High quality instruments and personable service. Great store!!
Rented a trumpet for a few months for my kid, while the school bought more. Good service.
[Repair flute
Fair pricing and quick turnaround time on repairs.
Rentals and all else was spot on.
Customer service could get much better, it’s good to be polite and considerate to all customers.
Poor selection of strings for cello, took 30 minutes to buy 2 strings, they came loose in a paper bag with no product information. Had to ask to ecwn learn that they were steel core nickel wound. Strings were very low quality for the price.
I went to replace a bow that they said was fine, I thought they wouldn’t replace the bow but they did. They told me they would give me a bow with the same weight and pretty much the same bow. But they gave me a fiberglass bow instead of a carbo fiber bow, that is heavier then the old one. I’m second chair in an orchestra and a concert is coming soon. I’m not sure want to do, I don’t have anyone to bring me back to the store.
3. Russo Music
Address: 4072 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94114 , Brisbane , California , United States
The best music lessons in San Francisco! Nicole, one of the owners, is an extremely professional, talented individual. I also recommend them for instrument rentals in San Francisco. Thank you Russo Music!
Was there briefly on my spring break and bought some sheet music for a bargain.
Then I accidentally forgot my credit card there D:
But I called them and they had it and sent it to me! Very nice 🙂
They deserve 5 *’s!!!
Had a wonderful experience renting an electric guitar and amp from Russo Music!!
When I was picking up the instrument, a teacher at the school showed me how to tune the guitar, hold it correctly, and even play some beginner chords. Everyone was very nice and welcoming.
This is also the only place in San Francisco that allowed me rent the guitar month to month with no minimum months. The process of renting the guitar was quick and easy. After renting the guitar for several months and practicing, I feel confident going to a guitar store and buying a guitar that works for me!
I am excited to come back to Russo Music to rent again or take music lessons!
This is where we go to get strings for my son’s guitars, he also enjoys playing a little everytime we go.
Update 8/2019: things have much improved this year!
Great teachers in a terribly mismanaged shop. I’ve been going here for piano lessons for more than a year, and things have been getting markedly worse. One teacher didn’t show up last week, I still can’t figure out why: they no longer have someone at the front desk, so nobody picks up the phone and there is no voicemail; the person who usually answers emails has apparently been on vacation for the past few weeks without any backup, so it’s been impossible to schedule anything. A couple of months ago I noticed that I had accidentally not paid for my lessons for several months (!). I paid them back based on my own accounting, but it’s pretty clear they are not keeping track.
What an absolutely horrible experience. I came in with the intention of renting a bass guitar and inquiring about lessons. I reached out by phone to get details and was messaged by text. I replied about my interest and got a lame short answer on price. I waited for the advertised store hours and made the 45min drive. I stepped inside and there was no assistance. While I was waiting some short stubby pregnant woman came prancing in. It appeared to me that she was a parent to one of the kids. I decided to step out for a quick walk on the street because I attended the junior high around the corner and also sold newspapers on this street after school. This was a huge throwback for me.
I returned 20min later to find this stubby angry pregnant woman was an employee or something else, maybe store manager. I really do not care which or her role. Her demeanor to me was so freaking rude and un inviting. I sat down to wait for her to finish with a child lesson. Then she spoke to me in such a demeaning manner about doing business by appointment. I told her that it would have been nice if she had told me that with the text. Her smug remark was that i should have told her that I would be going in today. Isn’t that the lamest response ever?
What a despicable and ugly person she is when I’m trying to give her my business. I was really looking forward to the opportunity to start music lessons at 50yrs old. And this is the experience I get for trying to give to a small business in my old neighborhood? Jesus. I rechecked their website and found no mention about by appointment only. This place, her in particular, absolutely sucks. I hope they go out of business soon enough or get bought by a respectable owner.
If you want respectable music lessons and service check out Manor Music in Pacifica. Plenty of parking. They are awesome. It’s just that they don’t rent music equipment otherwise I’d be there without a second thought. I had my son take drum lessons with them. That’s how I know.
I don’t normally write a review for a place from which I didn’t buy anything, but the front desk blond lady was exceptionally rude when I stopped in. Jokes on me for trying to browse a local music shop to get something for my trumpet? I guess I’ll take her advice and “just get it online”. Yeesh.
