Premium music shops of Elmore County: Our Top-20 selection

Dropped two guitars off to get some maintenance taken care of. Can’t be happier with the service! Both guitars play like new, the turn around was great, and the price was even better. I also love the fact they are open to 8pm!!!

Calling this establishment “mediocre” would be too much of a compliment. My brother went in to ask if the man had any guitar parts and was treated like an inconvenience. The man had his back to him the whole time, was very dry and rude and had awful customer service overall, once my brother asked about guitar lessons though is when the man perked up and became chatty. Only when money was in the conversation was he interested. I wouldn’t recommend this place to anyone.

Learning guitar after 50 is hard but Wakefield’s teacher Mr. Kirkland is experienced, challenging, and fun! Jam night is a relaxed setting to practice and learn for free!! If you are not sure about starting a new adventure in music go to a jam night and experience the teaching style relaxed and challenging.

Wakefield Music Academy has wonderful program music for any age. Their staff is friendly, and their price is affordable.
I recommend this place. You will find professional music lessons there.

This place rocks! Alissa Wakefield is super duper nice and knows exactly what she’s talking about. I’m so pumped that a store like this exists in this town. Lori and blythe were super cool too and were very knowledgeable as well! These ladies really helped me out. They also have a ton of music books! I suggest you guys save the trip from having to drive to dunkleys or guitar center for your music needs. I’m gonna probably start taking lessons there too for violin. I also peaked inside their classroom and it looked huge. Also, they said they had a banjo instructor which is actually relatively rare. All in all, very lovely conversations, lovely people, and great service.

The Larrivee 00-040MH I ordered shipped very fast and came in perfect condition. Nick was easy to work with and communication was excellent. The guitar is a joy to play and exceeded my expectations. I recommend giving Tune Up Guitars a try!

Great guy to work with. He was fast at communicating, when there was an issue with shipping logistics he called me asap to discuss how to best solve the problem, and worked with me to make sure I was happy with my instrument.
He seems genuinely dedicated to making sure you’re pleased with your business interaction. It is also apparent that he has a passion for these instruments, which made it fun to talk with him.

Tune Up Guitars sold me a beautiful Stratocaster. Nick was great to work with and the item was delivered to me exactly as described. I would definitely buy another guitar from Nick and Tune Up Guitars.

Great mandolins by a super honest and thoughtful maker.

Guitar neck reset done expertly. Exceeded my expectations. I would highly recommend him.

They are good!

I purchased my baby grand here months ago. Loving it. Love the help.. and all the music we need for festivals and lessons

Bought a Ukelele for my grandson so he stops messing with my guitars. Great customer service and tips. Very professional service great Ambience. Will be back.

A music store close to my house where I can buy any instrument I want!!!

Knowledge and friendly people with out the hovering around constantly asking if you need anything.

Not as helpful as I’d hoped. Purchased a guitar somewhere else.

General music store. Several Baby Grand pianos, a limited number of guitar brands, sheet music, and a few accessories.

RENTER BEWARE! Insurance on rented instruments does not cover accidental damage. You are better off going to Dunkley and renting – their insurance DOES cover accidental damage. We found out the hard way and were first told that the insurance would cover the damage, then told it would not, and we were treated very rudely by the old guy who works there – I don’t think he can have a conversation without interrupting.

Rented a cello. The gave me student cello. Didn’t want to add note stickers on but gave me a pack for 8.00. This was the worst instrument I have ever seen. It could not be tuned. And the sound was pretty bad. I took it back in 3 days asked for a refund to which I received a prompt NO. Then I said to the man at the counter if you give this cello to a kid it’s going to turn him or her off to playing it. I imagined he would say I will take a look at it. But instead he came out swinging and proceeded to tell me off. I felt upset and hurt somewhat when I left. Went to Dunkley music they have better instruments and kinder people working there. They offered to add the stickers on without me asking. That was an easy 70.00 for Welch!

I went in with questions and the intention to purchase books. While waiting for the next available sales person I was going to check out the pianos. One of them asked me if I was going to buy a piano and I said no, and then they kicked me out. I’ll never come back.

Love Gigs! So much more than a great store!

Amazing customer service, knowledgeable, and good prices!!!!!

This place has cool vintage gear and friendly staff.

The store is small, and the selection of instruments is not exactly large. Chances are, you’ll only find between 3 and 5 bass guitars for sale. There is usually an adequate amount of electric guitars to browse through though. Also, a fairly good selection of acoustic guitars. And, you’ll probably find some other instruments, like cigar box guitars, ukes and banjos.

If you are looking for used instruments and good deals, I think Gigs is worth visiting.

Andy, the store’s proprietor, is friendly, quite helpful, and easy to talk to. Several musicians I’ve talked with say he is a very good guitar tech.

