Island Guitars

Very welcoming in helping me purchase guitar to play for my grand son. Settled on the Martin and very pleased in the transaction. Highly recommend.

Apparently the owner was only one working, got there right as they open. He was very helpful and told me to play whatever I wanted. Selection was very limited. Vintage new guitars were way overpriced. Seems like they were more into restoration and preserving older acoustic guitars. There was a nice selection of vintage bass guitars. Very small shop, crammed with a lot of guitars that just weren't worth what they were asking. But I would definitely go here for any kind of technical repair jobs.

TLDR: they are helpful, they are a martin / gibson shop for acoustics, they have epiphone and other brands. They actually pay attention to you and let you try out stuff I read about the taylor vs martin thing on the forums, and thought that was novelty. I was in da pearl city GC and realized for some dang reason I'm a taylor girl. Taylors fit my hand, oh so good. Martin's feel ok.

I do like Gibson acoustics tho, but the price scares my purse. The bf rolls out and says they have two hot taylors (he went but I couldn't make it) but they r consignment so no deal and out of my budget $600, we want a car (yes we know about NOT leaving guitars in hot cars, guitars are like babies n pets they go where you go if you exit the vehicle) beat up cruise guitar that's not ukulele small or weird like travel guitars (with just a shaped rod as a body).

We try Easy Music but they like ignored us (not in the shop silly, they were nice and receptive but we wanted to order a student taylor yet they said they'd check with taylor SD warehouse, but never called back etc to seal the deal) I go in 2 island and play the two, but yeah the price isn't right. I'm thinking I could borrow here and there but bf says those aren't the ones we're looking for (we wanted the student taylor as it has laminated sides n back and driftwood guys gave it tops on toughness on their taylor / martin/ prs entry level shootout) Later that week the bf says they got a ES Epiphone DOT @ PRECOVID pRICES. Whaaat!?

He buys it (sans me, ) but that thing plays really well. Now we need an amp. The guitar is set up well. Really well and no finish / fit issues. And in store it stuck with tuning. Epi really makes a good guitar. Chibsons have come a long way and Epi's are the one of the best chibsons. Half the internet and youtube is about getting an epiphone and ripping out eveyrthing and replacing pu's with seth lovers or grover tuners, or changing out the saddle with nashville's, ditching the nut for bone but. the epi plays great and sounds good.

So if it ain't broke don't fix it. 4 amps we do have a fender micro mustang, head phone amp which is pretty fly. We' re going to get a 2nd one lol. and take the epi dot wherever we go (when we want to take a guitar). Island really knows what they are doing, their axes are set up, they have good prices and let you play around but don't hover. Epiphone also has alot of ES models, plus there's sheratons / casinos / lucilles / and that ocean colored one.=^.^= and they have vox amps there too so prob bet one later. Yes there is a tube shortage

Totally recommend this place! Store owner Neil is super helpful and full of knowledge on guitars as well as the other associates in the store as well! Highly recommended supporting local businesses, and they offer great deals on new guitars!

I've had a vintage Martin D-18 for over 50 years. So I didn't really need another guitar. But the dreadnaughts are pretty big and I had been reading about the slighly smaller Martin 000-18. Enter Island Guitars. From the first time I spoke to them by phone for directions to their store, I've been impressed with their customer service. Then, when I walked in, it was like visiting old friends. their prices were comparable to other places but, since the 000-18 was expensive (and why would I need another guitar?), I needed to think it over.

I must have visited three more times before I finally decided to get it. When I walked in, I was pleasantly surprised to learn they were on sale. Done deal. I really don't know how Neil was able to stay so accomodating and friendly through all those visits. But he was absolutely amazing. Nothing pushy about these guys and I'd recommend Island Guitars to anyone interested in guitars.

Called Island Guitars after speaking to two businesses about string replacement. These folks told me there was a 2-3 day wait. I picked up the phone and called Island Guitars (a former co-worker told me about the place) and spoke with Pete who said to drop by, and I did. Pete re-strung our uke while we waited and within 10 minutes we were up and running.

Nice to do business with a music store that reminds me of the old music stores on Oahu, now long gone. If you need any guitar accessories, guitars and related items, go check out Pete and the gang at Island Guitars for excellent and friendly service.

