New Jersey Guitar and Bass Center opened in 1982 with a commitment to customer satisfaction. Whether you're looking for a quality, affordable beginner guitar or you're ready to order that custom boutique bass, we can help you. We inspect and set up all of our instruments before we offer them for sale, new and used. We can also service your instrument after your purchase (or an instrument you already own). We do set ups, fret dressing and other repairs to keep your instrument ship-shape (though if you prefer we can do guitar-shape instead).
Services
NAMM stands for the National Association of Music Merchants. Every year since 1983 I trek to sunny California in search of cool things to sell to you. This is a huge show the manufacturers put on for the merchants. There are many famous people and endorsers of products. Some people confuse it with the guitar show format.
Reviews (10)
Vin Lombardi
May 26, 2022
If you want a bass or guitar, look no further than here. Jay, the owner, prices them way more reasonably than guitar center or sam ash or any place of that nature, where people are compelled to look for their first. Don't do it! Guitars and basses have many factors, and setup is crucial. I would take a well set up used guitar over a factory setting new one any day.
What I love about this shop is that Jay has a wide array of guitars and basses, truly in every single price range. One of my favorite things to do is to come here on my days off and just stare at the beautiful collection. Now- the ol' ball and chain doesn't really understand, but if you're a guitar person you REALLY understand! I often come home excited and share with him what I've seen that day, and he is supportive but not really interested to hear me compare years and makes of Stratocasters from the 90's again and again.
He says "double humbucker? I says no! single coil! remember?" Anyway, in all seriousness, Jay is one of the most compassionate, helpful, passionate shop owners I have EVER met in my life. There is never a dull moment in NJ Guitar and Bass center, and there is never even any awkward pressure to buy anything. He truly just cares about guitars and gear, and if you do too, that is absolutely priceless.
What I love about this shop is that Jay has a wide array of guitars and basses, truly in every single price range. One of my favorite things to do is to come here on my days off and just stare at the beautiful collection. Now- the ol' ball and chain doesn't really understand, but if you're a guitar person you REALLY understand! I often come home excited and share with him what I've seen that day, and he is supportive but not really interested to hear me compare years and makes of Stratocasters from the 90's again and again.
He says "double humbucker? I says no! single coil! remember?" Anyway, in all seriousness, Jay is one of the most compassionate, helpful, passionate shop owners I have EVER met in my life. There is never a dull moment in NJ Guitar and Bass center, and there is never even any awkward pressure to buy anything. He truly just cares about guitars and gear, and if you do too, that is absolutely priceless.
Michael Cuccia
May 14, 2022
Debbie Carman
Apr 24, 2022
I just recently discovered this store.(wish I knew sooner) My new go to store for all my guitar needs. Jay has got to be one of the nicest guys, combine that with his knowledge of musical instruments, and talent for intonation and repair adjustments and you won't find a better store. He did some work on 2 of my guitars and let me say, what an amazing job!
Turn around time was quick, price was fair, and the job.outstanding. I didn't think my Martin and Taylor could sound any better, or play even sweeter. Thanks Jay, they do! As for selections.he has some of the nicest instruments and a lot of them! I'll he making my next guitar purchase here for sure!
Turn around time was quick, price was fair, and the job.outstanding. I didn't think my Martin and Taylor could sound any better, or play even sweeter. Thanks Jay, they do! As for selections.he has some of the nicest instruments and a lot of them! I'll he making my next guitar purchase here for sure!
Rod Viquez
Mar 15, 2022
Bought a few basses here over the years and least summer I got a Gibson thunderbird from Jay. Had to take it for a set up for the first time since I had it and the truss rod but is shot and doesn't turn. Would think these things would be looked at before being sold. As I said, didn't need it set up until now, so never knew that it was defective. You spend 1400$ on a bass, you would hope your could trust the shop that you have used in the past.
I never had to rent it for a set up until this week. I never touched the truss rod before, so there is no way it was working when sold. I can document the issue if you like and will post it here for everyone to see what the issue is.
I never had to rent it for a set up until this week. I never touched the truss rod before, so there is no way it was working when sold. I can document the issue if you like and will post it here for everyone to see what the issue is.
Stealth
Jan 16, 2022
Got my guitar pick ups swapped here. Both neck and bridge. Cost was a little high, considering a set up is not included. Got the guitar back with no strings. After 3 months my guitar bridge pick up stopped working. I was told on the phone that I would be charged to have them checked and looked at. If it was a bad solder they would fix it. But I was told that if it was anything else I would be charged.
I just paid for a pick up swap, why should I have to pay for it to be looked at again? Never going back UPDATE as of january 2nd, 2022 I brought my guitar to another luthier in town. He was able to diagnose the problem as a bad volume pot. So 5 stars for him. But as we looked in the guitar he pointed out that the new pick up wires were close to being burnt off.
The outer wire coating was burnt and covered with electrical tape. Im gonna have to get a whole rewire done eventually as there is solder all over the place and the cavity is a mess. While I can't show the electrical tape in the pictures provided because it was removed you can see the solder all on the electrical pot. Also since you felt the need to correct me instead of contacting me.
I will say this. I was told on the phone that the pick ups can be tested with an ohm meter. But if the pickups were defective you would charge for an ohm meter test, but then you would charge me to put pick ups in. Sounds like it was gamble for me that I didnt feel like taking. I thought musicians were supposed to help each other out but I am glad I found a luthier to help me out and will give me a break on a rewired.
