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Guitar shops worth the trip in Silver Spring

The Maryland suburbs north and east of DC pack in landmarks — the legendary Chuck Levin's in Wheaton, a Route 1 used-and-vintage room in Beltsville, and a Takoma Park folk institution.

House of Musical Traditions (opens in a new tab)

7010 Westmoreland Ave, Takoma Park 20912

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Phone: (301) 270-9090

House of Musical Traditions specializes in acoustic stringed instruments including guitars, banjos, mandolins, ukuleles, and harps, alongside used instruments and a broad accessories selection. The shop also offers lessons, workshops, repairs, appraisals, and rentals from its Westmoreland Avenue storefront.

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Washington Music Center (opens in a new tab)

11151 Veirs Mill Rd, Wheaton 20902

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Phone: (301) 946-8808

Washington Music Center, family-owned since 1958 and known as Chuck Levin’s, stocks acoustic, electric, and bass guitars extensively along with amplifiers, accessories, and other instruments at its Veirs Mill Road store. It is widely regarded as one of the region’s landmark independent music retailers.

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Atomic Music (opens in a new tab)

11011 Baltimore Ave, Ste 2, Beltsville 20705

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Phone: (301) 595-4190

Atomic Music, founded in 1994, sits on Baltimore Avenue (Route 1) in Beltsville and deals heavily in used and vintage electric guitars, basses, amplifiers, and drums. Reviewers highlight the large electric-guitar selection across a wide range of price points, and the shop buys, sells, and trades on consignment.

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