Your Top-13 list of music shops in Avra Valley

Great store with knowledgeable staff and good prices.

Great customer service, clean and well stocked store.

Got my 8th graders trombone fixed, spit valve was detached. Turn around time if you respond as fast as them and have the instrument in their possession by Thursday is less than 5 days. It’s very quick and reasonable.

Very knowledgeable and helpful staff.

Just want to say that I am a fan of this store. I think they do a great job at helping people find what they are looking for and have them leaving satisfied with their musical purchases. With that being said, I want to make a point that only having one store closer is unsafe. Multiple times in the past year I have heard of there being theft. I’m concerned for the employees’ safety and customer safety.
Protect your employees! They make the company money!

Abit more expensive than the guitar center.

The worst place ever.. Always pay my rental before its do and yet still get notices in the mail saying not paid.. They never get the billing correct.. I even got a collection letter 2 months after I even returned the instrument in and have proof of paid in full yet they say it was a computer problem.. This place sucks.. Never doing business with them again..

One of the worst experiences I have ever had dealing with incompetent employees all the way up to management (heaven) to even cooperate , I’m so thankful I no longer have to deal with any of these people again especially the guitar instructor, I did not appreciate every little comment he made about any of the equipment we brought in to shame my child because the items he brought in were passed down from his grandfather , I also find it way more convenient to order my items on Amazon for a much lower rate and to not have to deal with individuals that are looking to charge me an over priced rate , I gave a small shop a chance to help out locally and all they did was run the “he said she said “ experience, I will not and do not recommend this place to anyone , one of the worst experiences I have ever had at any facility . Good riddance !!!!

I was very unhappy with the way this store sold us an instrument after we rented one for over two years. We qualified for the rental credit and it was given to us. The problem was that they valued the used rental instrument at $800+ and they sell the same one brand new for about $470. The reason they do that is that there is a clause that states that when using the rental credit one must buy an instrument that cost the same or more than the rental so they jack up the value of the rental. We were told that we couldn’t buy the flute we had been renting and could not get a new flute because it wasn’t equal or more value to the one we had been renting per terms of our agreement. They said that our only option was to purchase a used refurbished flute from the warehouse and it would be sent to us. We feel that this is a very shady way to do business. Not recommended. Updated; Thank you for your reply too, owner of the store. I have already sent an email but thanks for suggesting it.

Huge variety of instruments and helpful staff.

I stopped by The Folk Shop today looking to purchase a lute for my partner for Christmas. They didn’t have any in stock, but I came across a BEAUTIFUL tenor banjo that I decided on instead. The man who helped me (I wish I got his name!) Was super helpful. Gave me the full history of the instrument, tuned it, played it for me, and wrote down some alternate tunings. He was super knowledgeable and had great insight. Thank you Folk Shop!!

Very knowledgeable staff and fair prices whether you are buying or selling.

Cool little shop, not that wheelchair friendly but I was still able to get around. The staff I interacted with was very knowledgeable and helpful just looking for a harp for my daughter and he helped get it set up and answered all my questions and my daughters.

Neat shop, friendly staff. Went in to see if they could help with my Djembe drum repair, but they don’t currently have anyone who can replace and restring the skin for the drumhead ☹️

Friendly staff

Well, over the years I’ve bought, sold, and traded with Paul and really wouldn’t do so again. The last guitar I purchased there had broken tuner barrels and more important, his pricing and moods vary wildly. Certainly lots to look at, but no great shakes in terms of quality or pricing.

Very rude disrespectful because I was asking for a part and I didn’t have a mask and I wasn’t trying to go in the place without permission and they were just very rude very very rude and I didn’t understand I was thrown off by it. Yelling at me for no reason all I wanted was a part I didn’t even try to go into shop told her I’d wait outside because I didn’t have a mask she slams door in my face. So I go get a mask and they won’t even deal with me I was the up most respectful and didn’t deserve that. Very very rude!!! I’ll never do business with them again.

