Bought several instruments and they were all quality instruments at a fair price. Staff very helpful. Will return.
Such a wonderful place! In a small house set back from the road a bit with foliage and a walkway leading to the door, one then enters a modest sized showroom jampacked with shelves and walls brimming with delightful musical instruments: percussion, wind, strings; from popular classics to somewhat rare or obscure or experimental. And the variety is just too large for me to list.
Prices are good and the proprietors are friendly and helpful.
Touching IS allowed and I couldn’t help handling and trying out many items. Each time there I wish I had more money to spend, since they have instruments and accessories I don’t find in other music shops.
Quaint little music store with lots of eclectic instruments. You don’t even need to be a musician to enjoy the fun stuff- things like miniature instruments and niche cultural pieces. If you do care about music, there’s a nice selection of hard to find instruments (like dulcimers) and rare books nearly arranged on the back shelf.
Needed a replacement Guzheng bridge, thankfully they had it. My only complaint they charged $15.00 for shipping it using a padded envelope.
Pretty rude customer service. I was outside at 5 till noon and the owner didn’t come in till quarter after, walking in without so much as a word. Never turned on the open sign. Once inside I asked a few questions which were met with very curt responses. Once he cut me off mid sentence I was over this place. Stick to broken guitar or starving musician if you want actual service regarding exotic instruments.
Never called back after leaving messages and never answers the phone I am out of state and cannot go to the store to ask my questions
I am a teacher and have used this company musical wands for transitions in my classroom. The soft sound is perfect!
Unfortunately, for the first time I felt cheated by this company. I was looking for a set of four wands to give my team of second grade teachers as a welcome back to school gift. I thought I had found the set. On the company page they show a set of 4 wands listed as assorted but the customer can’t choose the designs. I was OK with that. Little that I knew that I had to scroll to almost the end of the page and read where it said $15.00 for one.
The price is outrageous for only 1. I would have never purchased this for that price. To top it off, the hummingbird (which was pretty), was damaged with a bent wing on arrival.
I did not return it because I did not want to spend anymore money for shipping and handling.
Please change your misleading advertisement!!
3. Berkeley Musical Instrument Exchange
Address: 2923 Adeline St, Berkeley, CA 94703 , Kensington , California , United States
Really friendly place with lots of acoustic, classical, and flamenco guitars and other stringed instruments like ukulele, tres, Cuatro, mandolin, violin, banjo etc.
Helpful, friendly, newbie-positive. My inherited instrument is 1000x easier to play than when I brought it in, and for a reasonable price. Thanks!
Dude was well spoken on the repairs I needed. Super grateful ha
Nice little used instrument store. Really neat to see the workshop visible in the back.
4. The Starving Musician – Berkeley
Address: 2474 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, CA 94704 , Kensington , California , United States
I got a korg volca keys from these guys, the dude was super patient and helpful. They price matched (mostly) and threw in batteries, will definitely be coming back here instead of GC.
I went to 2 GC locations recently for V5 5a Barrel Tip sticks, and they told me they were ‘discontinued.’ I knew this wasn’t true, and Starving Musician had em. Lots of good gear at great prices, knowledgeable staff with real local rep.
Old school music shop. Very cool, great prices on vintage amps.
cool instruments new and used,please don’t touch, more Kool instruments upstairs, a lot to dabble with.
I sold a guitar that I’d bought for $250, but I only got $40 for it. At the time, I needed the money badly enough that I took it.
Good gear!
Nice selection of amps. Bad selection of acoustic guitars. Never met such rude staff at a local music store, it is as if they didn’t want customers. I came in wanting to buy a pedal and the staff was so condescending they decided to ridicule me out of buying a pedal. What salesmanship!
I so wanted to enjoy this place. I called them up to see if they wanted to consign my amp and they told me to come down, that the owner was keen to sell my amp, and that they close at 7pm. I get there at 6:45, lugging the 100 lb amplifier after using a car-share, and as the owner sees me walking up, he slides the bars over the doors. I explained that someone at the store just told me to come down and they close at 7. He says “Sorry store rule we stop buying at 6pm – goodbye.”
