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    Sweetwater

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Sweetwater

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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
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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
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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
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Reviews (1,193)

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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 kristenf233
Missouri
1 review
0 helpful votes
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January 9th, 2024

Not only where the headphones a hell of a great price, but Sweetwater followed up with a thoughtful call. Incredible company.

Tip for consumers:
Incredible company

Products used:
Behringer headphones BH 470 studio

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality

Date of experience: January 9, 2024

Thumbnail of user mollys114
Michigan
1 review
1 helpful vote
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June 5th, 2019

Great service, products, and sales reps. Very friendly and responsive. I got strings at a great price and top quality, and to top it off I got a baggie of candy with my order.

Date of experience: June 5, 2019

Thumbnail of user anthonyb180
Iowa
1 review
0 helpful votes
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October 15th, 2017

The first product I purchased from Sweetwater was an expansion pack for my Kurzweil K1000 around 1988. I can't even list all the gear I've purchased from them since. I've always had great service!

Date of experience: October 15, 2017

Thumbnail of user lyndonb11
Georgia
2 reviews
18 helpful votes
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August 13th, 2014

Customer service sucks representative knowledge about product very poor wouldn't buy anything from here asked question and they hung up in my face. Sorry company

Date of experience: August 13, 2014

Thumbnail of user billw594
Virginia
1 review
0 helpful votes
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December 19th, 2019

Sweetwater has world class customer service, competitive prices, knowledgeable sales staff that treat you like family and speedy delivery. I couldn't recommend a company more highly.

Date of experience: December 19, 2019

Thumbnail of user robertp2095
Oregon
1 review
0 helpful votes
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November 23rd, 2020

Best customer service i have come across in 40 years plus of buying instruments hands down best on returns and all the important stuff

Date of experience: November 23, 2020

Thumbnail of user nathanielheale
New York
1 review
1 helpful vote
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May 23rd, 2023
Verified purchase

Their customer service is second to none. Every order I've made has gone smoothly. My sales engineer Joe has taken excellent care of me.

Products used:
Guitar, amp, guitar pedals, cables, accessories, microphone, stand, audio interface.

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality

Date of experience: May 23, 2023

Thumbnail of user jeroldg9
Oklahoma
1 review
0 helpful votes
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January 4th, 2022

Wife bought me a Gibson acoustic guitar. I've never seen anything so beautiful. Sounds like angels singing.
Thank you so much

Products used:
Gibson acoustic

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality

Date of experience: January 4, 2022

Thumbnail of user lehmanb1
Ohio
1 review
1 helpful vote
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September 3rd, 2022

My mistake was falling for Sweetwater Marketing and Sales pitch - Mike Brandt btw. The Creation Station will be obsolete in a few years. Sweetwater created and built mine such that I can't upgrade the preinstalled DAW -Ableton LIve 9 suite, sound card - RME Babyface and other music production software that Sweetwater sold and preinstalled at a premium. I, now, have to toss their tower in the can because it came installed with Windows 8.1 and is unable to be upgraded to Windows 10 or any other version of Windows. Oh, BTW the friendly folks at Sweetwater are happy to sell me another Creation Station but can't help me with the one I already bought from them. Buyer Beware... Buy from your local music technology dealer. At least they have to deal with you honestly because they know they may actually have to see you and address it. Mike Brandt doesn't bother to even call or make any effort to make this right. Bought it at the end of 2015, nearly 2016. Tried to initially upgrade Windows in 2019 and have been stuck ever since.

Products used:
Creation Station, Ableton Live 9Suite, RME Babyface

Service
Value
Shipping
Quality

Date of experience: September 3, 2022

Thumbnail of user jeffc2157
Georgia
1 review
0 helpful votes
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July 12th, 2023
Verified purchase

In a consumer world that thrives on customer service, Sweetwater still manages to stand head and shoulders above the rest. My latest experience is proof positive.
On March 2nd, I placed an order for a custom product from Mojo Tone that was expected to be fully subject to the manufacturer's 16 week delivery delay. What I didn't expect was that Matt, with Sweetwater, would check in regularly during the 4 month process with the intention of keeping me apprised of the production and delivery status as well as informed as to my options in case my needs or satifaction was in jeopardy. While one might assume this to be standard proceedure for a rare and/or expensive product, this was a ~$100 guitar pick-up; nothing that would deem a substantial stake by anyone other than myself and my personal appreciation for the product. Nonetheless, Matt checked in with me via text and voice message with a pleasant and extensive explanation regularly during the 4 month wait keeping me comfortable with the status of my order as well as confident that I had options if the need should arrise.
Interestingly enough, this is the kind of treatment I've grown to expect from Sweetwater regardless of the nature of my order. But this particular experience is proof to me that I am in good hands with Matt Subers and company. It is my sincere belief that the world of customer service can consider Sweetwater Sound to be the gold standard.