There are one or more guitar teachers working there. I heard one was quite good, but I can’t remember his name, sorry. The teacher or teachers work with both adults and kids.

The worst thing about the store is sometimes people smoke in there. I don’t like being in an enclosed environment in which people are smoking. I tend not to stay long when I smell cigarette smoke. That’s just nasty, and discourages business.

If this store sold more bass guitars, and if no one ever smoked inside, I’ve be giving Gigs a 5 star rating instead of 4.

I remember, not too long ago Gigs Music Company was owned and operated by Rick and Debbie Schroeder. They had an impressive enventory. Then it changed hands you another great musician who worked for the Schroeders from the beginning and held it’s integrity. It seems those days are over. I’ve been there a few times lately and it saddens me to say it’s really gone down hill. To say the service is poor would be a understatement. The inventory lacks quantity and quality both. It’s definitely not getting a favorable critique from me. Three stars is more than generous in my view.

They don’t sell reeds…

Egh. A big, mostly empty space filled with pawn shop guitars, dusty packs of new old stock strings, and rack gear from 1991.

Sell used stuff.

Ordered a Christmas gift for my husband from this place last year, and I’m still waiting. I called them 3 times about it and was told it was on order and they would call me. Never received a call. Very unprofessional. I believe in shopping local, but not at this Boise business.

Best place in town to buy or rent a instrument.

Great staff and knowledge. Super cool uke music book collection

I recently lost my job and decided to learn guitar with all the free time I have now. I shopped all over Boise looking for what I wanted to be my first guitar and ended up buying from Dorsey Music. The person who helped me was no expert in guitar but still was able to get me exactly what I wanted and needed. His name was Brian and was actually a drummer. In my shopping around I found him to be the easiest person to buy from. He played some cords on different guitars for me
(seems how I don’t know how to play yet) just so I could hear the sound of different guitars. Other stores I shopped at like Guitar Center where extremely rude and unhelpful. They made me fell like I was dumb for even wanting to learn how to play a guitar. I am extremely happy with the service I received and will be a long time customer of Dorsey Music based on my experience with them. I would recommend them to anyone looking to purchase there first guitar.

Great place for everything instrumental! Parents don’t forget to shop here for things ahead of presents… support local, not chinese plastic!

Helpful.calm. good vibes.

Took my sons sax in at end of July in order to have ample time to get it checked out before the start of his school year. Was told that the repair tech was behind and with school starting it would take at least a couple weeks, which was completely understandable. After reaching out in mid-august to get an update was told to call back the next week in order to have an idea of when to pick up. Waited to call and reached out just before the start of school (on 8/19). Was then told that it would be the next week, which I was still understanding of. However when I called on the 8/20 was passed over to the repair tech who said he couldn’t find the saxophone and would need more time to look around. Was called back by the store and told they still couldn’t find the saxophone, BUT were willing to offer me a great deal on a new one (mindful that the existing sax had just been paid for), which was not acceptable and relayed that I would rather the search more fully for the original one. Was contacted on 8/22 and told that they found the sax and that it had somehow ended up in Nampa but would be returned to Boise store on 8/23 for pick up. I picked up the sax today, and was offered yet again, a deal on a new sax which I declined as I don’t see the need for a new one on one that just needed some simple tuning and repairs. I instead picked up the original sax, HOWEVER, it still had not been repaired/tuned.
All in all, I’m pretty understanding, but after a month of leaving a sax at a store, being told it would be likely done week before school started or week of, then having it lost, then being offered to by a new one at a discount then only to be told the original had never been repaired or addressed and to come back in a couple weeks was pretty dang ridiculous. Pretty disappointed in all of this and get that mistakes happen, but to not address the original request after a lot of run around seems is sad.

Where do I begin? Alright, well lets start with the customer service, in which is atrocious. I have been to Dorsey’s on two different occasions and have been treated poorly on all two visits.
Example 1: As a newer guitar player I was absolutely ecstatic to finally purchase a guitar that could my inexpensive Ibanez. Upon arrival I immediately was drawn to a beautiful Michael Kelly Patriot, in which had a very unique finish and a low gauge! However, I knew that it would be foolish to buy an expensive instrument like that just for it’s aesthetic qualities so I politely asked an employee if I could get set up with an amp. Suddenly all my teenage dreams were pissed on as this rather unpleasant gentleman replied to my humble request with a blunt, “No.” He didn’t even lift his eyes from the magazine he was reading to answer me. Confused and unconvinced, I asked politely once again that same question. The employee dramatically lower his literature and proceeded to write the address of Guitar Center. His condescension was enough to make me return my prized ax to its rack and leave the story. I ended up ordering my Michael Kelly.

