Setups:

We offer complimentary setup service with every brand new guitar that we sell. Aside from the initial setup we perform on our guitars when they arrive from the manufacturer, we will also continue to maintain the setup for life. This means that anytime you need an adjustment to be performed on your guitar, we will do that for free. This includes, but is not limited to, neck adjustments, intonation, saddle height adjustments/reductions, and sharp fret end sanding. This service is non-transferable (original purchaser only).

When you buy a guitar from us, you are making an investment. Guitar maintenance can be expensive! Just one setup can range from $50-$100, and setups are needed regularly throughout the life of a guitar in order to maintain optimum playability. Elsewhere, you can spend more than the cost of guitar on this type of repair alone during its lifetime, so you can see how much money you can save by buying a guitar from us. We offer this service for all brand new fretted instruments that we sell (guitars, basses, ukuleles, banjos, mandolins, etc.).

Setups are dependent on the tension of the strings that are installed. We realize that not every customer will want to keep the same size strings on their guitar forever, so we offer a one-time complimentary string gauge change setup with every instrument. We will continue to maintain setup for free after this string gauge change. However, any additional string gauge changes will be charged to the customer. Setup will be maintained for free after each subsequent string gauge change is charged, so you will still get complimentary setup benefits.

Please visit out repairs page for pricing on setups and other repair work.

Repairs:

Due to the large number of repairs we perform in our shop, we limit each customer to bringing a maximum of two instruments at a time for repair services.

Repairs are performed in as timely a manner as possible. When you drop off your instrument(s), we will give you an estimated completion time frame. Please remember this is an estimate, and that the true length of time may vary more or less from the estimated time frame.

We will hold your instrument for a maximum of sixty days after repairs are completed. We will contact you by phone on the day of completion. Please be sure to check your phone for voicemail messages after leaving your instrument with us. If thirty days have passed and you have not retrieved your instrument, we will make a maximum of two attempts to reach you by phone before releasing the item for sale after sixty days have passed. We don’t like enforcing this policy, so please pick up your instrument in a timely manner—we are not a storage facility.

We will always do our best to take care of your instrument while in our store so that it returns to you in the same condition, but there is always the chance that something can go wrong. In these instances, we are not responsible for compensation for any damage sustained.

Playing an instrument:

We get asked a lot if you’re able to play the instruments when visiting the store. You can absolutely play any instrument we have out for sale and strongly encourage it; however, there are a few things we do ask when you sit down to play. Since we do have some tight spaces, we ask that you be aware of your surroundings, and that includes when you lift the instrument up off of the hanger and bring it out, and when you sit down to play. We also ask that you remove anything from your front pockets that could scratch and/or dent the instrument, or even leave little squiggly surface marks on the finish; this can include keys, phone, wallet, etc. You might see some “hands off” tags on some of the instruments. If you see those tags, we are requesting that you ask for assistance in getting it down for you. If you do not see one of those tags, you are welcome to get the instrument down yourself. Please ask for assistance plugging any electric or acoustic/electric guitar in to play, as well as any effects pedals.

We accept returns and exchanges within 3 business days from date of purchase. No returns for used merchandise or consignment items. Returns must be in original, unused condition, and accompanied by all materials and packaging that were included with the purchase. *We do not offer or accept “buybacks”

Returns/Exchanges:

Financing:

We offer 0% interest, 6-month financing through Synchrony Bank. Apply today and use your line of credit immediately after approval for any purchases at Lightning Joe’s for $299 and above! We also offer 12-month financing for select Martin and Taylor guitars, as well as other promotional offers from time to time.

*Subject to credit approval. Minimum monthly payments required. Please call (805) 481-2226 or come into the store for more information.

 Layaway:

• 30-day layaway for any merchandise purchase under $500

• 60-day layaway for any merchandise purchase between $500 and $1,000

• 90-day layaway for any merchandise purchase above $1,000

No application or credit approval required for layaway!

*Layaway options require a 20% down payment. Monthly payments are encouraged, but not required. If you default on payment, there is a 15% restocking fee applicable to all payments made. No refunds; store credit or exchange only (restocking fee will apply). Layaway not available for consignment items.

Buy, Trade & Consign:

Shipping:

Buying:

Looking to sell your instruments and gear? We may be interested! We have very limited space available, so we ask that you please call beforehand to see if what you have is something we are able to take in. If we give you the green light to bring your item to the shop, selling to us is easy! We research the item’s current market value using a variety of methods we have experience in, then we come up with an offer for your consideration. We always take into account the items condition, playability, and if it will need any setup work and/or repairs before hanging it up for sale. Once we reach an agreement, there’s just a couple things to sign and then you’re good to go, cash or check in hand!

Important Note: Please keep in mind that we will resell your item, and therefore can only offer a wholesale price for your item. If you wish to be paid full market value, we suggest you sell your item privately.

