Davis & Sons Guitar Shop in South Carolina — What to Know Before You Visit
What Davis & Sons Offers
Davis & Sons Guitar Shop is a guitar retailer in South Carolina that carries new and used instruments, along with accessories and repair services. The shop stocks acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars from various manufacturers, and staff can help you find an instrument that matches your budget and playing style.
Beyond sales, Davis & Sons provides in-house repair and maintenance work. If you own a guitar that needs a setup, new strings, fret work, or other repairs, you can bring it in and discuss the work with experienced technicians. The shop also handles trade-ins, so if you want to upgrade to a different instrument, you can bring your current guitar as part of the transaction.
Key Takeaways
- Davis & Sons carries both new and used guitars, basses, and acoustic instruments, so you can browse options across different price points in one location.
- The shop offers repair and setup services on-site, which means you do not have to ship your guitar elsewhere or wait for mail-in turnaround.
- Staff can advise you on instrument choice based on your experience level and what you want to play, rather than pushing the most expensive option.
- Trade-in options let you put the value of your current guitar toward a new purchase if you are ready to upgrade.
New and Used Inventory
The shop stocks both new guitars fresh from manufacturers and used instruments from trade-ins and consignment. New guitars come with manufacturer warranties and are set up and ready to play when you take them home. Used guitars often cost less and can be a smart choice if you are learning or experimenting with a new style, since the lower price means less financial risk if your interests change.
Davis & Sons inspects used instruments before putting them on the floor, so you are not buying a guitar with hidden damage or serious wear. Staff can tell you the history of a used guitar—how long it has been in the shop, whether it has been repaired, and what condition the frets and electronics are in. This transparency helps you make a decision based on actual facts rather than guessing.
Repair and Setup Services
A guitar setup—adjusting the action, intonation, and truss rod—makes the difference between an instrument that is painful to play and one that feels natural in your hands. Davis & Sons performs setups on guitars you buy there and on instruments you already own. If you have a guitar that feels uncomfortable or sounds off, a setup can often fix it without replacing the instrument.
The shop also handles string replacement, fret polishing, nut and saddle work, electronics repair, and refinishing. Turnaround time depends on the job and how busy the shop is, so call ahead to ask how long a specific repair will take. Having repair work done locally means you can pick up your guitar in person and talk to the technician about what was done and how to care for the instrument going forward.
Accessories and Add-Ons
Beyond guitars themselves, Davis & Sons stocks strings, picks, straps, cables, tuners, capos, and cases. Having these items available in one place means you can grab what you need when you buy a guitar or come in for a repair. The staff can recommend accessories based on your instrument type and playing style—for example, a heavier gauge string for a particular tuning, or a case that fits your specific guitar model.
Cases and gig bags are especially worth discussing with staff, since the right case protects your investment during transport and storage. A quality case costs money upfront but prevents damage that would cost far more to repair.
How to Visit and What to Bring
Before you visit, call Davis & Sons to confirm hours and ask whether you should make an appointment, especially if you want to discuss a repair or trade-in. Bring your guitar if you want a setup or repair estimate, along with any paperwork you have about the instrument. If you are shopping for a new guitar, you do not need to bring anything—just come ready to play a few instruments and talk through what you are looking for.
If you are trading in a guitar, bring the instrument in good condition and be ready to discuss its age, any repairs it has had, and what you paid for it originally. The shop will inspect it and make an offer based on current market value and the instrument's condition. Trade-in value is usually less than what you would get selling it privately, but the convenience of handling the transaction in one place often makes it worth it.
Why Local Guitar Shops Matter
Buying from a local shop means you get face-to-face advice from people who play guitars themselves and understand what different instruments sound and feel like. Online retailers cannot replicate that experience—you cannot hear a guitar before you buy it or have someone adjust it to your hands and preferences. A local shop also becomes a resource over time; staff remember you, know what you play, and can call you when something comes in that matches your interests.
Repair services at a local shop are especially valuable. Mail-in repair means your guitar is gone for weeks, and you have no way to communicate with the technician about what you want. At Davis & Sons, you can walk in, explain the problem, watch the work happen if you want, and pick up your guitar the same day for minor jobs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to make an appointment to visit Davis & Sons?
Call ahead to confirm hours and ask whether an appointment is needed. Walk-ins are often welcome for browsing, but if you want a repair estimate or extended one-on-one time with staff, scheduling ahead ensures someone is available to give you full attention.
What should I expect to pay for a basic guitar setup?
Setup prices vary by shop and by how much work the guitar needs. Call Davis & Sons with details about your guitar and what you want adjusted, and staff can give you an estimate. A basic setup is usually less expensive than a new guitar but more than a single string replacement.
Can I sell my guitar to Davis & Sons without trading it in for another instrument?
Many guitar shops buy used instruments outright, though the price offered is typically lower than trade-in value. Call the shop to ask whether they purchase guitars and what condition yours needs to be in. Consignment is another option—the shop sells your guitar and takes a percentage of the sale price.
What if I buy a guitar online and need it repaired?
Most local shops will repair guitars you bought elsewhere, though some may charge a slightly higher rate than for instruments purchased there. Call Davis & Sons to ask about their policy and get a repair estimate for your specific guitar.
How do I know if a used guitar is a good deal?
Staff at Davis & Sons can tell you the typical price range for a guitar of that brand, model, and age, and whether the condition justifies the asking price. If you are unsure, ask for a setup estimate—if the guitar needs significant work, factor that cost into whether the deal makes sense.