sweetwater ever have sales on guitars?
Sweetwater runs sales on guitars for all major holidays, as well as their annual GearFest event, wherein they have different items on sale every day. Even when it’s not sale time, they have a ton of stuff available at reduced price in “the deal zone”.
Final thoughts on Is Sweetwater Legit?
At the point it should be clear – Sweetwater is one of the most trusted and beloved musical instrument retailers in the US, and possibly even the biggest in terms of sales volume. You should have no qualms with spending money with them – and you might even find they save you a ton!
You might also like these related articles:
- Is Guitar Center Legit? Is Sam Ash Legit? Is Reverb Legit?
- Sweetwater VS Guitar Center
- What was the Guitar Center String Club?
- Does Guitar Center take trades?
- Guide to Guitar Online Blue Books
FAQs
How trustworthy is Sweetwater? ›
Sweetwater is absolutely legitimate. They're arguably the biggest online music, sound, and gear retailer in the U.S. They have top ratings on a variety of websites and serve millions of customers every year.
Does Sweetwater really do 55 point inspection? ›Our detailed 55-point Inspection ensures that each instrument valued $299 and above is shipped in factory-fresh condition and ready to play.
Is Sweetwater owned by Guitar Center? ›Does Guitar Center own Sweetwater? Sweetwater and Guitar Center are competitors. Guitar Center does not own Sweetwater. It's owned by Chuck Surack, who founded the company in 1979.
Why does Sweetwater give candy? ›For years, Sweetwater Sound has been packing handfuls of candy into boxes full of music technology and music instruments that are shipped all over the country. Little did they know that this little "thank you" to customers would one day help save a life.
How long does it take to receive a guitar from Sweetwater? ›1–5 business days within the contiguous U.S. 6–7 business days to Alaska and Hawaii. FedEx Express Saver® – U.S. only (excluding Alaska and Hawaii). Delivery to business by 4:30 p.m. and to residences by 7 p.m. in 3 business days.
Is Sweetwater hard to get approved? ›Being a store card, the credit score requirement for a Sweetwater card is lower than the score that would typically be required by a bank or other external creditor. The score needed to gain access to Sweetwater credit is usually 630.
Does Sweetwater run a credit check? ›We may request a credit report and will work with you on the terms that are best for you to pay off the gear in either three or six months. After paying a nominal processing fee, you can split your total up over three or six months and make equal payments using your existing credit card. Minimum purchase required.
What is a 128 point inspection? ›The detailed 128-point mechanical inspection covers front suspension, steering and underframe, fuel system, engine compartment, body exterior and interior fittings, electrical controls, exhaust system, rear suspension and underframe, brakes, tyres and transmission.
Do guitars from Sweetwater come set up? ›Does Sweetwater Setup Their Guitars? At Sweetwater, we do everything possible to make sure your guitar is set up the way you want it. We adjust the truss rod, intonation, and action to your specifications, and we'll even install your custom pickups and hardware for free.
Who bought out Sweetwater? ›What is the largest guitar store in the world? ›
The House of Guitars®,Inc. is located in Rochester, New York and known as the “Largest Guitar Store in the World.” The store was started in 1964 by Bruce and Armand Schaubroeck out of the basement of their mother's home and quickly became famous for being the intersection of music, art and culture.
Where do Sweetwater products ship from? ›What's more, our location in Fort Wayne, Indiana, lets us offer free shipping to nearly anywhere in the contiguous United States in a matter of days, so you won't have to wait long for your gear to arrive.
Why did candy get so expensive? ›So what's behind the ghoulish increase in candy prices? Sugar, Bloomberg reports. Drought-stricken beet-sugar crops drove U.S. refined sugar prices up, a phenomenon made worse by supply chain problems and the war in Ukraine, according to Bloomberg.
Is Sweetwater a big company? ›Company Info
Sweetwater are the largest online and second largest overall musical instrument retailer in the US, which is no mean feat considering they only have one physical store compared to number 1 Guitar Center who have 269.
Because sugar releases dopamine in the nucleus accumbens, the part of your brain linked to reward, novelty and motivation. Dopamine is an important neurotransmitter that plays a key role in controlling emotional responses.
How much does a guitar handler make at Sweetwater? ›Average Sweetwater Handler hourly pay in the United States is approximately $14.67, which meets the national average.
What are alternatives to Sweetwater? ›sweetwater.com's top 5 competitors in December 2022 are: musiciansfriend.com, zzounds.com, reverb.com, americanmusical.com, and more.
What carrier does Sweetwater use? ›Lightweight items (13 ounces or less) will be shipped via the United States Postal Service First Class Mail. This is trackable and normally arrives within two to four days. Heavier items ship via FedEx Ground® or UPS Ground.
