John is a great communicator. He has a clean and fresh energy in his knowledge of vintage guitars. He understands the sensitivity of parting with one of these amazing guitars. He is honest straightforward with great follow through.
John is fantastic to work with and really knows vintage guitars. He only finds the best stuff, so buy with confidence you’re getting a high quality instrument. I bought a 1977 Gibson ES-335 from him earlier this year, and will buy from him again if I get the chance.
John was a honey to deal with. From the get go he was very respectful of the hospice situation we were dealing with. He was not pushy when mother in law was mulling over the offer. He was very kind to my 93 yr old mother in law.
The transaction was very comfortable and in a safe location .
I love Gibsons but this man takes that love to a much higher level..
Thank you John
3. Toms Sound
Address: 4013 1st Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35222 , Birmingham , Alabama , United States
Great service and friendly staff. Had an issue with a used item I had purchased from them online, called them and spoke with a person directly. They resolved the issue quickly and treated me with great care. Much respect for them, will continue to shop with Tom!
Great place, great folks.
Absolutely Outstanding!! If you’re a musician and haven’t visited the store you have been missing one of my favorite sound shops.
A huge selection of used and new goods that you can’t find anywhere else.
Mucha variedad y calidad
They good
Used Tom’s Sound rentals for a friend’s wedding. Had to bypass the mixer that was rented entirely because the main output of the board was going in and out, like it has a dirty connection somewhere.
When I called the employee who dropped off the equipment for setup he blamed me and said there wasn’t any issue with the board, and I never got a response from the store when I e-mailed to followup on the issue and ask if they would at least partially refund the bride & groom for the issues with the rental equipment.
I had good experiences w/ Tom’s rentals previously, but for setups and rentals with a bigger budget and for a week or more. For a small one day rental I felt like the issues I had were ignored, or not believed.
Overpriced for equipment that was faulty. We did not purchase but rather came in to specifically view an item. Said item was faulty, and still tried to sell it to us for full price.
If you buy a turntable from these guys and you are out of town, make sure they disassemble the product before they send it. They sent me one without proper packing and the components and dust cover were broken during shipping. I had to buy a turntable locally. They offered to buy it back. But, I just decided to buy one locally. Cautionary tale.
Great experience!!! Large variety of recorded music. Owners very knowledgeable in their music and inventory. I will return !!!!!
This place is awesome. This is the most fun place to crate dig.
I adore this little local shop! The owner is one of the nicest most interesting people you could meet. The prices are amazing! He has so much good inventory I could spend HOURS in there. Best part…. $1 comics ❣️❣️❣️
Nice collection
Some nifty revolver’s in ere’
Always finds a jewel at this place..
Nothing about this store is good; except for the owner, Gary. His wife is very rude and displays records that she has no intention of actually selling. She also doesn’t like for music to be played in a RECORD STORE. DO NOT GO TO THIS STORE. Charlemagne is much better and has a nice staff.
6. Soul Asylum Studios Birmingham
Address: 500 23rd St S #103, Birmingham, AL 35233 , Birmingham , Alabama , United States
Another world class location owned and run by The Soul Asylum Studios Group!
An amazing work place, and great engineers too. Just an overall great place to work in
I called at about 830 I think told them I would be there at 12 to pay for my 2 hour session at 2pm they didn’t give me until 12 and let someone else get my spot we called first and I would have left immediately to pay if I knew that
7. Rachel Williamson
Address: 914 30th St S, Birmingham, AL 35205 , Birmingham , Alabama , United States
Nick in the guitar dept is the best around! Knows his stuff and might show you a few tricks!
I have bought two saxophones here. And most recently some accessories. There’s usually someone here that is knowledgeable about the things I need and the questions I have. It has always been a a good experience for me.
I’ve been to every music shop in the area (that I know of) Guitar Center, Bailey Brothers, Homewood Musical Instrument Co, Highland Music, etc. I’ll be honest, unfortunately it’s a pretty lackluster experience no matter where you go around here. I wish it wasn’t the case, but it’s true. Different reasons why with different stores, but I will say the one time I went into Art’s Music Shop, it was a great experience. No issues at all, the staff was polite, and the store inventory was pretty decent. Their guitar tech is also great. Trust me, you can do a lot worse than Art’s. 🙂
changed to 4 stars because service isn’t as good as it used to be. It is now only ok. Was also very expensive.
