I had one of the most positive guitar store experiences anywhere at Acoustic Music.
I called ahead specifying the guitars I was interested in checking out, arrived with them all ready to go in a dedicated room to play them in. No straining to hear the guitar over other players, no need to feel self-conscious, nobody hovering over me. Huge thanks to Ian for being super helpful, friendly and making it a great experience!
Ian is excellent and the rest of the crew are excellent as well.
They are very knowledgeable about every instrument in the shop. Very customer friendly and will go the extra mile to make sure you are happy with your purchase.
if you play guitar and enjoy finer instruments you got to stop in…. the best selection of quality acoustic guitars and a few electrics too for those who like to plug in. They will also match Sweetwater as well. So if you need a new instrument stop in and support a local shop.Very knowledgeable staff as well.
Had a guitar cable when I needed it.
Not many mandolins
No prices listed
Thé Owners are lousy business
2. Alpha Audio Works Inc
Address: 44 Washington St, Mystic, CT 06355 , Alpicat , Connecticut , United States
Drove down from Springfield MA look at warwicks and this place is the best. Awesome selection, rock bottom prices and Jim was super friendly. We will be back!
One of the best, most complete musical instrument stores in Connecticut. They also do installs for pro audio equipment as well as lessons. Guitars, drums, band and Orchestra, pro audio recording and more. You name it, they take care of it. The owner Randy is a true industry veteran and his associate Jim is one of the best luthiers in the business. Come on by to get seriously awesome customer service. I swear they did not pay me to say this! I’ve been doing business with them since I was a kid and they’ve always taken care of me. I wouldn’t go to anywhere else..
Randy and Jim were very nice and helpful, they clearly love what they do. The store is amazing and has a ton of great gear. It is worth the trip!
Nice little music store. They had a decent selection of both acoustic and electric guitars and a really good selection of used Amplifiers (and a couple steals in there too). Hidden gem in my opinion
3. JC Music
Address: 529 W Main St, Meriden, CT 06451 , Alpicat , Connecticut , United States
Great customer service! Came in for a repair a month ago and the same piece broke again and I thought all hope was lost. I came back hoping I’d just be able to get my money back and left with a fixed guitar without having to pay again! So happy!
They got my elec. piano working again with a quick turn around and updated me throughout the process. Pro the whole way!
Definitely would recommend this store, I’ve bought a few instruments and books from them and I put a guitar and some accessories up for consignment which sold relatively quickly. It’s a great store and I’ll continue to shop there for as long as I live in Meriden.
Would like to obtain some nice brushes and some type of top hat set used and very sturdy since I break percussion instruments all the time when I perform?
My son, Roberto Luis and Rosa live in Meriden. Are you far from the mall? I have spent a lot of time jamming in Puerto Rico to salsa, merengue, etc but my favorite is funk like Buddy Miles.
My grandson really enjoyed the music lessons and they are very professional and knowledgeable. Highly recommend them.
Never have any of the literature or instrument parts I’m looking for. Took 3 months to repair a trombone. I tried to return an item and they wouldn’t give me back the cash to go to another place. The owner has blatantly disrespected my mother on several occasions and doesn’t have much knowledge of much of anything outside of rock music. As far as i’m concerned, this is the worst music store i’ve ever set foot in and would not recommend to anybody.
This was a horrible expierence. They need to get their stuff together, they had already-sold instruments on shelf. They had an amazing guitar sale and when I went to buy, it was already sold! They got my hopes high and let it down and I will not give them my money any longer.
Completely disappointed. I placed an order in store on a instrument that was never placed with JC music. The customer service was poorly displayed and the options they gave us was not acceptable. I asked to speak to the owner several times and would not get on the phone and made his new employee talk to me. I ended up going somewhere else that was amazing
4. Sam Ash Music Stores
Address: 95 Amity Rd, New Haven, CT 06515 , Alpicat , Connecticut , United States
I have been shopping at the New Haven Sam Ash for maybe 20 years. As of recently both of my kids have become very interested in learning instruments and recording and even live sound.