4. Guitar Solo
Address: 230 Townsend Street between 3rd &, 4th St, San Francisco, CA 94107 , Brisbane , California , United States
Knowledgeable, friendly service. Went above and beyond to help me
They recently procured a collection of fine steel strings. There’s an awesome sunburst Collins that I want so don’t buy it. Spruce top, mahogany b/sides, OO body. Sweet!
Huge collection of excellent guitar sheet music!
Great selection of printed music and some high end classical guitars.
Very nice collection of guitars and ukuleles and accessories, plus a fantastic store manager
La verdad todo iba bien hasta q el señor q me atendo se empeso a desesperar por q no se hablar ingles a lo cual me eyudaba con mi telefono para poder comunicarnos pero el señor se porto muy mal , aun q la verdad la gutarra q compre fue de mi agarado para mi q estoy empesando
Crabby guy works the counter here. A no go even if they have good stock.
Rang the doorbell. Man slowly came to open the door, no hello, no welcome. We looked around, saw two great guitars, pointed at them excitedly to each other, and were completely ignored until we left empty handed,
Don’t let them sell your instruments on consignment. It will take you years to get the money once they’ve sold it. I know several people who have done this and they all had to wait a very long time for the money once the guitar was sold.
Justin, our saxophonist, added an incredible touch to our wedding, creating an atmosphere of elegance and charm during the cocktail hour and amping up the party on the dance floor. Justin’s talent and professionalism were evident, and his music was a highlight of our celebration. We’re grateful for the unforgettable ambiance he provided, making our day even more special. Highly recommend Justin for anyone seeking a skilled and charismatic saxophonist to take your dance floor to the next level!
We had a great experience shopping for a violin for my daughter. He showed us a variety of violins, in our budget, and was very mindful of making sure that it fit her style. We learned a great deal about the violins and their sounds. Thomas was very patient and kind. We highly recommend Bay Fine Strings.
I had a great experience shopping for a violin for my daughter at Bay Fine Strings. Thomas Yee was really helpful in providing us with a great range of options within our price range. We met him at his workshop and he allowed my daughter to play each violin to get a sense of what we liked. After going through all of the violins, he even brought out a few more, and we ended up borrowing a few for a week to try out at home. He kept in constant communication with us to see how we liked the violins and even brought a couple more for us to try out at home. I highly recommend Bay Fine Strings if you’re looking to buy a quality instrument.
Thomas is very easy to work with. He listens to my preferences and sends a personalized batch of bows that fit my playing criteria. He is attentive through the process.
9. B Street Music & Recording
Address: 1745 Adrian Rd #8, Burlingame, CA 94010 , Brisbane , California , United States
Thanks for the memories. Sorry to see it end. Had many great visits to this store, especially at the old location. Best of luck at your new location.
Amazing music store. Really friendly and helpful staff. Best place to buy accessories for any instrument. I bought an Otto Link Metal mouthpiece for Tenor and they let me test it out. They also gave me a nice discount:) I would give this place 6 stars out of 5 if I could.
I called about bringing in my son’s Yamaha MX88 which appeared dead. Gary was so helpful and suggested before we do that to check the power supply. Bingo!!! that was it!! Thank you Gary! You were so kind and knowledgable. I highly recommend these guys. 10 Stars **********
tiny tiny shop. sad to see they downsized and the people renting musical instruments etc. has declined over the years.
Friendly and they know their stuff.
10. Madhouse Coffee
Address: 402 Visitacion Ave, Brisbane, CA 94005 , Brisbane , California , United States
Nice place with good bagels and coffee beverages. Its got a nice relaxing vibe to it.
Good coffee and both indoor and outdoor seating. The back patio is huge so be sure to check it out.
They have breakfast bagels and pastries from the City Bakery. Also quiches, and juice drinks and teas of course.
Be sure to get the 5 stars reward card. You’ll be getting free pastries and coffee in no time.
Great place for that morning coffee I wake up with madhouse on my mind I start day with a cup of madhouse coffee
Good coffee and friends. A su NY patio to enjoy warmer temps than SF.
Beautiful patio. Good place to study. Or just enjoy a warm day. Good breakfast burritos.
This was my first time here. Recently, I started working in the area; and since then I’ve been trying to find a good place to get my daily cup.