I just paid for a pick up swap, why should I have to pay for it to be looked at again? Never going back UPDATE as of january 2nd, 2022 I brought my guitar to another luthier in town. He was able to diagnose the problem as a bad volume pot. So 5 stars for him. But as we looked in the guitar he pointed out that the new pick up wires were close to being burnt off.
The outer wire coating was burnt and covered with electrical tape. Im gonna have to get a whole rewire done eventually as there is solder all over the place and the cavity is a mess. While I can't show the electrical tape in the pictures provided because it was removed you can see the solder all on the electrical pot. Also since you felt the need to correct me instead of contacting me.
I will say this. I was told on the phone that the pick ups can be tested with an ohm meter. But if the pickups were defective you would charge for an ohm meter test, but then you would charge me to put pick ups in. Sounds like it was gamble for me that I didnt feel like taking. I thought musicians were supposed to help each other out but I am glad I found a luthier to help me out and will give me a break on a rewired.
Mark Snow
Jan 13, 2022
This shop is absolutely amazing! They are the only shop within at least a hundred miles that carry left hand guitar and basses. I think when I went there I must have seen over a hundred lefties. My daughter's learning instruments in school so I wanted to pick up the bass and they were extremely helpful. They are incredibly knowledgeable and the shop owner has to be one of the nicest humans on Earth. I drove 45 minutes to get there, and I will definitely be going back. Back this is way better than trying to go to one of those big stores like guitar center for Sam Ash.
Julie Clement
Dec 30, 2021
The owner of this shop is extremely knowledgeable and one of the kindest people I've ever met. He is inviting to everyone to try out the instruments they are interested in. Ontop of that the shop is a treasure mine of unique and rare instruments- nothing like what you'd find at your average big chain Music Store. Unlike most shops too, there is a massive selection of beautiful basses. One of my greatest losses when I moved was not being able to visit this store again. Please if you're in the area take the time to visit this shop, you will not regret it
Spalien Acecraft
Dec 13, 2021
Jay is absolutely top notch in all respects. He was kind, courteous and incredibly knowledgeable on our phone interactions and was very kind and generous to my wife and I when we came in to purchase the Pedulla bass we had been looking for. Jay is a wealth of knowledge concerning Pedulla and many other basses for that matter. Way.way beyond surface knowledge of everything we discussed and taught me a few things as well.
Incredible resource, shop owner and human being. He's been doing this for a very long time and is darn good at what he does. Jays has some of the best instruments you can find.and he's got them priced exactly where they should be. His pricing is competitive with anybody and the selections are stellar.especially concerning the square footage of the shop.
The shop itself is somewhat of a throwback.especially concerning the times when guitar and bass stores were actually good. Jay handles the instruments for you so that you can try them out. This is excellent in every respect because every instrument we saw was in pristine condition (according to description) and no doubt this was the direct result of Jay handling the transfer process between stands and hands.
He was open and courteous with trying out anything in the shop. I got the opportunity to play some monster basses while also being in the process of buying one. When other people came into the shop, he was the exact same way with them. I'm a righty player.but I have to point out in this review that I haven't seen a left handed player selection like Jays in a REALLY long time.
Flat out impressive. Parking was great. The neighborhood was excellent and the atmosphere in the shop was relaxed, respectful, light and accommodating with also being fun. Jay was really forthcoming with some historical info concerning his shop and relationship with Pedulla.which I respected and enjoyed as much as the bass we purchased itself. There was real joy in the info Jay shared. Top notch experience all the way around. Thank you Jay. We'll be back for sure. Soon. :)
Incredible resource, shop owner and human being. He's been doing this for a very long time and is darn good at what he does. Jays has some of the best instruments you can find.and he's got them priced exactly where they should be. His pricing is competitive with anybody and the selections are stellar.especially concerning the square footage of the shop.
The shop itself is somewhat of a throwback.especially concerning the times when guitar and bass stores were actually good. Jay handles the instruments for you so that you can try them out. This is excellent in every respect because every instrument we saw was in pristine condition (according to description) and no doubt this was the direct result of Jay handling the transfer process between stands and hands.
He was open and courteous with trying out anything in the shop. I got the opportunity to play some monster basses while also being in the process of buying one. When other people came into the shop, he was the exact same way with them. I'm a righty player.but I have to point out in this review that I haven't seen a left handed player selection like Jays in a REALLY long time.
Flat out impressive. Parking was great. The neighborhood was excellent and the atmosphere in the shop was relaxed, respectful, light and accommodating with also being fun. Jay was really forthcoming with some historical info concerning his shop and relationship with Pedulla.which I respected and enjoyed as much as the bass we purchased itself. There was real joy in the info Jay shared. Top notch experience all the way around. Thank you Jay. We'll be back for sure. Soon. :)
Barbara Niess
Jul 18, 2021
Awesome shop! Well worth the 1 hour drive from Ocean County. After scouring local guitar shops and online listings, I was finally able to find a reasonably priced fretless bass. Jay was wonderful to deal with.extremely friendly, knowledgeable guy who takes care of each customer personally. Get yourself one of their t-shirts while you're there. Old school cool.
Wacko Birdkeeper
May 22, 2021