I explained a little more, that I just hauled this thing down with a rental car, and someone literally just told me to come down. He said “Sorry, we’re not interested in buying it”
No words.
Didn’t buy my gear lol
5. Forrests Music
Address: 1849 University Ave, Berkeley, CA 94703 , Kensington , California , United States
Kind and knowledgeable people and high quality products.
Very knowledgeable,
Fixed a crack in my father in law’s Loree oboe with surgical precision. Like new! And they gave a nice treat to my pup as well. Wonderful service, fast work, super professional, and extremely fair prices given the level of work.
I have been ordering online from them for many years. Most of the reeds and supplies are ok. I just ordered some items, including an oboe reed, that was not acceptable. It has a bad leak. I emailed them to express my dissatisfaction, but they did not even give me a courtesy reply.
Small music shop with kinda specialty items and not a wide selection. Really friendly staff.
6. Amoeba Music
Address: 2455 Telegraph Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704 , Kensington , California , United States
This place was really impressive. Enormous, well sorted music, and an inviting atmosphere.
extensive collection of music in a few formats with decent pricing on most items, even the out of print choices. repeat visits tend to harvest new desires after the latest purge of the students’ collections.
Nice place.
This hipster music store is definitely the spot if you’re looking for some retro music of paraphernalia.
It was a good experience. I missed not being able to explore a music store. Been listening to sabbath since 74. Got M. Schenker , KMFDM, Grand Funk Live. Prices were lower than pre-Covid. And sfaff we very helpfull.
No more luck to expect
Overcharge for everything inattentive staff, busy on their phones
Not good .they treated me as if I was a bad guy because of my race.very passive aggressive and rubbed me the wrong way.also when I walked in the security guard made me check my back pack in.but every other person had a back pack they didn’t have to check there bag so why did I..because I’m Latino ?I was racially profiled and treated as if I was a threat of some sort.very uncool.i hope this doesn’t get done to other latinos .and security should be trained properly and treat everyone as an equal.
horrible very slow and bad customer service
7. Mighty Fine Guitars
Address: 85 Lafayette Cir, Lafayette, CA 94549 , Kensington , California , United States
Fascistic staff, very helpful, very accommodating for parents new to music instruction for children. Very grateful for all of the help
Don’t ruin your life by not visiting this shop, including its theatre space in the back, which hosts phenomenal musical acts. A hidden gem. Two doors down from the wonderful Chow restaurant.
Yes, the other reviews are correct. Great selection of guitars, odd hours, but Stevie is as gracious as he is talented. If you’re in the area and you like guitars, check it out.
8. Lamorinda Music
Address: 81 Lafayette Cir, Lafayette, CA 94549 , Kensington , California , United States
Great place to buy, fix instruments and learn music. The best in the area. The owners are helpful and knowledgeable.
Keep up the good work!
Excellent place to get instruments repaired.
Welcoming staff made me feel at home and were very patient with my indecision over choosing the right ukulele. Great selection of instruments!
Great customer service and repair
The place has helpful staff and great collection of musical instruments.
Sam has helped us out to pick right a digital piano for my girl. I know nothing about the instrument, so he put enough time to explain all the options for us.
Boo
9. C & L Music
Address: 2395 Monument Blvd # B, Concord, CA 94520 , Kensington , California , United States
Wonderful family-run business with friendly, helpful staff. They service instruments for many school districts and do repairs quickly on instruments with fair prices.
Super nice people! Kid friendly.
Great customer service
I was happy until the saxophone broke 3 weeks after renting it. I thought We were getting an instrument in good shape but apparently it was not the case.
Also, the lady at the store is very nice until you ask them to expedite the repair process or question them why they take so long to fix the instrument that never should have broken in first time if it was inspected and sterilized not too long ago.
