Website: https://cartervintage.com/
Carter Vintage Guitar is a guitar retailer and repair shop located in Nashville, Tennessee. The business operates within the musical instrument retail category, dealing in both vintage and new guitars along with related stringed instruments. Its showroom is situated in Nashville’s Gulch neighborhood, and it serves walk-in customers locally as well as buyers nationally through online sales and shipping. In addition to retail, the company provides instrument repair services, buys instruments from sellers, and operates a private event space called The Vault.
Products and Services
Carter Vintage Guitar’s inventory spans several categories of fretted instruments. The store sells vintage electric and acoustic guitars, brand-new instruments, mandolins, and other stringed instruments. Its website organizes the catalog under sections including Latest Arrivals, Electrics, Acoustics, and Other. The business also offers branded merchandise and apparel through a dedicated Merch section.
Beyond sales, the company runs a full instrument repair operation. Published repair services and pricing include fretwork and playability work such as fret leveling, crowning, and polishing (listed at $200, with an additional $150 for stainless steel) and full fret replacement ($500-$750 depending on material and binding). Bridge work includes bridge lift and re-glue ($325), acoustic bridge replacement ($550 for standard Martin/Gibson), and bridge plate replacement ($350). Electronics and pickup services include pickup installation ($150, with an additional $50 for hollow or semi-hollow bodies), pot replacement ($65-$100), and switch replacement ($75-$125). Structural repairs include acoustic neck resets (from $1,050), headstock and neck break repairs ($850-$1,250), and body crack repairs ($125 per crack). Other services include a basic setup ($125) and a bone nut ($125). The repair process is described as contacting the shop, dropping off or shipping the instrument, expert repair with status updates, and pickup or insured return shipping. The repair team includes master luthiers Steve Mather and Scott Holyfield along with additional guitar technicians.
The company also buys instruments through its “Sell Your Instruments” service, offering consultation for sellers.
The Vault
The Vault at Carter Vintage Guitars is a 1,700-square-foot private event space located above the main showroom in Nashville’s Gulch neighborhood. The venue features exposed white brick, hardwood floors, and walls displaying vintage Gibson, Fender, and Martin guitars. It accommodates up to 80 guests for seated dinners and 100 or more guests for standing or reception formats depending on layout, and it can be combined with the main showroom for larger full-buyout events. The space is used for corporate offsites, client dinners, brand activations, listening sessions, product launches, private celebrations, and intimate performances.
Rental includes private space access, setup and breakdown time, a dedicated on-site venue manager, and janitorial service. Available add-on experiences include a guitar tasting (handling three to five vintage instruments), a Vault guitar tour with storytelling, a backstage repair workshop tour, live acoustic performances (20-30 minutes), whiskey or cocktail tastings, yoga or sound healing sessions, professional photo and video services, and curated gift add-ons. Booking terms call for a 50% deposit at booking with the remaining balance due 30 days prior, and the company recommends booking at least one month in advance.
About
Carter Vintage Guitar is associated with a sister store, Norman’s Rare Guitars, which according to the website was acquired by TNAG Global as of January 2026. Specific founding details and company history are not stated on the pages reviewed.
Location & Contact
Address: 606 8th Ave S, Suite 201, Nashville, TN 37203
Phone: (615) 915-1851
The store’s hours are listed as Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Free validated parking is available through the Prima South Gulch Garage. Customers can reach the business by phone for sales, repairs, and Vault event inquiries.
Additional Information
The company maintains a social media presence on Instagram (@cartervintageguitars) and YouTube (CarterVintageGuitarsNashville). Its website navigation includes sections for Latest Arrivals, Electrics, Acoustics, Other, Merch, Repairs, Events (The Vault), Info, and Sell Your Instruments. Customer reviews referenced on the site come from buyers in multiple states, reflecting both a local Nashville customer base and national online sales reach.
Profile compiled from the company’s official website (cartervintage.com).