I’ll be bringing all my repairs here going forward. Had a nut replacement and it honestly came back looking and feeling like the guitar came straight from the factory. After dealing with many techs, the level of detail and care given to my instrument was stunning. Incredibly nice and personable people too.
I’ve only been in the shop a couple of times. I’ve played guitar for over 25 years and ukulele for three years. Each time I was looking at making a purchase and they where able to answer all my questions about the instruments I was looking to buy.
Since my original review I have purchased a banjo from them. They did a setup and gig bag for no additional cost. I would without a doubt recommend going here to buy an instrument.
2. Connecticut Music Co
Address: Westbrook, CT 06498 , Cervelló , Connecticut , United States
That was likely the most pleasant guitar buying experience I have ever had. I could not recommend patronizing this amazing store more. Thank you so much!!
Finally got to visit after doing some business over the phone 18 years ago with Pete. Great inventory, selection and people. One of the very best examples of why we need to support local businesses and how great a family can run them!
Phenomenal shop that really personifies customer service! Pete is a great guy to deal and talk shop with. My guitar arrived safe, secure AND quickly. I can’t recommend DuBaldo enough, just give them a call or stop by already!
Great service
5. Music & Arts
Address: 22 West Putnam Avenue, Greenwich, CT 06830 , Cervelló , Connecticut , United States
Excellent customer service even before I was a customer. They really went out of their way to be helpful, unlike the music store at the other end of town. Definitely worth visiting.
I have only had positive experiences with Music and Arts of Greenwich at 22 West Putnam Avenue, Greenwich, CT 06830 – specifically with Marc Perler, the manager, and specifically with Charise Turner, the manager at the Wesport CT location, 413 Post Rd E.
Marc Perler and Charise Turner go out of their way to make sure you have all of the components of your rental or purchase and answer all of your questions with a smile. The rest of the staff are very knowledgeable and kind. The music teachers are top notch, too!
Very professional. Very friendly. I would HIGHLY recommend this store to anyone as the first place to purchase or rent string and other Musical instruments and supplies and especially to take music lessons with top notch teachers..
6. JC Music
Address: 529 W Main St, Meriden, CT 06451 , Cervelló , Connecticut , United States
They have a range of teachers to learn music from! I’ve learned so much within the 2 years I’ve been there!
Best place to purchase your instrument! Their consignment process is also great! It’s hard finding a good place to sell an instrument especially with all this social media going on nowadays, I’m not very tech saavy. I definitely recommend them for rental as well on instruments, my niece is at a camp for violin and they were extremely helpful on finding the right one that she is most comfortable with and the pricing is not bad at all!
My son and daughter both took lessons here. They have outstanding teachers. They also sell and rent instruments
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
7. Edward B Marks Music Co
Address: 190 Range Rd, Wilton, CT 06897 , Cervelló , Connecticut , United States
Best music store in CT and one of the best on the planet!
Always great visit. Love to see what new things they have. Excellent customer service.
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.
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.
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.
9. The Music Shop
Address: 405 Queen St, Southington, CT 06489 , Cervelló , Connecticut , United States
Professional and high quality service from a multi-generation family owned business. Scott and his staff truly care about your progress as a musician. Their music teachers are highly educated and patient. I wouldn’t go anywhere else for my family’s music needs.
They don’t normally carry the highest end instruments, but they’re price competitive on all they carry, very helpful, and best of all honest and trustworthy. My son had guitar lessons for years and loved it. Repair work, mods and set ups are top notch.
Great Place.Awesome Teachers
Great place but website could be better such as pics of some used equipment. I’m a drummer and would like to see what they have for new and used cymbals,stands,drum kits etc. And prices. I have done business with them and always had a great experience the reason for three stars is the website doesn’t do the music shop justice. All and all great store great people.
The cellos were in not in good shape and we had to pay a luthiere to redo repairs that were poorly done when we received the instrument.
10. Middlesex Music Academy
Address: 440 Main St, Middletown, CT 06457 , Cervelló , Connecticut , United States
Great place for music lessons and to try out instruments! Has recently been expanded to accommodate more students.
I’ve had my son’s saxophone serviced here a few times, and not only do they do an excellent job, they also go above and beyond to be helpful. These people are compassionate about music! I’d never go anywhere else.
Love the staff and selections of instruments. I’ve gotten repairs done there with my old drums and my guitars and they have the best expertise when it comes to repairing instruments. Bought my first guitar since 2009 from there and I absolutely loved the feel and playing it. Matt and Jim are awesome.
