Sweetwater Reviews 

1,902
TrustScore 4 out of 5

4.1

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Evaluating 214 reviews, reviewers had a great experience with this company. Customers frequently praise the incredibly knowledgeable staff and the truly exceptional customer support team for always going above and beyond to help them out. Many enthusiastic buyers also deeply appreciate the remarkably wide selection of musical instruments available online and the extremely careful packaging protecting all of their precious purchases. However, some people mentioned experiencing notable difficulties regarding their online orders, citing frustrating delays with payment processing or completely unfulfilled deliveries over time. Other reviewers also noted that certain customer service interactions felt completely unhelpful or indifferent when trying to resolve specific purchase issues.

What people talk about most

Product

Users describe positive interactions with product, noting that items arrive quickly, are packaged with care,... See more

Staff

Clients share positive opinions on staff, frequently praising the knowledgeable, professional, and attentive... See more

Customer service

Consumers find customer service to be positive, frequently highlighting attentive sales engineers who provide... See more

Service

People report positive experiences with service, highlighting dedicated sales engineers who provide prompt,... See more

Order

Customers consistently note ambiguous experiences with order processes, highlighting a deep split in... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I just watched Brittnee Kellogg unbox the stunningly gorgeous Gibson guitar you insisted on loaning her while her guitar, ruined by a S.W. Airlines handler, is being replaced. What an amazingly beauti... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Placed an order for drum kit . The service before , during and after shipment are exemplary. The packaging was done to protect the shipment unbelievably well. Everything was as described or better.... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Sweetwater has an excellent staff. The salesman was professional and he listened to what I said. Remembered that I might want to change payment methods. The kit was delivered sooner than expected.... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I pretty much use Sweetwater for all my music gear purchases. But I've recently discovered their GEAR EXCHANGE for selling and buying used gear. They allow store credit or direct payment (where... See more


Company details

  1. Music Store

Information provided by various external sources

Sweetwater is the world's leading music technology and instrument retailer, offering highly knowledgeable Sales Engineers, in-house Technical Support and Service Departments, huge selection, amazing prices, and free shipping.


Contact info

4.1

Great

TrustScore 4 out of 5

2K reviews

5-star
4-star
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1-star

No recent history of asking for reviews

This company hasn't invited customers recently, so reviews may not be representative

Replied to 87% of negative reviews

Typically replies within 1 week

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4.1

All reviews

(1,902)

205 reviews in the last 12 months

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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Terrible customer service

Terrible customer service, intrusive and rude. You think you want to help a smaller company? No. Just buy from Guitar Center.

18 August 2026
Unprompted review
Sweetwater logo

Reply from Sweetwater

Hi TC, thank you for your review. I'm very sorry you were treated rudely, and it sounds like whoever you spoke with fell short of the standards we strive to uphold. We welcome a chance to hear more about your experience so we can make things right. If you'd like to, you can email bethany_jones@sweetwater.com with more information and she will help you.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I had a terrific shopping experience…

I had a terrific shopping experience with Sweetwater! There ended up being something wrong with the item, but it wasn't Sweetwater's fault. Not only was Sweetwater incredibly helpful with the return, I got all my money back including all the return shipping charge! Initial shipping was free! Great job, Sweetwater!

7 August 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Bought an entire home stereo in 2023.

Bought an entire home stereo in 2023.
Amp, mixer, equalizer.
Amp blew. They sent a new one. Did not want original amp back. Hmmmm...
Then, my equalizer makes a loud 'clunk' when turned on. I lived w/it.
The equalizer lites-up. Only left channel works. Needles lite-up, does not work.
I call SW. They have NO RECORD of my equalizer purchase!
I bought EVERYTHING from them. Including the rack it sits in!
They told me, unless I can prove this purchase Im outa luck! Are you kidding me? Never again will I deal w/this farce of a company. The man who guided me thru the purchase. Guided me thru the assembly/plug-in faze. It worked fine.
Now, they claim I bought this one piece elsewhere. BS!

14 August 2026
Unprompted review
Sweetwater logo

Reply from Sweetwater

Hi Peter, thank you for your review. I'm so sorry your gear is giving you trouble, and that you had such a poor experience. We want to get you the help you need. Please email bethany_jones@sweetwater.com who will help take care of you.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

George Rancourt Jr

George Rancourt Jr
I purchased some equitment a while back a mixer , mike and a speaker for the purpose of with my computer to do do Karaoke a staff member named Meagan walked me through She was wonderfull and prefesional on a scale 1 to 10 i would give her a 10 the equitment i am well pleased thank you Sweetwater and Meagan

14 February 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Every step of every order i have made…

Every step of every order i have made has been fantastic. From complete drum kit , to new heads for another to misc. Hardware and polish.. each item has been exactly as described , the shipping is amazingly fast and usually free. Sales rep calls you personally to ensure you are satisfied. I dont need to shop anywhere else. P.s. the candy is nice touch

12 August 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

They calls and check your item status…

They calls and check your item status when they are selling. But its impossible to get back for warranty. I dont really recommend this company, if you are buying expensive stuff

1 August 2026
Unprompted review
Sweetwater logo

Reply from Sweetwater

Thank you for this review. I'm sorry you did not receive a response when you reached out! That is not the level of customer service we strive for, and we'd like to make this right. Please email bethany_jones@sweetwater.com and she will help get you taken care of.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great service,shipping and price

Purchased a Yamaha Aventage RX-A2 and the price was unbeatable, shipping was superfast and website is well designed and easy to look for what you want. Crutchfield who?? Will definitely purchase from them again for all my audio needs!

