Exclusive selection: The top 20 music shops of Davisboro

I have a buddy that owns and operates about the last real old school motorcycle shop near Rome GA. I’m visiting the Dublin GA area and was in dire need of new guitar strings by george I’m sayin dire need geetar pickers know what I’m sayin. Pure luck I found Forte Music I hung around a little talked guitars the vibe there was like my buddy’s bike shop and that’s cool as grits. I refuse to buy anything from big chain stores I despise those places I watched my hometown’s Mom & Pop shops go under. Why would you sit in ya recliner and order on the interweb when you can go to Forte Music get what you need and shoot the breeze with the nice youngman there. Not me now when I visit I can go hangout there don’t care if all I could get was a pick , I’m buying local.

Nice shop the owner is a great guy very helpful and the prices are better than the big chains you will feel like you have known him all your life. We need to support these owner operators they are the backbone of our country.

Nice musical instrument place the owner was very nice and helpful he even give lessons by appointment very pleasant atmosphere prices are good also.

Seems to be a good place to buy musical instruments..accessories..fair on prices.. would recommend..

Good store. Very helpful staff

Process for renting a school instrument was easy and quick. Brand new store, very clean and so many things to play with. Staff nice and helpful. They offer lessons. Prices to rent are very low. Awesome!

Very informative personell. Didn’t mind spending the time with a new customer.

I stopped in just to look. A recent neck surgery has made playing the violin or viola a thing of the past for me and I was interested in a guitar. I wasn’t sure if I wanted/needed an electric or an acoustic. The “musician” that helped me asked questions about my plans and musical tastes. He wasn’t a salesman and that is why I called him a musician, and not knowing any chords he played each instrument I asked about for me. I was schooled about solid wood as opposed to laminates and was shown a chord or two. I then made a choice from the sounds the different guitars made when I played them, as well as the feel of the different neck shapes and woods. Prices are retail and that is not a problem.The service is where the quality of my visit was. I wasn’t treated like this at any of the other stores I visited, I bought a guitar that day, when I was just looking for answers and advice. That is what makes this a great place to shop. If you are a beginner and you go elsewhere, you might be making a costly mistake that will have you quitting before you get started.

They have a great selection of instruments and lessons for them! Great staff, very friendly.

Great music not so much more marching band

Staff was very helpful, patient and knowledgeable about their products and inventory. I was there purchasing guitar strings for my son’s Christmas present. I not only walked away with great gifts for my son, but also my own little tips and suggestions for the future. Thank you, Portman’s!

The guy was late to open the store. Then told me. I would have to wait. 15 mins late 7/9/17

Horrible Service – This is the WAL MART of music stores.
The equipment and sales team are cordial and helpful.
My son took guitar lessons- WHAT A JOKE! after $160,00 and 6 weeks he knew nothing more than when he started, when I asked why, I couldn’t get a straight answer.

I’d suggest that you not fly blindly into this money pit. Although I noted some good teachers, if you get a bad one, portman’s will NOT make it right.
They could care less if you get good instruction or bad instruction.
BEWARE

Never been

This is like the other Attina’s but this one will repair your guitar aswell. Easy 30min neck adjustment and strap nuts.

Got my sax fixed for $45 and it was completely fixed, even stuff I didn’t know I needed really good and fast service at a low price! You can really tell they’ve been in the music business for a while! Awesome experience!

Awesome

They are over priced and lame

Not enough selection.

Quick and efficient service! I called to confirm that had an item in stock, and they did. When I arrived, they had the item at the register, I paid, and left. Perfect! I was there all of 5 minutes!

They were friendly, but we kinda felt they were stand offish because my husband was asking all kinds of questions and we kinda felt that they was tired of being asked the many questions that my husband asked. They had a low selection of items and we felt that we was being pushed out of the store because he asked us a few times if we was ready to check out. So after a few times of being asked we checked out and left. Not sure if we will be going back or if we will make the hour trip to Fayetteville for all of our needs.

Great staff. They know their instruments and put customer service first. Good I bought my guitars there.

Excellent customer service. They price match. Love shopping locally.

Brody was very helpful when I came in the store looking for drum sticks. The staff at this location is very friendly and knowledgeable. If you need guidance they will help you.

