• Bookmark

    Sweetwater

2024 SITEJABBER AWARD

Sweetwater

Write a Review

Overview

Sweetwater has a rating of 3.4 stars from 1,193 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally satisfied with their purchases. Reviewers satisfied with Sweetwater most frequently mention customer service, sales rep, and free shipping. Sweetwater ranks 2nd among Music Equipment sites.

  • Service
    351
  • Value
    343
  • Shipping
    339
  • Returns
    177
  • Quality
    328

This company responds to reviews on average within 4 hours

Positive reviews (last 12 months): 68.8%
Positive
33
Neutral
2
Negative
13
View ratings trends
184
See all photos
How would you rate Sweetwater?
Top Positive Review

“Great & affordable products, amazing service”

Marisa L.
6/29/24

Sweetwater's customer service is phenomenal! They have a good range of products and with good prices. The guitar we bought was affordable and great quality. It arrived quickly with no damage - it was packed well. I was surprised and impressed to get a call from Sweetwater just a few days after the guitar was delivered. They were just making sure everything was good. That's great customer service!

Date of experience: 6/29/24
See positive reviews
Top Critical Review

“Deceptive Pricing l False Advertising”

THE DRUM MACHINE g.
12/3/24

Ordered some products then the next day A representative reached out and said they were sold out & products would not be available till January and wanted to know if I still wanted them. I let them know I did. They reached back out two days later saying their was a glitch in the website and I could not have the products for the price I purchased them for. I was fished to their website to buy the products on a sponsored advertisement from Google. False Advertising is Illegal. My Wife has got me gear from these guys for years. I have advised her and she will no longer make purchases through them.

Date of experience: 11/30/24
See critical reviews

Reviews (1,193)

Rating

Timeframe

Other

Reviews that mention popular keywords

customer service (411) sales rep (65) sales engineer (116) guitar center (36) music gear (49) music store (40)
Thumbnail of user lv98
Florida
1 review
1 helpful vote
  • Send Message
February 15th, 2024

Look sweetwater offers great products but this is about customer service. I was so pleased after placing my order because of how quick Nick Blough was to offer any assistance when needed. I have had issues with my Boss VE-20 vocal pedal, so I reached out to Nick. His response "you can just buy a new pedal." I laughed at first but this sort of response needs attention. Help out us independent artists spending hard earned money

Service
Value
Shipping
Quality

Date of experience: February 15, 2024

Thumbnail of user steved158
CustomerExperience .. – Sweetwater Rep

I am sorry to hear about your most recent experience and would like to make this right. Please email me directly so I can dig into this, Alisha_hall@sweetwater.com

Thumbnail of user freddiec96
Tennessee
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
February 22nd, 2024

In a day where customer service is lacking Sweetwater sets the bar high for other companies. I've always received great service and Colton always leads me in the right direction. Thank you for always helping.

Products used:
I’ve bought amps, basses, cables and cases.

Service
Value
Shipping
Quality

Date of experience: February 22, 2024

Thumbnail of user loganr296
Iowa
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
February 19th, 2024

I recently picked up the Beacn Mix Create from Sweetwater. Received texts and a phone call confirming the orders status and a number I could call with any questions. At first was a bit suspicious since I got a call and text on a Sunday but the package arrived within a couple days with a card and little gift package of candy with it lol. Sad to say that a personal touch like that is cause for suspicion but I couldn't be happier both with the product and the service! I wanted to go out of my way to make sure I gave kudos and didn't just silently enjoy good business like this. Thanks a ton guys!

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality

Date of experience: February 19, 2024

Thumbnail of user clarenceb207
South Carolina
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
February 16th, 2024

I recently bought a Fender Champion practice amp. It is a great little practice amp! What I like best is having my own advisor, Jason, who is very knowledgeble. He patiently answers all my questions even when they are detailed about a product like strings. Sure you can buy the same products elsewhere but the Sweetwater staff cares and can advise you when you ask.

Products used:
Fender Champion 20 amp, guitar cord, and Hohner Crossover harmonica.

