Maple Street Guitars in Atlanta, GA: What to Know Before You Visit

If you search for “Maple Street Guitars Atlanta GA”, you’re almost certainly looking for one thing: a trusted, in-person guitar shop in Atlanta where you can actually pick up instruments, hear how they sound, and get knowledgeable help.

This guide explains what Maple Street Guitars is known for, how it fits into the Atlanta music scene, and how to make the most of a visit if you live in the metro area or are just in town.

What Is Maple Street Guitars?

Maple Street Guitars is a long-established, specialty guitar shop in Atlanta, Georgia, known locally for:

• A strong focus on acoustic guitars (steel-string and classical)
• A curated selection of electric guitars and amplifiers
• Repairs, setups, and maintenance
• Staff who tend to be players themselves, not just salespeople

It functions as a destination shop for guitarists across metro Atlanta and often for visitors from other parts of Georgia and neighboring states who want to try a range of quality instruments in person.

Where It Is and How to Get There

Maple Street Guitars is located in Atlanta’s Buckhead / North Atlanta area, an accessible part of the city for both in-town residents and suburban visitors.

Use these general guidelines when planning a visit:

• If you’re Intown (Midtown, Virginia-Highland, Inman Park):
  You’ll typically head north, often via Peachtree Road, Piedmont Road, or GA-400, depending on where you start.
• If you’re coming from the northern suburbs (Sandy Springs, Roswell, Alpharetta):
  You’ll usually head south into Atlanta via GA-400 or Roswell Road.
• If you’re coming from the east or west (Decatur, Smyrna, Marietta):
  Expect to cross through or around I-285 and navigate toward the Buckhead/North Atlanta area.
• If you’re visiting without a car:
  Many people use rideshare services from MARTA rail stations such as Buckhead, Lindbergh Center, or Arts Center to reach the shop.

Tip: 💡 Check current hours before heading over, especially around holidays, as smaller specialty shops sometimes adjust schedules.

What You’ll Typically Find Inside

While inventory changes over time, Maple Street Guitars is generally known around Atlanta for:

Acoustic Guitars

This is where the shop is often most recognized locally. You can usually expect:

• Steel-string acoustics in a variety of body shapes (dreadnought, OM, concert, jumbo)
• Classical and nylon-string guitars for classical, Latin, and fingerstyle players
• Options across beginner to professional price ranges

Many Atlanta players visit specifically to compare different tonewoods, body sizes, and brands side-by-side in a quiet, dedicated environment.

Electric Guitars and Amps

While the shop is especially known for acoustics, you can typically also find:

• Electric guitars suited for rock, blues, jazz, worship, and pop
• Amplifiers for home practice, studio work, or small venues
• Some effects and accessories (such as tuners, straps, and cases)

Accessories and Essentials

Most local players rely on Maple Street Guitars for staples like:

• Strings (acoustic, electric, classical, 12-string, specialty gauges)
• Capos, tuners, and straps
• Picks and slides
• Cases and gig bags

Because Atlanta’s humidity and seasonal changes can affect instruments, many players also look for humidifiers, hygrometers, and setup services here.

Services: Repairs, Setups, and Maintenance

In Atlanta’s climate—hot summers, varying humidity, and indoor air conditioning—guitars often need more attention than players expect. A local shop like Maple Street Guitars is useful for:

Common Services Atlanta Players Request

• Neck adjustments and action setups (especially after seasonal changes)
• Fret work (leveling, crowning, polishing)
• Nut and saddle work
• Electronics troubleshooting (for electric and acoustic-electric guitars)
• Restringing, including 12-string and classical tie-on jobs

Many guitarists in Atlanta schedule routine setups once or twice a year, particularly if they notice changes in playability when heating or air conditioning kicks in.

Before you visit, it can help to:

1. Call ahead and ask about turnaround time, especially during busy seasons.
2. Bring up any specific issues you’ve noticed (buzzing, high action, tuning instability).
3. Know your string gauge and tuning preferences, so the tech can set up the instrument for how you actually play.

How Maple Street Guitars Fits Into the Atlanta Music Scene

Atlanta has a diverse music culture: hip-hop, R&B, rock, jazz, gospel, indie, and more. For guitarists, Maple Street Guitars tends to fill a few specific roles:

A Go-To Spot for Acoustic and Fingerstyle Players

Many singer-songwriters, fingerstyle players, church musicians, and acoustic-focused artists around the city look for guitars with strong unplugged tone and comfortable playability. Maple Street Guitars is commonly known as one of the places where you can:

• Quietly audition different acoustic body shapes and woods
• Compare nylon vs. steel for different styles
• Get guidance on string choices for tone and feel

A Resource for Students and Teachers

With numerous music schools, private teachers, and university programs in the Atlanta area (including Georgia State, Georgia Tech, and area conservatories), there’s a steady flow of:

• Students looking for a first “serious” instrument
• Parents trying to understand what sort of guitar a teacher has recommended
• Instructors guiding students toward instruments that will support long-term learning

In-person shops like Maple Street Guitars are especially useful in Atlanta for this group because students and parents can physically compare instruments rather than guessing online.