Very helpfu, knowledgeable, professional staff

Local staff is absolutely fabulous!
Kind and helpful each time I’ve visited. They have gone above and beyond to help us with purchases questions and repairs.

BUT, this is a big nationwide company so when it comes to billing questions or issues you have to call thier customer service line and that is always a big hassle in my experience. You can’t update cards and such online, the wait time to speak to anyone has always been 30+ minutes for me and they often give inaccurate information on pricing and/or billing dates.

Honestly, if it wasn’t for the employees in the actual store being so awesome I’d just go through a different company for my child’s band rental, but they really are that good that I’m willing to overlook the corporate problems

Nicest people. Great service. My first stop for guitar repair.

Always friendly service!

Very nice folks

Ate

Great supporter of all students and schools

Never bring a guitar here to be worked on, both times I’ve brought my guitars up there they come back with scratches and dents

John is a wizard…He has worked on 3 of my guitars and has made them all sound like new…All Star Rocks…I’m a customer for life or until John expires..LOL…you can give him a stick and a shoe string and he will tune it up…MUCH LOVE ALL STAR

John is very knowledgeable and goes that extra step to satisfy the customer. Very reasonable prices and services. Highly recommend…

All Star Music has great owners who operate the business.
The owner is the best Guitar tech around. Very knowledgeable and also an awesome musician. They offers music lessons with excellent experienced teachers. They sale Vintage guitars and equipment as well as new, reasonably priced, guitars that sound better than their reasonable price. They also sale and lease band equipment for the local schools in the surrounding area.

You will always get good advise from the professional staff and they have all the small stuff you need for your existing gear needs as well!

Thank you,
Greg Theisen

Very friendly. Awesome teachers.

Guy running the store was very helpful and knowlegable.

Tienda pequena pero buen servicio

Literally 4:08pm on a Saturday I show up. They were not open. Sign on the door says 10am-6pm. Very disappointed.

Place needs to just close! doubt me, go see what I’m talking about.

I’ve been here 3 times during store hours. nobody at the store go to another shop.

Super great people!

Met Vera yesterday. What a sweet kind lady. Place is very hard to find especially way people drive on Washington road. But it is right next to where checkers is sndPiccadilly’s was. Store looked not quite moved in yet but Vera, what later found our was an owner, really made all of those distractions go away. Please find time to go see these wonderful people before we lose another brick and mortar shipping experience

Very friendly staff and great selection of musical instruments.

It’s the same Jays in a new location. They have a nice selection of gear, but be ready for the owners to be on you like hawks to buy something asap.

Staff the older gentlemen is not the friendliest and the woman is not too knowledgeable on their products. New location is cleaner than the old one but still stock remains on shelves for a long time and not upkept. A few guitars i played were not tended to. Dead strings and grimey fretboards. Not good

Not shoppable, no defined path. Much of the stock is in cardboard boxes skewed across the store. The owner pays no attention to the customers. Most products have no price labeled on them, but you can’t get the owner’s attention long enough to ask the prices.

I placed an item on layaway and every time I went to make a payment the store was closed. When I requested a refund I was told that they don’t give refunds. I recommend that NO ONE does business with this place. They are both prejudice and scammers!!!

We had a slight glitch this day. We have been there about 8 years ago for another brother. Of course process is different now. HOWEVER this staff worked quickly, professionally, and efficiently to provide the instrument we needed . They are GREAT!

Excellent shop. Lots of goodie’s. Knowledgeable folks behind the counter. Give them first shot for all my musical needs.

Great music store! Friendly and knowledgeable about the products they sell. Excellent selection of products!!

The way music stores should all be.

My son takes drum lessons there and loves it!!! Very knowledgeable about music.

Good instructors. Plenty of inventory to shop.

Very helpful, knowledgeable, nice

The customer service is awful I definitely won’t be back there every again

Had to make a quick stop to grab a few things. I know it was closing time. I was trying to make it quick. When they started harassing my husband reminding him when they close he left and we took our business somewhere else. Customers want to feel welcomed, not reminded how unfortunate you are to have to lock the door right at 5:00.

I called Town Center Music for a same day service and they were able to help within minutes. My daughter broke an E string on her Violin and we needed it replaced asap before her school concert. These guys were very professional with amazing customer service. I will definitely be back. I didn’t realize how close this shop was until today and I’m so glad I found it.

