I know this is an old thread...but wanted to share my experience:
Went to Nashville last week for first time. From Chicago. Took 13 year old daughter for a Christmas present to see her favorite, Ed Sheeran, at Ryman.
Walked by Gruhn and told Emily we should go in. I had heard of it but not being a musician myself, didn't know much about it. I opened front door and we stood there for a moment...there's almost an aura of: "I don't know if I am supposed to be in here!!!" I took a deep breath and said: "come on...let's look around."
Little background: Emily loves singing and playing guitar. She is NOT a Taylor Swift/Justin Bieber type music fan. She much prefers a variety like Foy Vance/ Ed Sheeran (of course)/ Olly Murs/ Barbara Streisand/ Patti Lupone/ Van Morrison etc. She plays guitar every chance that she gets and owns a 300.00 Seagull.
As others have said, there were four people working and there was one customer in the store who was being helped by one of the sales staff. No one said anything to us, so we just walked to the back room. We immediately saw the signs that said to ask the staff for help with the guitars, but it didn't really look like anyone cared so when Emily asked if she could take one down and try it, I said sure.
To make a long story short...Emily tried every acoustic guitar in there that she could reach. She played guitars that were from $500.00 to $5,000.00 and she had an amazing time. "This is the best day of my life." Her favorite was a black Taylor 214-CE...at $975.00, over our budget but perhaps a thought for next Christmas.
Now I know that this story may add evidence to the "real" musicians contention that Gruhn is touristy, but if one visit to a guitar store can fuel any individuals passion for learning and performing...I don't care if they are amateur or professional...they should be there.
In the end, we left with a $4.95 cloth to take home home to polish her Seagull. While paying for it, I thanked the older man at the counter (perhaps George) for allowing Emily to play the guitars and for allowing us to feel like it was OK to be there. The hour and a half spent in that store meant the world to us. Next time, maybe I'll see if we can get a reservation for the second floor!!! lol