Empire Guitars Providence Rhode Island. Hey, Guitar Junkie! Welcome to the Heart of Guitar Paradise 🎶 So, you’re looking for the best guitar store in Rhode Island, let me show you the Empire Guitars located in Providence, RI. The Empire Guitars is not just another guitar shop; it’s a shrine for musicians, collectors, and gearheads who truly live and breathe guitars, amps, and pedals.

Well, I know what you’re pondering – “There are so many guitar stores, why is Empire Guitars RI different?” So, let me tell you. This boutique shop is a dream come true for professional musicians searching for a rare vintage Fender Telecaster, a beginner looking for their first acoustic guitar, or somebody interested in mind-blowing boutique amplifiers.

With that said, grab your coffee ☕, sit back and let me explain why every musician residing in Rhode Island should visit this store at least once.

Finding a Guitar Store That Actually Cares About Your Sound

Let’s face it, not all guitar shops are on par with each other. If you’ve ever walked into one of those famous chain retail stores, you likely felt more like a statistic instead of a musician.

Walking in, I thought I would get the opportunity to check out and try out some guitars, but here’s what I experienced instead:

😑 An employee paid less attention to me than to their phone.

💰 Guitars looked great on the wall, but horrible when played. Additionally, they cost way more than they should.

🎵 Staff were completely incompetent. There was no real help. Staff had no concept of tone, customizing, or even basic setups.

I take down a guitar off the rack and am utterly disappointed. The action is extremely high, strings feel ancient and the guitar has not been set up in a long time. When you inquire about it at the counter, you either receive a blank stare or worse, you are subjected to a scripted sales pitch.

Just when you thought it can’t get any worse, the employees have some more drastic news… they will start forcing you to purchase something. 🛑

Does this ring any bells? If so, you have my sympathy. Buying a guitar should never feel like going to a used car fair.

🤔 You Deserve More Than Just a Sales Pitch

The reality is, choosing a guitar is a very personal choice. It’s not simply purchasing an instrument, it is about searching for something that resonates with you. Something that when you put your hands on it, you feel it’s part of you. 🎶

Is there a way for you to discover your guitar when no salesperson in the shop bothers to talk about how you play?

• For example, are you into the blues, rock, metal, or jazz versions?
• Do you require single coils or humbuckers on the guitar?
• Are you looking for a tone that is clean and crisp or warm and full?

💡 If these questions are not being asked, there’s a good chance you’re in the wrong store.

Empire Guitars in Providence, RI is where things are completely different. The store does not only sell brands, they actually care.

🔥 Empire Guitars: The Store That Actually Cares About Your Sound

The first time I walked into Empire Guitars RI, I knew this was no ordinary shop. It felt different. It felt real.

Immediately I picked up on certain failings that large retail store chains seem to miss out on:

👋 The employees greet customers. And this is not done with a plastic smile saying, “How may I assist you today?” Instead, they are also musicians and are happy to have conversations around guitars, tone, and gears. 🎛️

🎸 The guitars are all operational. To add to this, they are maintained, cleaned, and set up so well that when picking them, it is like picking them from a ready-to-play drawer.

🎶 The ambient is concentration. The walls are filled with vintage, custom, boutique guitars. There’s a section for amps, pedals, and other accessories that has a whole designated area.

The best part? These guys understand everything. 🧠

🗣️ They Actually Help You Find Your Sound

At Empire Guitars, it’s not about making a quick sale—it’s about finding the right guitar for you.

When I asked about a Gibson ES-175, instead of just pointing at it and walking away, the counter dude engaged with a question:

👉 “What type of music do you play? Am I correct in thinking you presfer slightly warmer tones or something that has a bit more bite to it? What kind of amp do you use?”

This is beyond what I could comprehend. Gun shops are not accustomed to professional musician to professional musician dialogue so this absolutely shocked me.

The offered me some different guitars and recommended an amplifier that would fit well with the jazz-blues blend that I was aiming for.

All I felt there was a mutual love for music and it was all stress free. 🎶🔥

💰 Want to Trade or Sell? They Offer Fair Prices & Honest Deals

If ever selling a guitar, there is no need to waste your time with desperate sellers anywhere. 🤦‍♂️

Empire Guitars pays for used guitars, pedals, and amps without ripping musicians off. Every one of their workers understand the significance of the gear that is around.

🔄 Would you like to trade up? Empire Guitars understands that springing for vintage beauty comes as a cost so they give you decent trade-in value as well. You are able to trade a guitar that you no longer need to use for credit. Unlike chain stores, Empire Guitars allows you get good value for selling old guitars.

🎛️ Boutique Gear & Custom Setups – Your Sound, Your Way

A superb electric guitar is no better than the amps and pedals used on it. 🎛️

This is the reason as to why Empire Guitars RI has an insane catalog of boutique gear:

🎚️ Custom built tube amplifiers with exceptional warm tones.”

