Music City Fretboard Tour: A 4-Day Nashville Guitar Shop Pilgrimage
Vintage Martins, dusty Telecasters, and hand-built acoustics across Nashville's best guitar shops, wrapped in honky-tonks, hot chicken, and the Grand Ole Opry.
4 days in Nashville
Nashville earned the nickname Music City more than a century ago, and no city in America packs more working guitars per square mile. Session players, songwriters, and touring pros all pass through the same handful of shops, which means the walls here hold pre-war Martins, Broadcaster-era Fenders, and one-off luthier builds you simply will not find elsewhere. For a player or collector, the shops themselves are the attraction.
This trip threads together the legends of the trade: Carter Vintage and Gruhn Guitars on and around 8th Avenue South, Fanny's House of Music and Eastside Music Supply across the river in East Nashville, and the acoustic havens of Cotten Music and Corner Music. Between browsing sessions you get the rest of what makes Nashville sing, from RCA Studio B where Elvis cut hundreds of songs to the Ryman, the Grand Ole Opry, and Lower Broadway's neon honky-tonks.
Practical notes: the city is spread out, so rent a car or lean on rideshares, as guitar shops sit in different neighborhoods and are not walkable to one another. Nashville International Airport (BNA) is about 15-20 minutes from downtown. Summers are hot and humid; spring and fall are ideal. Come hungry for hot chicken, barbecue, and the meat-and-three tradition, and remember most vintage shops close on Sundays.
Arrival, 8th Avenue South & Lower Broadway
Broadway (Nashville, Tennessee) · dconvertini / CC BY-SA 2.0Drop your bags and head straight for the shop that put Nashville's vintage scene on the map. Give yourself a couple of unhurried hours to browse and, if the mood strikes, plug in.
The crown jewel of Nashville's vintage trade at 625 8th Ave S, packed with pre-war Martins, burst Les Pauls, and blackguard Telecasters, plus a friendly, no-pressure vibe and impromptu picking. Open daily and free to browse; touring pros and session players drift through constantly. Budget at least 90 minutes and don't be shy about asking to play something off the wall.
A laid-back guitar and lifestyle shop in The Gulch at 401 12th Ave S, best known for Breedlove and Bedell acoustics and frequent in-store performances. An easy, welcoming first stop if you're staying downtown and want to warm up before the heavy hitters. Browsing is free.
Walk Lower Broadway while the neon flickers on and live bands warm up. Every honky-tonk has free music from the afternoon into the small hours; duck in and out to sample players.
The most authentic honky-tonk on Broadway, where traditional country and Western swing bands play all day and the Recession Special (fried bologna sandwich, chips, MoonPie, and a PBR) is a rite of passage. No cover, tip the band. A great place to hear real players before the night gets rowdy.
A beginner-friendly line dancing class held in a historic honky-tonk right on Broadway, complete with a souvenir video, if you'd rather join the fun than watch. A lighthearted way to kick off the trip.
Eat Nashville's signature smoked meats within striking distance of downtown.
A Gulch barbecue institution run by pitmaster Carey Bringle, famous for dry-rubbed ribs and Tennessee-style smoked meats. Casual, lively, and close to downtown hotels. Expect a wait at peak times; the ribs and the dry-rub wings are the move.
A refined-but-fun spot in a historic building right on Broadway, with a casual downstairs and a more upscale dining room upstairs. A good pick if you want something a notch above bar food without leaving the action.
East Nashville: Fanny's, Record Stores & Food
East Nashville, Tennessee · Joshmacfie / Public domainStart where East Nashville starts its day: strong coffee and a proper sit-down breakfast, depending on your mood.
A cavernous, motorcycle-and-vinyl-flavored coffee bar in a converted transmission shop, serving meticulous pour-overs and espresso. A local landmark for serious coffee and a fitting East Nashville warm-up.
A beloved European-style cafe on Eastland Avenue with excellent egg dishes, pastries, and brunch plates. Go here if you want a real sit-down breakfast before a day of shop-hopping.
This morning belongs to East Nashville's warmest guitar shop, a woman-owned store with a genuinely welcoming reputation.
A charming, unpretentious shop in the Five Points area at 1101 Holly St, known for vintage and boutique guitars, ukuleles, and a famously friendly, beginner-welcoming atmosphere. Co-owned by musicians, it's a favorite for its curated used inventory and honest advice. Free to browse; check hours as it closes early some days.
One of the South's great independent record stores, a short hop away, stacked with new and used vinyl and hosting frequent in-store performances. A must for music heads even if you're only buying records. Free to browse.
East Nashville is a food destination in its own right; grab something quick and excellent between stops.
A cult-favorite taqueria that grew from a food truck into a permanent spot, serving fried avocado tacos, tortilla soup, and horchata. Cash-friendly, casual, and consistently packed with locals for good reason.