We’ve been coming to TCM since March when we bought our son his first guitar from Mr. John Michael. We were so impressed from our first experience and that satisfaction has only grown over the past 7 months as each week we stop in for lessons, a nice chat, guitar advice, and a restring/neck adjustment over the summer. Everyone there is super knowledgeable and kind. They have a wide range of price points for anyone from beginner to expert. His guitar teacher, Mr. Greg, is a fun and gifted musician. My husband and I are amazed by how quickly our son has been able to learn both technique and music and play real songs from his favorite bands. TCM, you have earned our business for life. We highly recommend!!

I have just begun learning electric guitar.

Outstanding place. Literally no negatives.

All staff members were knowledgeable, respectful, friendly.

Clean, positive, inviting environment.

I bought a Yamaha Pacifica 012 gig bundle from them for $328.

They also offer lessons.

Highly recommend you visit this place.

Good

Much better store I not been here in a while the past manager was not a music guy or a manger known as a air head I will be back

Taught my kids to play guitar

Went in there a couple days ago. Not a huge fan. Workers aren’t very pleasant people and they come up to you every 10 minutes kind of giving you the hint to leave if you’re not gonna buy anything like you’re in there too long.

Great for beginners I guess. Don’t come in here expecting higher quality equipment and experience. Name of their game is to hook beginners onto cheap equipment (which is totally fine) and get you out. No hanging out in there jamming for an extended time.

Maybe I came in on a bad day.

Not where u want to shop you find poorly trained staff and not music people I shopped here off and on for years . just not good pepole

Took down my review. Owner ultimately seemed to care about his customers. Too bad everything is so politically incorrect. Anyone still remember Archie Bunker?
But to clarify what idiot would try to exchange something opened, like a reed.
Amazon prime still winnnning.

I called to get information about Guitar Lesson
Pete was so helpful signed up for Saturday classes
And the prices are reasonable ❤️

Awesome customer service! If you live in or around Decatur you should visit. I got such a great deal I drove over an hour one way to do purchase it. I was in communication with them for multiple days and they helped me pick out exactly what I needed. I look forward to doing business with them again in the future.

Nice shop, great relaxed atmosphere, very helpful and kind, happy with my purchase! Thanks

This is a pretty good little store. I bought my guitar and amp here

Rip off.go elsewhere. I use to really like bringing my daughter here but they must be under new management. Prices have gotten ridiculous!!!

I just sold my PA and a couple of guitars to music go round. It was my first time there. I must say I was impressed. It’s a very nice store with a huge selection of gear. The clerk that helped me was named Josh. I knew going in that I wasn’t going to get what paid for the gear, but I feel like I got a fair price. Everyone that works there is very nice and professional. Overall it was a pleasant experience. I would recommend this place to anyone.

The staff was super friendly giving help when needed and the prices where very good on used instruments

Excelente servicio!! Todos ahí son súper amables y todo el tiempo buscan ayudarte

They had exactly what I was looking for in store. The staff was nice and took care of the necessary covid19 precautions by ensuring I used hand sanitizer and masked up before entering. The employee I spoke with told me exactly where to look to get what I needed. My only reason for giving it 4/5 stars is because I felt it was overpriced. Nice store though and very well organized.

The staff here cares about their customers but tend to overprice a few items.

Dope music spot for musicians to window shop. Lmbo.. extremely pricey for donated music equipment. Come on guys give our pockets a little break. But great selection tho! Have visited 3 times but purchased else where. Lol.

I’ve purchased from several other locations and always dealt with people happy to make a deal and help out on the price, this place, nobody seems to care about customer service or making money. They lost out on upwards of $2000 I was ready to give them TODAY. I hope the owner sees this.

Edit: Was told via a reply to this review to call and ask for Ann. Called THE VERY NEXT DAY to find out she’s on vacation. But the way I was told was “she’s not here” “… do you want to tell me what day I should try again” “she’s on vacation”

I will NEVER spend a dollar at this store that needs to fire their entire staff and start over. Absolutely disgusting customer service

Second edit: Finally got ahold of the owner. Just an absolute lack of customer service or any type of common sense. Lost a customer for life.

This place hates money.

Cheap, well used gear.

