It is designed to be be a community resource for musicians and afficianados. Our Musicians Exchange connects players. We hope you visit our site often to find out what's going on in our music community. And all new instruments come with Picker's Supply's FREE After The Sale Service Contract which includes: TRADE UP POLICY If you buy a new instrument from Picker's Supply, you may trade up to a better instrument.
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Wander a bit and you'll learn why, to many musicians, this is a sacred space. The affable Dillard, with his sandy beard and encyclopedic knowledge of anything with strings attached, leads a visitor to the back where stacked lines of unique guitars and other musical oddities sit inside glass showcases.
Over the course of our 40+ years serving the musical community we have repaired, adjusted, set-up, and made right virtually any type of instrument. From banjos to guitars to pickup installation to broken necks and cracked bodies we have experience with all minor and major repairs. Contact us for a free evaluation and estimate to repair your instruments today.
The music store in the Fredericksburg and Northern Virginia area for music lessons for all instruments. With over 30 instructors, fourteen studios, and a full service concert hall, we can accommodate students at any level, in any style, on a variety of instruments. Classes are tailored to the individual to help students achieve their personal musical goals.
With the ever expanding vintage and rare instrument market, collectors and players all over the world are looking for that specific instrument. Do you have dusty gold forgotten under your bed or in your closet? Is your main instrument worth thousands? A written appraisal from Picker's Supply protects your investment by establishing the value of your guitar in the current market, which is valuable information for your banker, insurance agent and your peace of mind.Bran Dillard, owner of Picker's Supply, has been buying and selling used instruments since 1969, and Picker's Supply, established in 1975, is the quintessential store devoted to rare, vintage and new instrument sales.
Reviews (12)
Trevor Westron
Jun 16, 2022
Glen Bailey
May 19, 2022
Telemachus Ithakos
Feb 28, 2022
Not trustworthy at all. Whole experience will linger as a huge disappointment in my memory. It'll also remain a lesson to not trust small businesses unless you get everything in writing or have a big business, like Reverb or eBay, to hold their feet to the fire if they wrong a customer - which is a terrible shame. Short version: They lied about the aesthetic and structural condition of the guitar, they expected me to pay freight both ways even after I pointed out the structural issues, the salesperson likely tried to extort money from me by saying I wrecked the guitar (until I informed him that I have proof I didn't), and they dragged their feet on returning my money.
They also charged me for the inbound wire transfer fee which I had already paid myself, but I didn't fight them about that because I just wanted my money back and $15 wasn't worth any more fighting, especially with Christmas coming up. ************************************** Edit in response to Picker's Supply replying to my review. Please be aware that I had to delete part of my original review to remain under the character count.
You don't get the full story anymore, but you get the gist of it: Resorting to name calling, calling me an ignorant "male Karen, " shows what side of this disagreement Picker's Supply is on. Like I said, I really do have photographs of the guitar, and I've added two to my review of the bridge issue, one of which is the same picture I sent them when I first reported the issue too.
I implore anyone who doubts my account of events to view the picture and decide for oneself. Note the tilt of the bridge towards the sound hole, which was the reason I asked to return guitar. It's called "soundboard belly, " and it's a long term action and structural issue. If Picker's Supply is unaware of that, then they are clearly "not knowledgeable enough about custom, vintage, or high end instruments." They say they "never lie" and describe instruments "to the best of [their] ability"; either that's not true, or their ability is quite lacking.
As far as issues on the guitar from the factory, I literally said I don't blame them for those issues, only that I wish they'd made me aware of them, which is perfectly reasonable for any customer to expect. And of their suggestion that I take some playing lessons from their "acclaimed lesson program, " how much more childish can y'all get? I mean seriously. Y'all call yourselves a business yet you sound like some prepubescent kid on the playground bullying the short kids.
Grow up and act like the professionals y'all claim you are. And the last bit about wire transfers being more complicated than credit cards, yeah, not really. They're not hard, especially for a business. And if Picker's Supply has that much trouble with them, they never should've offered it as a payment method. You be the judge of their behavior. But for my part, buy from Elderly, Gruhn, Carter Vintage, Reverb, eBay, anyone but these people. They don't deserve the business and, like I said earlier, they're behavior reflects poorly on all small businesses.
They also charged me for the inbound wire transfer fee which I had already paid myself, but I didn't fight them about that because I just wanted my money back and $15 wasn't worth any more fighting, especially with Christmas coming up. ************************************** Edit in response to Picker's Supply replying to my review. Please be aware that I had to delete part of my original review to remain under the character count.
You don't get the full story anymore, but you get the gist of it: Resorting to name calling, calling me an ignorant "male Karen, " shows what side of this disagreement Picker's Supply is on. Like I said, I really do have photographs of the guitar, and I've added two to my review of the bridge issue, one of which is the same picture I sent them when I first reported the issue too.
I implore anyone who doubts my account of events to view the picture and decide for oneself. Note the tilt of the bridge towards the sound hole, which was the reason I asked to return guitar. It's called "soundboard belly, " and it's a long term action and structural issue. If Picker's Supply is unaware of that, then they are clearly "not knowledgeable enough about custom, vintage, or high end instruments." They say they "never lie" and describe instruments "to the best of [their] ability"; either that's not true, or their ability is quite lacking.
As far as issues on the guitar from the factory, I literally said I don't blame them for those issues, only that I wish they'd made me aware of them, which is perfectly reasonable for any customer to expect. And of their suggestion that I take some playing lessons from their "acclaimed lesson program, " how much more childish can y'all get? I mean seriously. Y'all call yourselves a business yet you sound like some prepubescent kid on the playground bullying the short kids.