I am absolutely incredulous as to how condescendingly I was treated over the phone by this place. I arrived with my Taylor 312-CE looking to trade up and quite likely spend substantial chunk of money. I noticed the posting on the door that read (I may be paraphrasing) “masks required even for those vaccinated.” I have been twice jabbed with Pfizer, but no problem. I get it. I understand it. People may not be fully honest about their status and might contaminate others. I have zero issue complying with the policy The posting also read “do not knock; call to be granted entry” (again, I may be paraphrasing, but this was the gist). I keep a KN-95 with me in the car but couldn’t find it. Maybe it fell behind the seat or something. I ring their number. A woman answers. Convo goes like this: “Hi, I noticed you require masks even for the vaxxed, which I am fully, but I can’t seem to find mine here in my car….I’m here outside….do you happen to have any masks there inside the store that you could pass out to me”? (like logical, sensible merchants across town, the state, the country have in abundance in case you forgot or can’t find yours—sterile ones for the taking in boxes) “If not, I don’t live too far. I can run home, grab one and come back”. The woman on the phone raises her voice and says “NO YOU NEED TO WEAR A MASK” and abruptly hangs up!! Um, I think I got that part and more than amply communicated it back. Wow. And delivered with a tone of voice akin to Mrs. Gulch from Wizard of Oz. I was perfectly polite, acknowledged the policy and was willing to go out of my way to comply. This is not only ridiculously bad policy, but there was not even basic intelligible, lucid communication on her part. Not the conduct of a sound minded individual.

Now, for some background. I have never made any major purchases at Folk Shop. However, I have patronized them over years–even before I moved to Tucson. The first time, I was recording an album visiting from Austin in 2014 and needed a dobro capo. The engineer called around to Guitar Center and few other places. They didn’t even know what a dobro was, much less a dobro capo. Folk Shop to the rescue with a Paul Beard capo, just like the one I had forgotten and left back in TX! I’ve been there since for strings, straps, stainless steel slides etc. Never ever the slightest of problems. What happened today is totally inexcusable. I myself have been fastidious and a stickler about masking and distancing throughout the pandemic, but this kind of post-mandate fanaticism, illogic and outright meanness is beyond the pale. They certainly don’t want my money or any of my future business. To hell with this place. l’ll buy a guitar from Musician’s Friend before stepping foot in there, even though I prefer to shop locally.

I’ve been to many different thrift stores, however, nothing comes close to the Resale Ranch. Jodie has an amazing attention to detail and creates a wonderful atmosphere for those seeking truly unique items. I am so glad that Jodie and her team had the courage to open up a special place like this and will do whatever I can to help support it.

Picked up some wrenches and fed the goats, great place to visit!

Proprietor sweet & kind.
Will be back to see her nice selection & smiling face

Really quite like the store and their selection, but it was disheartening to walk into the store and see the staff/employees all not wearing masks deep into the pandemic. It’s their business, but it feels harmful to put others in potential danger like that.

The owner is very personable. She has a good eye for fine and unique items in her shop. The prices are reasonable as well.

Not open on Saturday at 2pm?

Great local music store!

Very cool store, all the employees and the owner Harvey are just excellent. Gave me a great deal on a guitar and let me decide after 2 weeks wether I wanted to return it or not. Plus the fact they shipped the guitar to Illinois. Would recommend this store to everyone.
Richard Pasternak

I recently Purchased a PRS Archon Head amplifier. I think I waited not even 48 hours for it to be delivered (granted I live in Flagstaff Arizona) it was still Much faster than ordering from a guitar center in Arizona. As the only local PRS Dealer (I believe) I was able to buy the amp with confidence. If you’re in the Tucson area or you’re in Arizona and don’t mind a drive, check out Rainbow Guitars. You won’t be disappointed. I personally cannot wait to shop again.

Has the sense of everyone there at one point of their lives was or is a musician, but nonetheless the service is quick to help. Always ready to answer any questions you may have. They have just about anything you may be looking for to specific parts to instruments. I love it! Everyone is friendly and knowledgeable to their field/musical expertise. Check ’em out.

It’s difficult to highly rate a store that has changed their business model to online only after being able to walk in and peruse inventory in the past. They’re good folks with nice gear but I am not fond of the model

These people know what they are talking about. Excellent selection of instruments and gadgets along with knowledgeable employees.

