Woodsongs has been my go-to store for years. The staff is always friendly and helpful. Prices are fair and they typically have what I am looking for, and are willing to special order if they don’t. I can’t say I have ever had a negative experience there.
Easy going staff. Good selection, from beginner to pro level instruments. Strings, Cases, music, lessons, everything to get out and play. A Boulder icon for, well, longer than I’ve been in town.
I just purchased a new taylor guitar from these guys and they were absolutely wonderful. Well knowledgeable staff and super friendly and helpful. Would recommend this shop to anyone looking to buy a high quality guitar from great people
Attentive staff. Good selection. Prices are average to high.
Small but nice musical instruments stores. They don’t have a lot of stuff (my only complaint), but you be able to find some accessories and also some high-end acoustic guitars. Salespersons are friendly and they also have a music school in this place.
Great ukalele selection
Very friendly staff, unfortunately way over-priced. You can find some of the exact same items on ebay or Amazon for less than half the price at this store.
5. Boulder Guitar Coach
Address: 4876 Brandon Creek Dr, Boulder, CO 80301 , Gunbarrel , Colorado , United States
Awesome place! Staff is very knowledgable, experienced. And helpful!
Great music store! I was able to find everything I was needing for each instrument I teach: Flute, Piano, Voice and guitar and much more . The staff were extremely helpful while I was looking for Festival music! I LOVE that this music store also has FEDERATION MUSIC organized for piano. It was very, very helpful to a private music teacher like myself! Thank you Lafayette Music! I plan on being a return customer!
Very helpful and kind.
Small store but a large selection of music.
Nice people. Good prices. Better instruments would be nice.
Needed New strings
Clerk made a mistake, got into an argument over what he said, owners showed up and started in with “Take us to court!” rather than listening to the circumstances. No customer service whatsoever. Apparently incompetence runs in the family-owned business. Nice store from a product standpoint, but terrible customer service. Left feeling screwed and unheard, with venomous wounds from really cranky people who don’t care to listen or do the right thing. Not sure how this store can survive with this kind of rudeness.
I can not believe the level of disrespect I received by attempting to shop in your store. You really should pack up and move out of town. You are only here to exploit the student musicians without supporting the actual musical community. The musicians in this community deserve a much better experience than that which is received from your failing business. Horrible!! So much for supporting local business. You should feel shame.
Terrible Experience. The owner made personal accusations, was extremely combative and cussed out my wife and I all in regards to a question about the stores rental agreement. He basically tried to steal our money and we were not ok with that… I think the business model is a wonderful concept but Mark decided to make amendments to his contract in real time… It was a wild experience and I hope this man can find peace in retirement….
It has one of the best views of the Flatirons ever to start off .
Been going to Tod’s for seven yrs now. Used to be very high on my list for fresh coffee. Not anymore. Even two hrs before they close you can’t get freshly brewed coffee anymore. Only offered an Americano. How lame!!!! It happened several times now on recent visits i’ll curtail my visits and expectations in the future
Better than Starbucks.
Nice local coffee shop
I was suffering from allergies and coughed twice in front of the cashier/barista (important to note: I stood back from the counter and coughed quietly into my elbow). I was not contagious, although she went out of her way to make me feel as though I was not welcome. She glared, aggressively wiped everything down in front of me and shook her head as if I’d offended her. As a patron, I’ve never felt worse in any establishment. While making my drink, the glares continued. Horrible customer service, will never go back.
Tod is a nice coffee shop. However you should consider establishing curbside pick up. Specially with COVID numbers going up. I have interacted with really nice employees and with employees that seem to be bothered by the request of placing my coffee on one of the tables outside, which would take an extra half minute if that. I know we are living in unprecedented times but keeping a good attitude is always important. Also, I have witness a staff member (not sure if the owner or manager) being rude to other customers when staff seems to be busy or stressed out. I loved going there regularly but I probably won’t come back for now.
Clean, pleasant place. Ordered decaf latte …feels like regular. You should have told me you don’t brew decaf … caffeine raises my blood pressure.