A brighter, Mediterranean-leaning spot with shareable small plates like whipped feta and the famous chopped salad. A good choice if you want vegetables and a calmer room mid-day.
Round out the East Side with a gear-and-amps stop, then dig deeper into the neighborhood's music and food on a guided tasting walk.
A player-and-tech's shop on the East Side specializing in amps, effects, and repair, with knowledgeable staff who work on gear for touring acts. Ideal if you want boutique pedals or amp advice rather than another wall of acoustics. Free to browse.
A guided walking tour through East Nashville's Five Points and Historic Edgefield with five tastings of local dishes and a strong dose of neighborhood history. Highly rated and a delicious way to see the East Side on foot between record and guitar stops.
East Nashville's dinner scene punches well above its weight; book ahead for the marquee rooms.
A perennial national-list favorite in Germantown for house-made pasta and a smart, seasonal menu in a warm, brick-walled room. Reserve ahead; the garganelli verde has been on the menu since day one for good reason.
A neighborhood restaurant in a restored corner grocery serving wood-fired pizzas, Southern-inflected plates, and a lively community-hour happy hour. A relaxed, local-feeling choice on the East Side.
Catch a set at one of East Nashville's beloved live rooms, where up-and-coming and established players trade songs.
A no-frills East Nashville club that hosts everything from honky-tonk to indie, including the long-running Monday night Motown night. Small, cash-friendly, and the kind of room where you might catch a future star. Cover is usually modest.
Guitar Row, Studio B & the Grand Ole Opry
Grand Ole Opry · Grand Ole Opry / Public domainFuel up in the 12 South and Music Row area before hitting the heavy-hitting shops.
A neighborhood cafe in a converted house serving coffee, breakfast, and brunch all day. A comfortable, all-purpose start with plenty of seating and reliable espresso.
A respected specialty roaster near SoBro with carefully sourced beans and expert espresso. The pick for coffee obsessives who want the good stuff before a morning of browsing.
This is the big one: George Gruhn's temple of vintage instruments, arguably the most respected guitar shop in the world.
The legendary shop of vintage authority George Gruhn at 2120 8th Ave S, with multiple floors of collectible guitars, mandolins, and banjos and a staff of genuine experts. This is where dealers and collectors come to verify and buy; the appraisal knowledge here is unmatched. Closed Sunday; free to browse, and worth a slow lap of every floor.
You cannot leave Nashville without hot chicken, and it's an easy detour between shops.
The most accessible entry point to Nashville hot chicken, with heat levels from Southern (no heat) to Shut the Cluck Up. The Melrose location is near 8th Avenue South; expect a line that moves fast. Order the chicken with pimento mac and greens.
A James Beard-honored meat-and-three institution serving cafeteria-style Southern plates; roast beef, fried green tomatoes, and pie. Lunch only, weekdays, and it closes when the food runs out, so go early. A true taste of old Nashville.
Pair two more acoustic-focused shops with a pilgrimage to the studio where countless hits were cut. Choose your own balance of browsing and history.
A long-running Hillsboro Village shop (1815 21st Ave S) specializing in fine acoustic guitars, with a quiet, expert-run showroom that's a favorite of fingerstyle and bluegrass players. If flat-tops are your thing, this is essential. Free to browse.
A well-stocked, all-around music store in Berry Hill (2705 12th Ave S) carrying guitars, amps, pro audio, and gear, with a repair shop and a working-musician clientele. Good for a broader inventory and hands-on trying. Free to browse.
A guided visit to historic RCA Studio B, where Elvis, Dolly Parton, and the Everly Brothers recorded, paired with entry to the Country Music Hall of Fame. Studio B is only accessible by tour, and hearing sessions dissected in the room where they happened is unforgettable for any guitar or recording nerd.
Cap the night with the show that made Nashville the capital of country music.
The world-famous live radio show blends legends and current chart-toppers in a fast-moving lineup, staged at the Grand Ole Opry House (with select seasonal dates back at the Ryman). A bucket-list night for any music fan; lineups are announced close to showtime and tickets sell well ahead. Shows typically run Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday, with more in peak season.
Eat before or after the Opry depending on showtime; both picks suit a big-night-out mood.
A rustic, kitschy Southern restaurant near the Opry serving catfish, ribs, and country classics, convenient if you want to eat close to the show. Fun for the theme and easy logistics.
A downtown SoBro spot with an oyster bar and solid Southern plates, good for an earlier dinner before heading to the Opry House. Central and dependable.
A Final Browse, the Hall of Fame & Departure
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum · Antony-22 / CC BY-SA 4.0One more great Nashville breakfast before you fly out.
A Gulch favorite for Southern breakfast, famous for the Bonuts (fried biscuit dough with lemon mascarpone) and hearty biscuit plates. Lines form early; go right at opening. Walkable if you're staying downtown or in The Gulch.
A bright Germantown roaster with excellent espresso and a signature Nitro float, good for a quick, high-quality caffeine stop before departure. Relaxed and less crowded than downtown cafes.