Comparing Maple Street Guitars to Other Atlanta Guitar Options

If you’re new to Atlanta or new to guitar, it helps to understand where a specialty shop like this fits among your choices.

Types of Places You Might Shop for Guitars in Atlanta

For many Atlanta guitarists, a typical pattern is:

1. Try gear in person at a local specialty shop to understand what works.
2. Get setup and maintenance done locally over time.
3. Use a mix of local and online options once they know their preferences.

Tips for Visiting Maple Street Guitars as an Atlanta Guitarist

Whether you’re a beginner in Decatur or a seasoned player commuting from Cobb County, a little preparation can make your trip more productive.

1. Clarify Your Budget and Use-Case

Before you go, think about:

• How much you want to spend (including a case, strap, tuner, etc.)
• Where you’ll mostly play:
  • Apartment or house in Atlanta (consider volume and neighbors)
  • Church or rehearsal space
  • Local venues and open mics
• Your music style (folk, rock, jazz, worship, classical, etc.)

That way the staff can quickly narrow down what to show you.

2. Bring What You Already Use

To get an honest comparison, consider bringing:

• Your own picks
• Any capo or slide you use regularly
• If shopping for an acoustic-electric: your usual cable or small pedalboard

If you regularly play through a particular kind of amp at home or at your church in Atlanta, tell the staff; they can help you approximate that sound in the shop.

3. Plan Around Atlanta Traffic

Atlanta traffic is a real factor, especially if you’re coming from Gwinnett, Cobb, or the northern suburbs. To make your visit easier:

• Aim for midday or early afternoon on weekdays when possible.
• Check for special events or game days that can affect travel times.
• If you’re already in the city for work or school, consider stopping by before heading home, rather than making a dedicated rush-hour trip.

4. Take Advantage of the Chance to Play Quietly

One of the advantages of a focused guitar shop is that you often have:

• Quieter rooms than big-box stores
• Staff who understand that players may need time to really listen
• The chance to compare similar instruments back-to-back

If you’re deciding between, for example, a small-body acoustic and a dreadnought for Atlanta gigs and home playing, using this environment can help you hear real differences.

Buying Your First Guitar in Atlanta: Is Maple Street Guitars a Good Fit?

If you’re completely new to guitar in Atlanta, you might wonder if a specialty shop is “too advanced.” In practice, beginners often find these shops especially useful because:

• Staff can help you avoid hard-to-play or poorly set up instruments.
• You can get a proper setup from the start, which makes practice smoother.
• You’re less likely to outgrow the guitar immediately.

Questions that beginners in Atlanta often bring to Maple Street Guitars and similar shops include:

• “What size guitar is right for me or my child?”
• “Should I start on nylon or steel strings?”
• “Do I need an acoustic-electric if I might play at church or school?”
• “What should I budget for a decent starter guitar plus accessories?”

Going in with those questions prepared can help staff match you with something that works for Atlanta apartments, practice spaces, and typical local performance settings.

How Maple Street Guitars Can Help If You’re Just Visiting Atlanta

If you’re in town for:

• A recording session at an Atlanta studio
• A tour stop at venues like The Tabernacle, Variety Playhouse, or smaller clubs
• A long-term business trip or temporary relocation

You might need:

• A reliable acoustic or electric for local gigs or writing sessions
• Emergency repair or setup after travel
• Fresh strings, straps, tuners, and cases

In that situation, going to a local shop like Maple Street Guitars can be a practical way to get back to playing quickly, without guessing through unfamiliar online options while on the road.

When a Local Atlanta Guitar Shop Is Especially Helpful

Living in or around Atlanta, a place like Maple Street Guitars is particularly useful when:

• Your guitar feels harder to play after seasonal changes.
• You’re ready to move from a starter instrument to something more serious.
• You need trusted advice on choosing a guitar for local performances, church services, or school programs.
• You want to compare several higher-quality acoustics or classical guitars in one visit.

By understanding what Maple Street Guitars offers and how it fits into the broader Atlanta music environment, you can decide whether it’s the right next stop for your playing needs—whether you live here full-time, commute in from the suburbs, or are only in Atlanta for a short stay.