11. Guitar Hut
Address: 1385 Forest Park Cir #106, Lafayette, CO 80026 , Gunbarrel , Colorado , United States
Evan is awesome. Got my guitar fixed in less than 10 minutes
I went in to buy an acoustic guitar at the Guitar Hut in Lafayette, CO, and it was a delight. There, I was greeted by Evan, who immediately approached me & help me out. His excitement and knowledge about guitars impressed me, the novice guitar player. Evan briefly (the briefness was unfortunate because it was awesome hearing him riff) demoed a few of the acoustics they had up for sale, and spoke on a few others, eventually selling me on a new Washburn guitar, the AF5K-A-U model. He offered me tips of guitar wisdom way beyond my years of guitar knowledge, on top of that, he offered me a free lesson where I could come in and learn from one of their music professionals, there in their store off of Arapahoe, and my guitar even came in a beautiful Washburn case. Thank you SO MUCH, Evan for all of your help with this beautiful guitar, and a wonderful Guitar Hut experience. 10/10 recommend to a friend & anyone with interest in Guitars.
The owner Evan is very kind and knowledgeable, with excellent customer service and accommodation. Will continue to shop here!
I had these guys take a look at a signature bass of mine. It had some electrical problems going on with it that were a bit out of their knowledge base but Evan is great guy. Very honest and very hard working. I will return with any other problems I have in the future and I would recommend them. Their pricing is very fair and they are willing to help out customers any way they can.
I called to sign my boys up for guitar lessons and had a few options worked out and was told I would be called back to confirm which times worked. I never heard back. Then, when I called back to confirm options, I was told they didn’t have any of my information logged and there were no longer any time slots available for lessons.
Everyone I have met there seems very nice, but very poorly organized.
12. Virada Drums
Address: 4919 Broadway Unit 17, Boulder, CO 80304 , Gunbarrel , Colorado , United States
The most variety of authentic imported drums available in the U.S! All the best brands of instruments from Brazil from so many musical traditions. Samba, samba reggae, forró, maracatu, etc. Master drummer and expert advice. Carl knows his drums!
Helpful and wide selection
Virada Drums is the home for all things Brazilian percussion. The shop has a great selection of drums and auxiliary percussion from the best brands in Brazil, and the website has awesome resources for studying the music! Carl is an ambassador for the Boulder-Brazil connection and will surely guide you in a great direction.
Super confusing called and drove around knocked on the door but no answer. Really strange. Went to the drum shop and spent 220$ on a super big jimba! Asked people at surrounding shops and in the parking lot and people painting the outside and every one said I don’t know. So weird no sing or nothing.
13. The Boulder Drum Shop
Address: 3070 28th St, Boulder, CO 80301 , Gunbarrel , Colorado , United States
Bought some new drum heads, got great help picking them out, got some nice conversation, and they even helped me put the new heads on for free. Tl:dr great place, great staff.
Great selection, service, and knowledge of music!
The staff are incredibly attentive and will help with any questions you may have
Fun little shop with a good amount of stuff
Good selection, friendly and helpful staff. Support your local music shops!!
Waited at the store as they said they opened at 11 on sundays and nobody ever showed. Be there when you say your gonna be open.
Awful very rude and scary aggressive man that works there. I will never return again!
Owner is very rude
14. Noah Taylor – Mix Engineer – The Library Recording Studio
Address: Niwot Square, Niwot, CO 80503 , Gunbarrel , Colorado , United States
Incredible experience! Great gear and fair rates. Noah was super helpful and kind and made it such a great experience. Would definitely go back again.
Noah has years of experience in writing, producing, recording, mixing, engineering and mastering songs. He has incredible work ethic and fully commits to every project he works on. He always goes the extra mile and has an amazing eye (or better, ear!) for detail that allows him to work on and finish every project at the highest level of quality. He deeply cares and is truly passionate about music, making working with him extra inspirational and enjoyable!! 🙂
I’ve had the pleasure of working with Noah at his studio and I’ve never had a better experience than this. He’s such a professional and truly cares about the quality of the music. I highly recommend coming to see Noah I promise you won’t be disappointed!
15. White Swan Music Inc
Address: 6395 Gunpark Dr STE B, Boulder, CO 80301 , Gunbarrel , Colorado , United States
Stopped in to look at rebuilt antique consoles. They add high end speakers, amps, and turn tables. Cool concept by people with a passion for art and music.
I absolutely love my new console. Completely redone and the original radio still works amazing. Takes me back to my parents and grandparents. Filipe was east to work with and the process was easy.