Bought a Collings 470 JL and paid over 7 grand for it. When I called to complain about FedExs delay, I spoke with Vic who was very dismissive, rude, and unsympathetic. He basically told me there was nothing he could do and then hung up on me. Lesson learned, do not buy from these people, they do not care about their customers. Very unprofessional!

Didn’t get past the front door. Appointment only.

Went to this store to purchase a guitar for my daughter’s birthday, excited to see their collection. The doors were locked. As we were walking away a man came to the door and very Rudely pre-screened us, not allowing us in the store but not providing a reason either. It was 2:30pm well within business hours. I will be going anywhere else for my string instrument needs.

I absolutely love music ,Ive been looking for a great store to purchase a few items for my home studio i was referred by nick he told me that was the place to go. I was very impressed with there selections ,wonderful customer service, and cleanliness. I most definitely would recommend sticks and strings to everyone! I will continue to go there also considering taking a few classes which they offer.

Just bought another guitar lol, Tony’s the bom

Went into the store to buy a few guitar cables, came out with everything I wanted, and more. Employees never talked over me- they treated me like they needed me. I even asked if I could try one of their Strats, because I’ve been dreaming about playing one for a few months; these guys set me up in a studio and let me play a $1500 Amp without even knowing who I was lol. They trusted me not to damage their stuff, and treated me like a god. This place ROCKS.

Great group of knowledgeable and helpful guys. They went out of their way to make sure that I was happy with my purchase. I will continue to go to them for my musical needs. Great place to shop.

Good

Basic local music shop. Owner seemed very nice.

what a joke !! do your self a favor dont go to this store unless you want to be treated like scum they dont know squat about anything i ordered something from them took over 2 months and still didnt get it and whin you call to ask about it all you get is the run a round like your bothering them i will never shop in that hell hole over priced dump ever and you should never as well. go to guitar center or rainbow guitars not this dump what a JOKE

I shopped there for years. The staff is nice. Only buy what’s in stock though. I ordered a $350 guitar pedal that took 3 months of pestering before I finally received it.

Just don’t. Check Yelp, the BBB, or the news story investigation the local channel did (both of them), or the Attorney Generals investigation. Wish I had.

went here to make an employee purchase. staff were helpful enough. to find the bathroom, you have to go through an entire god damn pocket dimension. only a 5/10 in terms of cleanliness. y’all need to get into the womens bathroom more.

Cool place and fast service

Great instructors

Everybody is very friendly and knowledgeable. The prices are good.

Guitar center is and always will be the “Target” type store of of the music shops: I’d rather “shop local,” but they always have what you need, quality gear, and priced really well when things are on sale. Sales staff are friendly if you can find someone to help, and 20% off on sale you can never find local.

I like this place for the used guitars. Every now and then they’ll have something I cant live without. The downside is someone else cant live without it too and it’s gone the next day. You gotta jump on it quick, baby!

I went to this store just the other day to pick up a guitar. I want to start learning and I felt that a store specializing in guitars would be the best place to start looking. When I went into the store, the first thing I noticed was about 4 or 5 employees just walking around attempting to look busy but no one actually doing anything. I was not acknowledged at all, and simply was left to my own devices. I walked around the store, looking at guitars for almost half an hour, but still no service, despite making it plainly obvious I had no idea what I was doing. The prices were extremely high as well. I left after spending about 45 minutes in the store, with no service, and nearly being discouraged from learning the guitar. Thank god for Instrumental Music Center, where I actually bought my guitar and got good service.

If you want to get a guitar, either go to a different location or go to one of the other music stores in town. This location is just straight bad.

i brought in an ibanez acoustic guitar 3 yr old electrics not working left it with them for a month. they did not fix the problem, they told me what ti requierd so now i have to contact ibanez my self and fix it myself. i would not recomend any one to use there service.

Geared more towards beginners with low quality guitars buy a wide selections

Nice store love it

Me encanta esta tienda.

This store has provided great sevice and technical support over the past few years as well as a few free parts !

They hade grate survies but they take to long to answer the phone and they should stay opend till at least 11:00pm and they should open at 7:00

I didn’t know this store moved down the street until after I pulled on the old locations door. The new location is a lot more organized and welcoming. What isn’t welcoming is the manager.