What credit score do I need for Sweetwater? ›| Customer Type | Personal |
|---|---|
| Military Status | Active Duty Military Non-Military Veterans Military Dependent |
| Employment Statuses Considered | Other Employed Full-Time Employed Part-Time Self-Employed Retired |
| Immigration Status Considered | U.S. Citizen U.S. Permanent Resident |
| Credit Score Range | 650 - 850 850 300 650 |
Sales engineers start with a salary guarantee in the mid 30Ks. In the second year they go on commission, with an average earning of 35K. The average for the second year is 53K, in the 5th year 75-85K, and six figures after 10 years. 15% of the sales staff makes $95,000 or more a year.
Does Sweetwater affect credit score? ›
Get a decision in seconds with no impact to your credit bureau score. Ready to apply? Enjoy up to 48 months* promotional financing on qualifying purchases!
Does Sweetwater sell on Amazon? ›In addition to its website, Sweetwater began offering its catalog of products to buyers on Amazon, eBay, and Reverb.
Is a soft pull a credit check? ›What is a soft credit check? A soft credit check is when your credit report is pulled but you haven't applied for credit. For example: Insurance companies or potential landlords may look at your credit report to assess risk; potential employers may do background checks.
Does a soft credit check ding your credit? ›Impact of soft and hard inquiries on credit scores
Soft inquiries do not affect credit scores and are not visible to potential lenders that may review your credit reports. They are visible to you and will stay on your credit reports for 12 to 24 months, depending on the type.
- Level I: North American Standard Inspection. ...
- Level II: Walk-Around Driver/Vehicle Inspection. ...
- Level III: Driver-Only Inspection. ...
- Level IV: Special Inspection. ...
- Level V: Vehicle-Only Inspection. ...
- Level VI: Enhanced NAS Inspection for Radioactive Shipments.
All Carsome Certified. cars have passed a 175-point inspection to verify that. that the cars have not been in a major accident or have. any flood or frame damages.
What is a 100% inspection? ›100 Percent Inspection and Complete Quality Assurance
100 Percent Inspection means every part is inspected – in other words all parts of a particular batch are tested against predetermined tolerances of defined features.
Why YES? Buying a Guitar online is perfectly alright if its from a trusted music store. A music store generally has walk in customers and in house guitar technicians who repairs and services guitars. This gives you the assurance that your guitar will be checked and setup before dispatch.
How much does it cost to Plek a guitar? ›PLEK services do not always require fretwork. PLEK services cost around $200 on average.
What does Plek mean guitar? ›Last Updated: 2/23/2021. What is a Plek, you ask? A Plek is a computer-controlled fret leveling tool, which in the hands of an experienced tech, can provide an unparalleled fret job. It levels frets with an accuracy of . 001″, assists in the process of making nuts, and offers extremely advanced setup functions.
Can I sell my gear on Sweetwater? ›
Absolutely. Our new Gear Exchange website is a great option to sell your gear quickly and safely. You're in control the whole way and we offer several great ways to get paid (including via Sweetwater Gift Card).
What happened Sweetwater? ›In 1971, Sweetwater disbanded to pursue their own careers and lives. Two Sweetwater LPs were released after Nancy Nevins' accident, Just for You (Reprise, 1970) and Melon (Reprise, 1971).
How much was Sweetwater sold for? ›SweetWater Brewing Sold For $300 Million To Canadian Cannabis Company Aphria Inc.
What is the most sold guitar? ›The most popular model is the Gibson Les Paul, which comes in a variety of versions and has been in production for many years.
What guitar brand sells the most? ›Top Guitar Brands
Gibson holds the largest share at 34%, followed by Fender at 30%. Ibanez, Yamaha, Epiphone, and other brands make up the rest of the market.
Located on a sprawling campus in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Sweetwater Music boasts the largest inventory of any music store in the United States. In terms of guitars, the store has everything you can find on their website plus a massive used inventory.
Does Sweetwater ship guitars well? ›Sweetwater ships guitar safely, with a guitar, case, and package box protection, and the customer service is the best possible. They do refunds, and you can return the defective product with no or low shipping costs.
How many customers does Sweetwater have? ›Despite current economic challenges, Sweetwater served more than 1.6 million people by remaining dedicated to providing best-in-class customer service, known as the Sweetwater Difference, and staying true to their mission of doing the right thing.
Does Sweetwater charge when shipped? ›If you place your order with a credit card, you will only be charged for items once they ship. That means if your order has some items that are on backorder, you will only be charged for those items once they ship. If you place your order with PayPal, your order will be charged at the time of purchase.
