Cottonwood Music Emporium - Costa Mesa, California

David Monterroso

Cottonwood music emporium is hands down one of the best guitar shops I’ve ever been to. Their pedal selection is amazing, and they always have something cool to check out. The staff is super helpful and clearly knows their stuff. Every time I’ve stopped by, they’ve taken the time to answer my questions and guide me without any pressure. It’s the kind of shop where you can tell they genuinely care about the gear and their customers.

Definitely worth a visit if you’re serious about your music! I’m definitely gonna be coming back frequently-this is my new favorite spot.

Steve Bruno

Super friendly place! Ordered a pedal and had an issue with the shipping company, Jim from Cottonwood was quick to look into it and helped me get my order within days of the original concern. Awesome service and will 100% order through them again!

Brianna Bohonok

Thank you Cottonwood for being so helpful!!

I’m not a Cool Music Person and I know it; I’m definitely a Toddler Mom. So it’s intimidating to go into a music store with cool music people inside and ask for help. But the guys at Cottonwood were really welcoming and kind, and didn’t make me feel like the absolute novice that I am 🙂

I bought a ukulele to learn, but couldn’t get it in tune. They tuned to for me and were really nice about it. So, while I’m sure it’s also a great place for serious guitar players, if you’re a beginner don’t be afraid to stop by!

Philip Lawson

Jim runs an outstanding shop. I’ve always known his shop as a super friendly place to hang out and try a huge selection of boutique pedals.
Recently he had a Gibson LP Standard in with a gorgeous top. I played it for a few hours but the setup was a bit off, the fretboard quite dry and the pickup selector switch was messed up. I ended up buying the guitar and Jim through in a free service and setup from his pro tech.
When I got the guitar a few days later, I was blown away: new strings, reconditioned fretboard, a full setup, switch repaired and the body had been buffed (!!)
Talk about going the extra mile, I was blown away by the customer service and attention to detail from Jim. Thanks again!

Daniel Ortiz

The owner is an awesome guy, really knowledgeable about the products, best selection of amps and pedals I've seen in one place in So Cal! I'm planning on being a regular there from now on. Awesome selection for any style and taste. If boutique gear speaks to you, come on down to cottonwood music emporium!

Dave Martin

Simply put, this shop provided some of the most classy, stand-out customer service I have ever experienced as a consumer in my adult life.

Let me start with a story - for the past year, I've been excitedly saving and planning to buy a guitar on Prime Day 2019 through Amazon. When it finally rolled around, I was excited to see that D'Angelico was going to be discounting one of my favorite guitar models by a BIG margin from their MSRP. However, I saw that they only had 2 left in stock, and Prime had only a few hours left to go. So I ordered it and began the painful waiting process while my new guitar made its way to me through the postal service. Five days later, I got home from work to see a large D'Angelico-branded box sitting on our porch. I could not be more excited. I grabbed it, took it into my office, and began opening it. As I unzipped the case, however, I was stunned.. I'd be sent the wrong model....my stomach dropped. I immediately hopped on to Amazon to see if I could see where things went wrong - I looked at my order, and saw that it had been shipped and sold by Amazon, but saw that the last remaining Premier Bedford was being sold by Cottonwood - so I assumed they had accidentally sent me the wrong model.

I researched their number, called and left a message explaining the situation. Within an hour, I received a text back that they hadn't been the ones to send me the guitar - and that Amazon pulls stock to ship from various shops around the country to fulfill orders if they don't have them themselves. That totally made sense! Amazon said they'd refund my purchase once I returned it, but that they wouldn't have the guitar in stock for the foreseeable future...I was mortified.

This is where Cottonwood stepped in and blew my mind.
I got a follow-up text from the shop saying that - although they didn't have any involvement in my order or any responsibility for the snafu - they would be happy to match my Prime Day discount and ship me their last Premier Bedford with free shipping!!

I still can't believe it. In no way were they responsible for the initial mistake - yet they went out of their way to rectify the situation for me even though they had no reason to! I am so impressed with their OUTSTANDING CUSTOMER SERVICE. They have just guaranteed my customer loyalty for life. Wow. 10/10 experience. Still a bit mind-boggling. What a classy, unexpected act. They are impressive and deserve more attention as a shop. Especially in this day and age of big-box corporate music stores, I am so happy to advocate for this shop!

TL;DR: Make this your go-to boutique music provider, guitar / amp / pedal provider. 10/10 customer service. Polite, prompt communication, and professional experience.

Elliptical Da Vid

Friendly owner and great range of items. Amazing haven for guitar peeps. Next time I'm in California, I'll be sure to come again. 9/10.

Wide Open

Found this shop a few years back and wow, I just do not purchase guitars or amps from anyone else now! From a 1959 Fender Deluxe to 1965 Vox Ac30, to Marshal Plexi and all in between. Don't be afraid to pick up a guitar from one of his fantastic custom guitar makers either! I found my #1 most played guitar just sitting there all alone on the show floor, waiting to be brought home. Thanks Jim. Always a pleasure!