Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Family-Owned Guitar Store & Music Lessons Since 1962
Guitar Stop has been a family-owned and operated musical instrument store and lessons provider in Cambridge, MA since 1962. Originally established as Central Sales Company by Edward Oster, the business transitioned to its current name in 1998 to better reflect its focus on guitars and music education. Our team combines three generations of experience, offering a wide selection of instruments from authorized brands like Fender, Yamaha, and Cordoba, alongside amplifiers, accessories, and expert repair services. We provide personalized music lessons for guitar, bass, piano, ukulele, voice, and banjo, taught by professional musicians with expertise in diverse genres. Our commitment to the community is demonstrated through annual student recitals, charity initiatives like donating 25 ukuleles to local schools, and recognition as a Cambridge Legacy Business.With over six decades of operation, we maintain a neighborhood-focused approach while offering the depth of inventory and expertise expected from a full-service music store. Our repair services include setups, minor fixes, and major electronic repairs, with turnaround times clearly communicated to ensure reliability. Located at 1760 Massachusetts Ave, we serve customers in Cambridge, Boston, and surrounding areas through in-store visits, online sales, and remote lessons. Our staff includes certified instructors like Berklee graduates and experienced technicians, ensuring high standards of service and education. This enduring legacy positions us as a trusted authority in music retail and education within the Greater Boston area.
Services
Guitar Sales
Music Lessons
Instrument Repairs
Ukulele Lessons
Bass Instruction
Piano Lessons
Voice Training
Banjo Lessons
Amplifier Sales
Accessories Retail
Details
- Year established: 1962
Highlights and features
- Three generations of family ownership since 1962
- Authorized dealer for major guitar brands including Fender and Yamaha
- Berklee-trained instructors offering lessons in multiple genres
- Full-service repair shop with clear turnaround times
- Community-focused with annual charity recitals and instrument donations
Associations and certifications
- NAMM
- City of Cambridge Legacy Business
Services
Music Lessons
Professional music instruction available for guitar, bass, piano, ukulele, voice, and banjo. Lessons cater to all skill levels from beginner to advanced, taught by experienced musicians with formal training from institutions like Berklee College of Music. Instruction combines technical skill development with music theory and genre-specific techniques.
Guitar Sales
Authorized dealer for major guitar brands including Fender, Yamaha, Cordoba, and Guild. Offers full-sized and travel guitars across multiple price points, with expert guidance for selecting instruments suited to individual playing styles and skill levels. Maintains both in-store and online inventory for customer convenience.
Instrument Repairs
Comprehensive repair services for guitars and basses, including setups, fret dressing, pickup installation, and structural repairs. Minor repairs typically completed in 2-3 days while major work takes 3-4 days. Technicians use professional tools and techniques to maintain instrument quality and playability.
Student Recitals
Biannual all-ages student recitals held in Spring and Fall at local venues. Provides performance opportunities for students of all ages, featuring solo and group performances across multiple music genres. Events showcase progress made through private lessons and include both in-person and remote participation options.
Online Shopping
Secure online ordering for musical instruments, amplifiers, and accessories with local pickup or shipping options. Website features detailed product descriptions, pricing information, and inventory status updates. Offers price matching for select competitors and maintains a 100% satisfaction guarantee on purchases.
People
Jeanne Oster
Proprietor
Jeanne Oster has served as Guitar Stop's proprietor since 1986, continuing the family legacy established by her father Edward Oster in 1962. She oversees store operations and maintains the business's commitment to quality music education and retail services.
Annette Osgood
Retail Manager
Annette Osgood manages retail operations and lesson program coordination at Guitar Stop. With over three decades of experience since joining in 1986, she provides expert guidance on instrument selection and maintains the store's customer-focused service approach.
Alex Oster
Music Instructor
Alex Oster teaches guitar, bass, and piano lessons while contributing to retail sales and service. As the third generation of the Oster family in the business, he brings contemporary teaching methods and performance experience to the store's educational offerings.
Greg Osgood
Service Manager
Greg Osgood oversees Guitar Stop's repair services, bringing technical expertise to instrument maintenance and restoration. He ensures quality control for all repair work while maintaining the store's commitment to professional service standards.
Questions
What instruments do you sell besides guitars?
We offer bass guitars, ukuleles, mandolins, pianos/keyboards, and banjos, along with amplifiers and accessories from major brands.
Do you offer music lessons for children?
Yes, we accept students as young as 5 years old with lesson formats adapted to different age groups and skill levels.
What repair services do you provide?
We handle setups, fret dressing, pickup installation, nut/saddle replacement, bridge resets, and electronic repairs with clear turnaround times.
Are online lessons available?
Yes, remote lessons are available via video conferencing for most instruments with scheduling flexibility including weekend options.
Do you have a return policy?
We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on purchases. Specific return details can be found on our website or by contacting the store.
How can I schedule instrument repairs?
Repairs can be scheduled by bringing instruments to our Cambridge store during business hours with no appointment needed for initial drop-off.
Videos
Reviews (4)
Andrey Fedorov
May 21, 2022
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I love this store, and am very happy to support this small business, which at times has a better selection than big retailers. I was saddened to hear they are vehemently opposing the bike lane initiatives of the city. I want to say that I never had a pressing need to park in front of this store. Parking space availability is not going to affect my interest or ability to shop here. Update: I believe the bike lane design being implemented by the city is the best attempt we have at balancing the needs of various stakeholders of the community.
Dan D.
May 18, 2022
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I bought a classical guitar at Guitar Stop 3 years ago that has served me well. They provide set up services. I also bought an electric guitar more recently. Service is friendly, informative, and efficient. They prefer to take the guitars off the racks themselves, which is understandable given the value of the merchandise. I've taken my son there for music lessons and Alex is great. I am rating them here based on their ability to service my guitars and offer great product with great service.
This is a family owned business and they stand by their products and don't deserve negative reviews bc of their stance on traffic. Traffic safety is nuanced and not a bumper sticker or black & white issue. The rules and laws in Cambridge are complicated. If you want a great guitar or music lessons and want to support a family-owned business this is your place!
This is a family owned business and they stand by their products and don't deserve negative reviews bc of their stance on traffic. Traffic safety is nuanced and not a bumper sticker or black & white issue. The rules and laws in Cambridge are complicated. If you want a great guitar or music lessons and want to support a family-owned business this is your place!
Jayson Hreczuck
Apr 10, 2022
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Owner vocally against basic infrastructure improvements. If you care about public and pedestrian safety, take your business elsewhere.
Tony B.
Mar 10, 2022
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It's a nice little family owned shop with a wide selection of quality products; issue is that I've gotten 3 guitars setup here and all 3 of them have buzzed when I got them home. One so badly that I couldn't overcome it and had to bring it back. Maybe they are taking on too many jobs and the tech is trying to crank them out too quickly, but $60ish for a setup that I then have to fix is a dealbreaker for me.