I found a great package deal online for a keyboard for my oldest and scheduled a store pickup the Friday before Christmas. Not only was everything ready for me when I got there, but the entire staff put together amazing service and the best shopping cover up ever!
My youngest fell in love with a violin package and not only were we able to purchase the last one, but the staff did everything they could and worked as a team to get me out of there with a gift for my son, who was with me at the time, without him even realizing.
Quality of product, amazing prices and the best customer service I have ever had. The team at the New Haven Sam Ash is top notch and is more the reason why I am a customer for life.
Great place I got my electric piano from here which is fantastic and I also more recently got my Jupiter clarinet which also was in great condition and sounds great, they also sell other high quality instruments, even violens for two year olds and accordions.
Multi brands of products very good customer service stop by and check it out
I also like this store. The only thing is, i can’t try out an acustic drum.
Awesome music things and great customer service is a plus!!
Been here once but the service was great
Place is ridiculous to me had piano, that bought there not even been a year yet also had my warranty, they said they would take it back and give me some money but when I went to do it they didn’t want to do it at all they claimed it was broken when I got home and heard my piano was perfectly fine ridiculous they just didn’t wanna buy it back since they had more then enough smh
I went to Sam Ash music New Haven, CT, looking to hopefully purchase a banjo or gain some valuable information I might need to move forward. An employee named ”John” (Guitar department) was helping me through this experience. However, when I declined to purchase a banjo there due to several reasons, mostly their poor selection, he instantly became very rude and snappy and hastly ripped the instrument from my hand. This is definitely do to the fact these employees make their money via-commision. Guess John was just acting nice to customers and is not truly a sincere helpful guy…
Employees are not interested in serving customers.
5. Goldie & Libro Music Center
Address: 380 Washington Ave #1, North Haven, CT 06473 , Alpicat , Connecticut , United States
For any musician (beginner, intermediate or professional) needing to purchase, service or lead about music, Goldie and Libro is the only music store to go to in the state. The dedicated staff members take the time to learn and support their customers with their musical endeavors big or small. They are experts in repairs and servicing instruments with decades of music knowledge. When I needed to get my 10 year old trumpet serviced, there was only one place I would take it: Goldie & Libro.
When my son was playing the trumpet throughout his school career, we often went to Goldie and Libro for service on his trumpet and other needs. The professionalism and kindness which we encountered was unequaled. Mr. Libro consistently gave my son time, attention, and encouragement. In addition, he went out of his way on several occasions to help out during emergency situations when my son‘s trumpet was not working properly. Mr. Libro truly loves music but, he loves his customers even more. It was indeed a pleasure doing business with him over the years and I recommend this business without hesitation or reservation.
Rented a violin for my granddaughter and they were wonderful.
I had a few questions so I called this place. The jackass who answered the phone, I’m assuming is the owner. Made me feel stupid and discouraged me from trying to play the instrument I was inquiring about.
Steer clear of this place!
They were supposed to call me with the cost of the repairs to see if I would authorized them. It took them 12 days to call me back and tell me that they have repaired the instrument. They made repairs WITHOUT authorization, then I had no choice but to pay for the work. The service was terrible, it took too long, they went ahead without my authorization and I got stock with the bill.
If possible, will NEVER again do business with this place. I am already giving my business to the “Music Center” near by.
They were absolutely no help. Don’t waste your time.
6. Greenwich Music
Address: 1200 E Putnam Ave, Riverside, CT 06878 , Alpicat , Connecticut , United States
Great place I have done drum lessons there for a long time and my teacher is awesome
Ray in the guitar department ws incredibly helpful! spent a lot of time helping me and my son.
I highly recommend Greenwich Music for lessons, gear, and repairs. Friendly professional staff and service.
It’s a nice place! It’s a bit small but otherwise it’s nice.