The sales team made it possible for me to afford a piano for my son
I paid $80 for a setup on a guitar and got it back with the strings a mile off of the neck and the floyd rose studs so high out of the body I could park a car under it. The bridge pickup was raised until it was practically touching the strings and the neck pickup was lowered to below the pickup ring. The tech then told me that 10-52 strings don’t exist. They’re light top heavy bottom and aren’t even uncommon strings. Every time I go there they give bad advice and clearly don’t know what they’re talking about. My friend tried to buy a tubescreamer (basic overdrive) and they tried to sell him a phaser instead (completely different thing).
I would give Middlesex Music Academy a 0 if I was able to. I called to inquire about a $150 charge when I haven‘t been confirmed by John the guitar teacher. I made a request to Matt that Tuesday was my preference but John was booked so he scheduled Thursday at 6pm. I received a text and email from John yesterday that he had a conflict for Thursday and offered Friday. I responded via text/email that would not work and inquired if this was temporary or permanent to which I did not receive a response. I let John know this may not be a good fit then. I called today to have the charge refunded and Jim proceeded to call me names, saying I was yelling & screaming over the phone and I was being rude. No need to go into the dramatics but Jim needs a lesson in manners, telling the truth and understanding that being a manager does not give him the authority to behave poorly. Never once did I raise my voice but did correct Jim several times throughout the conversation all because i asked for a refund. Extremely unprofessional and a bad look for Middlesex Music all around. I will be taking my business elsewhere. Inexcusable & theater worthy performance by Jim today folks!!!
I signed up for a piano lesson trial online. Their site is very confusing and it’s not clear if the lesson is in-person and online. I called them, left a message but they never called me back. In the day/time of the lesson, I called them 3 times because I was having problems to contact the teacher. The guy who works there, Jim, clearly doesn’t have any customer service skills. He was rude and unpleasant. He didn’t make any effort to help me, told me a was confused and nobody else had problems. I just canceled the future lessons there. It’s easier just hire a private piano teacher. Hopefully I will never have to deal with this guy again.
11. A Sound Choice
Address: 267 E Main St UNIT 3, Branford, CT 06405 , Cervelló , Connecticut , United States
Such a nice little store, Owner is very kind and helpful, i really enjoy going there for my guitar needs.
These guys are amazing! I live in Memphis and bought a G&L Fallout Black w/ Tortishelle Pickguard from them!
Came exactly 5 days later from the time I bought it, just as it was scheduled.
It came with no scratches, no dents, but nearly IN TUNE, with a free strap and a few picks! These guys are A- Class!
Give Ken Johnson at ” A Sound Choice” a Call! He’ll get you set up with whatever you need!
Cool little music shop. Worth going and especially if you need a setup on your instrument.
When I can I prefer to spend my money at mom -n- pop businesses and A Sound Choice is a great guitar shop. Knowledgeable and they have a great selection of music making products. The corporate guitar stores don’t always hire staff that even know what a treble clef is so my advice is spend your money here.
Ordered a guitar on Reverb and Ken always answered the phone and was very helpful throughout the process. I ordered a Larrivee OM-40 and it was listed as brand new but definitely had a dent and 2 scratches which was disappointing but overall a good experience with the process.
The guitar however has a terrible extreme buzzing noice, especially when playing on the first 7 frets of the 4th, 5th, and 6th strings…even when playing a single note and strum lightly…a terrible buzz. I can’t seem to figure out where it is coming from. I will have to take to a luthier which is unfortunate given that it is a brand new guitar. He did say he sanded the saddle down before shipping to lower the action, suspicious that is the problem.
Update: Took it into a luthier. The saddle had been sanded down, action too low, poor job with the setup. Had to build me a new saddle. New strings, and adjusted trust rod as well. Buzzing gone. Sounds and plays like a dream!
12. George’s Music Center
Address: 905 New Harwinton Rd, Torrington, CT 06790 , Cervelló , Connecticut , United States
George is very knowledgeable about all the products he offers and has a large inventory.
I’m not a customer yet, but after my experience today I definitely will be. I arrived about a half hour to closing time and I was still greeted with kindness and an eagerness to help. Dennis really made my whole experience with looking to purchase a guitar and he went above and beyond my expectations. Unfortunately my expectations were set by experiencing being a woman in a Guitar Center, but Dennis showed me nothing but respect and he is very passionate about music and encouraging others to learn. If you’re looking for a comfortable and fun shopping experience, I couldn’t recommend this shop enough.