Products used:
Guitar Gear

Service
Value
Shipping
Quality

Date of experience: July 12, 2023

Thumbnail of user kennethd259
Virginia
1 review
3 helpful votes
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June 9th, 2020

On June 6,2020, Saturday, I placed an order for over $3000. The "sales engineer" was filling in for another who would get credit for the job. He took all the information, told me that on Monday I would get an email from Fedex advising me of the delivery for June 10th. Monday AM came and went. I tried calling my "engineer" and got his voicemail which he did not return. Several hours later I tried again, still no response, not even an email. Around 5pm I received a boiler plate email advising me that there was "an issue with my card". I called, but no " engineer". Left another voicemail asking him to call me for a different card, but he didn't. Instead I received an email just this AM indicating that the item was shipped. The card WAS accepted. Delivery will not be on the 10th!
His lack of responsiveness was dissappointing.
If I were the president of the company, I'd question this "engineer's" service.
As a matter of fact, you can't find the president's or anyone else's email except for your "engineer".

Date of experience: June 9, 2020

Thumbnail of user steved158
CustomerExperience .. – Sweetwater Rep

Hello, Kenneth. Thanks so much for reaching out to us and providing us with details of your experience. We are truly sorry to hear that it went this way. This is not acceptable and not the way your experience should've gone. We'd like to have our Customer Service team look into this as soon as they can. When you have a moment, please email us at WeCare@sweetwater.com to confirm your information and order number. Thank you again for the review.

Thumbnail of user tm519
New Jersey
1 review
1 helpful vote
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November 19th, 2020

I ordered a sampler which happened to be an open-box unit... save money should be great right? Wrong! I received the unit with a damaged midi port. I had to struggle through DAYS of technical support that had the audacity to suggest at one point ignoring the non-functioning port and using a completely different setup.

I would've GLADLY paid for an unopened item if I had any indication the item wouldn't have been thoroughly inspected before being shipped out let alone listed for sale. INCREDIBLE.

They refused to return the package via FedEx stating the reasoning was that the package was delivered when it was available for pick-up at a FedEx location. They instead insisted I receive and purchase materials to repackage the replacement unit. So much for hassle-free returns!

There are so many companies selling music equipment these days, why spend your money where you're treated so poorly! I didn't even mention the account security issues IMMEDIATELY upon making my initial purchase.

There doesn't seem to be any real sense of integrity or stewardship at Sweetwater. I can't say they went above and beyond in helping me to get any issue resolved. I rightfully expect to return ANYTHING that I purchased damaged from anywhere. Silly me, I expected a smooth and empathetic resolution from start to finish.

I've never had an issue REMOTELY similar to this at Guitar Center and it's Guitar center and their years of experience I'll be buying with moving forward.

Date of experience: November 19, 2020

Thumbnail of user steved158
CustomerExperience .. – Sweetwater Rep

Hello, TM. Thanks so much for reaching out to us and providing us with details of your experience. We are truly sorry to hear that it went this way. This is not acceptable and not the way your experience should've gone. Could you please email your order number to WeCare@sweetwater.com? We'd like to send your information to our Customer Service team as soon as we can. Thank you again for the review.

Thumbnail of user rogert96
New York
1 review
0 helpful votes
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September 3rd, 2018

I have bought Gibson Guitars, Fenders and Schecter Guitars from Sweetwater and have received great deals from Frank Gerdts my Sales Engineer. Shipping is really fast, and all my gear came in excellent shape.