This is an excellent music shop with any kind of music instrument or sheet music you might be looking for – whether student model or professional level instrument they have it. Recommended
Friendly & knowledgeable but took longer than expected to get instrument serviced. I was told would be called the next day with estimate, & it was 3 days before I received the call. I told them I had to get instrument back by a specific date for a performance, he said “not a problem”, I was calling them to get it back 4 days before performance, & was able to pick it up the day before it. They kept it for a month, & I was never able to speak directly to guy doing service which was not cheap. Don’t be in a hurry when dealing with them!
I laid way electric drum set I paid it off in 3 months when I came to pick up my drum set they gave me the display set on the floor they didn’t even bother to clean it and and dumped everything in the box and hand it to me, when I got home I was very disappointed so I called them and they said this is what you purchased. After long talk to their manager they decided to give us a new one. And send me a card for customer satisfaction to know how they treated me. If you’re planning to Layaway anything make sure to tell them I wanted to be a brand new never used and when you buy it open it in the store to make sure you get what you pay for.
They have good instruments, but when I walked in, I walked straight past about 3 or 4 employees who were unoccupied at the moment and nobody said a word to me. I will never visit or buy from them ever in my life.
I brought in something for them to look at in January and it’s been 3 and a 1/2 months and they haven’t called back. I’ve called 5 or 6 times and the manager has been on vacation every single one of those times. They stole my instrument. DO NOT GO HERE
10. Bailey Brothers Music Company
Address: 4673 US-280 Suite # 7, Birmingham, AL 35242 , Birmingham , Alabama , United States
Great selection of quality guitars and a staff that is knowledgeable about what they sell.
I mean come on it’s Bailey Brothers. Excellent service better people.
Great place for all my music needs. Friendly staff and reasonable prices.
It was my first time in the store and I had an excellent experience. David was very helpful and friendly as well as the other staff present. The online site lacks a lot of the guitars they have in stock because they get new guitars a lot so I would advise actually going into the store to see their wide selection.
Great customer service. Great selection. However, I was NOT thrilled to see their logo custom printed onto the snare head I bought. Would have received 5 stars if not for that. Going to remove it with some acetone.
Helpful and kind! Will be back to see them soon.
No stars really. Not a very good merchant. Let someone use my credit card number without the card! Be careful!
I left my guitar with this store in February 2012 for a simple repair. In June it was still hanging waiting for them to repair. I had been told on multiple occasions that it would be ready in just a few days. I picked it up today June 24, 2012 and no repair has been done and I was still charged a bench fee. This place sucks. I will never go in there again. Good luck if you do.
I explained to them thoroughly what I needed and they sold me the opposite! It all about sells and f**k the customers needs! Stay away from the southside location!
11. Homewood Musical Instrument Co
Address: 1712 28th Ave S, Homewood, AL 35209 , Birmingham , Alabama , United States
Amazing place. The owner set out nine different violins for our daughter to try and we found one that was right for her.
Outstanding service, excellent personalities, and excessive knowledge.
Great place and very helpful
Good product, Good service.
Friendly atmosphere and lots of instruments.
I’ve never dealt with someone so rude over the phone. The owner tried to guilt me with sarcasm and acted like victim when I questioned a price. Full story: I asked to order a cello string. All was going well (owner answered questions about speed of shipping and availability of the string), but then he quoted a price ($81) that was far above what other shops charge. I said respectfully that “I’ve purchased the string for $45 at other walk-in shops” and he became sarcastic and argumentative with me, claiming he was “holding my hand” through the process, and said “Well, I have to pay $35 for this string so what do YOU think is fair for ME to make? $15? What is 35 + 15, huh? Ohhh, maybe $50 is more than you can afford?” A simple, “well this is my price” would have been fine as a response from him, but I felt disrespected so I hung up and decided I’m never going to spend a dime Homewood Musical Instrument Co. I advise everyone else to steer clear of this shop and the guy who owns it.