We were kindly helped in the store, but we were buying a guitar for our son and we don’t live in the US. We were having problems with internet so we couldn’t research correctly at the moment, but they assured that the amp could be used in 220 current. We arrived home and we connected the amp and it didn’t work. So the amp was burned. Apart from that the price was a bit higher than the same thing in other stores, it’s not nice to pay 50 dollars more, but that is just business and anyone can charge what they want. It was our fault that we didn’t do a good research before buying. But the very kind person that assured us that it would work because he used to be an electrician, and it only needed a basic adapter, was totally wrong and now we are home and we lost an amp, so we paid extra for the set and it didn’t work. You were very kind indeed, but please if you are not sure about something, don’t sell it. Because we lost money and we can’t go back because we don’t live there.
Their hours aren’t very convenient and I was having a guitar strung and I dropped it off and I didn’t get a call before the store closed and then they were closed the next day Sunday so I didn’t get my guitar until Monday and that was extremely inconvenient. They also have a very small selection of basses.Update, they aren’t even open a couple hours on the 4th of July so I won’t get my guitar till Tuesday I am very upset with this store.
Rudest customer service I have ever encountered. The man I spoke to on the phone yelled and hung up on me. When my daughter went in person to drop off the instrument for repair at the agreed upon time, he remained upset and kicked my daughter out of the store. Strongly encourage anyone looking to have their instruments fixed to look elsewhere. Disappointing experience to say the least.
Terrible customer service. Called and said I would be by in 10 minutes for an emergency repair. Guy was nice on the phone. When I arrived 5 minutes early they had closed up and locked. Super helpful…
7. Connecticut Music Co
Address: Westbrook, CT 06498 , Alpicat , Connecticut , United States
A dying breed, personal service, knowledgeable sales people
Michael is wonderful; so helpful! Although there’s plenty to choose from, if he doesn’t have what you need he will order it. If he doesn’t know an answer to your question,he will find it and get back to you. I’m so thankful to have this store 5 minutes from my home.
excellent store, good Fender Selection, nice acoustics, lessons, and school instruments.
Staff is very friendly and knowledgable.
Ordered instrument for my son, was told to pick up the next day, went the following day to pick it up and it wasn’t there. Also bought a box of reefs for the instrument and was given the wrong kind. The gentleman that waited on us was polite, although he didn’t recognize us even though we had just been in the day before!
9. Creative Music Center
Address: 701 Main St, Monroe, CT 06468 , Alpicat , Connecticut , United States
Awesome staff and great deals! No surprise they have 5 stars!!!
All of the staff, from folks at the register to the instructors to the director of music education, are professional and knowledgeable, with a warm welcome to boot!
I love this place, i go in just to look at the product and I always end up buying something.
I just went to this store with my violin wanting the sound post set and to re-hair my bow. When I walked in there were two ladies at the counter. As I opened my case asking the the lady in the white turtle neck with straight brown hair if they re-hair bows? She snapped that they didn’t. The nice girl next to her chimed in as said out loud “She re-hairs bows?” Then the other lady gave a look and said I would need to buy a new one! She then picked up my violin and started to point out things about my only violin that were not good enough for her to re-set my sound post! I then asked “How much to just re-set the sound post?” She refused me service and said “Good Luck!” AVOID THIS PLACE IF YOU CAN! I think I didn’t fit the “type” they prefer to give services to?
Scheduled a guitar lesson here, spent $45, arrived on time, the teacher I was assigned to never showed up. At least they were nice enough to give me my money back the next day.
Came here with my son they were very rude to my son and not very knowledgeable… wouldn’t come back here again and don’t recommend it.