17. Guitar Lessons – Singing, Voice, & Piano Lessons in Boulder | The Lesson Studio
Address: 3200 Valmont Rd #8, Boulder, CO 80301 , Gunbarrel , Colorado , United States
If you are looking for a fabulous studio to learn music, look no further. My son LOVES his drum instructor and I am shocked at how much he has learned in the time that he has been here. I took adult guitar lessons and my instructor was brilliant! Brilliant studio!
My daughter has been taking lessons at the Lesson Studio for 10 years! Gary and all of her instructors have been amazing and supportive. She has grown in her confidence, skill, and love of music through the care and talent of her instructors. Currently, she is taking voice lessons and loving every moment. I highly recommend The Lesson Studio.
My daughter started taking guitar lessons with Charlie less than a year ago and has discovered previously unknown musical talents! Both Charlie and Chris, her rock band instructor, are greatly appreciated for their expertise, enthusiasm and dedication to their craft. Gary is a refreshing blend of friendliness, professionalism, and accessibility. What a find!
Attended a trial piano lesson with Ryan Benthall on 11/19. He is a fantastic teacher! I left my first lesson feeling accomplished and enthusiastic about learning to play.
I found the instructors to be a mix of good and mediocre (as far as teaching skills, not talent — they all seemed to be talented), but my biggest complaint was with the owner and his unwillingness to be flexible around extenuating circumstances. I paid for a full “semester” and got only three classes out of it, because he was not willing to refund my unused classes which I needed due to a major conflict that developed with my work schedule. Even a gym will let you out of a contract or at least allow some flexibility for extenuating circumstances. Be aware that if you give him money and you have some valid, documented reason that you can no longer attend, this guy will not refund a single penny. His suggestion (twice now) has been that I wait a few months and try again, or that I come in nights or weekends when I have other activities planned. I fully understand that a contract is a contract, but I found his insistence that I wait months on end and/or try to make my schedule suit him to be extremely unprofessional. When the day comes that my schedule allows me to take lessons again, I will NOT be returning to TLS. Good riddance.
Teachers were terrible here. It’s mostly musicians at the college doing this as a side-gig. They are good musicians but awful teachers. More than one would just give me (a complete beginner) material way WAY beyond my skill level and every lesson was just repeats of me (obviously) not being able to perform the song. Big waste of money. Went elsewhere afterwards and my skills/abilities quickly grew.
Avoid this spot. Both instructors I tried were unprofessional, lacked teaching experience, and didn’t help me (an adult beginner) progress. The owner promised a lesson package verbally and then started ignoring my calls and emails when I needed to pause the lessons, as we had verbally agreed on. Instead I was charged nearly a thousand dollars for lessons I told him I could not attend when signing up. I would not trust this company or refer them.
18. Bernstein Violins
Address: By Appointment, 705 S 45th St, Boulder, CO 80305 , Gunbarrel , Colorado , United States
Great variety of violins and the prices were reasonable. absolutely recommend this store to anyone looking to purchase a violin.
Great place to start looking for a string instrument. The services Bernstein Violins provides is fantastic. Truly, above and beyond what I expected. I highly reccomend Berstein Violins to anyone looking into a string instrument.
Quality instruments and customer service. Reed’s knowledge and expertise of string instruments, bows, and more is fantastic. I highly recommend this shop.
19. The Niwot Gig
Address: 7960 Niwot Rd C10, Niwot, CO 80503 , Gunbarrel , Colorado , United States
Both of our kids are taking private lessons with Martin and they are doing weekly jam sessions with their respective bands as well. Seeing how quickly they are developing skills, getting used to being on stage and growing as musicians is amazing. We are absolutely thrilled about The Niwot Gig and the kids are excited about their music lessons!
This family owned business ticks all the boxes if you want to learn or improve your playing. Martin is a fantastic teacher with enormous patience and enthusiasm. Allana keeps her eye on the business end of things and is always helpful and accommodating when it comes to changing schedules etc. They deserve every success.
Niwot Gig is the perfect way to get into rock, Martin has a great method to teach and encourage kids to rock in days, my son wanted to play keys on a band, after 1 lesson he was already jamming with a band directed by Martin, what else can you ask?!!
I have witnessed how fun his lessons are, and how does Martin puts his heart in every minute of the lesson or jam.
20. Coupe Studios Music & Sound Design
Address: 4780 Sterling Dr, Boulder, CO 80301 , Gunbarrel , Colorado , United States