Date of experience: February 16, 2024

Thumbnail of user tonyljubovic
Arizona
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
February 14th, 2024

Got a call from one of the workers overlooking my product and assured me that I would get my product on time and that if I had any questions or concerns to let them know. Would recommend buying from these guys

Products used:
Korg pa600

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality

Date of experience: February 14, 2024

Thumbnail of user jackf879
New York
1 review
1 helpful vote
  • Send Message
January 30th, 2024

I spent 3,200 dollars on a Martin D-28. There are issues with the top of this guitar. This guitar was suggested to me by the sales person, there were four to choose from. After I realized that the top had a wave spot in the wood and a possible area near the neck where the wood grain will spilt over time, they pretty much told me good luck it's wood deal with it. There sales pitch about the customer being happy with there purchase is a bunch of bull. They don't stand by what they sell. You may be getting a little money off on the guitar, but there receiving sub-par guitars from the manufacturer. Do your self a favor and go to the guitar store, look and handle the guitar in person to make sure it's perfect. Don't buy online and don't use Sweetwater...

Tip for consumers:
Don't shop at Sweetwater..............

Products used:
Martin D-28 Guitar

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality

Date of experience: January 30, 2024

Thumbnail of user steved158
CustomerExperience .. – Sweetwater Rep

Jack - Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. I hate to hear that you didn't have a get experience with us and I would like to the opportunity to dig into this and see how we can make this right for you. Please email me directly at Justin_dunbar@sweetwater.com

Thumbnail of user lesm132
Canada
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
January 22nd, 2024

I am a professional filmmaker/audio engineer and hobbyist musician… I respect the knowledge of Sweetwater's employees and appreciate that my orders are always looked after by the same individual (Grant Vitek), but I especially love their service. I ordered a product on Friday and it arrived 3 days later! Exceptional service! Thanks.

Tip for consumers:
Love the personalized service!!

Products used:
Most recently a set of reference monitor stands which I love.

Service
Value
Shipping
Quality

Date of experience: January 22, 2024

Thumbnail of user anthonya695
Ohio
2 reviews
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
March 20th, 2024

I have purchased a Martin 12 string the Martin six string acoustic electric I purchased the Epiphone 339 which all three I love the base ant fender the fender acoustic and all the other accessories everything that they tell you they will do and the set up any action and in tune when you receive it is exactly how I got it I can't think Greg titzer enough for his great work and working with me and those that set up the equipment I will be purchasing again from them when I get these paid off I can say they have done an excellent job of any guitar place that I have ever purchased from

Tip for consumers:
No

Products used:
Music equipment

Service
Value
Shipping
Quality

Date of experience: March 20, 2024

Thumbnail of user georget1395
Washington
2 reviews
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
January 9th, 2024

I am blown away with sweetwater! I got a $10 part to fix a cable I had no idea it pretty much comes with a specialist! I can't believe it that now I have a number I can call or text for any help I might need I got Greag and he is awesome! Very helpful. I really am blown away with sweetwater. My sister needed some wireless mics and I insisted she use sweetwater and usually I don't like giving out my info but for her I told her to do so as so far that's my favorite part of this company. It's well beyond customer service you get an actual trained specialist! Everything about sweetwater is 5 stars!

Tip for consumers:
nothing! I stumbled on this sight and am so glad I did!!

Products used:
jbl wireless mics and speakon connector (male)

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality

Date of experience: January 9, 2024

Thumbnail of user joshh636
Texas
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
January 10th, 2024

Purchased a PRS from sweetwater and was assisted JD Shamoun, who is exceptional. I deal with a lot of sales people through my vendors, he has a drive and passion for sweetwater and the music industry that is seldom seen, and is very personable, which can't be taught. Absolute Rockstar. Subject matter expert on all the products I asked him about, you could tell he has actually used the gear as opposed to reading a spec sheet.

Products used:
PRS CE 24 DW Guitar

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality

Date of experience: January 10, 2024

Thumbnail of user jamesf4314
Ohio
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
January 11th, 2024

Competitive pricing but customer service that blows everyone away and it is not even close! They also get things out quick. I live just one state away and usually receive things the following day. You can't beat that.

They also care about their customer. I thought I had already ordered a Christmas gift for my stepson and had not, so four days before Christmas, on a Thursday, they overnighted the item I needed and helped me out big time. Saved Christmas! They also called to check in when my package got delivered to the wrong address and I was panicing trying to figure out where it was. They go above and beyond!