10. Martel Music Store
Address: 1 Whiting St, Plainville, CT 06062 , Alpicat , Connecticut , United States
Ordered a beautiful mint Pink Paisley ’69 RI Telecaster from the shop on Reverb. Very fast response and amazing customer service. Sent a message around 11am, Corey responded very fast with detailed photos I asked for and details about the guitar. He also set up the guitar before sending it out(all in the same day!!) and I gotta add, they do great work. Guitar came safe and sound. After tuning the guitar played smooth as butter with the action just how I like it. Amazing experience overall, I am so happy with the guitar. Will definitely do business again whether online or if I’m in the area, thanks Corey and everyone on staff at the shop!
Wow what a cool place. My favorite Gretsch guitars were in evidence and I got to play a Brian Seltzer Hot Rod . I used it to try out my new purchase of Source Audio reverb pedal. Thanks to the Martel’s for making me feel welcome and for a terrific deal. I’ll be back!
Great service and selection
Interesting store with some interesting gear. They don’t seem to carry Fender or Gibson. They had a stomp box manufacturing class going on when I visited.
Purchased a guitar for 750, now walking out with 637. Unfortunately I was not told about a very unfair and sneaky return exchange policy until I had asked after already completing the purchase. Also could not see clearly a visible sign inside that states anything about a return policy. When I asked where the sign was upon trying to return this guitar he pointed to have a corner and I still did not see the sign. I do believe that a return policy sign should be at the register for full disclosure. The law does state you are entitled to a full refund if you are not told about the refund policy during the time of the transaction, which I was not informed of that. Limited selection and unfortunately subject to a very steep restocking fee or store credit, if you are a serious musician make sure you know this first as you know that buying instruments is quite expensive and it is hard to want to get locked into something that you do not truly love.
As one reviewer already stated. They have a terrible return policy especially with online purchases. Good store as long as you know you’re going to keep the item but who really knows, its musical gear, its hard to tell if your going to dig it or not until you play it with your rig. Returning a pedal (or probably anything) is just not worth it due the return fees. 2 stars because I received it pretty quickly but definitely wasn’t packed that well. Without a doubt this will be my last purchase from this store. There’s plenty of other great stores to choose from that won’t bend you over on return fees. **Edit for response to the owner** Yes you do clearly state your return fees online. “Small restocking fee” is a bit of an understatement…your restocking fee is 10%. If I pay $250 for a guitar pedal. Right off the bat you’re keeping $25 of my return. I couldn’t imagine purchasing a guitar online through your store.
11. La Salle Music & Sound
Address: 993 Main St #2233, East Hartford, CT 06108 , Alpicat , Connecticut , United States
Fred Pedemonti no longer works there,that is why the 5 stars. Fred is scum.
Super nice and friendly in the store, and Mr. LaSalle did a wonderful job restoring my dad’s old 1962 guitar that had not been touched in decades and needed a lot of work. Definitely recommend! Photos are before and after.
They have fair pricing and will often give you a discount. Mark and Eric are great to work with at their East Hartford, CT location. You pay cash…they give you a better deal too. Tons of vinyl records for Beat Makers and Producers. All Genres to flip through.
First, the employees were excellent; friendly and helpful. I was extremely disappointed in the store itself. This was basically a dark, messy pawn shop, not the store I was familiar with from years ago. My only reason to go back would be to pick through dusty items to find something I might be in search of, more of an adventure.
Ordered lugs for my snare. They sent me receipts and invoices and never shipped my lugs. I called and emailed multiple times and never got a response back after leaving numerous messages. Been 2 months and I still don’t have my lugs and am out $60.
Went in to sell my cello, the woman that was working there was amazing and very professional. She had to call the owner to ask about the selling price. He had her look up what my model last sold for on eBay (it’s 2021 my dude) and there were no matches so he had nothing to go off of. I paid $1400 for it, I was looking for around $500. He wanted to give me $50. An absolute joke. I’m not looking for top dollar but I’m also not looking to get completely ripped off.
Total waste of my time
12. Acme Music LLC
Address: 100 Elm St, Cheshire, CT 06410 , Alpicat , Connecticut , United States
We’ve used Acme a few times. The owner is very friendly and went above and beyond every time. Rental prices are very reasonable. Turn around on repairs was pretty quick. If you have a child in a music program or marching band I highly recommend going here!