If I could give no stars, I would. My daughter found a violin ONLINE that she called this store and asked about. A friend of mine wanted to purchase it with his credit card and have it shipped as a gift to my daughter in Kansas. They refused to let him purchase it with his credit card and ship it somewhere besides his billing address. He called them, and I thought maybe he was just coming across harshly; therefore, I called them. I spoke to Josh (I think that was his name). He told me that they had someone arrested just last week for fraud, and shipping it out somewhere besides the billing address is a “red flag.” Really?? I asked to speak to a manager, and he said that they “manage themselves.” Interesting. I apologized that I would not be purchasing the violin from them, and his response? “We’ll survive.” All I can say is that my daughter’s violin won’t come from this place, nor will I recommend this place. You have products online, people. It is Christmas. They aren’t going to want to purchase something that they can’t ship to someone out of State. You’ll survive, though.

Also, just so the owner is also aware, Josh basically told my friend who planned to by the violin that he would like to have the conversation with my friend in Duluth, GA, and accused him of trying to pull a fast one on him. Over a violin? C’mon! He asked to speak to the owner, and Josh told him he would have to email the owner When my friend told him he was calling from Houston, he hung up on him.

I don’t think training is going to change the cocky attitude.

Very helpful honest

I came here to check out their drum section and ukuleles. The owner Jon is kind and professional, he gives you time and space to investigate the instruments. I bought my first steel drum here and recently a new ukulele. Definitely check this place out because not only is there a great selection of various instruments, the music store is a family business! Jon has kept this place thriving and alive since his saxophone playing father originally opened the store years and years ago ! I am looking at drum lessons next here. Aloha Attinas!

my sax works now

Good customer service. Not a lot of music choices, but I was able to find a Rubank methods book.

This is a really great store with loads of musical equipment, basically everything you need and they also give guitar lessons here taught by highly skilled and competent professionals. I would recommend this store to anyone.

Most of the time they have what I need

Expensive, great variety

It was obvious that my presence was causing discomfort to the manager/cashier/whatever. I was not allowed to play a certain Epiphone Les Paul (not even a Gibson) because ‘they wanted to keep it clean’. I am a frikin professional guitarist with 11 years of experience and no music stores have ever denied me of handling an instrument. Highly offending for a first time visitor’s impression.
Go to Guitar Center and avoid this place, you’ll be glad you did.

Guy was on phone the whole time…and we waited. Not sure this is the norm but it was my one and only visit

I’ll mention off the top that Google maps parked me in front of a coffee shop that shares brick with Megatone. It’s there, just around the corner, facing the square.

Popped in at 18 til close on a Monday, stated I was there for a guitar tuner.. Found myself met with equal parts friendly and informative. Received full descriptions and pricing on at least four products before I interjected and said I’ll take the blue one.

I’m no officionado, but I did see some sort of interesting carbon fiberish guitar parked next to one with real funky hot rod flames on my way out. Pretty neat. Nice guy.

It’s a great music store with friendly people. They know what they’re doing. You can take music lessons, buy instruments and get them repaired there also.

Great deal on a new Les Paul. Very friendly service.

Even a simple order of a single item can turn into an issue with this place. Save yourself the hassle and do not associate with this business.

I think this business is struggling and so they will be deceitful in any way to get a few extra dollars. Beware of this business, you will not receive friendly support if they make a mistake.
I highly recommend staying away from this place.

Despite receiving damaged item, supplying several pictures of clear damage, and messages from seller admitting it was damaged, they refused refund. Reviews from others with similar complaints also noted. Buyer beware.

Great prices, incredible selection and impeccable service without the attitude of the ‘big boy’. Tommy also had done a lot of work on my Les Paul and Tele, all with great results. Couldn’t ask for more.

Shout out to Mark B. for excellent customer service. I needed new strings on my instrument with a quick turnaround and he made it happen. It made my day!

Great customer service and excellent knowledge of instruments.

Great service

Polite service.

Ken Stanton Music is the hometown brand. It is apparently one legitimate alternative to Guitar Center and Sam Ash. I stopped by the store recently and had a pleasant experience.

From the exterior, you can tell that the store won’t have a massive selection. It’s a smaller store, but still worth checking out. You could always find a gem. I found a pretty reasonably priced Gibson ES-Les Paul that I’m strongly considering.