3 August 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 2 out of 5 stars

As a customer who has spent thousands…

As a customer who has spent thousands of dollars at Sweetwater I have to say that their customer service has declined during the past couple of years. I often find lower prices that they are unwilling to match. The sales people have decent beginner level knowledge but beyond that they are not much help. Buyers should do more research especially for intermediate and advanced purchases. The salesperson I spoke to today seemed uninterested in my interest in purchasing a matched pair of mics... as if the concept didn't exist. He was obviously upset/angry that I was trying to price match. Initially I didn't understand why he was being hostile then I realized that he dreams of being a working musician have been dashed and now he has a soul-crushing job as a "sales engineer". Shopping local in the future.

29 July 2026
Unprompted review
Sweetwater logo

Reply from Sweetwater

Hi Ron, thank you for this review. I'm sorry that you did not receive knowledgeable and helpful customer service. It's clear that interaction fell short of our standards, and it's understandable that it let you down. If there is anything further you'd like to share, you can email bethany_jones@sweetwater.com

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Best online music store out there!!!

Sweetwater is the absolute best music store.

Last year, I ordered a player II telecaster that came and had a defective nut slot in the guitar. The low E string rattled in the nut slot and caused a super bad sitar-like sound.
My agent Andrew from Sweetwater was happy to provide a return slip and to swap out the guitar for a completely new unit free of charge with expedited shipping!

Not to mention the excellent customer support, and always get a call or email to check in on my orders and upgrade parts.

I've purchased three of my guitars through them in the past two years, and each time they come arrive almost perfectly in-tune despite temperature fluctuations in transit, fully intonated, and setup for immediate playability. You can view their online gallery for each product to see unique pictures of the exact serial number of the guitar you intend to order, as well as the unique weight of each guitar.

I highly recommend Sweetwater for music needs, especially if you're looking to have something shipped to you. Robust packaging, fast and free shipping on most orders, and outstanding customer service. I will be a lifetime customer!!!

20 March 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I can't believe they don't have straight 5 stars

I can't believe Sweetwater doesn't have straight 5 star reviews. In the years I have purchased studio gear, guitars, rack gear, and accessories they have always been friendly and professional. Their prices are comparable but their customer service is unmatched. They go out of their way to provide great service.

My rep Brenden Murphy would alert me to the latest gear and in one case got a studio desk delivered to me in 3 days. I had waited over a month for another company to deliver and they never did. I was back in production.

They have been very proactive in my experience. They truly have one of a kind service.

13 July 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

What a company!!!

What a company!!!! What a staff. I purchased a Martin acoustic/ electric guitar. Once I received it, the electronics didn’t work. So I thought. Without any hesitation, Jericho sent a replacement. I sent the first one back. Turned out it was my mixing board. They were not upset. I was able to work with James Ridings and Jericho Valentines to solve my problem. It was like talking to a close friend. This is what I used to think customer service should be like. Most companies a have elected to go to automated or AI for customer service, not Sweetwater. Real , knowledgeable, friendly and personable people. These two men are an absolute asset to Sweetwater and the operation. I will never buy from anyone but them in the future. Thanks both if you for you understanding and assistance.

23 July 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Took 1 week to get it ship Guitar…

Took 1 week to get it ship Guitar Center get it here in 2 days---------Change my rating after your replay I will not buy from you again

21 July 2026
Unprompted review
Sweetwater logo

Reply from Sweetwater

Thank you for this review. I'm sorry that your shipment was delayed, and totally understand your hesitancy to shop with us based on that. If you would like to email bethany_jones@sweetwater.com she would be happy to explore what went wrong with your order, and look into options for expedited shipping the next time you shop with us.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I spent 12-15k there and they never…

I spent 12-15k there and they never offered me any type of loyalty discount. I told this to a guitar center rep and they offered me 10 percent on the spot. I spent 12k with them as well and will stick with them.

23 July 2026
Unprompted review
Sweetwater logo

Reply from Sweetwater

Hi Mr. Brown, thank you for this feedback. I'm very sorry that you were not made to feel like a valued customer. If you would like to provide more detail about your negative experience, feel free to email bethany_jones@sweetwater.com and she will work to address your concerns.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Trust Sweetwater

I've been buying musical equipment from Dave Cody at Sweetwater for many years. I was skeptical about buying expensive gear without having played or used the actual instrument, but I've never been disappointed. All instruments were thoroughly tested and professionally set up for playability and precision. The occasional returns were handled quickly and usually cross-shipped. Trust these guys to offer great equipment at very competitive prices.

3 July 2026
Unprompted review

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