Example Two: Years passed from the first incident and my musicianship grew as my grudge for the store slowly faded. I had learned to play the accordion over the passed few years and I was very proud (and still am) of my hobby. So when my friend asked me for advice on microphones, i suggested an affordable but quality mic, and told him this specific mic probably wouldn’t be found in stores other than Dorsey’s. Never the less, we drifted from store to store, but were unlucky in finding the mic. So we went to Dorsey’s, and as he began to receive service on mics, I drifted in awe at the expansive amount of musical items surrounding me, until my eyes fell upon a small piano accordion. I thought that I would surprise my friend, as he didn’t know of my love for it, and i asked the manager if it was acceptable. He told me they were closing. Disenchanted, i checked their closing time and sure enough, they were closing. I understood why he didn’t want me to play it. Yet my friend went to buy his mic and was allowed to stay for a good 20 more minutes! so I was kicked out for wanting to play, but he was allowed to stay because he was giving them money. Disgusting.

The staff (at least for guitars and drums) generally does not seem to be very interested in helping customers.The Luthier (Gary) is good.

Horrible!! This place has the absolute worst customer service. Everyone is rude, prices are ridiculous, and selection is nothing to brag about. Save yourself time and money and go ANYWHERE but there.

I bought the loveliest antique Steinway through Mike Lott at Pianos n Things this past September 2021. He had done some restoration work on it, including working on the pedals to ensure tht the felt was supple and not hard and compacted. It is a beautiful piano, had great ‘voice’ and was such a great purchase. Mike took the time to take photos and video of the piano when I was inquiring about purchasing it, and even had someone play music on it and took a video so that I could assess the piano’s workability long-distance. Then, Mike took the time to meet with my husband, when we wanted to inspect the piano, and answered all our myriad questions. Mike was so pleasant to deal with and friendly. He also delivered my piano to me about 350 miles away and was very professional about the delivery. Mike was true to his word and made sure that the piano received its first tuning after we bought it [after it was able to rest for a few months after delivery] at no cost to us. This whole purchase and experience with Mike and Pianos n Things was smooth, positive, and a pleasant experience. I would do business with him again in the future.

Mike moved my upright piano quickly and easily, and he was very kind. The price was very reasonable, the customer service was excellent, and the experience was great overall, enthusiastically recommend!

Knowledgeable and excellent service

If you’re looking for guitar experts in Boise, look no further, a much better experience than the “big name” store in town. Words cannot express how thankful I am to Rob for going above and beyond and having my husband’s guitar ready for father’s day. I don’t know anything about guitars, and had called multiple music instrument stores trying to find guidance to get a very specific guitar and all ready in less than 2 weeks before father’s day, Rob was the one who ACTUALLY CARED, he was trying to help me find it, even if it wasn’t through them! He was literally so kind, understanding and took the time to educate me, he was even willing to stay after business hours to help me out. Luckily we found the right guitar just in time, my father ended up bringing it in to get worked on so it was ready to go by father’s day, they made it happen! My dad had an amazing experience as well. Thank you for making my husband father’s day, unforgettable! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The best shop in Boise. Steven, maison and Simmeon are super rad people, great musicians! Customer service is on point! Great selection of gear. Customer for life. Took my son in law in for the first time and the smile on his face leaving after a quick jam session with the staff was so cool. thank you guys for being so awesome!

I recently bought a Jackson soloist used and it had a few small issues, mainly intonation, fret buzz, and frets feeling a little scratchy on bends. The man I dropped it off with was friendly and knowledgeable, and took notes of all my nitpicks.

Left the guitar with them for a day, and after a restring and full setup, I can happily say the guitar feels and plays like it should now. Action feels great, frets are smooth, buzz gone, intonation spot on, and the guitar didn’t have a fingerprint on it when it was returned to me.

I would happily recommend this shop for any guitar needs from setup to gear.

Used stuff !! Cheap…

Daryl sold the business to new owners and they are not very knowledgeable about guitar repairs or timely about getting back to you. I had to take my guitar repairs to somewhere else to get it done right. But being a local shop, they are still better than a chain store in many ways.

They bought my test equipment for repairs and haven’t paid! They are liars. No education in electronics at all!

Multiple trips back for guitar work done improperly. Disappointment city. Find a luthier.

Found the place to be a mix of junk and overpriced items. Might be the only local music shop in town, but it won’t be getting my money, given the owner’s criminal history, not a great place for kids.

Does not exist !

The service is always fantastic! Special thanks to Brenden, who has helped me the most, but all the staff are great. The selection of basses is good, and the selection of electric guitars is amazing.

The amount of used gear they have in stock on any given day is quite random, but that is to be expected. On most used instruments, there is a pawn shop hold, so if you want one of the used instruments, you’ll likely have to wait awhile.

I do wish they would keep their used guitars and basses in a back room somewhere until the pawn shop hold has expired and the instruments can be brought out, sold and taken home.