Trades:

We do trades here every day! Trades are great for keeping used guitars and gear available to the community. It is another form of recycling and a way to keep consumer costs low. We are open to trades for most musical instruments regardless of condition, as well as amplifiers, effects pedals, and various musical gear. It is best to call first to let us know what you intend to bring in so we can let yo know if it’s something we would be interested in or have room for. When you come in with your item(s), please understand that we will need ample time to research your products to be able to come up with a fair trade value for you, so please allot for that time. We do not offer market value for product in trade and we take into account the cost of any necessary labor to setup the guitar to Lightning Joe’s standards for resale. The value we give is dependent upon the condition of the item as-is. In other words, the cleaner the guitar, the more trade value you may receive!

Consignment:

We offer consignment for select instruments and amplifiers. Please call first before bringing instruments and/or amplifiers in so we can let you know if we have the space available for your item(s). When you come in, please understand that we will need ample time to research your products to be able to come up with a fair selling price, so please allot for that time. Consignment works great in the consignee’s favor because you don’t have to make the sale; we take care of that for you! It is also a great way to expose your items to more people for a potentially faster sale. Our consignment fee is 25% of the final selling price. If your guitar needs setup/repair work, we can perform that work prior to being hung up for sale. Setup work is not required, but we do recommend it to keep public interest high and help sell the items faster for you. Please note that any work needed on your instrument, and performed by us, will need to be paid for up front before hanging it up for sale. This policy is non-negotiable. Consignees can take their items home at any time at no cost. There is no time limit on how long you can keep the items here. However, if we need the space, we may ask you to pick up your items. We do not offer any online exposure for your items – all sales will be made in-store only.  Though your items will be monitored and treated as if our own, we cannot be held responsible for any damages or loss that may occur while on display.

*We do not offer or accept “buybacks” on guitars purchased from us, regardless of length of ownership. If you wish to bring your guitar in, it will be treated as a used instrument for trade credit only and not at full market value.

*Due to the amount of overstock we have, space is severely limited in the store. We are no longer buying used instruments and gear, and our trade and consignment requirements have changed.

You must call prior to bringing in your used instruments and gear. If you receive verbal approval, you can bring in a max of two items for trade or consignment. Please note, there is no guarantee that we will accept the items you bring in, as many factors come into play, which can include not having space or the right market for your item(s), or the condition the item(s) are in.

We do not just have limited space with guitar hooks, or floor and showcase space for gear, but our additional storage space is also to the brim, so anything you bring in will need to be taken care of that day, except under certain circumstances; we are unable to store your items. Due to how long research may take, and if we're too busy, we may ask you to bring your items back another day. We do not have the capacity to accept appointments.

We hope this policy will be temporary as we sell through our overstock and will update as things change. Thank you for your understanding.

*Policy in effect July 1, 2023

Shipping is a subject we handle on a daily basis. If you need help shipping your guitar, we are happy to help! We have everything you need to send an item safely to any domestic USA location. We ship via UPS Ground unless otherwise specified, and the labor rate we charge is $30 packing/handling plus the cost to ship as designated by UPS, or another shipping service if requested. You do not have to pay for boxes or packing material of any kind. We use professional packing methods to ensure a safe delivery to your destination. We are proud to say that no item has ever been damaged! However please know that we are not responsible for any damage caused during transit. Give us a call at (805) 481-2226 to get started with your shipment today.

Our shipping return policy:

We strive for no less than total satisfaction with your purchase from Lightning Joe’s Guitar Heaven. If there is a problem with your order, please call us immediately at (805) 481-2226.

Lightning Joe’s Guitar Heaven will accept returns for merchandise, exchange or store credit only for any previously shipped item within 24 hours of the customer’s receiving the item. Refunds will not be granted. Returns will not be accepted after more than 24 hours have passed since the item was delivered to the customer. If the customer wishes to return the item, Lightning Joe’s Guitar Heaven must be notified within 24 hours via email or telephone call, including voicemail message. Shipping costs to and from the customer are to be paid solely by the customer. Lightning Joe’s Guitar Heaven will not be responsible for any damage sustained during the shipment of any item purchased. If damage is sustained during shipment or any item purchased from Lightning Joe’s Guitar Heaven, the customer may file and/or resolve damage claims with the shipping company only. All shipping charges, including international customs fees, duties, and taxes, are to be paid by the customer.

Returns must be in the complete and original packaging with all accessories and complete documentation (if applicable), and show no signs of wear or use. Please send your return in the same shipping box, with the same packing material, packed in the same manner as received to ensure safe shipment to us. Failure to follow these instructions may cause your return to be subject to a restocking fee of 15%. Special orders and consignment items are not returnable.

This policy is in effect as of July 22, 2016