Grow up and act like the professionals y'all claim you are. And the last bit about wire transfers being more complicated than credit cards, yeah, not really. They're not hard, especially for a business. And if Picker's Supply has that much trouble with them, they never should've offered it as a payment method. You be the judge of their behavior. But for my part, buy from Elderly, Gruhn, Carter Vintage, Reverb, eBay, anyone but these people. They don't deserve the business and, like I said earlier, they're behavior reflects poorly on all small businesses.
Michael Nash
Feb 07, 2022
I have found the front staff of Picker's Supply to be friendly, knowledgeable, and courteous. They certainly have some very nice instuments in the inventory. Unfortunately I have experienced some poor experiences with the luthier work performed through Picker's Supply on three occasions. First occasion occurred when I brought an older Gibson mandolin in to repair a tail piece.
The screw on the mandolin pulled out. After being notified the repair was completed I picked the mandolin up, never looking at the repair at the store (shame on me). Once I arrived home I noted there was a 1/4 inch gap between the tail piece where the screw was suppose to be and the mandolin itself. There was no screw in place. I slide the tail piece cover off to find two screws through the tail piece into the binding area between the top and side of the mandolin.
Until now I did not say anything to the staff at Picker's Supply. The reason being is they had a second Gibson mandolin of mine in for extensive repair. The top on this mandolin was collapsed and was previously repaired through Picker's Supply. After the first repair of this mandolin I returned to Picker's to have the instrument restrung and set up.
When Matt loosened the strings in front of me a sound post fell out of the mandolin sound hole, much to his surprise. I expressed an interest in having the mandolin properly repaired and then sell it on consignment. It was approximately six months later when I inquired on the status of the mandolin. Matt stated he just received it back and would put it on the floor for sale.
During this time I came across an individual with an interenst in the mandolin, but he lived quite a distance from the store. I spoke to Matt about the possibility of me picking the mandolin up to take to the possible buyer. Matt said it would be no problem. I picked up the mandolin immediately noticing the mandolin did not look quite right. On closer inspection at home I found the top very wavy.
I have sinced delivered the mandolin to a crafter of mandolins. Upon the removal of the back he found a much larger sound post had been inserted in the mandolin which caused mulitple issues. The good news is this 103 year old mandolin will be properly repaired and very playable in the near future. I recommend Picker's Supply for their inventory, staff courtesy, and friendliness.
I do not recommend using Picker's Supply for any luthier work. I knew the collapsed top would be a challenge. If the luthier was not able to properly repair it he or she should have said so.
The screw on the mandolin pulled out. After being notified the repair was completed I picked the mandolin up, never looking at the repair at the store (shame on me). Once I arrived home I noted there was a 1/4 inch gap between the tail piece where the screw was suppose to be and the mandolin itself. There was no screw in place. I slide the tail piece cover off to find two screws through the tail piece into the binding area between the top and side of the mandolin.
Until now I did not say anything to the staff at Picker's Supply. The reason being is they had a second Gibson mandolin of mine in for extensive repair. The top on this mandolin was collapsed and was previously repaired through Picker's Supply. After the first repair of this mandolin I returned to Picker's to have the instrument restrung and set up.
When Matt loosened the strings in front of me a sound post fell out of the mandolin sound hole, much to his surprise. I expressed an interest in having the mandolin properly repaired and then sell it on consignment. It was approximately six months later when I inquired on the status of the mandolin. Matt stated he just received it back and would put it on the floor for sale.
During this time I came across an individual with an interenst in the mandolin, but he lived quite a distance from the store. I spoke to Matt about the possibility of me picking the mandolin up to take to the possible buyer. Matt said it would be no problem. I picked up the mandolin immediately noticing the mandolin did not look quite right. On closer inspection at home I found the top very wavy.
I have sinced delivered the mandolin to a crafter of mandolins. Upon the removal of the back he found a much larger sound post had been inserted in the mandolin which caused mulitple issues. The good news is this 103 year old mandolin will be properly repaired and very playable in the near future. I recommend Picker's Supply for their inventory, staff courtesy, and friendliness.
I do not recommend using Picker's Supply for any luthier work. I knew the collapsed top would be a challenge. If the luthier was not able to properly repair it he or she should have said so.
Denise Hill
Dec 22, 2021
Allen Laton
Jul 17, 2021
Garret O'Rourke
Dec 18, 2020
Mark Richardson
Nov 28, 2019
They did a great job setting up my Taylor 514ce. There was a bit of a buzz at first, from too low of an action but they took it back in and fixed it, no questions asked. It sounds beautiful now. They're also helpful when you looking for a new guitar. Big thank you to the guys at Picker's! My favorite guitar shop in town! Jeffrey and the other guys are always very friendly and helpful.
Tom C.
Aug 20, 2019
I've been playing bluegrass fiddle for 14 years. 5 years ago I purchased my current fiddle from them. I wouldn't ever want another fiddle again. They have high quality instruments and excellent customer service. I always come here to get anything I need from strings to rosin to a new bow. Best music shop I've been to, will never shop anywhere else for music related items
Kristie Nadzom
May 11, 2019
Sean F.
Oct 05, 2018
This is one of the finest music stores you will ever set foot in. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable and eager to help. This store has EXPERTS who will guide you to the right instrument for you, other places will lead you astray, cough *guitar center* cough. They also have an incredible inventory of vintage instruments and the best music lessons program around. I highly recommend this place.
Montclair D.
Sep 23, 2014
I just got my pre-war Gibson L-30 back from repairs, and I can't express how happy I am. It plays wonderfully, and even feels like a different instrument. Thank you Joe, a fine job, and a great deal! On that note, I recently went back with a guitar trade in mind, and walked away with exactly what I wanted. Bran Dillard, (the owner) is not only a vintage guitar encyclopedia, but a kind and helpful individual who went out of his way to make my deal a pleasant experience. Thanks fellas!