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
Meh
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.
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.
13. Guitar Center
Address: 50 Boston Post Rd, Orange, CT 06477 , Cervelló , Connecticut , United States
Omar was an amazing help with everything I needed to get regarding an Electronic Drum Kit. Very knowledgeable and professional, would highly recommend Omar with ANYTHING you shop for at this Guitar Center!
The only place to go to get musical equipment. Discovered a used piece today and will return to purchase next week.
Mediocre store in general. I have always gone to Sam Ash over Guitar Center. I give it 3 stars for their large selection but that’s it. Some days you come in here and it’s a mad house with kids everywhere and just overwhelming…
It’s ok. Not a great selection of premium instruments, and considering the size of the place I’d expect more variety of almost everything. They need to learn how to pack a music store like the independent guys do — but they’re hard to find these days…
Good experience in and out
These guys just thwarted THE CRIME OF THE CENTURY!
I attempted to return/exchange a 12 pack of Fender Medium guitar picks because I use Heavy. Just an even exchange — I did not have the receipt but I figured it would be no biggie. Not at this store!!! No way, Jose! I thought I could get away with a fast one but these guys are SUPER SHARP (and they know I can only get these at about a million other places). I’m lucky to have sped away before the SWAT Team showed up.
Maybe when they go bankrupt, I’ll bid on some lots of Fender guitar picks, just for schadenfreude. (Of course, I am required to give at least one-star so I will make the worn-out statement that they don’t even deserve that.) Now, onto amazon.com!
(UPDATE: These guys can’t even get my name right! In an email, they apologized for the “typo” but they have not corrected it, which leads me to believe it was NEVER a typo to begin with! Avoid this chain and buy local!)
Ajentes ventas mal trato al cliente
The worst customer service on earth.
14. Brian’s Guitars
Address: 453 W Main St, Cheshire, CT 06410 , Cervelló , Connecticut , United States
So is the phone number and the address on the website the old info?
I ordered a Semi Hollow 408 Wood Library guitar in Obsidian color, Indian Rose wood Neck with a BRW fret board. This was only after emailing and then calling to discuss the guitar specifics and super price provided by the folks at Brian Guitars. Shopping with the folks at Brian’s over the internet and phone was a breeze. I received the guitar quickly as they provide very prompt and efficient service. Although they packing seemed simple, their method of protecting the guitar case is probably one of the better packing processes that I have seen. This was my first experience with Brian Guitars and I’m sure it won’t be my last. The folks at Brian’s Guitars are clearly customer oriented from pricing, product Knowledge, shipping and providing help in any avenue that I pursued. Thanks again for a Great Guitar, Mike Williamson
Brian and Corey really know their stuff and Have always helped me out. Incredible selection of Higher end gear
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.
15. The Music Bureau
Address: 1 New London Rd, Salem, CT 06420 , Cervelló , Connecticut , United States
Great lessons for all ages, good gear, super friendly teachers.
The people here are friendly, knowledgeable, supportive and very helpful. I have been taking bass guitar lessons here and am absolutely amazed with my progress. Besides the one-on-one lessons, I also enjoy their group sessions where we get to learn and practice songs together. I also bought a couple instruments, strings, amplifier and some accessories from them at great prices. If you want to take lessons on any musical instrument, or want to rent or buy any musical instrument, I highly recommend the Music Bureau, conveniently located at Salem Four Corners.
Great lessons, friendly environment, incredible music. Highly recommend.
This business has changed hands a few times. But still has a great selection of core instruments and accessories. Also offer lessons.
16. The Music Score LLC
Address: 2315 Silas Deane Hwy, Rocky Hill, CT 06067 , Cervelló , Connecticut , United States
Gil is a super friendly guy! My son really enjoys guitar lessons with him!
My daughter’s piano teacher in East Hampton recommended this store for the purchase of a piano. Thank you Gil for your help selecting one of your pianos. We purchased our piano several days before Christmas as a gift for my daughter. As it can be challenging to find delivery at the holidays, the store owner went out of his way to deliver the piano personally on Christmas Eve. The piano sounds wonderful and my daughter was thrilled. Thanks for the excellent service, wonderful piano, and beautiful music that now fills my home.
Quality music school with a professional and trustworthy staff.
My daughter is signed up for lessons and her teacher is great (I hear the others are as well). Just try not to deal with the guy that owns it.
Very knowledgeable and friendly.
Arrived at 10:00am (they open at 10am, but not today). I waited and they finally arrived. All I needed was guitar strings, but they had none. What a waste of time.