Wow, they know their guitars! ( and ukuleles ) in Business for 30 Years! I brought my Takamine Guitar to be restrung and felt confident it will be taken care of by a professional and master guitarist who enjoys his work. It's worth finding this gem on the 2nd fl of the Nimitz Business Plaza. Near the ramp, corner unit. cool sign!

I've bought several guitars from Island both for myself and for friends. In fact, I bought my favorite (Takamine) acoustic guitar from them. It was used and I got a great deal on it.

Seem like some real upstanding owners/employees who are straight shooters. I kinda internet stalked them and they've been around for a while and seem to be good folks. Almost bought a dream Martin there but decided I'd have to pass for now. might regret that. Anways, they gave me a free "Island Guitars" -- rad! It's a nice little shop.

I went to purchase a gift certificate for a coworker and the guy who helped me was so nice! They have guitars and other accoutrements for sale here, and offer lessons as well. Located on the 2nd floor of Nimitz Center just across Pier 38, so tons of free parking. They are the very first store in the right, so can be a little difficult to find, but worth the effort! Support local!

Very knowledgeable guitar specialist! I found this place online when looking for Taylor certified technician to lower the action on my newly bought guitar. I got a very thorough and friendly phone consultation. Then when I came in to the shop I got my guitar fixed in no time. They didn't even charge me, because it was an easy fix. The store itself is also very nice with very good selection of acoustic guitars, electric guitars, basses, etc. Strongly recommended!

I've bought 2 guitars from Island Guitars in the last year. One new electric and one acoustic on consignment. After a few months, I noticed a ringing on my acoustic and couldn't figure out the problem. I brought it in and they diagnosed and fixed the guitar on the spot with no charge. (A nearby store wanted to charge me and schedule an appointment just to look at the guitar). Highly recommend if you're looking for a great local guitar store with a good selection and super friendly and helpful staff!

This has been my "home base" for guitars and supplies for awhile now. Glad to see they're open! They typically have the full priceline of Martins and Taylors, and some nice high-end used guitars. Looks like they are no longer a Gibson dealer tho, which is kinda sad. They will also give your purchase a proper setup, which I used to think was normal until I tried another store out haha.

A Big Mahalo to Island Guitar. I just purchased a nice Black Epitome SG guitar for my son's upcoming birthday. The owners was so patient and helpful He threw in free maintenance for life on the guitar. Can't wait to get home to listen to my boy play it. Happy early Birthday Ken

I was looking to buy a Martin HD-28 and found a virtually new used one on Island Guitars. I contacted Neil at Island Guitars and he gave me an offer I couldn't refuse. Neil is incredibly helpful and knowledgeable and shipped the guitar to my home in Maui. I would like to give the highest recommendation possible to Neil and Island Guitars!

When the COVID-19 quarantine started I thought about picking up a guitar again but I waited too long to get one. I emailed Neil to arrange an informal online purchase and I eventually bought two acoustic guitars via email. Neil is great and the guitars are beautiful and in awesome shape. Support local businesses!

Brought my bass in to fit the new brass nut to fit the strings. Peter did an excellent job filing the grooves to size. He did a set up and filed down a couple of high frets to get rid of the fret buzz. Nice work and I was surprised at the very reasonable price. Will be giving Peter more business in the future.

There's a few guitar stores in Oahu. I mostly frequent Island Guitars because I like the guitars that they carry. This is where I bought my Taylor 414ce, Gibson Les Paul Standard, where my wife bought her Martin guitar, and koa Taylor GS Mini. I've also only bought my amps from them - a Vox AC30 and Vox AC15. Oh, and also capos, guitar cables, and strings.

I also have a cousin who's only bought Taylor's from them. The staff at Island Guitar do a good job in serving my guitar needs. When we go there, Peter, Onipaa, and sometimes Neil are working and they're always friendly and accommodating. Neil, when my wife was shopping for her koa Taylor, even went above and beyond by texting her when the shipment arrived, and sending her photos so she can choose which koa pattern she wanted.

When coming in for a string change, Peter and Onipaa always gets it done right away. Peter is a very good guitar technician. He's always fixed all my issues, or at least recommended what can be done to fix said issues. They're knowledgeable and outside of Google, pretty much answer most of my guitar questions. I really like how not pretentious Island Guitars is.

