Where I always come to get sheet music. Have been doing so for over 10 years and will continue to do so for longer!
I heard that people take lessons there and just look through the place a lot. I heard it also has lots of cool sheet music. I looked up some pictures, and wow, they are amazing.
Awesome hole-in-the-wall music shop. Has everything you’ll need at reasonable prices and has great professional teachers. I myself rake lessons under Al Caldrone. Only negative is it is a little inconveniently located and a little easy to miss. Overall, a great place to shop for your musical needs
Good inventory
The only few music store in town. Great selection.for music students!
The staff always seems bothered when you come in. Also over priced.
Alan’s has been our one-stop-shop for music, instrument rentals and instrument repair since our daughters started taking piano lessons 18 years ago. In the years since, we’ve taken flutes, saxes and a trombone in for repair. Often, Bob would do it on the spot – and would refuse payment. Most times it was quick, professional and fairly priced. And, I’ve posted appropriately complimentary reviews at that time. Our girls are away at college now, so we haven’t been there in quite a while, but this week’s experience was markedly different. Last Wednesday, I joined a community concert band (first ensemble in nearly 40 years). On Thursday, I took two flutes in for adjustment. On Friday, I called – as directed. Bob advised that he hadn’t even looked at them yet, but said that he would call me back. Today – Tuesday, I called and was informed that I was “moving up the list”. I understand (now) that they have more work than they can handle, and I don’t begrudge them that. But, it would have been nice if they would have said, “We won’t be able to get to your instruments for a week, or a month, or until 2019”, rather than leading me to believe that I should expect the same service as I’d always received in the past. And, when I picked up the instruments this morning, I asked for a recommendation to another shop that might not be as busy. But instead of extending that professional courtesy, they said they didn’t know, since several shops had closed. The 2 stars is for that. So, I guess it’s not surprising afterall, that no one in my section had ever heard of Alan’s Music. I will take my leaky flute into tomorrow’s rehearsal and ask where my fellow musicians recommend I take it for repair.
Walked in today and the whole upstairs smelled like sewage!! I used to love this place. Please, please fix this. I cannot come back with that smell!!
2. Guitar Center
Address: 8825 Murray Dr, La Mesa, CA 91942 , La Mesa , California , United States
Extremely helpful gentlemen informed me of their match any price deal and I was able to afford and buy in the moment an expensive piece of equipment that will enhance my sound into a new strangeness that will allow me to become an international superstar and roustabout.
Lo ame
They have some really good music instructors, with great flexibility for appointments, and the cost per lesson is fair. Would highly recommend them for music lessons.
Staff not very helpful, which was surprising because after all… It is guitar center! Inventory was low and ended having to visit another music store.
Cool place. Lots of stuff. Helps to know, or do your research before going in. So many gear options can be overwhelming newbies.
They have everything a musician could want at the price you would expect from a guitar center. I have never had a bad experience with any equipment I have ever purchased here, however the people that work here are jerks for the most part.
Second time ive been here where no one has said a word… Dont get the check out … And I was going to buy a brand new professional trumpet and accessories.. Because customer service is terrible I put everything down and walked out. Rather go somewhere else.
When to La Mesa store to buy headphones because store in Escondido did not have Pioneer Headphones in stock. I ask if I could open the box to see if they were better made since the price went up $50. And model number has change and all that what on display was old models. Sale guys said no that I couldn’t break the red sticker seal that they put on and have tons of. What a joke . Why would I pay $50. More if I could last years model at Sam Ash store for $79. Instead of $129. For basically the same thing without Physically seen them first. So I was leaving the store to go to Sam Ash when I remembered I could buy them and open them and just return them right back if I don’t think they were better made than last year model. But after all that BS they turn out to be better made. Sucks how some of Guitars Center employees treat some of their customers. I’ve seen it before. I spent thousands of dollars at this place . I might have to stop giving them my business.
We had something to return… guy was non attentive, has seemed upset that we were returning something that was bought at another Guitar Center Rentals … as he helped us he was talking over the phone and careless about out transaction
3. McCrea Music Company
Address: 4730 3rd St suite b, La Mesa, CA 91941 , La Mesa , California , United States
My daughter takes violin lessons, and they are a great and very caring family.
Love my daughter’s teacher Miss Tammy, very sweet and patient with both of us!
Excellent music lessons. High quality instrument repair on my cello. No problems whatsoever with billing/accounting. I have empathy for anyone who has had billing issues but it appears that they have revised their system and taken the bugs out.
I got my daughter’s cello here. They are a bit unorganized but they do have great customer service. This store will upgrade your instrument to a bigger one for no charge if you buy from them. I’m a satisfied customer 🙂
This is the real deal, musicians running a business. As such you’re gonna get some good along with some bad. they’re not very organized but they love music and they love teaching music. So I guess my real question is do you want your child being taught music by a musician or an accountant?
My kids go here for piano lessons and we’ve had a good experience. We’ve been doing the lessons for 2 years. They’re pretty disorganized, bordering on hoarders and Gentry is forgetful, but I like them and they’re friendly/chatty. The instructor my kids see is nice and gentle and positive and I’ve seen nice progression in their skills.
McCrea Music is great – it has been around for over 30 years. They have provided instruments to my children and grand children.
Yes they may be slow but hey Mr. McCrea is 88 years old. He and his family have devoted their time and money to helping children play music.
We all know how much that increases test scores in math and science.
Free lessons are a plus.