Products used:
DJ Backpack

Service
Value
Shipping
Quality

Date of experience: January 11, 2024

Thumbnail of user jasonv877
Indiana
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
January 12th, 2024

I just want to call out one particularly incredible Sales Engineer, Jayden Brown! He recently helped me through some research I had been doing on new equipment and really built my confidence I was putting together exactly what I need. He then even went beyond that to share several online resources to get even more out of my gear. He took the time to listen, really evaluate what I need, and make recommendations towards future additions I might find value in without being pushy. This is my first interaction and purchase from Sweet Water and because of Jayden, I'll be doing a lot more business with them. Bottom line, if you need anything in the audio, visual, or musical production arenas, Sweet Water will have what you need and if you call Jayden, you will get top notch expertise and service! Jayden's work line at Sweet Water is *******176 if you want to get directly to this top notch professional.

Products used:
Drum machine, software, online resources

Service
Value
Shipping
Quality

Date of experience: January 12, 2024

Thumbnail of user bradb915
Florida
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
March 18th, 2024

Was told a few time my purchase would be to me at a certain date.But both times not even close.There shipping sucks.

Tip for consumers:
If your in a hurry don’t use this company

Products used:
Drums

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality

Date of experience: March 18, 2024

Thumbnail of user steved158
CustomerExperience .. – Sweetwater Rep

Brad- I hate to hear that your gear did not show up on time, please reach out to me directly to see how we can make this right for you. Justin_dunbar@sweetwater.com

Thumbnail of user josephe1121
Florida
1 review
2 helpful votes
  • Send Message
January 12th, 2024

We purchased a fender Telecaster from Sweetwater, we waited a long time for delivery after we received it we had to wait 24 hours to open it per their request. After opening it we found several defects in the finish. We didn't send it back because we didn't want to wait again and we were wondering why would they a ship a defective product to begin with?
The guitar is several years old now we decided to sell it to buy a different model turns out nobody's interested in buying it because of the defects in the finish so now we are stuck with a $1,600 guitar.
As a result we have decided not to purchase from Sweetwater's anymore.

Products used:
Guitar

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality

Date of experience: January 12, 2024

Thumbnail of user dwayneb111
Illinois
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
September 15th, 2021
Verified purchase

I've been a customer of Sweetwater since the days in Chucks basement. The changes and growth are nothing short of amazing, but even more amazing is the staff Chuck has assembled. To a person they are equipped with amazing training and along with great prices and an amazing inventory to make sure everything is available to ship to their customers. If it sounds like I'm very biased and a super fan of Sweetwater it's because I am. They have supplied me with almost my whole recording studio gear, and along with their knowledgable staff has helped make me a huge success of business in my region and our studio has won dozens of awards for superior excellence in the recording industry. My thank you's to Sweetwater fall very short of how much I count on them every day! "God Bless Sweetwater"

Date of experience: September 15, 2021

Thumbnail of user steved158
CustomerExperience .. – Sweetwater Rep

Dwayne, thank you for growing with us! Your recording studio looks amazing! The guitar collection is certainly impressive! Sweetwater is able to grow because of customers like you. Thank you so much for sharing.
-Stacia Brinneman, Sweetwater Customer Experience

Thumbnail of user darrint40
Wisconsin
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
December 12th, 2023

I bought some strings from Sweetwater on a internet search and was amazed tha tI had a voice mail and a text from Craig my assigned sales rep. Thanking me for my order! Since then I have ordered several things with the same as the first ( call and text), each time it was shipped fast, packed great and was just as described. If you want a company that values their customers and goes the extra mile to make it pleasant purchase Sweetwater is the one for you!

Service
Value
Shipping
Quality

Date of experience: December 12, 2023

Thumbnail of user timg1073
New York
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
December 28th, 2023

Purchased a new snark clip-on guitar tuner. Not only was the price better than most but it arrived very quickly. Within an hour of the item arriving, my sales rep called me to make sure that I received the product and it was in good working order. Making sure that I was satisfied with my purchase, he also asked me if there was anything else that he could do for me at this time. What more could you possibly ask for from a company! Thank you very much and keep up the incredible work!

