Capital City Guitars

By no means a dependable music store, but a really fun place to go every once in a while if you are in the mood to find a new piece of gear to fall in love with. It’s a lot like checking out a pawnshop with a really big guitar section. There are some treasures in here every so often. You can also bet that you’ll be able to source strings and patch cords here without much trouble. Otherwise, plan on a trip to Music 6000 if you want to stay local (still painful), Guitar Center Tacoma if you don’t mind selling your soul, or further north if you want real service and products.

I’ve been coming here for years and I just love it more and more. The sales guy who’s always there, Tim, is a gem of a dude, salt of the earth and goes out of his way to help his customers find the unique guitar they’re looking for. I also love how jam packed the small space is, you never know what you’re going to find and as an instrument junkie I can spend a solid hour just rifling through treasures. They also get really quality and rare items — I’ve been surprised at the rad things from guitars to keys that I’ve found there in the past. Big props to this spot for staying true blue for so many years now.

Guitars are cool! If you are looking for lessons, they have several teachers working here.

This place has really gone down hill. The guy that was working was rude and not helpful (he was trying way to hard to look like Kurt Cobain). The merchandise used to be quality. Not any more. I went in there looking for an USA Gibson les Paul and all they had were epiphones. Will be sticking with music 6000 from now on.

I was just passing through town and needed a new guitar. My old one was way worn from all the weather change on the road– bowed belly, high fret, strange noises when I played. I happened to walk by this place, rolled in and asked if they took trades. The guy at the counter was friendly as all get out, offered the fact that they do repairs too but he’d have to see the thing to give me an idea of pricing. I walked the two blocks back to my van to grab my guitar and came right back. The man I spoke to handed me off to another guy who took a quick look at my guitar and informed me that the repairs on my low end piece would likely be about the cost of the thing new. He offered to trade up, giving me $ 30 off for my beaten guitar. I opted for another low end one due to not having a fat wallet at the moment and got a good deal. To top it off, they restrung it with a new pair of strings (even though the ones on the guitar already looked just fine to me) for free.
This shop is mighty cozy, you’ve gotta step outta the way to let people walk by but its packed with gear and guitars. Staff are friendly, helpful and seemed in high spirits, despite the fact that they were packed and setting up for an event during Olympia’s Art Walk weekend.
Rad. I’d come back.

Great little guitar store with very good prices on new and used guitars, basses and amps. They did an emergency repair for me while I waited at a very reasonable price. Recommended!

If you are shopping for something common (strings?) or maybe want to try some different amps or a boutique effect you should definitely stop by here. I’ve wandered in here a couple of times and, though they are friendly, they have not had what I wanted to buy. The prices seemed a little closer to «list» than I like, and I take issue with their limpid used effects selection and pricing.
On the other hand, they do repairs and restorations of guitars and amps, so I have mad respect for them. Do try it out; it might be a great shop for you. Might as well, as it is convenient to everything downtown.
And check out the website: most guitars in a tiny space, ever!