Spend your last hours on the definitive country music museum, which is loaded with iconic instruments, or squeeze in one final shop.
A world-class downtown museum with over 2.5 million artifacts, including legendary guitars, stage costumes, and handwritten lyrics, plus the rotunda's Hall of Fame plaques. Allow 2-3 hours; it's an easy, air-conditioned finale near the airport route. Admission is around $32 and up.
Jack White's label, storefront, and record shop in SoBro, where you can browse vinyl, see the novelties, and even cut your own record in the Voice-O-Graph booth. A quick, distinctive last stop for music fans short on time. Free to browse.
Grab one last iconic Nashville plate near downtown before heading to BNA (about 15-20 minutes away).
Whole-hog West Tennessee barbecue in a big, easygoing downtown space, with pulled pork, ribs, and the redneck taco on a hoecake. Fast, filling, and central, an ideal pre-airport meal.
The originator of Nashville hot chicken, family-run and fiercely traditional. If you want the real, historic version before you leave (and can handle the heat), this is the source. Order below your comfort level; the heat is serious.
Pick your base
Base yourself downtown or in The Gulch for walkable access to Lower Broadway, restaurants, and an easy hop to the 8th Avenue South shops. The Gulch and Music Row area put you closest to Carter Vintage and Gruhn. If you want a quieter, more local feel near East Nashville's shops and food, consider staying just across the river in East Nashville or Germantown.
A musician-friendly boutique hotel in West End with its own music venue, Analog, and frequent songwriter events, making it a natural fit for a guitar-focused trip. Walkable to Music Row and a short ride to the 8th Avenue South shops.
A stylish, well-located downtown hotel in a restored 1930s building with a great rooftop bar (Rare Bird) and a coffee shop off the lobby. Puts you steps from Lower Broadway and the Ryman.
A reliable, good-value all-suite option with free breakfast and kitchenettes, within walking distance of downtown and The Gulch. Suites help if you're traveling with gear.
A sprawling resort with indoor gardens, restaurants, a water park, and a location right next to the Grand Ole Opry House. Great for families, though it's about 20 minutes from the downtown shops.
Renting a house or bungalow in East Nashville puts you near Fanny's House of Music, Grimey's, and the neighborhood's best food, with space to spread out and store instruments. Ideal for longer stays or small groups.
The design-forward splurge in The Gulch, with the rooftop L.A. Jackson bar and Marsh House downstairs, walkable to shops, boutiques, and restaurants. A short ride to the 8th Avenue South guitar row.
Good to know
What are the best guitar shops to visit in Nashville?
The standout guitar shops in Nashville are Carter Vintage Guitars and Gruhn Guitars (both on or near 8th Avenue South) for vintage and collectible instruments, Fanny's House of Music in East Nashville for a friendly used and boutique selection, Cotten Music Center in Hillsboro Village for fine acoustics, and Corner Music in Berry Hill for a broad general inventory. Two Old Hippies in The Gulch and Eastside Music Supply for amps and pedals round out a great tour.
How many days do you need for a Nashville guitar shop trip?
Three to four days is ideal. That gives you time to browse the major vintage shops without rushing, spread across their different neighborhoods, while still fitting in live music, the Country Music Hall of Fame, RCA Studio B, and the Grand Ole Opry.
Are Nashville's guitar shops open on Sundays?
Many of the vintage and specialty shops, including Gruhn Guitars, close on Sundays and keep shorter hours than typical retail. Plan your shop visits for weekdays or Saturday, and always check current hours before making the trip across town.
What is the best area to stay in Nashville for first-time visitors?
Downtown and The Gulch are the best bases for first-timers, offering walkable access to Lower Broadway, restaurants, and the Country Music Hall of Fame, plus a quick ride to the 8th Avenue South guitar shops. East Nashville and Germantown are good alternatives if you prefer a quieter, more local feel near the East Side shops and food.
How do you get around Nashville?
Nashville is spread out and its attractions and guitar shops sit in different neighborhoods that are not walkable to one another, so a rental car or rideshares like Uber and Lyft are the most practical way to get around. Downtown, The Gulch, and Lower Broadway are walkable within themselves, but you will need transport to reach 8th Avenue South, East Nashville, and the Grand Ole Opry.
When is the best time to visit Nashville?
Spring (April to May) and fall (September to October) offer the most comfortable weather and lively music calendars. Summers are hot and humid and downtown gets very crowded, while winter is quieter and cheaper but cooler, with some outdoor events paused.
Four days is enough to hit Nashville's essential guitar shops, from Carter Vintage and Gruhn to Fanny's, Cotten, and Corner Music, while still soaking up the live music, hot chicken, and studio history that make Music City sing. Whether you leave with a case in hand or just a head full of pre-war Martins you tried, this is a pilgrimage every guitar lover should make. Bring an extra bag; you may need it.