I worked with Ben during my time in the store, and he was terrific. The store didn’t carry a White Falcon or a Martin D35, but he found that other Ken Stanton locations carried them and offered to have them delivered to the Stone Mountain location.

There’s a lot to consider when investing in expensive instruments and gear. As it currently stands, I wouldn’t mind buying from Ben at Ken Stanton.

I bought 350$ worth of equipment..and none of it was compatible with my Daw that the guy recommended and on top of that i try to return it the same day i purchased it.. And they said i can only return it used.. They will give me 15$ is his exact words.. For 350$ for what i just paid for.. I felt betrayed but that’s how they do business.

Wow! worst customer service ever! I came in looking to spend quite a few thousand dollars on a Digital Piano. There was no one in the section and no one greeted me so I attempted to help myself. Only 3 of all the displays actually functioned. I went to the closest associate (who I later found to be the manager) and explained that I was a pianist and needed to play the instruments so I could pick the best one to purchase according to the feel and playback qualities. The manager asked me 4 DIFFERENT TIMES, WHICH ONE did I want to play, and I explained 4 different times I needed to play them all so I could pick the best one. He walked away. I simply laughed in my head. I don’t know if this was a race thing or just complete incompetence, either way it is unacceptable…. I will never be back to this location.

False prices: How would you feel if you are a first time customer to that store and after browsing for a guitar you spot the one you liked and then you played it and realized it was the one you want, you took it to the register to buy and they refused to sell it to you? that is exacly what happened to me there. bad place to go. the item was tagged for $299 and the attendant said “yes is on clearance” the greedy manager did not honor the price, he wanted $ 130 more at register

We called ahead and they pulled a small item off the shelves and had it ready for us to pick up. Very kind and helpful service.

The guy there was really friendly and helpful

These guys are awesome, if they don’t have it talk to John he can most likely get what you need , they are also honest individuals never taking advantage of someone who has little if any knowledge about musical instruments and supplies their prices are about the best around !

Knowledgable staff, who are helpful but not pushy. I have been getting music supplies from there for more than 10 years and not once have me or my family had an issue.

Nice staff, very polite and friendly. Young sales man could’ve been more knowledgeable about products. But he was still nice and polite. Selection was minimal. Said they would price match or beat other prices so that’s a +. If they were every to replenish there Guitar stock it would definitely be a 4 or 5

The salesman i had there knew HIS STUFF…. KNOWLEDGE!

I was greeted when i came in.. great!! It was my 2nd time there, I usually go Guitar Center in Marietta, to a much bigger store. But after i was helped I felt as if i was being followed around the store. Evertime Id go around the corner, the guy from the front desk would pop up behind me 39 seconds later. That WASN’T good customer service… NOT the way you wanna feel as a customer, as if you’re a threat to take something. Smdh

Went in to look for an acoustic guitar, amp and some cables. Employee with beard and glasses kept following me around but wasn’t saying anything. It felt weird so I left.

I’ve went to Jackson’s music a few times in the past couple of years. I have purchased a drum set from them and its my number one kit still to this day. For the most part friendliness is in the atmosphere when the older guys are working, the younger guy on the other hand is lazy and careless and doesn’t see the need to know about drum accessories even being the store salesman that he is.. I guess he’s a guitar guy or something. I feel as if anyone that was clueless about music or music instruments could do a better job than that guy. The guy acted as if he didn’t know what I was talking about and was trying to pretty much get me off the phone until I pushed the issue. Then he was like, “oh I know what you’re talking about.” This was after I walked him through what I was in need of twice! Anyways the guy clearly knew what I was talking about and was more than likely anxious to get off on time instead of making one more sale for the day. He even told me that someone else called this past week about the same thing. In store experience is definitely the route to go. If you call you’ll more than likely get the careless and clueless young guy on the phone that doesn’t even deserve his job. I don’t know if it’s because he didn’t get the training he needed or if he likes to milk the system but whatever the case may be he obviously can’t help you because he can’t even help himself or the store by doing a good job.

Took my daughter’s guitar in for strings and they found some issues that we were able to get taken care of. Thanks guys!

We came from out of town to stop at Ben Owens Music shop. There is a lot to choose from in this amazing shop. The fantastic employee was very knowledgeable and answered all of our questions. He was very friendly to us and our kids. I would recommend this music store to anyone that has any musical needs whether it be supplies, advice, lessons, or a new instrument. We will definitely be going back with a bigger shopping list in hand.