Are the merchandise and staff perfect? No. Three out of 4 guys I asked thought the guitalele I was thinking of purchasing was tuned in E. I could already tell it was tuned in A, but I wanted to hear what they’d say. The guitalele is an obscure instrument, so I can’t be too hard on them for not knowing it was tuned in A.

One other complaint.. occasionally instruments are not set up well at all and there’s fret buzz, either that or one or two basses with active pickups, the kind that require batteries, have batteries that are dead, and I have to ask one of the staff for another 9 volt. No big deal though.

It is helpful to have a guitar tech in the store. He was even able to work on an old cigar box guitar I brought in. Cool.

What I’ve bought from GC these past few years: Three basses (two of them used and very cheap.. the prices on the used gear tend to be beyond great), an electric guitar, a used Epiphone amp from the ’90’s (less than $50), a guitalele, and various accessories.

Amazingly friendly staff and great selection of stuff, dudes even helped jump our car in the parking lot. No complaints.

once again Guitar Center takes care of all my family’s musical needs… Taylor guitar technician took no time at all to readjust my wifes guitar. within 5 minutes I was back out the door headed home with a like brand new guitar. guys and gals are by far the best in Idaho!

Nothing in stock. Wouldnt let me buy floor model.

Running low on stock like everyone since covid. But it seems they naturally lack in high end guitars.

Friendly staff nice atmosphere. They have a %10 military discount but only for full priced items. If it is on sale than no discount.

They are so covid paranoid they made me feel like a lepper.

Don’t bother with this place unless you have a ton of time to waste. Good luck getting anybody to ring up a pack of strings within 30 minutes. Bunch of do-nothing losers would rather stand around and surf the web than help anybody. No wonder they look like they are going bankrupt. Get your stuff online, it’s cheaper anyways. Also, there are other options in Boise where the employees actually care.

Worst experience ever.

We love it there. Instruments are amazing and the customer service is awesome!

Super friendly customer service. I was able to find exactly what I needed quickly and easily.

People that work here are always friendly. Always want to help you and always listen to what you want and need. The repair shop is always super polite respectful and as helpful as possible!

Nice location. For service, I prefer the Nampa store.

Back when Dunkley’s was in-town in Boise, I was an avid customer…they always have been professional and friendly all-in-one! They still are.
All of my musical equipment, specifically my violin and flute for school orchestra/band, came from here. And I am impressed with it nowadays!
GOOO Dunkley Music!!!

Good selection, helpful staff.

The Nampa location is great. Helpful, knowledgeable, experienced. I brought in a violin i bought, and wanted it checked out. So it was sent to their luthier, a fella called “Rand”. This dude needs social interaction lessons. What a rude, short tempered jackal. If you like being talked to in a demeaning and belittling way, have your string instrument looked at by “Rand”. If you like normal, socially accepted treatment, avoid Dunkley or, more precisely, Rand.

The worst customer service wish I could give a 0.

My wife, son, and I went to Dunkleys to do a little piano shopping as we had sold her piano a few years back and have now moved into a new home and have space again. Spent 10 minutes walking around looking at the various options without so much as a hello from anyone working there. Noone seemed overly busy but neither did they seem interested in helping us. Love supporting local but if you do not want my business you will not get it.

I just gave my roommate a ride there, but he really likes Rick’s because he’s knowledgeable and is willing to work with him whenever he wants new music equipment for his guitars and such.

I have purchased guitars and gear over the years from Rick’s music, I have always received Professional Service and friendly advice on all my guitar needs.
I always have Rick do adjustments and repairs on my guitars, because his work is top-notch!
I recommend people to him because of the good job he has always done for me!

I can not say enough about the customer service. I bought strings for my Son who is just learning how to play. He took the time to show me how to change a string. The few minutes of education and assistance made it possible for me to do myself at home. Made the whole process so much easier to see it done. Thank You!!!!!

Rick is a great guy, and there’s always a gem or two hanging on the wall. Good prices, too!

I had Rick set up my guitar. He did a Fantastic job. Fast and reliable. One day service. I would Recommend him all who needs guitar service. AAA++++

Last Saturday I took my most prized possession to Rick, I paid to have a set up and new strings put on my Epiphone Les Paul 1960 Tribute pro. When I got it home I pulled it out and wanted to play it. I noticed right off the bat that Rick took a Utility knife or some other tool and shaved off the binding all around the fret board The fret board has gouges all the way around and the frets stick out and gouge your fret hand when you try to play it. My guitar is completely ruined! I haven’t slept in several days I’m so pissed. I in no way implied, asked for or mentioned that he do this to my guitar. I can’t even open the case it makes me so sick! I would not recommend Rick to anyone again. Rudy Rodriguez Nampa Idaho