⚡ Custom pedals that allow you to shape your perfect sound.

🌊 Reverb, Overdrive, and Distortion effects that ensure every note in the solo you play is legendary.

They can also help you with addressing custom modifications in the setup too. Be it changing the pickups, adjusting the action, or squiring the best tone from your guitar, every expert is there to help you with the best services and everything else.

📝 What Other Musicians Are Saying About Empire Guitars RI

In case you’re still not excited, you can read what real musicians say about this place:

✅ “This is the BEST guitar shop in Rhode Island. If you like vintage and custom guitars, you absolutely NEED to go there.” – Mike D.
✅ “Highly recommend Empire Guitars! The staff actually understands your needs and do not just sell for the sake of selling something.” – Sarah L.
✅ “A necessity for every guitarist in New England. Their gear boutique selection is unmatched!” – Jordan P.

Why Empire Guitars RI is the Answer to Your Guitar Prayers 🙌

1️⃣ A Guitar Selection That’ll Stun You 🤯

When you step into Empire Guitars RI, it’s like you walked into a well curated treasure chest filled with six-string instruments. They deal in vintage and secondhand guitars, so you are bound to come across classic, vintage models which are hard to find in bigger stores.

You will end up finding:

• 70s Gibson Les Pauls that have the sweet aged tone
• Fender Telecasters & Jazz Masters that remind you of the golden years of music
• Custom boutique guitars that feel like they were crafted exclusively for you

Empire Guitars has probably the most legendary guitars, so if you thought it was impossible for you to find one, you stand corrected.

2️⃣ It’s Not Just a Store—It’s a Guitar Community 🎤

Do you know the stores where the staff remembers your name and asks about your band? Yes, that’s Empire Guitars RI for you.

The owner Jeff Keithline loves music and has extensive knowledge regarding vintage gear so the team here cares about guitars, and not just because they want to sell them to you. Moreover, they want you to love the guitar you purchase.

If you enter without knowing what your precise requirements are, they will find out by asking different probing questions.

• “What are the types of music that you perform?”
• “How do you set up your amplifier?”
• “Do you require a guitar that is ready for gigs or do you need it for a home studio?”

This is the type of personalized service that is never afforded to you in big corporates stores.

3️⃣ The Best Place to Buy, Sell, and Trade Guitars in Rhode Island 🔄

Do you have a Stratocaster by Fender which you would like to sell? Or perhaps you would want to trade it for Gibson’s ES-175? Empire Guitars will always be in the market for them.

They have reasonably priced used gear sales, and you can also sell your guitar in exchange for something that fits your style. Unlike most businesses that want to exploit people, this is a company that tries to understand the musician and his equipment.

If you have a guitar that you want to sell, bring it in and leave with something extraordinary.

4️⃣ Boutique Amps & Pedals – Get That Perfect Tone 🎛️

An incredible guitar is nothing without an excellent amp and effects. But, Empire Guitars RI has an insane assortment of boutique gear. Guess what? Empire Guitars RI has an insane assortment of boutique gear.

You will find:

• Tube amplifiers that give you that warm, vintage tone.
• Rare reverb and distortion units from brands you won’t find in Guitar Center.
• Custom-built pedals that’ll make your solos sound like pure magic.

If you’re a tone nerd like me, this place is going to make it hard for you to leave without buying something for your pedalboard.

Customer Reviews: What Real Musicians Say About Empire Guitars RI 🗣️

Empire Guitars in Providence, Rhode Island has some of the best reviews in the guitar community, and you don’t have to take my word for it.

Here’s what musicians are saying:

🟢  “This is the best guitar shop in the state and even the surrounding states. The staff is highly knowledgeable and the vintage selection is amazing.”

🟢 “Highly recommend Empire Guitars! They helped me find a Fender Telecaster that was in perfect condition.”

🟢 “These guys care about their customers unlike big retail chains. Their knowledge and passion for guitars are second to none.”

You know it’s the real deal if hundreds of musicians trust this place.

My Opinion: Should You Visit Empire Guitars RI?

If you appreciate guitars, then you should stop by Empire Guitars located in Providence, Rhode Island. 🎸 It’s not just a shop; it is a place where a guitarist’s dreams come true. Whether you need a vintage guitar, a designer amplifier, or just professional guidance, this place has it all.

They take the time to listen and assist you in finding your sound and also offer fair prices for buying, selling, or trading equipment. 💰 It’s more than a shop; it’s a hub where real musicians meet. 🎶 So my fellow guitar fans, when you are next in Providence, RI, don’t forget to visit Empire Guitars because you just might stumble upon your ideal guitar! 🤘✨