She was a rude on the phone and she just think that talking to my daughter’s teacher will solve any inconvenience. It does not, because my daughter can’t practice without the saxophone so the one that they should be concern is about my girl missing practice time and getting behind. Sad moment for a middle schooler
The store was better before Covid. It was all open and had a large selection. Now they have most of the store closed off and the lights aren’t all on. Call before you go to make sure they have what your looking for. The owners are knowledgeable.
Great place for kids in school music programs and musicians beyond that age.
Cranky old man with no concept of customer service.
Complete trash, terrible sevice. They don’t have a wide selection of books that actually matter when trying to become a great musician. Over priced on everything, buy everything online. They don’t know how to properly repair instruments. I took ina saxophone that I bought from them and they didn’t fix everything. I told them the pads were sticky and they didn’t fix them. Quality of the instruments they sell is extremely low. I wouldn’t recommend to people that actually care about creating music.
Deserves zero stars. Can’t go in the store. All they offer are a few junky used books outside. Only good as a walk up window if all you want is a box of reeds. I won’t be returning and won’t be recommending this dive. Go anywhere else.
10. Danville Music
Address: 115 Town and Country Dr E, Danville, CA 94526 , Kensington , California , United States
Finally got around writing a review. Cameron was great! Traded Jackson for PRS McCarty 594 S2.. They got a great deal and I got a guitar that love and play much more than the Jackson. I had been burned a couple times in the past and with Cameron at Danville Music, this was a great experience with great communication and honesty throughout the entire process. My guitar made it there safely and the PRS was promptly shipped and made to the house and I didn’t even need to tune it up! Thanks Cameron and Danville Music!!
Staffs there are all amazingly kind, they treat you like a friend instead of a customer. Comfortable coaches and free mocha and coffee. Great guitars there, they have A pretty big collection of PRS and G&L both high and low end guitars. Would definitely recommend this store over guitar center!
Everybody is so nice. Danville music fixes instruments. They also have so many different instruments you can buy or rent. They give a deal on the purchase of a new instrument if you rented it for over a year. My daughter rented a violin till she got to full size. Then she purchased it. They are just the best in town!!!
I rented an clarinet with an agreement to use the rental credit towards the purchase of instrument . The shop did honor the agreement and rater quoted higher price to cover up the rental credit
11. Music Exchange | Piano Store in Walnut Creek, CA
Address: 1501 N Main St, Walnut Creek, CA 94596 , Kensington , California , United States
If you are looking for pianos any budget this is the place to come to. I never envisioned I would find such a beautiful piano for the price that we paid for it. Have had this piano a couple years now and it still holds a remarkable beautiful tune. Would recommend playing your grand or baby grand at least a few times a week I believe it helps the life spans of your piano rather just leaving it untouched. Was bought gently used and because of that we received a great price but I honestly feel used pianos when taken care of sound and play 100x better than a brand new one. I’m not sure if he is still there but thank you to buddy who helped recommend this place and the lady and older gentleman who also helped us. It was such a long time ago sorry I’ve forgotten your names but you guys are beautiful souls. They have all sorts of finance options and they even provide lessons if you are just wanting to learn how to play. Thank you Music Exchange Walnut Creek for helping us pick out the piano of our dreams. Not sure the next time we will be in the market for another piano but will continue to refer people to you guys so they can also have something priceless in their homes.
I bought my first Yamaha upright piano about 7months ago from this store! Carson made sure to provide me with a great costumer service, what a wonderful personality with perfect knowledge! He introduced me Ramin to tune my piano and Ramin did an awesome job, too! extremely happy with my purchase and highly recommend this place to purchase your piano!
Good selection of traditional and electronic pianos. Friendly & helpful service.
I try Music Xchange branch in Walnut Creek was, unfortunately, a frustrating experience. After attempting to schedule a virtual appointment, I was looking forward to getting information about pianos available within my budget. However, things did not go as expected.