They are unlike other guitar stores who seem to be pretending to be something they are not just to seem cooler. Island guitars is very good because of their simplicity. There's an area for acoustic guitars that's organized by brand and model. There's an area for electric guitars, that, although dwindling due to decreasing demand, is still OK. There's a small room full of amps that you can plug into and test out.

They also have a lot of guitar accessories like guitar pedals, strings, cables, capos, straps, picks, and guitar cleaning materials. I've only sent people here to purchase their guitars and I would definitely continue to recommend Island Guitars to people looking to purchase guitars. WISHLIST: 1. They start carrying Suhr electric guitars. 2. They start carrying Orange amps. 3. Electric guitars become popular again, enough to drive electric guitar sales for Island Guitars.

Great Service and Aloha is sometimes hard to find these days. At Island Guitars, finding service with aloha is evident. I visited the store yesterday with the intention of playing a certain acoustic guitar that had positive reviews online. I met Neil Shimabukuro. sales, administrator and manager. Neil helped me by pulling out that particular guitar so I could play it.

He also provided others that were similar to compare. He took the time to explain each model, woods, bracing, and scale length. He allowed me time to play, feel and listen to the special sound characteristics each made. I spent a good hour and a half at their Nimitz store. I left thanking him for helping and giving me his time and knowledge. After leaving the store, I thought and reflected on the positive experiences I had at Island Guitars.

I thought about that particular guitar and I went back the next day and purchased that guitar. I want to thank Island Guitars and Neil for their service and help. I would encourage others to visit and experience what I experienced."Service with Aloha." Thanks.

If you guys are looking for guitar this is the place to be. They have major selection of most of the high end brands. The minute that you walk in, right away the aloha spirit is there. Everyone are very helpful and kind. Very welcoming. Especially the luthier Pete. Very knowledgeable and straightforward. Thank you for great experience. Definitely my new spot and will be coming back for any of my guitar accessories!

Amazing staff and store! They went above and beyond to fix up my girlfriends old guitar which needed some TLC. They did such a great job that we ended up buying a new guitar too and the one they recommended is amazing (it wasn't even one of the more expensive models). My girlfriend also takes lessons here with an awesome instructor. Be sure to patronize this store as the island is a better place with them in business.

Best in store stock on the island. From pricey Taylors, to wide arrange of Martin guitars, and down to your less pricey Yamaha and Fender acoustics, and an assortment of electric models with all the accessories.

I popped in to Island Guitars on a Friday afternoon looking for a small travel size guitar with quality sound. I was pleasantly surprised with the selection. There were about half dozen options from Taylor and Martin among others. I'm a huge Martin fan and tried all of them deciding on a Martin that was gently used for $329. The sound on this guitar was great for a small guitar and included a soft backpack type guitar case which was perfect for traveling and could be used as a carry on bag for our flight home or flights on future trips.

The staff was friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive. We were in and out in 20 minutes and ready for a beach side "gig" complete with capo, tuner, guitar strap, picks, and he guitar. He also gave me a military discount which was 10% off the accessories and effectively no tax on the guitar. I did not expect to find exactly what I was looking for here, but I did!

If you're looking for a guitar on Oahu check out Island Guitars. If you're not familiar with the area, Islam Guitars can be a little tricky to find. It's on the second floor in the back of the plaza building. Just pull in the the plaza parking lot, park, and find the staircase in the hallway between the front of the plaza building and the back. Head up stairs to the second floor and walk around to the back corner to find Island Guitars.

Island guitar staff was very friendly, knowledgeable and helped me pick out my first Martin. The customer service, as well as the free setup they offered after my guitar got acclimated to my home, was phenomenal. It is so refreshing to find a smaller shop that still cares for customers.

They've been at Ward Warehouse for some time, but I never knew because it is on the second floor. It's a big store with a crazy amount of stringed merchandise, everything from banjos to ukes to guitars. I'm told they're known for their acoustic guitars and they have quite the stock ranging in price from high to low -- all reasonable within its expected price too. Service is attentive and thoughtful. This will be one of my go-to stores from now on.