Date of experience: September 3, 2018

Thumbnail of user seana227
Texas
1 review
0 helpful votes
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November 19th, 2021

I recieved the customer service that you will not find anywhere on the planet. Seriouslly a real person from there company called me and had a talk with me about the mic and other stuff and assured me even more that this was a company i made the right choice ordering from. I paid for 2day shipping on the 17th and got what i orderd exactly on the 19th beforr 430pm. They gave me w bag of candy with my order which im enjoying right now i cant say enough good things about these people i pray to God for there salvation because they are such amazing people above and behond they treated me like i was the only customer in the world. Im proud to say 1000's-10's of thousands of dollers will go to ordering from these people in the future nobody in the game is even close to them in terms of customer service. I wanna give a shoutout to the employee who called me his name is Nick graham this man needs a raise he needs whatever boost in the company there is hes amazing!

Tip for consumers:
Its fedex so you might need to call into work to sign for package

Products used:
Bluebird mic

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality

Date of experience: November 19, 2021

Thumbnail of user stevens2290
Illinois
1 review
0 helpful votes
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December 29th, 2021
Verified purchase

Sweetwater has a good selection of gear with decent to average prices, though sometimes you will see deals where you get a substantial amount of store credit (aka bonus bucks) which could be nice if you were planning on buying more gear anyway.

It was a little awkward doing my first purchases with them because they had put my order on hold as I was flagged for potentially being a fraudster since my billing/shipping addresses are different. Is this really that uncommon? Also if I was a fraudster would I be buying a marred up used cheap synth? Hah (for the record they were clear about the condition of the item before purchasing, so I knew it was used gear with blemishes).

I suppose I can't blame them for being suspicious, but it does make for a bit of an awkward conversation and first impression! That being said, my sales rep Tyler Lamb was nice enough about it and I didn't have to plead my case too much in order to have my order blessed for shipping, so that was good I suppose.

I'll be the first to admit that I'm a bit of a recluse, so I'm more the hands off type of person in regards to customer service. Business is transactional, I just want to buy the thing and have it arrive in its stated condition, Sweetwater is much more hands on. For instance, after I made a purchase I received what appeared to be a personal text from my assigned sales rep (the fact that you get a personal sales rep shows you their hands on nature), as well as calls and email. Nothing pushy or weird, I guess the very hands on approach just isn't for everyone, so thankfully I am able to opt out. The very hands on nature is applauded by many, so I do recognize that I'm in the minority and nobody can please everyone.

Shipping is fast.

Tip for consumers:
Keep an eye out for deals where you are awarded "bonus bucks" if you plan on buying more gear in the future. Sometimes a different version of the same product will be the only one to offer this perk. For example when I was shopping for my Moog synth it was only the black model that awarded bonus bucks, not the standard model.

Beware of their own credit card and promotions and make sure to read the fine print, it's not as good as it seems.

Products used:
Moog synthesizer, iRig Pro recording interface.

Date of experience: December 29, 2021

Thumbnail of user bom38
North Carolina
1 review
9 helpful votes
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October 7th, 2015

This would have been my 4th purchase from Sweetwater totaling nearly $4K. My wife ordered a Taylor mini-e KOA as an anniversary surprise. The guitar was $700.00. Long story short, Sweetwater made a mistake on the shipping address. When my wife checked status via the tracking number through FedEx the very day after initiating the order, the shipping address was California and we live in ARIZONA! She immediately called the Sales person and was told that it would be re-routed. When she called to follow up the following day (Day 3) she was told that it could not be re-routed after all. It was headed to the wrong address in a different state. The guitar would theoretically be returned to Sweetwater when the signer name was different than ours. So we would roll the dice by paying for the guitar and cross our fingers that the people at the wrong address wouldn't sign for it? We insisted on a full refund. Waiting for it to show up on our CC bill as a credit. Wouldn't surprise me if we had to follow up on that too.

Stay clear of Sweet Water!

Date of experience: October 7, 2015

Thumbnail of user tyrones104
Minnesota
1 review
0 helpful votes
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April 8th, 2022

Awesome instrument, great service at a great price! Shipped to my house in two days. Thank you Gavin!

Service
Value
Shipping
Quality

Date of experience: April 8, 2022

Thumbnail of user steved158
CustomerExperience .. – Sweetwater Rep

That looks awesome Tyrone! Congrats on new the new guitar and we appreciate your kind words! Enjoy!

Thumbnail of user garyr1116
Wisconsin
1 review
0 helpful votes
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October 22nd, 2022

I've been a customer of sweetwater for a while now, and I can tell you that they have always came through. Gary It's a start...