12. Brooks Audio Productions
Address: 500 23rd St S #103, Birmingham, AL 35233 , Birmingham , Alabama , United States
Great instructors! My two girls don’t realize how much they have already learned. They are too busy having fun!
I love this place!! The coolest lobby everrrr
My ten year old is so happy to be receiving music lessons at Mason Music. His music teacher Ben is so sweet, talented and very patient with my son. Every time my child has music lessons, he always comes out learning something either it be big or small. His teacher is definitely leaving an awesome impression on him. And that speaks volumes, for a little ten year old who struggles to keep focus or interest in something more than one day. And the company itself is so welcoming. When you first walk in you are immediately greeted with a smile, kind words and a welcome bag for your child, which brings a big smile to them. Thank you Ben and Mason Music for all you do!
14. Ben Trexel Music
Address: 2610 Aberdeen Rd, Birmingham, AL 35223 , Birmingham , Alabama , United States
Seasick Records is more than just a record store. It’s a community gathering place. Not only can you shop for the best in new and used vinyl records, you can get a haircut, play pinball, and even see shows from up and coming acts in their spacious performing space. Their friendly staff make this a truly great spot to shop. I only wish that there was more thrash-emo-jazz fusion music on their playlist. 5 stars.
Great selection of records, and the staff is friendly and helpful.
Vinyl!!
Well arranged neat store.
Good selection of music, not the most helpful staff, but they don’t bother you while looking
Just checking out location.
Made the mistake of walking in and asking if they take walk ins. Response was “Nope, it says so on the door.” Good luck with social skills like that.
I wouldn’t send my friend here because they’re not going to leave your friend or they just never were and your trying to get rid of them, you know I’ll give it ⭐⭐ because if you want to get if someone in your life it’s definitely the place to send them, definitely!!
16. Gadsden Music Company – Birmingham
Address: 4524 Southlake Pkwy, Birmingham, AL 35244 , Birmingham , Alabama , United States
Spoke to Mr.Hammon about instrument selection for my daughter. He was incredibly friendly and encouraging. Helped her pick an instrument she was comfortable with and explained the lease to own program extremely well.
Did a great job on repairing my daughters flute. Very friendly staff and, knowledgeable.
They fixed my trumpet well. A probably what is scored 5 stars if the repair was the same day.
Nice little music store for concert students. Not much in store selection but they can get what you need. This is not a guitar center type store.
Fantastic friendly service at a reasonable price
The Birmingham location is by far the RUDEST place I have ever encountered! The staff is HORRIBLE (outside of Ms. Carolyn Gadsden)! Whenever you call they don’t seem interested or concerned with conducting business. My child’s instrument was in the shop for over a month. I left several messages and emailed only to be told they stopped working on it and needed my credit card info first. When the rep visited the school, I was given a flyer that clearly states the instrument will be repaired and then you are to pay. I am highly disgusted! My child’s grade has been effected as a result of the long wait times and the staffs inability to effectively communicate with its customers. DO NOT deal with them if you have other options!!! Smh!
Worst customer service! Really had no interest in talking to my child who is the one to be playing the instrument. Will gladly spend my thousands of dollars somewhere else!
The rent to own program is an absolute scam. Staff is rude and misogynistic. Buy used on Facebook before you agree to whatever shady deal your school band director serves you from Gadsden Music. The “resale” on that 1400$ trombone is $200 and you’ll pay $600 in interest. Scam scam scam.
17. Music World
Address: 5821 1st Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35212 , Birmingham , Alabama , United States
18. Forbes Organ Co
Address: Birmingham, AL 35242 , Birmingham , Alabama , United States
The unassuming, cozy, welcoming character of this place is great. I wandered into this store after driving by it for more than a year. I was so glad that I did. The selection, despite the small space within, was pretty astounding. This is a location for finding fine, high-quality instruments. An excellent selection of all varieties and series of Martins, Taylors, Collings, Eastmans, and others. I was pleasantly surprised to see all of the “national top sales/ top dealer” awards given to Fretted Instruments by Taylor and Martin. Wow! Anyways, I left with a great new 500 series Taylor and a fantastic new 200 series for my nephew. The staff was quite helpful, it was a great experience, and I will be returning.
