McCabe's Guitar Shop

McCabe's guitar shop in Santa Monica is a local institution which has been there for decades. It is quite small actually, a quaint, low ceilinged little place that is heaven for music lovers. Whether you play an instrument or not it is fun to browse the narrow halls and see all the cool stuff. It also hosts some amazing live music!

To call this place a "guitar shop" is greatly misleading. Sure, it may have started that way, but it is much more interesting that your average guitar shop. First of all, while still on the subject of guitars, the specialty here is acoustic instruments by a long shot. They do have a small selection of electric guitars but by far their strength is in the acoustic guitars. They have everything from inexpensive starters to hand-luthiered works of art that cost thousands of dollars.

Now, beyond guitars alone, McCabe's has a ton of other interesting stuff. Again, the focus is on acoustic stringed instruments. However, whoever does the buying and designed this shop sure has a thing for the exotic. There are all kinds of interesting things to see and buy. Violins of all sizes (the beautiful, tiny kids' sized ones are so cute!), hand-built banjos and ukeleles. Some of the most beautiful mandolins you've seen. You can also find tons of instruments you may have never seen, lap steel guitars, dulcimers, lutes, uds, zithers and the like.

Besides all the instruments, there are tons of supplies, books, guitar straps and the like up front. And their repair shop in the middle of the store does great work both on electric instruments as well as fixing up your long-suffering banjo to a perfect pitch.

Last but not least, they host small but surprisingly wonderful live music events regularly. Just about everyone has played at McCabes at one point or another. While some of the acts are less known, if you look at their calendar of events don't be surprised to see the likes of Chick Chorea, Bella Fleck, James Taylor and Joni Mitchell performing from time to time! The shows are quaint and intimate, allowing you to get up close and personal with the performers.

McCabe's Guitar Shop
3101 Pico Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 828-4497

Hours:
Monday to Thursday: 10AM - 10PM
Friday and Saturday: 10AM - 6PM
Sunday: 12PM - 5PM