Products used:
Snark clip-on guitar tuner

Service
Value
Shipping
Quality

Date of experience: December 28, 2023

Thumbnail of user aad13
Ohio
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
November 10th, 2023
Verified purchase

I'm submitting this review on behalf of my son:

As a first time user of an 8-string, it feels perfect. The multi-scale took a few days to get used to, and now its the most natural positioning for me. The tuning is tight and doesn't loosen over long play times, the pickups have sustain for days, and the action was set right where I like it. This has to be one of the most playable guitars I have ever used. I've always been a fan of Ibanez, and Sweetwater has always been helpful, and they continue to meet and rise above expectations! I love this guitar!

This is MY review of the company: LOVE working with Sweetwater. They are responsive, respectful, and work with you. This order required more than a little back and forth and the sales engineer, Dennis, not only responded with emails, but telephone calls, too. Will definitely be ordering from this company again

Products used:
Ibanez 8 string guitar

Service
Value
Shipping
Quality

Date of experience: November 10, 2023

Thumbnail of user rebeccas1934
New York
3 reviews
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
September 14th, 2023

I purchased my first bass, small amp, mic….second bass, and recently my third bass from Sweetwater.
Their products are great. They are as described.
The customer service is excellent. People are knowledgeable, never pushy, If you leave a message, they return it promptly. I've called several times with questions and I get honest answers.
The shipping is prompt and products arrive in excellent shape.
Highly recommend. One of the few big, well run, honest companies around.

Service
Value
Shipping
Quality

Date of experience: September 14, 2023

Thumbnail of user todds443
Ohio
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
December 23rd, 2020

Over the last 2 years, I've spent $7,842.24 at Sweetwater Sound, all of those purchases being the Three- or Six-Easy-Payment Plan. Suddenly today, they won't grant me three easy payments for a $175 order -- credit denied. Why? Because a few of my payments for a $1,300 Stratocaster and a $400 bass amp were late during the worldwide pandemic that hurt everyone's business, left millions unemployed, and millions more facing eviction -- including me. Apparently, these well-heeled luminaries don't read the news much. I communicated with them during the pandemic. They got all their money. They were never caught off guard. They acted kind. They even made more money by charging me for late payments -- all directly from my checking account. Yet, these soulless robots are now saying, "I don't want your money." Well, you won't have to worry about that anymore -- a Sweetwater Exclusive!

Date of experience: December 23, 2020

Thumbnail of user jamesw1870
Nevada
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
February 5th, 2020

I honestly had some trepidation about dealing with an online musical instrument retailer but Sweetwater went above and beyond to make the experience of finding the perfect guitar amplifier enjoyable and stress free!

Date of experience: February 5, 2020

Thumbnail of user markb4543
Wyoming
1 review
1 helpful vote
  • Send Message
December 6th, 2022
Verified purchase

I always bought my gear through Musicians Friend. I gave Sweetwater a try and never looked back. The pricing, the inventory, and customer service is unsurpassed. They hook you up with an engineer. Their job is to make you happy. Any technical questions, item availability, troubleshooting, and general issues are handled by your service team. I've been with them for over 10 years with no regrets!

Products used:
I used everything in the picture and sooooo much more!

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality

Date of experience: December 6, 2022

Thumbnail of user kristyr145
Arizona
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
December 4th, 2023

I ordered something for my teenage son from Sweetwater and wow! The customer service I have experienced is literally like none other. I ordered something rather small he asked for, I had someone personally contact me almost immediately (Ian) and he was the nicest person ever. He asked if I needed anything else or if there was anything he could help me with. I later sent an email to their generic email about my delivery. Ian called me within about 30 min with a response. I wish all companies had customer service like Sweetwater. It was very refreshing to know this type of service still exists.

Date of experience: December 4, 2023

Thumbnail of user steved158
CustomerExperience .. – Sweetwater Rep

Kristy - wow, thanks so much for the kind words! It truly means a lot and I'll also be sure to pass this along to Ian! I know him well and we're very lucky to have him on the team!

Thumbnail of user jakeb219
Georgia
1 review
7 helpful votes
  • Send Message
January 18th, 2021

I am baffled at how argumentative the sales representative Tyler Moore was concerning my return. I will never order another single item from this company again and will not be recommending them to my students either.

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality

Date of experience: January 18, 2021

Thumbnail of user steved158
CustomerExperience .. – Sweetwater Rep

Thanks so much for sharing your experience with us, Jake. We will be looking into this for you as soon as we can. Should you prefer to contact our Customer Experience team directly, always feel free to email WeCare@sweetwater.com. Thank you again for the review!