My mom bought a bass from McCrea for $3000 retail. A few years later we found out (from a reputable dealer) that the Bass was made in China and was finished (just stained) in the US and sold at a premium by McCrea. They have been ripping people off for years we paid $3000.00 for an instrument that was worth $100.00. Be very careful if you buy a McCrea brand instrument it is most likely a chineese knock off of a name brand.
I took my kids here for lessons and an instrument rental and the owner is very unprofessional. I was a day late on payment he kept calling and said he would come find me. I took my kids out of there.The studio smells musty and not sure if its safe for kids. Scary.
4. Moze Guitars
Address: 8415 La Mesa Blvd #1, La Mesa, CA 91942 , La Mesa , California , United States
This place is the absolute bomb. I usually buy gear from friends or off Craigslist, but a buddy told me about this place. I was looking for an American Fender Strat with a maple fretboard and hadn’t been able to find one for a decent price. Saw an 1996 here that looked new. What’s more Walt was willing to deal. I came out with a great guitar and enough left for lunch. Later I got a boss Hamer bass for chump change. Come here before you go anywhere else, or you’re a fool.
Brought in my guitar – 1950somethingorother , Epiphone Frontier for a refresh with the added BONUS of somebody in the shop having to (try and) tune an Oscar Schmidt autoharp (insert laugh track) !
Nothing but the BEST of friendly helpfulness.
You love your music ? They do too.
Walt : Listen to Wild Man Fischer if you haven’t already. It was a pleasure dealing with you folks.
SF in IB
Really enjoy talking to the guys that work there. They know their stuff.
Took my guitar in to get a rewire because it was out of phase, extremely quiet, and no notes rang out. Made sure it was my guitar that was the problem and nothing else. Took it to Moze and they said they’d fix it. Two and a half weeks go by and I hear nothing. Today I got my guitar back and it’s like they didn’t even touch it. Nothing was re-wired, my guitar is still broken, I was charged $65.
I’ve been going to Moze since he was on College Avenue for many years now. Recently however he has some new people working for him that are rude and condescending. They actually damaged my G&L by trying to jam noiseless pick ups into it that it wasn’t designed for. Instead of calling me up they tried to push them in and distorted the pick guard. They also were unable to set the guitar up. The best way I can describe the guys face who took care of me while I was dealing with this was a contemptuous sneer. The bank got my money back but I’ll never go here again.
5. Mundo Music – drum repair San Diego
Address: 8220 Vista Dr, La Mesa, CA 91941 , La Mesa , California , United States
I couldn’t be happier with the djembe I got from Mundo Music! Ignacio is so knowledgeable and talented that it’s always a pleasure learning from and chatting with him about all types of music.
Ignacio has a splendid selection of authentic drums and djembes, and does excellent repair work. A true craftsman, highly recommend!
5 stars I’m giving to Mundo music!!
Ignacio the owner is fast, efficient and creative when it comes to reparing instraments. In his new workshop He can do it all!! From custom builds to repairing hand drums, to stick drums, and string instraments. So far I haven’t had any problems with his work and it’s super convenient to have him near the area I live. If its wasn’t for him and another builder we in San diego would’ve had to drive almost a hundred miles to get jobs done.
6. Re-Animated Records
Address: 8320 La Mesa Blvd, La Mesa, CA 91942 , La Mesa , California , United States
Coolest store and great owners. Highly recommended.
Friendly staff. Lots of good music selection
Good shop but limited selection
Great selections, quality service
Only 4 customers at a time due to the pandemic crisis. Long wait but courteous salesman. Besutiful city and enjoyed the view. Also, salesman gave us good information of where to search for what we were looking for. Unfortunately, results were not good. Tedious process!
Had the same exp as Marco, drove all the way from Fallbrook and they were not open, no mention of this online, disappointed…but will try again at a later date…please post when you will be open…
Don’t come in here when this boomer is behind the counter. Rude, impatient and a little angry to be helping people. Sign says they always buy metal outside the store, but when you get in this guy looks down on you and says no. Honestly not worth my time. Would rather buy online.
7. Top Gear Guitar Pro Shop
Address: 7293 University Ave, La Mesa, CA 91942 , La Mesa , California , United States
These guys are my go-to shop whenever I need amps or guitars worked on. Very fair prices and the quality of the work has always been superb. Bonus that they do amps and GC doesn’t, and they often do guitar work for less than GC!
They’ve done fantastic repairs on two of my tube amps, both for around $100. Super fast service, too, and the guys are really nice. Can’t recommend them enough!
real people…
who talk with you..
and listen to your concerns..
and solve those issues
*WARNING* I Took in my brand new Fender for warranty service to the frets. It had several high frest and needed a level, crown, and polish. After two weeks I finally got it back. They partially fixed only one of the bad frets, put a scratch in my guitar, and set the action super high so that I would not be able to tell how bad the frets still were. They took down some of the fret sprouting too, but did not dress or polish the frets at all, so now they are very sharp. They did say that Fender only paid them for an hour of work, and the level/crown/dress would definitely take longer than that. Seems like Fender paid them to tinker around with one of the frets, manhandle my brand new $1,500 guitar, and give it an insane setup to try to hide the issue from me. They should have called me and told me that fender won’t pay for the whole thing so that I could have paid for it. I’m glad I didn’t though they might have completely destroyed my guitar.
My daughter called the shop and asked if they could change the strings on a Strat if strings were purchased there. The response was the shop will charge $99 to even look at a guitar and “you should just change them yourself, it’s not rocket science” lol….great….thanks top gear…great customer service.
8. Slider Straps
Address: 8654 La Mesa Blvd, La Mesa, CA 91942 , La Mesa , California , United States