Very informative! Great place to rent or rent to own for your kids who are just starting out or continuing an instrument in school! Easy online application. In store pick up or shipped to your home. Highly recommend!!
I went in one night to buy a trumpet mute and the experience was very friendly. Overall a very welcoming small business.
Very nice place
Nice people!
It’s little bit wrong. It was hard to find.
John is a total scam artist! I highly recommend everyone stay away!
13. Route 1 Guitars
Address: 189 Bridgeport Ave, Milford, CT 06460 , Alpicat , Connecticut , United States
Just had my Fretwire kit setup at Route 1 Guitars, and I’m thrilled! I was having a problem with a strange buzzing in one string, but John worked his magic. She sounds wonderful with the new Elixir 10s.
Aside from the excellent work they do, John and Gail are truly nice people, the kind you love having a conversation with. 10/10 would recommend them. I’m sure I’ll be returning, just have to be careful of all the beautiful guitars calling my name!
I love this shop for friendly and helpful staff. They are really passionate about music!
This store is home to some very great talent . This is what a music store is about. The guys actually play and they stock the stuff they know works well instead of a bunch of hyped up stuff .. The same guy that sells you the guitar can do a great setup and answer your questions without calling a manager or another dept ..
Nice staff
Knowledgeable staff, in addition to guitars, keyboards, etc… They have school instrument rentals
Absolute joke of a store.
Call before visiting the store. They say they’re open at 12:30 but don’t show up for hours after the fact. I get it, they’re a small operation, but wasting your local customer’s time doesn’t breed repeat customers. I needed to be in the store three times. All three times, my time was wasted because the store wasn’t open during their own published times of operation. Just rent your kid’s instrument from somewhere else.
Sent my guitar (Fender Jazzmaster) for connection electric issue. After roughly a week and a half guitar was done just for it to have the same issue. What a disappointment
14. Bethel Music Center – Instrument Sales, Rentals, Lessons and Repairs
Address: 273 Greenwood Ave #101, Bethel, CT 06801 , Alpicat , Connecticut , United States
Great music store! Full selection of electric and acoustic guitars. Went in to get some GHS Strings and ended up playing a dozen or so guitars. Will be going back to pickup a new LTD guitar!
I walked in and I was helped immediately and I had all of my questions answered with enthusiasm. I played 7 different guitars , under supervision of course. This is great place to to go of you are starting out or have years of knowledge.
Great experience
Meh
If you’re not looking to go too far to get musical instruments. Look no further. Expensive though. But if you don’t care about prices, go for it. Not much of a selection though.
Nice shop
This place is just awful. The owner is so rude to us that i will never go back. We rented an instrument from him because our normal music store didnt have the instrument and when the instrument broke he said it was our fault and that it wasnt covered and then bad mouthed our local music store.
After going to this place; I must say I will never go back there again. The owner is so rude and disrespectful. Its not even funny. The owner needs get off his anthropocentric state of mind.
16. Giuliano’s Music
Address: 406 Westport Ave, Norwalk, CT 06850 , Alpicat , Connecticut , United States
I got a great deal on a pre-owned Gibson that was being sold on consignment. Bobby took care of me and the guitar is in FANTASTIC condition, as described. I am very happy with my purchase. Thank you!
Robert Balestra is a gifted luthier repairman for all things with 4, 6 or 12 strings. Johnny Winter, Ace Frehley and Grammy Award winning guitarist/producer Paul Nelson. Great staff & service. Lessons available
Amazing store with an amazing selection and extremely helpful staff. very satisfied.
Everyone was insanely helpful from who I spoke to on the phone for customer support, to the guy that helped me out when I came to pick up the amp in store. Giuliano’s Music takes care of its customers. Will definitely be returning for anything else I need in the future.
Good service, very nice staff and management!