Thumbnail of user johne2956
Wisconsin
1 review
4 helpful votes
  • Send Message
November 3rd, 2023

Spent close to $5000 dollars with this company just under a year ago. I had issues with some of the drum components immediately. Reached out on many occasions to get the problems resolved. Troy Davis was my rep. They made a few feeble attempts at resolving my issues and when that didn't work they just stopped responding. I was so frustrated by this that I have not used the set in almost a year. When I realized that I was on my own I finally started to try and fix the stuff myself because I just want to play. The hi-hat cymbal doesn't work. The bell on the ride doesn't work. Be careful with large purchases with this company cause if it's bad product, you are screwed. Just my experience. To each his own. Good luck.

Tip for consumers:
Extreme disappointment in the overall experience.

Products used:
Alesis drums and assorted other products

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality

Date of experience: November 3, 2023

Thumbnail of user steved158
CustomerExperience .. – Sweetwater Rep

John- I appreciate you taking the time to leave a review. I am sorry to hear that your drum purchase had complications. I would love the opportunity to be able to dig into this. Please email me directly at alisha_hall@sweetwater.com. Thanks!

Sitejabber for Business

Gain trust and grow your business with customer reviews.

From the business

Sprawling megastore featuring high-quality musical instruments & studio recording gear.

Business History

How do you go from a portable 4-track recording rig in a Volkswagon bus to being the nation's leading retailer of professional recording and music equipment?

Chuck founded Sweetwater as a recording studio in Fort Wayne in 1979. The business was first located in his home on Getz Road, then moved to a subsequent home on Bass Road. Initially the fledgling company focused on providing recording services to local and national artists and businesses.

Two things prompted the leap from recording studio to music retailer. The first was Chuck's frustration with being unable to find a reliable, knowledgeable music technology retailer. Prices were outrageous, and after-sale technical service and support for the sophisticated electronics he used in his studio were non-existent.

Then, in the early 1980s, the revolutionary Kurzweil K250 appeared. This groundbreaking keyboard gave musicians and composers access to realistic orchestral and other sounds, opening new possibilities for music composition and performance. Chuck created his own sound library for the keyboard, and quickly gained a national reputation as an expert at programming the instrument. Renowned musicians such as Stevie Wonder, Kenny Rogers, and other top names began consulting with Chuck, purchasing K250 factory options and upgrades through him. Recognizing the industry's need for a new, dependable, customer-oriented approach to the musical instrument and professional audio sales channel, Sweetwater became a Kurzweil dealer to fulfill these requests.

As Chuck's expertise became known and the industry grew more sophisticated, those original K250 customers returned again and again for product advice. The company began representing more product lines, and rapidly developed and implemented its unique philosophy of relationship-based selling — treating customers as friends —and unmatched pre- and post-sale customer service.

Sweetwater's primary emphasis quickly shifted from recording studio to music retailer. A new building was constructed on Bass Road and was expanded four times to keep up with the skyrocketing growth of the company. But even that wasn't enough, as the company quickly grew to nearly 220 employees. In late 2005, Sweetwater began the process of moving to their new headquarters, located at the intersection of Kroemer Road and U.S. Highway 30. The location's 38,000-square-foot building will be expanded to a total of 150,000 square feet with the addition of a 40,0000-square-foot state-of-the-art distribution center, a rich-media auditorium and recording studios designed by world-renowned acoustician and studio designer Russ Berger, and a technical training center on a 44-acre property that will allow plenty of room for Sweetwater's massive projected growth: 175 additional full-time employees and $150 million in annual sales by 2009, and $180 million in annual sales and 450 total employees by 2010. Most recently, $1 billion is annual sales and over 2000 employees by 2020.

Today, Sweetwater is recognized as one of the most successful and fastest-growing music retailers in the nation. The company has been named to Inc. magazine's list of the 500 fastest-growing private companies three years in a row, and has received the Music Inc. magazine REX Award for excellence in retailing.

Company Representative

Thumbnail of user steved158
CustomerExperience ..
Typically responds within 4 hours

How do I know I can trust these reviews about Sweetwater?

  • Sitejabber’s mission is to increase online transparency for buyers and businesses
  • Sitejabber has helped over 200M buyers make better purchasing decisions online
  • Suspicious reviews are flagged by our algorithms, moderators, and community members
Have a question about Sweetwater?