You will find almost anything you need at this store. What they don’t have they will be able to find the right thing for you. Need a new reed for your sax or strings for a guitar? You found the right place! Do you want to have a friendly conversation with the workers? Look elsewhere!

All the essentials that a musician needs. Nice staff.

So I returned to Tucson after 20+ years and a lot has changed. Chicago music store skimmed down from the corner brick and mortar super store to a scaled down Store front and that’s just fine. And the staff pleasant enough.

I was in the market for a telecaster and they had a few that looked promising. I picked one up and reached in my pocket for a pick, and shockingly, had none.

I asked the associate for a pick who said “sorry, no picks are allowed.”

Let that sink in. This wasn’t a vintage, artist owned, custom painted or even an American telecaster. It was a MIM standard and they wouldn’t let me play the guitar with a pick. I laughed at first because I thought he was joking but then I saw they actually had a SIGN stating no picks. They were dead serious and were trying to sell guitars without letting guitarists pick at them.

2 stars for surviving the online wars and guitar center and the nice guy who was embarrassed at this obvious bizarro policy but who tried to sell it to me by telling me I could plug it in to an amp. yeah that’s like trying to sell me a tv with the sound muted. Naw bro, I’m good…

I just moved from Nashville where my local music shop had a 68 Gibson j45 that I played like I owned it because as they said when I first inquired about the guitar and cost (6 grand), “play it. That’s why it’s there.”

Cmon on. You’re damn near a Tucson institution for gear. Policies like that alienate musicians and nothing more. I don’t even wanna know what happens if you wanna try to play the drums… Jazz sticks and a timer no doubt.

Ugh. Someone correct me and tell me that was a prank on me or something dumb they only did for a day….

Its closed! They went out of business.

I’ve never had a store raise its price on an instrument while I was holding it. The owner torn the tag so quickly I almost dropped the guitar. “miss priced” $295 to $795. Repair person joked I should have bought it while I had the chance. Super unprofessional.

Incredibly helpful staff! Clean and organized.

If ya have some help then we regret to let you use any of it………….

In any case yoar hart is here

My experience with the Chicago Music Store on Speedway is a little different than most. I have not even stepped inside the building.

I have a keyboard that has been mine for +20 years and upon moving to Tucson recently the power cable became lost in the shuffle. Of course finding this unmarked cable online or getting the instrument’s manufacturer to identify the needed cable (of a model they no longer make) was no simple task. I was sent the wrong cord and still have a keyboard that I cannot play.

Upon speaking with Kate at the location on Speedway, over the course of several weeks of calling one another, her speaking to multiple reps at the manufacturer, and emails between the two of us, she called me today. She phoned me during my lunch break, which showed me that me and my needs had not become some mundane task at the end of her work day. She had found the right cord and was letting me know that she would be emailing me the information and could also take care of the ordering process for me.

5 stars, Kate, thank you.

I’m confident in where to go if and when I have a music need.

Helpful and friendly. Very knowledgeable about the product and give you space to look around.

Everyone was nice wish they would have returned the product I purchased tho.

Great service, Mark and his team were really helpful!

For people who play guitar with left hand beware not the place for you to expensive but for people who play with there right hand good choice for you

Wouldn’t recommend, music is suppose to be fun and the tall white guy doesn’t leave you alone. Let people play in peace. I’ll be going to guitar center where they let you express yourself.

Worst Music Store in Tucson. Don’t ever buy from them.

Great prices

I BUY ALL MY MUSIC AND DVDS

Zia is the only place to go get those hard to find or outdated movies on your list, they know exactly what they have and where it is in the store or store’s, if they don’t have it they can get in in as little as 1 day but usually 3. Outstanding customer service.

Made a stop in here during a trip. Tons of music, movies, video games, and collectibles! Definitely a good spot to come pilfer through for hours if you have time!

Not as large as the locations in the valley but still great selection

They give you lie prices i paid $35 for Super Troopers 2. Amd they had it for sale theur for $29.99, they only gave me $4!!!!! For it

Have great second stuff for less. Great place

If it wasn’t for the employees I would say this is an alright store. There was a lady working there on the evening I visited and I’m still trying to get her laugh out of my head.

If they order you a CD make sure it’s the right one.

Rip off artists