I tried to return my daughter’s Viola due to the school no longer providing classes. It was a total nightmare to get an answer in regards to my credit. They are very irresponsible and I am very disappointed by the lack of care towards my return which was even misplaced! Mom and dad are not helpful at all and he should really look at keeping them home, they make things worse!
17. Music Center of North Haven Llc
Address: 473 Washington Ave, North Haven, CT 06473 , Cervelló , Connecticut , United States
We’ve been going to the Music Center for years, and the owners are consistently great people. They also have incredibly trained and talented teachers.
I really enjoy being part of the Music Center of North Haven. Mark, his wife, and the staff are very friendly and accommodating. They make you feel like you are part of a family.
Super friendly and knowledgeable staff.
Great place. Definitely stop in.
First experience here, but guy greeted me immediately and helped me pick out a capo. Nice feature to have a cafe inside.
Guitar tech could not look at my guitar because he busy making egg sandwiches.
UPDATE: To clarify, the small bag of “trash” was a small bag of shirts and pants that were out grown and not trash which the owner stated several times and now denies. He also forgets that I was sitting there in my car for several minutes trying to figure out what the poorly sprayed wording actually stated or if it was just covering up something and i even took out the clothes in the bag and showed it to him but he didn’t care and continued to argue with me. Again, I had donated to this location before it was deemed abandoned and was accused repeatedly to get my trash out of there. I did go down the street and donated the clothes to Goodwill. The issue I have is how the owner handled the situation and the accusations that were thrown at me even when confronted with the proof that they were wrong and I was clearly trying to donate a small amount of clothes and left when asked. Move this very prominent former donation bin to the back our your lot or put a proper sign up, chain close the handle or just politely tell someone its closed.
This music center used to have a clothing donation bin out front which I have donated to many times before. It has since been painted over with illegible spray paint saying bin closed. I was standing by the bin trying to figure out what the writing said and employee came out and screamed at me to take my trash somewhere else and was extremely rude shouting at me like I was doing something illegal. He told me to bring my trash to Goodwill. Would never bring my kids here for their music needs with staff like this.
This is a review for the musical forest cafe. I wish I could have enjoyed the food at this place, but this business is a mess. I came here a month ago on a Tuesday and they were closed out of the blue, so they granted me a 10% discount coupon for my trouble. I decided to give this place a try once again today so I called in advanced, but no one picked up the phone. I then googled their hours and noticed it said they opened at noon (I tried calling at 11:00 a.m.) but that they were opened today. To be completely sure about that, I checked their facebook page that stated, in fact, that they were open. When I arrived to the restaurant the owner greated me and stated that they have been closing on Fridays for the past 9 months and that I should have checked their facebook page prior to coming in here (REALLY?!). After explaining to him that I DID checked facebook he apologized and said he will change the facebook hours for his restaurant and offered to give me another discount coupon. I didn’t even bothered to take the coupon and left very disappointed by the lack of reliability and professionalism of this place and won’t ever be coming back. Places like this just reinforced my belief that going out of business is a conscious effort and wouldn’t be surprised if this happened to this cafe in the near future.
18. Giuliano’s Music
Address: 406 Westport Ave, Norwalk, CT 06850 , Cervelló , Connecticut , United States
Giuliano’s Music Store is truly a gift to this community.
From purchasing an instrument or having your prized guitar repaired or set up to perfection, Bobby has you covered with care and detail.
Bobby and staff are awesome! Took my PRS in for a fret job. The guitar is phenomenal! I used to frequent his father’s shop in White Plains when I was a kid. Great to have these guys local! Thanks Bobby!
Always friendly and courteous. I have never had a bad experience and refer everyone to them!
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.
Good service, very nice staff and management!
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.
19. Sam Ash Music Stores
Address: 95 Amity Rd, New Haven, CT 06515 , Cervelló , Connecticut , United States
I was helped by Sales Rep Dylan, he was Extremely helpful, knowledgeable and went above and beyond to accommodate me.I normally shop at Guitar Center or Sweetwater, but after this recent experience with Dylan at the Amity Newhaven store, I spent 2,500 on this visit and will be making another visit there when I need to purchase my next piece of equipment..
Professional staff and nice selection, I will be back. Please consider expanding your ukulele selection.
The woman working at the door was very helpful and pointed us to Jacob in the percussion area. Jacob helped get our seven year old all set up to start practicing at home. Jacob was very friendly and helpful, and we will definitely be back!
Extremely knowledgable staff in the guitar / strings department.
