Truly Strings in Baltimore: New and Used Guitars for Players at Every Price Point
Truly Strings is an independent guitar retailer on the north side of Baltimore that stocks new instruments from established manufacturers alongside used and vintage pieces, serving beginners buying their first acoustic through experienced players hunting for a specific model or era.
What Truly Strings actually is
The shop carries electric, acoustic, and bass guitars across a range of price tiers. New inventory includes brands like Fender, Gibson, Epiphone, Yamaha, and Ibanez. The used section rotates constantly and includes both recent trade-ins and older instruments; condition and rarity determine pricing within that inventory. Unlike big-box retailers, Truly Strings does not stock amplifiers, effects pedals, or strings as a primary focus, which shapes what kind of shopping trip suits it best.
New and used pricing, and what you'll actually spend
New guitars at Truly Strings range from roughly $200 for entry-level acoustics to $2,500 for higher-end electrics and semi-hollow bodies. Used prices depend heavily on brand, age, and condition. A serviceable 1980s Fender Stratocaster might sell for $400 to $700; a vintage Gibson or a recent-model high-end Fender could command $1,200 or more. The shop also handles occasional consignment pieces on behalf of private sellers, which adds unpredictability to inventory but sometimes yields unusual finds. Specifics shift frequently; call ahead to confirm current stock in any particular brand or price range.
How it compares to other Baltimore guitar retailers
Truly Strings occupies a middle ground between Guitar Center's high-volume, chain-store approach and smaller mom-and-pop shops with narrower selections. Guitar Center, located in Towson, offers wider new inventory, financing options, and repair services in-house, but staff turnover is higher and the environment favors casual browsers over lengthy consultations. A few independent shops like The Guitar Store (also in the region) focus more heavily on vintage and rare pieces, with prices to match; Truly Strings balances new-buyer accessibility with enough used depth to interest collectors. For someone wanting to compare five new Fender Telecasters on the same floor, Guitar Center wins. For someone wanting knowledgeable conversation about a 1970s model or a less common brand, Truly Strings offers a different kind of experience.
Services beyond retail
Truly Strings offers basic setup and adjustment work for instruments purchased in the shop. Full fret dressing, nut replacement, or custom work is typically referred elsewhere, though staff can recommend local luthiers. The shop does not consign repairs on behalf of customers; it is a retail space first. Trade-in credit is available against new purchases and is calculated on the spot based on condition and current demand.
Who it suits, and who it doesn't
Truly Strings is built for someone with a sense of what they want or the patience to have a real conversation about it. First-time buyers do well here if they are not in a rush; staff will explain the difference between a laminate and solid-wood top without judgment. Intermediate and advanced players often return because inventory surprises exist and staff speak the language of woods, pickups, and neck profiles. Someone needing an amplifier, cables, and picks in one trip should go to Guitar Center. Someone shopping under time pressure or by appointment should call ahead; walk-in service is standard but not guaranteed during peak hours.
What the first visit involves
Expect to spend 20 to 45 minutes if you are browsing or have general questions. The shop is small enough that staff can show you into the back to pull specific models. If you are trading in an instrument, bring it, cleaned and with any case or gig bag it came with. Setup adjustments for a guitar you buy typically take a few days and cost $45 to $85 depending on what is involved. No appointment is required for browsing or shopping, though calling ahead if you have a specific hunt in mind (a certain year of Gibson, for instance) saves a trip.
Hours and location logistics
Truly Strings operates Tuesday through Saturday, with hours typically 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; call to confirm, as retail hours shift seasonally. Street parking is available on the surrounding blocks. The shop is not accessible by major public transit lines, so a car is practical. There is no dedicated lot.
Truly Strings fills a gap for Baltimore musicians who want local expertise and the option to handle guitars in hand before deciding, without the overhead and depersonalization of a national chain.
