Sweetwater

Sweetwater has earned its reputation as arguably the best online music retailer in the United States, and the experience justifies the praise. The Sales Engineer model -- where every customer is assigned a dedicated representative who knows gear and follows up personally -- is a remarkable level of service in the age of automated shopping. The 55-point guitar inspection means instruments arrive properly set up rather than in factory condition. Free shipping on virtually everything, a 2-year warranty that exceeds manufacturer coverage, and financing through Affirm and the Sweetwater Card make purchasing painless. The product catalog spanning 40,000+ items from 1,800 brands is comprehensive without feeling overwhelming thanks to expert-written guides and reviews. Delivery in 2-5 days is faster than most competitors. If there is a weakness, it is that the personalized service model can feel pushy if you prefer anonymous browsing. For musicians at any level, Sweetwater sets the standard that other music retailers are measured against.