The online shopping trend has become more widespread than ever, and purchasing guitars is no exception. But while buying groceries, makeup, or even clothes online is a relatively simple thing to do, purchasing expensive and fragile musical instruments is another story altogether.

Thankfully, there are some very reputable and trusted places to buy guitars. These include Sam Ash, one of the world’s largest guitar retailers with a global presence; Musician’s Friend, which shares their inventory with Guitar Center (though they maintain their own identity); and Andertons, which has been in business for over 40 years in the UK. These online guitar stores have a massive selection, including starter bundles; the ability to finance your purchase; and the option to return your instrument should you be unhappy with it.

There are also a number of smaller, local shops that offer excellent deals best places to buy guitars on guitars as well, such as Danville Music in the SF Bay Area and American Musical, which offers a large variety of brands and models. Both of these companies also have a physical store as well, which can be very helpful in determining what type of guitar you might want. Additionally, both stores often have flash sales during holidays like Black Friday and Labor Day.

The biggest guitar retailer in the United States, with 294 locations across the country, is Guitar Center. This chain of stores offers almost every model and brand of guitar that major manufacturers produce, as well as drums, pro audio gear, and DJ equipment. Their customer service isn’t the best, however, and it can be difficult to get any issues resolved in a timely manner.

Alternatively, you can check out their sister website, Musician’s Friend, which is owned by the same capital firm as Guitar Center and operates under the same command. Their selection is nearly identical, and they have the same 45-day return policy. They also run what they call the “Stupid Deal of the Day,” which significantly lowers prices on a wide range of items, including guitars.

You can also find great deals on used guitars on eBay, which operates worldwide and has a vast catalog of both new and old instruments. Although they tend to have more low-end and beginner level guitars, you can still sometimes find some high-end gems at a fraction of their original price. Just make sure you’re looking at the seller’s reputation and feedback before making any purchases on eBay.

If you are looking to find a particular vintage or custom guitar, then you should visit the Reverb website. This site is a huge marketplace for used guitars and features both auction style and buy it now type sales. You can also find some very rare and valuable vintage guitars on this site, so it’s definitely worth checking out.