Great bench work… This is the best place to buy, sell or get your gear upgraded… When is an authorized luthier for many major brand manufactures

Very knowledgeable and very nice, they let my son just play guitars and jam out

Not easy to find but I was in and out in 5 minutes. They had what I wanted and the prices are very reasonable. I would highly recommend it.

I didn’t buy anything today but Chase was so friendly and helpful, when I’m ready I’ll be buying from them.

Garbage

I used to take all my guitars to Ben when I lived here in the mid/late 90’s and it was always great! Not sure what happened, but I will NEVER let them touch my guitar again.
Took my guitar to get a few adjustments. Nothing major. Needed intonation, a small nut spur on the high e, and new strings(which I supplied.) Got the call 2 days later that it was ready. I grabbed it, paid my $70 and took off. I trusted them, so I gave it a quick glance and that was it.
Got it home and pulled it out. Hmm. My Floyd Rose Bridge was uneven, guitar was out of tune, and these were NOT the strings I gave. Tuned it up and the intonation was WORSE, still a spur on the high e, and when I tried my trem it wouldn’t budge. Wth.
Opened the back and they had BLOCKED my trem, not even a good blocking as the bridge was uneven. Didn’t touch the nut, didn’t even attempt intonation, and to add insult to injury they stole my NYXL strings. Including the extra set in the case.
Shameful how far they have fallen.

Ripoff artists. Charged $50 for new strings. Said they were Elixirs. I know what Elixirs look and sound. They put on some cheap strings. DO NOT trust these guys. Never getting my business again.

Very knowledgable and helpful

Wish they carried more guitars, but the staff and service are great.

Good place to shop. Jonathan and Mike really know their products and have great service.

I wanted to know is this the type of music store that gives singing lessons. I’m trying to find a vocal coach

Cannot say much. Open late close early and Sunday. There are few music supply stores in this part of central and south Georgia and none seem to try to cater to people who have regular jobs and cannot get there early to buy their stuff.

Portman’s music in Albany was great helpful and friendly. This is the second school term with me renting my daughters flute. I have been having trouble with the RUDENESS when I call in inquiring about my bill through the Savannah number. When I kept asking questions it always ends with “you can just return the instrument.” I called Wednesday to make a payment and ended up getting hung up on because I was told the same thing and guess what today they called my daughter school saying call them immediately! (Mr Rogers) why call my child school she doesn’t make the payment even the school was upset about the message when clearly they have my number and I answer and return calls when they try to debit my card and it’s locked I unlock it and make the payment but lately no calls just $100 payments taken off when I pay $33 a month.

Love this place! They know what they’re talking about, and will help you out in anyway possible! They’ll install your guitar stuff and everything!

Salesman was friendly and went out of his way to explain things to me and make sure I had the right thing. No brainer if your in albany and need some Music supplies.

Very helpful and friendly.

Pretty down to earth store.

This store is great if you’re looking for pianos, guitars, or some band instruments. I’m disappointed that they don’t carry more of a variety of hand drums. The people are very helpful & nice there.

Low selection on music equipment, little pricey.. $$$

I had my guitar amp on consignment for almost a year at the store and finally had to come pick it up as I was moving away. When I asked if anyone had any interest they said they had plenty but there were no offers. At no point had I received any calls of what people were offering. Also when I picked it up I thought the amp had been damaged as there was barely any sound coming out of my 120w monster. They had no idea what was going on and only offered to have it looked at by a tech. I brought it home instead of letting them keep it any longer. Only after five seconds of looking in the back I identified they had connected the speakers to the line out instead of the power outputs which could have permanently damaged my amplifier. This store has no idea on how to sell anything or even how to set up, operate or even maintain equipment.

If they all you guys say they are then why haven’t they answer their phone and I been calling since they opened at 10:00

Not happy with how Ive been treated Was sold a Teton guitar – was told how great a guitar it was. I traded my Martin- it has been a nightmare since. Ive been thru Two Teton guitars and all have failed to work properly. I was told I would be called back and this store wont honor anything they say
Buyer Beware!! They do not stand behind what they sell!! Worse experience Ive had with a music store in quite some time.