Upon scheduling a virtual appointment on the store’s website, I received no response whatsoever. I decided to call the branch directly to resolve my query, but to my surprise, the lady who attended to me seemed unaware of my previously booked appointment. This initial lack of coordination left me feeling bewildered and neglected.
Finally, I received a call later on, but my hope for a more satisfying experience quickly faded. The salesperson who contacted me appeared unwilling to make any further effort or provide the information I needed. The conversation was brief and unhelpful, leaving me with more unanswered questions. I have to insist asking for the info like pushing.
What frustrated me the most was the feeling that, in order to get the information I needed about piano options within my budget, I had to go to the branch in person. Unfortunately, I do not have the time required for an in-person visit, making this limitation a disappointment.
Acquiring a piano is a significant decision that requires careful attention and good guidance. I had hoped that Music Xchange would provide me with a more positive and accessible experience. The lack of response to my virtual appointment and the salesperson’s lack of effort to assist me online left me with a negative impression.
While my experience was unsatisfactory, each individual may have a different experience, so it’s important for prospective customers to research and evaluate the store according to their own needs and expectations.
12. Adam’s string shack
Address: 4444 Piedmont Ave, Oakland, CA 94611 , Kensington , California , United States
I’ve been taking my guitar to Adam for a while now. He has extremely affordable rates, and that’s super great for a working musician. He works quickly and does really solid work. My Taylor has never played as well as after his setups. I recently bought a 2nd guitar from him and I felt extremely well taken care of. He is a good hearted guy, and loves music. He even jammed with me as I was trying out the guitars. Love this guy and his new shop!
Adam’s pricing is more than fair for the quality work he does. He works fast and charges according to what the instrument really needs done (no standard “235” point inspection at a fixed rate). I had a small pickup problem after a setup job. He took it back and solved it swiftly.
Helpful and knowledgeable staff. Pleasant atmosphere
13. Loud and Clear Music
Address: 8000 Old Redwood Hwy, Cotati, CA 94931 , Kensington , California , United States
These kids are doing their part to make America great again
Great place to go for new and old equipment. I came in specifically to look for a little amp for my ukulele. I was looking for one that could run off of AC and also had a rechargeable battery. They had a few new Roland models but the battery option was standard alkaline. Found a used Crate Limo which was exactly what I was looking for. The staff was attentive and pretty knowledgeable.
Good place to consign music gear, they sold my Roland Guitar Synthesizer for a better price than expected.
Friendly staff, great selection.
Limited selection. Stuck with a salesman I could barely understand.
So, I’ve been in here twice since I’ve moved from East Bay to Rohnert Park last year. On both separate occasions the staff watches me like I’m going to steal every item in the store somehow. Very, very, very uncomfortable to look up and have every worker in the store staring at you from across the room, yet not one word of helpfulness or a ‘hi’ or anything. I wont be stepping foot in ‘this boy’s club again’.
They’d rather make $50 or so than lose a customer and get a negative feedback. Not sure that’s a winning business strategy in the long run, but best of luck.
14. Guitar Center
Address: 10290 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito, CA 94530 , Kensington , California , United States
OK. Sunday afternoon is the answer. Orderly bins. Reasonable prices. Friendly propietor.
Nice selection of music, how ever the hours of opperstions are not consistent. Out of the 1/2 a dozen or more times I have stopped by they was only open twice.
OUT OF BUSINESS? I have no choice but to give this place one star. I have now been there *four* times during business hours only to find the place locked up tighter than Miles Davis’ rhythm section. I see the posted business hours, my watch is correct, through the window I can see records in the darkness, so I know I have the right address (also the sign out front says “Mod Lang”). I think this place is out of business, but they just haven’t made it official. Illness? Death? I hope not…
16. Jondora Music
Address: 2600 Tenth St, Berkeley, CA 94710 , Kensington , California , United States