I went needing a pack of guitar strings to find out that they were closed. Their hours online say 12-4 on Saturday. Their door said the same. Lights off no one answered the phone. The time I went you ask? 3:25. EDIT:I have since gone back and they have been very nice and kind. Which has let me to update my rating.
17. Guitar Center
Address: 50 Boston Post Rd, Orange, CT 06477 , Alpicat , Connecticut , United States
Helpful and friendly staff, great products and service.
Great service
You can find everything from instruments to converters.
One of the better stores in CT helpful staff
My son can walk around and try instruments and no one gives him the side eye. Good selection of used gear.
Nice small Guitar Center.
Small selection
It would be nice if they were more polite not saying all but 1 he must have had a bad day .
Watch out for this company and this particular store. I ordered a brand new Squier CV Jazzmaster recently and the guitar that I received from the Orange, CT store was very far from new. It had scratches on it, stickers peeling, there was nothing in the box besides the guitar and the vibrato bar, and it was simply wrapped in bubble wrap and tossed into a plain cardboard box.
Calling Guitar Center customer service was an absolute NIGHTMARE as well. I was constantly put on hold and passed around to different representatives. It seemed like nobody has any idea what they were doing or they just did not care. It was an extremely disappointing and frustrating experience. Eventually I got hold of a lovely customer service representative (who somehow worked for Musicians Friend and not Guitar Center which was weird) and she was able to refund me just $50 for my troubles which I accepted just to put an end to this awful situation.
18. Brian’s Guitars
Address: 453 W Main St, Cheshire, CT 06410 , Alpicat , Connecticut , United States
Brian’s Guitars…is the best place to go…for a great experience…for all your guitar needs.
Super nice equipment.
Brian’s Guitars is an awesome place to shop for guitars and equipment! I’m still enjoying the ever living heck out of my Brian’s run Paul Reed Smith Wood Library Artist Quilt 509 “Greene” guitar! It’s my official #2 gigging guitar that is actually tied for #1!!! Great guy, great guitars, great place to shop!!!
Will “GLiDE” Mims
BUYER BEWARE: If you’re shopping used online, call ahead and ask them to send you updated pictures of the instrument before you buy.
I just purchased a used guitar online, from Brian’s Guitars. It sounds and looks great.
HOWEVER: the pictures and listing posted online were not accurate. The listing said “near mint” condition. The pictures showed all the tags and plastic seals on the components still intact. When I received the guitar, all the seals were gone. There were scuffs on the pickguard, and there was a screw completely missing near the volume/tone knobs. After an email exchange, I learned that the pictures were posted from when the guitar was new. Still, why was a screw missing?
I may have scored a guitar at a sweet deal, but now my confidence is shook. Even though everything sounds fine, I’m left wondering if a screw was removed to mess around with the internal components. I’ll get that checked out, but given the inaccurate listing, I’m not sure if I would buy from Brian’s Guitars again.
I recently had a vintage bass repaired and appraised here. I left it with them to have the electronics fixed and a general setup done. I got a call that the guitar was ready to be picked up a few weeks later, but had to remind them to also do the appraisal.
I get the bass home and the jack is incredibly noisy. I called and was told that they would make it right at no cost. I take the bass back and the tech puts a new jack in. They still charged me $10 for the jack, the making it right part only included the labor (about ten minutes). I couldn’t care less about $10, but making an extra trip out (about half hour from my home) to have something fixed that should have been done in the first place, guarantees I will never go back here or recommend it to anyone.
Love the layout and they have beautiful guitars. However, customer service is lacking. I advice those that are interested in buying a high-end guitar and enjoy collecting these musical art pieces to look elsewhere as I was told so rudely. Especially if you are a minority. The stereo typing is real!. If you think this is a rant of someone that is not able to afford this level of guitars, well, think again. I have a small collection that keeps growing of high-end to medium range guitars, bass guitars , and amps. I Hope this helps someone that does not want to be profiled while shopping for their next piece of happiness.