I read about the wonderful customer service in the reviews and saw the place in the pics and was looking forward to the experience. But all I got in the way of decent customer service was a hello after I had been standing at the counter for about 8 minutes. I didn’t even get a thank you after I had paid and received my drink. I did leave a tip even though I felt unappreciated as a customer. Customer service is hard work so I left something, but I don’t think I’ll be back.
Terrible coffee. Bitter and stale. I won’t be back.
My husband went to grab coffee and a bagel on Saturday Feb 25, 2017 around noon. After he ordered the coffee, he was told they ran out of the bagel and instead he ordered a breakfast sandwich without cheese. He waited for a good 10 to 15 minutes for the sandwich (he was pretty much done with his coffee) and went back to the cashier to see what was taking so long. He saw 1 girl on her phone, 1 girl washing and cleaning up and a guy sweeping the floor so in total 3 people working but non of them made his sandwich, I am pretty sure all 3 saw him (only colored man in the coffee shop) waiting for something but non of them approached him so I just wonder if they really forgot to make his sandwich. After he inquired about the sandwich he was told they forgot with a cold vibe. He was so upset that he just walked out without getting a refund (the 3 could just split it as a tip even though he has always put good tips). My husband really liked going to Madhouse coffee since it is near by our house even though they screwed up on his order couple of times but now he has decided to go an extra mile to Starbucks. My husband usually doesn’t loose his cool but that day he went to work hungry and was very upset. I usually do not write bad reviews and hope Madhouse genuinely take cares of their customers doesn’t matter what color or race they are and something like this doesn’t happen again and again.
11. Mission Synths
Address: 3026 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94110 , Brisbane , California , United States
Great place for synth hardware and inspiration. People who work there are super helpful.
Love, love love this store!
Great shop with synthesizers and a couple Eurorack systems set up for customers to try out. They have the Eurorack modules in a glass case so you feel like you’re picking out a fancy watch at a department store or a nice pipe at a head shop.
12. Trakworx Mastering & Recording
Address: 430 N Canal St #13, South San Francisco, CA 94080 , Brisbane , California , United States
Justin is a true mastering master. Don’t let the great rate fool you. I’ve worked with the best most expensive and he’s equal as amazing.
Justin does quality work and is a pleasure to work with. At the price he charges, there is no reason in the world to try to master your own material, or go to one of the cookie-cutter online “mastering” services that are popping up.
Justin is chill and talented and a nice guy. Our tracks sound crystal clear and huge. Analog master!!
The Gong Shop is a remarkable business. It puts musicians, therapists, and all artists ahead of profit. They are supportive, listen to the customer’s needs, and provide personalized and top-notch professional customer service – always. I am a customer and client of The Gong Shop. I will continue to be and ensure that others are as well. I believe your experience will be as wonderful as mine and the satisfaction with their products, guaranteed! Shop now!!!
I was asked by my company to make custom gongs with our logo. I came across the gong shop and reached out to them to see if they do a custom gong for us and they absoulity did! Trey was so great in helping get our logo to get sand blasted onto the beautiful gongs they offered! Just got the final results delivered to us and we couldn’t be happier! They look great and sound great as well! Highly recommend it!
The Eastman School of Music Percussion Dept. has been a long-time customer of Trey Wyatt and California Percussion. Recently, we shipped 7 Thai Gongs from Rochester , NY to San Francisco which sounded horrible and were in desperate need of tuning. Trey did a fantastic job on them and they are now all dead-on pitch wise, even the lesser expensive ones that I thought might not be salvageable. I highly recommend Trey and CP for so many percussion instrument needs!
Brian Stotz, Percussion Technician
Eastman School of Music
My child had a terrific experience learning to play guitar and bass with Lorenzo from their very first lesson until they went off to college. Lorenzo was able to inspire learning & progression while not overwhelming. He is reliable and offers a great experience for those wanting to play music!
Lorenzo is the man! Super dope at jazz, theory, rock, and anything you’d want to learn in between.
Very patient and not at all intimidating. Highly recommend!
Lorenzo is an amazing musician and has wonderful patients for the beginning student. He has made me feel so much more confident picking up my instruments and improvising as well as exploring new drum beats and tones on the electric guitar. I cannot recommend him enough! He is great and you will not be disappointed with your time spent in his studio or online lessons.
19. BIG TIME PRODUCTIONS & RECORDS
Address: 3537 Jennings St, San Francisco, CA 94124 , Brisbane , California , United States
