When I was in music school (before the financial crash and I eventually got into software) my friends and I would quite often hang out at Guitar Center and play the guitars and other instruments that we couldn't afford. I have many fond memories of that.

I also bought my last guitar there, and some audio/recording equipment. It's one of my favorite retail places, especially since I don't like shipping acoustic instruments if possible. Although I have started to order more of my stuff online through Sweetwater. With the pandemic I try to avoid brick and mortar stores as much as possible. Although I do still occasionally order from them if they have what I want in stock and other places don't.

I don't order audio gear from Amazon due to the proliferation of counterfeits.