Guitar stores in/around Irvine, CA?

[JasonEDH]

I find myself in Irvine this weekend w some time to kill. Looking for suggestions on stores w a good selection and friendly staff.

[Organic Sounds Select Guitars]

Jim's Music in Tustin, which is right next door to Irvine. Nice, low pressure atmosphere with good people. Pretty good selection of Martins, Taylors, a few Gibsons and some others. Some nice electrics as well. I've spent quite a bit of money there...

[jseth]

The trip down to the Guitar Shoppe in Laguna Beach is not far (15 minutes in off-peak hours)... both Mark Angus (I own two of his guitars from 30+ years ago!) and Kirk Sand (one of the owners) make fabulous acoustic steel and nylon stringed guitars... they have a bunch of others, as well as a nice electric room... some lower price, mid-range and all the way up!

Really a good store and good folks... you just never know who you might run into around that place... say "Hi" to Mark and Kirk for me... and Kirk's French Bulldog, Jack...

[sully151]

I second Jim's Music. Nice shop, usually a pretty good selection.

[JasonEDH]

Thx much. I'll check them out.

[bbob]

+1 Jim's Music in Tustin.

There are also Guitar Centers in nearby Fountain Valley and Lake Forest and a Sam Ash in Westminster.

[MJROBER]

The Guitar Shoppe is probably the best place. OC is chain-centric. Jim's is okay. The Guitar Shoppe currently has some nice guitars by Martin, Collings, and Taylor.

[guitar12]

Jim's and the Guitar Shoppe are great but if you have a little bit more time to venture an hour north you can check out LA Guitar Sales, True Tone, Westwood Music, GC-Hollywood, etc. Have fun.

Rob

[MJROBER]

Or Norm's if you have more time too

[Montesdad]

I live in south OC - both Jim's and the Guitar Shoppe in Laguna are my preferred local.
At the Guitar Shoppe, Kirk is usually upstairs, Mark is usually in the back, chat with Ben as he handles the front area - he's pretty sharp.

If you happen down San Diego way, check out DeForest at the Blue Guitar - very unique shop and owner.

[Danley]

All the above I second.

Wild West Guitars in Riverside isn't that far, though a bit out of the way... Mindful that if you're visiting from out of state, I don't really think you should see the rest of Riverside

Edit: You're from El Dorado Hills. Went to HS in Folsom. Don't need to impress you, so do check out Wild West

[dmbfan32]

Jim's in Tustin as already mentioned. Great place and decent selection. More Taylor heavy but nice place. Super friendly staff and super chill vibe.

Guitar Center in Fountain Valley is one of GC's more higher end stores. Lot of martins (ceo-7, various OMs, dreads, etc). Also if available, the acoustic section has a little room you can close the door to just in case someone is going crazy with the electrics/amps.

[The Growler]

Several good ones mentioned, I'll second Jim's.

[mercy]

The 1 time I went to Wild West all they had was electrics. I would call first before going. I remember thinking what a wasted trip.

[guitar12]

Where did you end up going Jason and what did you think?

Rob