Best Acoustic Guitar Stores - In Denver, Colorado

Livingston · #1 05-17-2019, 01:55 PM

In a previous thread (back in January), I mentioned that my wife and I will be moving to Denver this summer. Many of you were kind enough to give me tips on keeping my guitars properly humidified in the dry, Denver climate. Thank you!

Next week, I'll be making my third and final house hunting trip to Denver, before the big move in July. We found a nice place in Parker, close to a light rail (or train) station so commuting to downtown Denver should be a breeze.

Now the important question. What are the best acoustic guitar shops in the Denver area (I'll say from Boulder down to Colorado Springs)?

I'm going next week to do a walk-through at our future home but I will be in Denver for 3 days. Hoping to use the extra time there to scope out the surrounding area and visit friends. Also hoping to find some great guitar stores, so any suggestions you can give will be greatly appreciated.

Best regards,
Darryl

BrunoBlack · #2 05-17-2019, 02:15 PM

Check out Wildwood Guitars. It’s NW of Denver and SE of Boulder, in Louisville. I have relatives in the area and visit the shop often. Nice people & very nice shop.
https://wildwoodguitars.com/

KenL · #3 05-17-2019, 04:25 PM

+1 on Wildwood Guitars, great shop, wonderful employees.

I've not been to the Pickin' Parlor in Arvada yet, but have talked to them on the phone and they were great. The website is pretty good too. They have some real nice used acoustics.

(Arvada is just north of Denver.)

chistrummer · #4 05-17-2019, 07:40 PM

Your moving from San Jose to Denver? Can I ask why?

Mr. Paul · #5 05-17-2019, 11:55 PM

Wildwood is the shining star. Denver Folklore Center. Old Town Pickin Parlor. Victory Guitars on South Broadway. Those are my top 4. The GC on County Line Road has the best selection of area GCs.

Livingston · #6 05-18-2019, 09:27 AM

Thank you ALL for your suggestions! I'll have time to check out most if not all of the stores recommended. Thank you and greatly appreciated!

Quote:

Originally Posted by chistrummer

Your moving from San Jose to Denver? Can I ask why?

My company is moving its headquarters to Denver. My wife and I decided to relocate with them. It's a great company, I love the people with whom I work, and I'm a little burnt out on SJ...been here all my life and wanting to seek out greener pastures.

DenverSteve · #7 05-18-2019, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Paul

Wildwood is the shining star. Denver Folklore Center. Old Town Pickin Parlor. Victory Guitars on South Broadway. Those are my top 4. The GC on County Line Road has the best selection of area GCs.

These for northern Colorado.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chistrummer

Your moving from San Jose to Denver? Can I ask why?

Can I ask why not? Better weather, world's best skiing, more micro-breweries than anywhere, infinite golf, one of the top quality-of-life cities in the country, great mountains, plains, hiking, biking........ fewer wild fires, no earthquakes.........did I miss anything.

DenverSteve · #8 05-18-2019, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KenL

...I've not been to the Pickin' Parlor in Arvada yet, but have talked to them on the phone and they were great.

Kip and the shop are very nice. He's dropped Taylor and Martin over the years for new but he generally keeps a moderate availability of used Martins. He still has Collings as his primary new guitar offering along with a couple of imports. He has a fair amount of mandolins, banjos and other stringed instruments as well as a top-tier repair shop.

KenL · #9 05-18-2019, 09:44 AM

You forgot Red Rocks!

KevWind · #10 05-18-2019, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KenL

You forgot Red Rocks!

Who could forget psychedelic fiddle and banjo ?? maybe that's not steam wafting over the stage

sad99 · #11 05-18-2019, 07:04 PM

Another vote for Wildwood. That's where I got my D-28 about a year ago. It was a Wildwood Special, where they occasionally order a few of the same model with custom specs. Mine has an adirondack top, for example. Nice relaxed atmosphere, and they've been around for decades. They're also great for electrics, if that's of any interest.

I was going to suggest Tejon Street Music in Colorado Springs, another shop that's been around forever, but it looks like they've closed their CS location and moved to Manitou. If it's still the same owners, and it looks like it is, they're also very knowledgeable and maintain a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. They're now called Avenue Guitars.

https://www.avenueguitars.com/

KenL · #12 05-18-2019, 08:01 PM

I've been to Avenue Guitars. Nice shop, rather small but an extensive inventory of Martin, Guild, and Collings guitars. Nice folks running the place.

No tech on duty, unfortunately, as they are about the closest guitar store to me.

Mr. Paul · #13 05-19-2019, 06:24 AM

Ken, Jeff at Rocky Mtn Guitar in Salida does a great job ��

Avenue Guitars has some nice gear and friendly folks, but I have found their pricing to be top dollar and inflexible.

Livingston · #14 05-21-2019, 08:21 PM

Thank you for the great suggestions! I'll have time to visit most of the stores suggested. Appreciate all of the kind advice.

mdhttr · #15 05-22-2019, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DenverSteve

Can I ask why not? Better weather, world's best skiing, more micro-breweries than anywhere, infinite golf, one of the top quality-of-life cities in the country, great mountains, plains, hiking, biking........ fewer wild fires, no earthquakes.........did I miss anything.

Yes, you missed telling him that this can happen on May 21: