The Twelfth Fret Guitarists' Pro Shop

I’ve been dealing with 12 th Fret for years. What a great bunch of guys and gals. I’ve purchased many fine instruments here over the years and the sales staff is top notch. Chris Bennett is very knowledgeable with the vintage guitar market and Jay in the repair department is excellent and does amazing work. Love this place!

Been taking my gear there for years. Acoustic and electric, damage repair, parts install, to basic setups. Twice they fixed an issue for me right at the counter. No charge. Every time the work was excellent. Shout out to the amp repair tech they recommended (contact info in the FAQ on their website). He cleaned up a Twin for me. Also excellent.

Jay was very knowledgeable and gracious with his time. He gave excellent and honest advice. Much appreciated!

Brought my guitar in for some overdue TLC today, expecting it to take a few days and a few hundred bucks. The guitar tech put it up on the table and diagnosed some issues in minutes, pulling some shims out of the saddle and un-torquing the nut some. He was great at explaining what was wrong, understood the model of guitar well, and had it adjusted in 10 mins. Has never sounded better. And charged me nothing for his time. Appreciated that a lot and will come back to the shop next time I need something!

Lots of staff, no one seems to know what's going on. I called about trading in one guitar for another, they said that was great, bring it in. Drove across town, different guy says their guitar had been sold weeks before. Staff chatting away to each other, you can feel the disinterested attitude of the place.

12th Fret says 'people buy the guitars before heading down' which is unrealistic to pay thousands for a guitar you haven't seen or played? It's not that the guitar sold minutes before.it sold weeks before and not one updated the site nor mentioned that one the phone because they didn't check.

Called a month later about trading the same guitar they saw for a different guitar they have in stock. The guy says no problem. Weary of driving across town again on their word I write an email asking about their sales policy because my trade in was worth more than their guitar I wanted. Well, different guy writes back that they aren't interested in taking my guitar in for trade only consign it now*.

Admittedly in my last review I said they wouldn't 'sell my guitar' which was incorrect. *My bad. I meant to say they wouldn't 'take' my guitar, referring to the trade in, the consignment being useless to me if the guitar I want is sold in the meanwhile. Not exactly the same and my mistake for wording it wrong but the point, I failed, to make was that one guys says 'yea trade it in', next says 'guitar was sold weeks ago', one guy says ' yea trade in at 70%', next guy says 'no don't want it anymore, consign only'.

To that, 12th Fret said they 'highly recommend keeping it simple with speaking and dealing with one staff member instead of multiple'.

I'm confused how store policy is dependant on who I speak with.

If I dealt only with the guy who said I could trade my guitar in at 70% I would get that deal after all?

I can't control who answers the phone or email. Each staff member should, probably, know what guitars are actually in stock in their guitar store, update their website when they sell something sooner than in 'a few weeks' because it takes a minute to do so and they should agree on what they are interested in trading or consigning. Or at least pull up your file so as not to waste people's time.

'OK cool, let me just double check' isn't in the vocabulary.

Scroll through the negative reviews and see how the pattern of arrogance, disinterest, staff standing around chatting and mistakes keeps coming up. Also see how the response is aggressive, how they try to blame the customer or say things like 'No one helped you? Probably because we're each serving 2 or 3 customers at a time'. Ever been in a guitar store that jam packed including L+M on a Saturday? Me neither.

The proof: (?)
I called GEAR Music in Oakville, sent pics, quick response, said they'd take it on trade right away. Went in, they took it on trade, I got a KILLER guitar at a great price, GEAR gave me more than 12th offered and are selling it in their shop for less than 12th would've. GEAR are super nice, responsive, friendly, funny and knew what was in stock down to the guitars that had sold over the long weekend online. No double hesitations, no confusion, no fear of being able to sell a guitar. 12th prove themselves over priced, disorganised, unfriendly all served with guitarrista attitude.

I guess they think the coolness of their guitars is, somehow, a reflection on them as individuals, especially the owner.

They have nothing that Paul's Boutique or GEAR or anywhere else doesn't have.except attitude.

Amazing pro shop for all things guitar. Beautiful vintage and new instruments and knowledgeable staff. Repairs as well.

Hands down the best place to get your guitars repaired. The staff there are extremely friendly and has in-dept knowledge of what they are doing. I had some wiring issue on an old guitar and took it to them to get it repaired. They fixed my guitar within 15mins as I waited. The staff were amazing and did not charge me anything. Me and my friends have been going here for a while now and the customer service has always amazed me. To compare, long and McQuade told me they need to keep my guitar for a week to inspect before even telling me if it's repairable or the cost to repair. Would highly recommend them for any of your instrument repair need.

Jay is an absolute magician. He completely fixed and repaired my cracked and chipped guitar that fell off the wall.

Absolutely unnoticeable and looks brand new, I cannot recommend this place enough. Even put on a fresh set of strings as the icing on the cake.

Great price and quick turnaround.

I literally live next door to a music store in Newmarket and they told me to bring it to Jay at Twelfth Fret.

Thank you guys!

I recently had the pleasure of visiting the 12th Fret Guitarists Pro Shop, and I must say, I was thoroughly impressed with the quality of their inventory. Every guitar in the shop was impeccably curated, with a great range of styles and brands to choose from. What stood out to me the most, however, was the fact that all of their guitars were set up to perfection. Each one played like an absolute dream.

The 12th Fret has a well-earned reputation within the guitarist community, and it's easy to see why. Their commitment to providing high-quality instruments, along with exceptional customer service, has made them a go-to destination for musicians of all levels. It's clear that they've been serving the community for many years, and their expertise and knowledge is evident in every aspect of their shop.

Whether you're in the market for a new guitar, or just browsing for inspiration, the 12th Fret is definitely worth a visit. The staff are friendly, knowledgeable, and always happy to help. I appreciated the fact that they took the time to listen to my needs and preferences, and were able to guide me towards a guitar that was perfect for me.

Overall, I highly recommend the 12th Fret Guitarists Pro Shop. Their inventory is second to none, and the quality of their setup and service is truly exceptional. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better place to buy a guitar.

I included a photo of my guitars, lucky for me theres room for more. Thanks 12th fret!

Arrogant staff and overpriced
I guess only guitarists from Forest Hill can afford to shop here.
Avoid. Other great guitar shops in the east end

I will never again purchase a guitar that is not in stock and that I cannot play beforehand. I ordered one that had yet to be manufactured (in Spain) and had to wait six months for it, this was annoying but, to the 12thfret's credit they did keep me informed of the progress. I was disappointed that the guitar wiring was incorrect and the battery drained after less than an hour of play. This is regrettable in my opinion for a $1,000 guitar.

As the 12th Fret noted, regarding the delay and the wiring defect, these were strictly down to the manufacturer. 12th Fret were very cooperative in repairing the reversed wiring on the preamp once I brought it in. I would definitely go there again.

Had a broken nut on my bass they fixed it up real quick. Very nice staff it was a great experience.

Terrible customer service. Booking an appointment to visit their shop is kind of like applying a travel visa to USA. The only difference is you have a higher chance of getting approved of getting a travel visa before visiting in this door. Don't bother with this music store. 12th fret has a good reputation of screwing over it's customers.

Response to comment:
Here are a list of music shops that doesn't require appointment, background checks, or any form of discrimination I highly recommend these shops over The Twelfth Fret:
- Tundra Music
- Remenyi House of Music
- Allegro Music
- Paul's Boutique

I will never again purchase a guitar that is not in stock. I ordered one that had yet to be manufactured (in Spain) and had to wait six months for it, having been promised two months waiting time at worst. This was irksome but, to the 12thfret's credit they did keep me informed of the progress. What I did find really disappointing was that the guitar wiring was incorrect and the battery drained after less than an hour of play. This is something that is unforgivable in my opinion for a $1,000 guitar. I own several electric acoustics and have never had this problem. The turnaround time for the repair was good, but this should not have been a problem in the first place. MR Whitby.

I brought two of guitars in for service recently - both had signal issues with a pickup. Jay called me the following business day letting me know the issue was a simple fix he addressed by cleaning out the switch pots, at no charge. Additionally, I spoke with a staff member who was very helpful in explaining the shop's repair process and timeline. Thank you!

The very best I have ever seen and I learned more about my banjo from Grant in 30 minutes than I have in the last 30 years, I have never met anybody that knows instruments like Grant. Thank you so much for the knowledge and care of my banjo. If you have a banjo or any instrument with a problem you have to go here, your problems are over -Dale Cole

I have happily bought from them in the past but they were just comically unresponsive when I informed them that they had accepted an instrument on consignment that I had purchased from the consigner weeks ago. Would never do business again with a place that would respond this way.and further dishonest and disreputable practices.

Best guitar shop around in a city with some very good ones. Great repair work and always large selection of new and used instruments.

Bought a travel guitar from them online and had it shipped. Everything was fine and the guitar arrived rapidly. There was a small extra part missing and they went the extra mile to make sure the manufacturer shipped me the missing item so very good service.

Great local shop. My go-to music store.
I’ve bought numerous items here over the years and never had a problem.
Thanks for all your help.

This is as close to a “guitar enthusiast spot” as it gets. The workmanship here is truly world-class, so much that even non-local guitarists bring in their guitars for repairs when they’re in town. As such, one may be disappointed if they demand immediate service, but it’s worth the wait.

Recently sold a guitar through consignment here and then bought a used one shortly after. I have nothing but good things to say about both interactions. Got a great price on the sale and then a stress-free purchase thanks to the generous trial period. Very helpful and responsive staff.

Great place to shop but unfortunately I won't be back for repairs. I was told on the phone to repair my worn down frets that it would be $275 before taxes. I asked the employee on the phone how much the repair would be with taxes and he told me $360. When I got to the store to pick up my guitar I was told it was actually $416 with tax and that $360 was just the deposit. I just wish whoever had been on the phone had been more clear because I probably would've just bought a new guitar if I knew the full price of the repair. Still a good place for the little things though.

Fantastic guitar store staffed by knowledgeable and friendly individuals. Twelfth fret is the go-to guitar store on the danforth.

Just received my Lowden back from the Repair Dept. Anne H.brought it back to life and it is a joy once again to play. I trust the 12th Fret implicitly with my instruments. They have always done incredible work to my prized possessions. I cannot recommend them enough. Thank you Grant and Co.

Been here several times and recently bought something online. Communication with them has always been prompt, helpful and friendly. They go the extra mile to make sure you are happy. I dealt with Brian in particular and he is a great guy.

When I got to visit in person pre-covid, they allowed me to freely test guitars at various price ranges without hovering over me and attended to me only when I requested for it. They have great selection and even rare instruments and accessories that you won't find elsewhere. The shop itself has a great vintage aura that makes it a pleasure to visit.

The Twelfth Fret feels more like a small family business than a big box store like Long and McQuade, which is a good thing. Overall a solid, quality business all around.

Since lockdown I've been getting back into guitar after a long hiatus and my guitar was sorely in need of some repairs. They did a great job of fixing it up and it feels and sounds much better now!

Ken and Jay did an amazing job fretting and putting inlays on my 6 string bass. Great luthiers, great service, great place!

I've been a customer of the Fret since. 1977! How does an independent business last that long? The words that come to mind are honesty, integrity and respect. The owner and founder, Grant MacNeill, has pursued his singular vision for 40 plus years: to have a fantastic selection of stringed instruments in an atmosphere that feels like visiting someone's home. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable and the repair department is the finest in the country! Regardless of whether you are a beginner or a touring professional, the staff at the Fret will help you find the instrument of your dreams!

Purchased an expensive, used Les Paul from Nick. Very patient with all of my questions, arrived incredibly well packaged and in better condition than advertised. Great place all the way around!

This is a great little store if you’re in the GTA area. Staff is very helpful and the guitar selection is great.

WOW! I just got back my 1968 Rickenbacker 330/12. I brought the 330/12 in for fret work. But the guitar is 52 years old and has been played a lot travelled and been beaten up so I figured it may need more then fret work. Still looked in good shape though. When I brought it in Gord handled it gently and one could tell right away he knew what he was doing. Quickly went over the guitar with what he could see and told me what he would do. Quoted me a price. Was more then I paid for the guitar, but then I bought it in 1975 so if you divided the quote into the years I had it, then it is quite economical and I bought it with 1975 dollars. Well he got me that bad news about the truss rods and suggested where I could get them in the UK. I figured that I should be able to get them on this continent. Sadly no, Rickenbacker changed the truss rod design in the mid-80s and they had none of the old ones. Other places said they could custom make them for me, but at a very high price. In the end I got them from where Gord originally suggested. I had them shipped directly to Gord. Took about a month from the time they were shipped till Gord called me to say the 330/12 was ready. He went through all that he did to it and in the end it was less then the quote. Not counting the truss rods that I paid for separately to the UK company. I could not get there for a few days. But I got there today as soon as they opened and it was curb side pick up. I got home a few minutes ago, plugged it in and again WOW! The unit sounds amazing, even better then I ever remembered it and with the neck adjustments and Gord's set up of the unit was a lot easier to play then I remembered. So I said all that to say. Thank you Gord and 12th Fret for making my 1968 330/12 sounding so amazing again. Great work!

Brought my Rickenbacker in for a set-up and Gord did a fantastic job setting it up. I had a little buyers regret after getting my guitar cause it just never felt right. That went away 5 minutes after getting it home. Thanks for making my guitar sound and play its best.

When nobody seemingly could help me with my Martin Tuning Peg replacement these guys jumped in and went beyond to assist. Fantastic customer service, would highly recommend!

Got my Strat back from Twelfth fret a few hours ago and I haven't been able to put it down! Jay did some incredible work and added some quality of life touchups that I didn't know to ask for but the difference is huge! Guitar sounds amazing now and I'll be sending all my instruments to get repaired here from now on.

Just got back my bass from Jay in the repair shop and, honestly, he’s the best. He’s setup three instruments for me and they’re the best playing and sounding in my 20+ years of playing. I’ve been going to the 12th Fret since I was a kid and they really are the best. Service has always been excellent. Even though it’s trek out there for me, now, it’s worth it. Grateful to have them within driving distance. Thanks!

I bought my Ramirez from 12th fret in 2014 and though it was not a $10K guitar, I felt like I got at least a $10K experience. I would only feel confident purchasing a classical guitar from the 12th fret. Anyone who has had a bad experience probably had a chip on their shoulder to begin with.

Just purchased my new Deering Eagle II banjo. What a beautiful instrument. Thanks to Grant for all his help putting things together. Great price and excellent customer service.

I needed to get a guitar set-up for my son. I was going to go to Long and McQuade, but then thought I'd give 12th Fret a try. The guy in service was extremely knowledgeable and helpful. Far exceeded my expectations. I would never get a guitar serviced any place else. Thanks 12th Fret!

The nicest guitar shop in the city. Good price, friendly people, and you can find very rare guitars in there. I regret sometimes for the things I didn't choose to buy.

Crooks! I bought a used National Resosonic for $3000 only five months ago. Barely played it, maintained it in a room that was consistent in both temperature and humidity. Only to find out at my local guitar store (tried selling it at Long and Mcquade) that the neck was twisted. A twisted neck on a guitar should not occur in 5 months if you've been taking care of it. They refuse to take responsibility and told me that they cannot do anything about a warranty. So I'm stuck with a broken guitar, $3000 in the hole. Never shopping here again. I'll be telling all my friends about my bad experience here.

I stopped into the store to see if anything could be done with my ukulele to improve its intonation and the technician who served me was very friendly and helpful. He took the time to diagnose the problem and decided in the end that all it needed was some filing down of the nut to lower the strings. And he didn't charge me for the work! Such great customer service, if I ever need future repairs or service done, I will definitely come back to this place. Highly recommend

Just got my first classical guitar from here. Love the place in first sight. Staffs are friendly and full of knowledge. Grant helped me with the set up, and he is awesome!

I walked in to have my machine head repaired. I was the next in line to see the tech. The customer ahead of me was an absolute know-it-all that didn't know "nothin'". He was a do it yourself guy who couldn't do it! I was getting aggravated with his antics. But what kept me calm was Jay the tech, he showed "NO" signs of frustration. After the guy left he gave me excellent as if nothing had happened. I have over 10 years of sales and marketing experience and if I were to grade him I would have given Jay "A+". Thanks Jay!

Took my guitar into the service shop and the staff were very helpful. Only took them a few minutes to fix the guitar and although I hope I don't have to go back, I definitely would.

Great shop, the local go-to for its repairs, albeit known for pricier rates and higher-brow inventory. I admit, I usually go in mostly to ogle (I'm not a pro, and a 'bottom-feeder' when it comes to guitar gear-buying, mostly via online classifieds), and sometimes noodle. None of the salespeople seem to mind, which is not true everywhere in the city. My most recent experience was a pleasant surprise too-I had recently acquired (via classifieds) a used resophonic guitar that needed a new cone, and unfortunately, with somewhat non-standard specifications. I took a deep breath and prepared to take a big wallet hit (willing to spend up to $200) to get my part then marched in the shop. A salesperson greeted me, and I explained the situation. She was sufficiently knowledgeable but took me upstairs to repairs, while she consulted with one of the luthiers/shop guys. She showed me a few replacement cones and ended up finding me exactly what I needed at only about $15 (!), and said "take it home and try it out. If it doesn't fit, just bring it back. " Obviously she wasn't being a salesperson but instead a player helping another player out-I appreciate that kind of time and effort (that's service!).

This is the place you go if you truly care about gear, service and accessories. A lot of high end instruments including big name brands as well as boutique builders. I had a Deering banjo repaired/set-up there recently and they did a beautiful job.

Bought a fender strat 2004 or so and a squire standard telecaster i ordered in.
Great service and setup, both guitars have been great. My daughter took lessons for a while, they have guitar parts, pickups etc for upgrades or finish project guitars. Repair shop as well. A well rounded store.

Recently Purchased a National ThunderBox from 12th Fret, Sales were very helpful, friendly and easy to deal with. The guys working at the store were very helpful in setting her up and shipping was fast and all went smoothly, love my guitar! Highly Recommend 12th Fret! Thank-you!

This really is Toronto’s Top Boutique Guitar Shop. Friendly and knowledgable staff are always on hand to answer any questions at all…

This place is legendary. The repair shop has EXPERTS and have saved some of my most beloved instruments. Guitar players have to know this place

Visited the store for the first time. I was impressed by the selection of guitars and my interaction with a staff member. He provided background on a guitar I was interested in and pointed out a few other guitars to try out for comparison sake.

Bill VL
Picked up my Godin 5th Avenue today. The work done has made a huge difference, it's will no longer sit collecting dust. Be sure to thank the technician who work on it.

Staff is very knowledgeable and the instructor especially Ed is very helpful.

I bought and am taking lessons here, and I am enjoying it. The twelfth fret is well known for its repair and its inventory. It's inventory is affordable and it's lessons are fun.

Fantastic local guitar shop. Tons of selection of stringed instruments.

Very helpful staff and a great repair shop on site.

Nice friendly and helpful staff when we took our vintage guitar in for an appraisal and consignment sale. It sold 2 weeks latger and we had a cheque in the mail within 3 weeks. All in all a great experience and worth the trip to Toronto from northern Ontario.