Date of experience: October 22, 2022

Thumbnail of user steved158
CustomerExperience .. – Sweetwater Rep

Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with other. We appreciate your on-going support and we look forward to working with you in the future.

Thumbnail of user robertk688
Ohio
2 reviews
1 helpful vote
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May 29th, 2019

Have been doing business with Sweetwater for many many years.
Always on top. Have enjoyed all my orders.
Free candy. Feel like I am somebody..

Date of experience: May 29, 2019

Thumbnail of user rodm243
Alabama
2 reviews
0 helpful votes
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December 24th, 2023

Thanks to Ryan Sloan for his guidance in my purchase. Also thanks to Mitch for his technical assistance.

Products used:
Studio One 6
Focusrite

Service
Value
Shipping
Quality

Date of experience: December 24, 2023

Thumbnail of user damon.c.thomas
Virginia
1 review
2 helpful votes
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November 6th, 2023

Great to get a product from, then comes the spam. I ordered a pack of strings and received numerous emails, survey requests and phone calls. OVERKILL and ANNOYING

Tip for consumers:
your marketing is over-the-top, annoying and invasive.

Products used:
strings

Service
Value
Shipping
Quality

Date of experience: November 6, 2023

Thumbnail of user juliend17
BL
1 review
0 helpful votes
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December 30th, 2016

The jbl prx 815 is a Great Product one of the best sounding loud speakers ever
I bought 4 of them from sweet water used two and wowww thats all i have to say.

Date of experience: December 29, 2016

Thumbnail of user samw137
Ohio
1 review
3 helpful votes
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January 2nd, 2017

The guy I dealt with at first was great. Pushed me through for flex pay. Told me I can Order it when I was ready. After a weeks of emailing and talking on the phone. Waiting for the guitar I wanted to get for husband to come in. He said they was out of stock in the finish I wanted. I waited 2 weeks for it come in. Then I call the guy and he tells me they don't carry that color that it's special order. Mean while I email him 3 times to sure I was waiting for the right finish. I was waiting for the godin Acs rosewood. I even sent him a video of it to be sure I was getting what my husband wanted. He said it would be 2 day shipping. And I was getting the right one. So when I finally called to order. He tells they don't carry it that color it's a special order. And it will b atleast a week or 2 before it comes in. Then he has the nerve to say he never told me in emails that, that I would be getting the rosewood finish in 2 day shipping. After I have it on record in print that he said, the shipment comes in on the 19th. Why would I wait weeks to order it then.? It was supposed to a Christmas gift. Now it'll be 3 weeks late... It's real cut and dry... He said what I wanted comes in on the 19th I waited when I called to order he said they don't have it... And delayed everything... Just frustrating... A guitar for a 1150 is not an everyday purchase for me... atleast.

Date of experience: January 2, 2017

Thumbnail of user ronaldb1366
Tennessee
1 review
2 helpful votes
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December 1st, 2022

Ok to start off with I bought my Martin Guitar 8 months ago had a very bad experience even then they were very fast to take my money but then the problem's started ok I placed my order and paid two weeks went buy no guitar so I called the salesman said oh you need to pick strings before we mail it out I was like WTF I already did that he said no you need to pick strings ok just put reg martin strings and ship my guitar plz two more weeks went by no guitar so I called salesman told me I need to pick strings again and we need to wait for a bench f@)k wow ok whatever after a month and a half I got it and it's nice well I made up my mind to never deal with them again until now my 8 month old Martin is coming apart the side is separated from the top so I called they are telling me that they need to inspect it before they fix it WHAT fix it I need a new one man like sweetwater can FIX it to Martin standards right so even right now while writing this they still haven't done anything to help me resolve this even though I'm within my one year warranty so what's that say about sweetwater I barely even play this guitar it's brand new except where it's coming apart not one blemish on this thing come on sweetwater do better I paid like $ 850 for a $ 600 dollar guitar just for peace of mind but that has failed someone plz help me I can't afford to just buy another guitar like this one

Date of experience: December 1, 2022

Thumbnail of user raulc209
DO
1 review
0 helpful votes
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September 6th, 2022

Excellent service and a very nice business experience! Quick response and attention. Would recommend it to everyone.

Date of experience: September 6, 2022

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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

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