I also like this store. The only thing is, i can’t try out an acustic drum.
Smaller than I expected as I was only used to their website so I guess I was thinking this place must be huge, but it’s about the size of a GC. However the people were nice and helpful and the gear was great.
Everyone was super helpful until I cordially opted to not provide a phone number at checkout. Jordan was helping me and claimed he needed an address or phone number to process the transaction. I pointed out that Radio Shack usually enters a fake number and he ended up doing the same but his entire demeanor had already changed. He set my card and then the pen (to sign the receipt) down on the counter rather than hand them back to me (seemed deliberate but of course I don’t know for certain). I said “Thanks, have a good day” as we finished up but he turned away and didn’t say anything in return. He definitely seemed to take the fact that I didn’t want to provide any personal information way too personally. Pretty silly, if you ask me.
Merchandise walks out the door with disgruntled employees and no one seems to care. I had recently checked the website to see if they had what i was looking for and it said limited stock. Fair enough so i call the store and yes they confirm there is one left. After sitting in traffic for almost an hour and a half because the closest sam ash is quite the drive for me, i finally get there and it is nowhere to be found. They made a feeble attempt at offering to order it and take something like 9 dollars off which basically amounted to not paying the sales tax but i would now have to wait several more days and make the long trip out there again plus i would have to pay for it now for them to order it. Needless to say I declined and left disappointed. But the next week out of curiosity i checked the website and sure enough it says they have it so i call and and the guy says no we had one but our old manager took it but i can order it for you. Again i would have to pay in advance and it would take a week to ten days. So several weeks later yes it’s still listed on the website but is not in stock and no one seems interested in restocking or updating the website. Needless to say i go to guitar center which is about 5 minutes away from me. They’ve been friendly and helpful when i order things it takes maybe 3 to 5 days depending on the items and they actually restock their inventory. I gave sam ash 3 tries and they blew it every time. Go to guitar center in Orange CT not sam ash in new haven.
Drove 25 minutes to the store only to find out it doesn’t open until noon. Utterly rudiculous! Just close your doors for good if you’re going to have such restrictive hours!
20. Music & Arts
Address: 50 Main St, East Hartford, CT 06118 , Cervelló , Connecticut , United States
Easy, reliable, timely and great communication and customer service.
Both of my sons began instruments this fall, and both got amazing attention, and we were given high quality new products. Will always use Music & Arts.
Lots of great instruments to buy. I got a nice 88 key electric piano here. It shipped within a week, if not less.
Also a great place with lots of different music books for many instruments.
Cool place, very expensive
Good selection and price
I recently went to the Music & Art store and asked about my child’s school instrument payment plan. We leased the instrument two years ago; but due to COVID-caused remote schooling and summer breaks, there was little use of the instrument despite monthly charges including insurance and fees.
The store manager told me that I can pay up from lease to own, but refused to give me the payment breakdown, saying everything “in their computer”. When I asked for my contract copy, he didn’t have it. I remember the contract sent from the school was very complicated with different group plans and unfamiliar billing terms, and the store ended up filling up the paperwork over the phone for us. The contract has carbon copies and the store told us they would send us our copy but never did. Now they were telling me that they didn’t have the original copy of the contract for me either.
I decided to pay up the rest to own the clarinet. Just be aware that the receipt won’t have details of what portion is for the instrument and what is for insurance and fees, and no information about the original price and the final total payment. I ended up paying more than $200 just in insurance and fees up to now. I also found out that I had overpaid >$500 for a beginner instrument that the store billed for an intermediate model, as I compared the market price for my exact model. Since I don’t have the pricing info. nor the contract, I cannot really do anything at this point.
I have since found other online complaints against Music & Art regarding the rent-to-own school instrument plan. The lack of transparency and their practice of overcharge and under-report seem to be common experience of their customers. I feel that there is an element of complacency on the school and parents ends since the service is “for our children”, but where is the accountability?
I went to the store 7:45 pm because I need to rent an instrument. I’ve been waiting because the employee was helping another customer. Then, when it was my turn he said : I can’t help you because we close at 8 come back tomorrow. While I was waiting I saw another employee he just looking at us and he didn’t of help us.The worst customer service I ever experienced.
Rented a saxaphone for 2 years. Summers were free. Returned the sax in the fall and was charged for the summer. 300$ which is the yearly rate. No notification or change of contract. Its a scam. Free summers not part of the contract, just a gift to you until you return it. Hours spent on hold to corporate as the local manager has no power.