What is the number 1 selling candy? ›| Country | Top Brands | 2012 Annual Sales (In millions USD) |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Reese's Peanut Butter Cups | 2,603 |
| United States | M&M's | 2,300 |
| United Kingdom | Cadbury's Dairy Milk | 852 |
| Germany | Milka | 733 |
How did candy get all his money? ›
Answer and Explanation: When Candy lost his hand while working, he was given $250 from the boss. He also has another $50 in the bank saved from his paychecks. Therefore, he currently has $300.
Which is the rarest candy? ›With a price tag of $1,628 per bar the Wispa Gold holds the no. 1 spot as the most expensive candy bar in the world.
How many guitars does Sweetwater sell a day? ›Sweetwater CEO, Chuck Surack, has confirmed that for most of 2020, they were shipping out anything from 15,000 to 20,000 orders per day. And, from May 2020 to June 2021, they have been selling in the region of 1,000 guitars per day.
Should I buy a guitar from Guitar Center? ›Yes, Guitar Center is a legit retailer that you should by and large feel safe to buy from. That being said, we would suggest exercising some caution as they have been known to sell used items as new, and can sometimes mess up their used listings, leaving you in the lurch.
Does Sweetwater have physical stores? ›Not only is the Sweetwater Music Store open to the public — with its vast Guitar Gallery, drum room, and the largest on-site inventory of any music store in the country — but our customers and community members are welcome to come and enjoy the rest of our space, too.
What is the meaning of 🍬? ›The Candy emoji 🍬 displays a round sugar candy in a colorful wrapper. It is commonly used to refer to actual candy, but is also sometimes more generally used in the context of feeling hungry or having a sweet tooth. The Candy emoji 🍬 is also used to describe people or things as metaphorically sweet.
What do XL candies do? ›Pokemon Go introduced XL Candy at the end of 2020.
XL Candy is different from regular Candy in that it is able to level up your Pokemon past Level 40. XL Candy is much rarer to receive.
The most viable method of gaining Rare Candy XL is by completing 3-Star and higher Pokemon Raids. Every time a player successfully beats a Raid, they'll have a slight chance to receive 1-3 Rare Candy XL as a reward.
Is Sweetwater a real store? ›Not only is the Sweetwater Music Store open to the public — with its vast Guitar Gallery, drum room, and the largest on-site inventory of any music store in the country — but our customers and community members are welcome to come and enjoy the rest of our space, too.
Does Sweetwater sell real guitars? ›Sweetwater is the world's best online guitar shop! We carry a vast selection of acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars from the top manufacturers, including Fender, Gibson, Ibanez, Martin, Yamaha, PRS, and many others! We also have all the accessories you'll need to create your ultimate guitar rig.
Where does Sweetwater ship from? ›
What's more, our location in Fort Wayne, Indiana, lets us offer free shipping to nearly anywhere in the contiguous United States in a matter of days, so you won't have to wait long for your gear to arrive.
How long does it take to get something from Sweetwater? ›Let's take a look at some of the shipping options Sweetwater has to offer. All the below options are only available in the United States. Delivery within the contiguous United States within 1 – 5 business days. Delivery before the end of the business day.
What is the biggest guitar shop in the US? ›Located on a sprawling campus in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Sweetwater Music boasts the largest inventory of any music store in the United States. In terms of guitars, the store has everything you can find on their website plus a massive used inventory.
Which website is best for buying guitar? ›- Sweetwater.
- Guitar Center.
- Musician's Friend.
- Zzounds.
- Sam Ash.
- Amazon.
- Reverb.
- eBay.
On average, it takes about 300 hours of practice to learn the basic chords and feel comfortable playing the guitar. If you practice for two hours a day – every day – it will take five months to master the basics. If you practice for an hour every day, it will take you ten months.
Who is Sweetwater owned by? ›Chuck Surack, President and Founder of Sweetwater, Inc., has been a musician and a salesman for as long as he can remember.
Does Sweetwater refund money? ›"No Hassle" Return Policy:
If you are not satisfied with any new product, for any reason, you may return it for a refund of the purchase price or an in-house credit, or you may exchange for another product within a fair amount of time from the shipping date (usually 30 days).
We may request a credit report and will work with you on the terms that are best for you to pay off the gear in either three or six months. After paying a nominal processing fee, you can split your total up over three or six months and make equal payments using your existing credit card. Minimum purchase required.
Does Sweetwater ship guitars safely? ›Sweetwater ships guitar safely, with a guitar, case, and package box protection, and the customer service is the best possible. They do refunds, and you can return the defective product with no or low shipping costs.