There’s a reason Detroit is known as Rock City. The city’s rich musical legacy is full of rock legends: Alice Cooper, Bob Seger, and Jack White, to name just a few. It’s no surprise, then, that the metro Detroit area is home to many independent guitar stores. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell a used instrument, take lessons, or have something custom built, you won’t have to go far to find exceptional service and quality.
Huber and Breese
Time alone can attest to Huber and Breese’s stellar reputation: the store has been in business for almost forty years. Its large showrooms are stocked with both new and used equipment: guitars, basses, keyboards, drums, amplifiers, PA systems and accessories. As a licensed Gibson dealer, Huber and Breese may be best known for their guitar selection; the store also features an impressive inventory of Fender guitars.
The personalized service and welcoming atmosphere at Huber & Breese put the store a step above competing chain retailers. With a full-service repair center and music lessons on site, you can be sure your musical needs will be met at a fair price. Huber and Breese is located at 33540 Groesbeck Highway in Fraser, MI, and is open Mondays-Thursdays from 12:00-9:00 p.m., Fridays from 12:00-8:00 p.m., and Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Motor City Guitar
Motor City Guitar is the place to go for any gear enthusiast looking to tweak their own custom sound. The store carries an unmatched selection of tone-bending pedals and effects, as well as a large variety of pickups, whammy bars, and other custom guitar parts.
Located in Waterford at 1565 Crescent Lake Road, Motor City Guitar carries a wide selection of standard rock fare: instruments, amplifiers, pro audio gear, and music books. They also offer music lessons and guitar repair. Prices are comparatively low, and the store will match any competitor’s or manufacturer’s advertised sale. MCG is open weekdays from 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., and Sundays from 12:00-5:00 p.m.
Junkyard Guitars
What Junkyard lacks in square footage, it makes up for in obscure brands and rare finds. Specializing in used instruments, the store is full of acoustic and electric guitars, with a smaller selection of basses, lap steels, mandolins, and other stringed instruments. The store also has a large inventory of amplifiers, which line around the perimeter of the floor space, sometimes two or three deep. All kinds are available: tube or solid state, combo pieces or stacks.
Junkyard also offers repair services for guitars, amplifiers, and pedals. The store doesn’t have any in-house music lessons, but the staff will make recommendations on the best local teachers.
Since Junkyard doesn’t have an official website, it’s a good idea to call ahead (at 248-435-3930) if you’re looking for something specific. Located on Woodward between 12 and 13 Mile in Royal Oak, the store is definitely worth a visit. With its rummage-sale type atmosphere, you’ll never know what you may find.
