I have been going to Jensen Guitars & Music Company for many years and they are the best! Chris Jensen and Joel are very helpful and knowledgeable. I asked Joel for guidance on my bass guitar. Then I ended up going back and buying a used acoustic guitar from Chris Jensen. Chris helped me find the perfect acoustic guitar to take around with me to a park or to the beach. It can also be amplified and he helped with fixing it so the battery stayed in it. It is the perfect guitar for me! Thank you Chris Jensen. See you soon Joel with my bass. You guys rock!
So grateful to have met Mike. My young son has been taking guitar lessons with Mike for months now and he has grown in so many ways. Mike is an amazing guitar teacher and down to earth human being. Highly recommend taking guitar lessons with Mike!
Had to have an emergency repair done before a show these guys had me out the door and no time for a marginal expense. Super knowledgeable guitar techs for both electric and acoustic. Excellent service.
Never got back to me about my setup being done, left tiny metal shavings stuck to the pickups and all over the body and neck. Had to take the pickguard off to clean it all. Didn’t set intonation, didn’t make note of my preference for action height. I’d expect more from a professional setup. That said, the neck does feel better, but the service and care for the instrument was disappointing.
My wife bought me a used Antonio Hermosa AH-10 classical guitar from Jensens for Christmas. They sold it to her for $300. I can’t find one on the Internet for more than $200. Yes, she should have researched before she purchased…and NO, she should not have trusted Jensens to give her an honest price.
Worst Shop. But sadly the only guitar store Locally.
I have had employee’s ignore me, to just play guitar.. to having employee’s talk down to me over string gauges.
You don’t talk down to someone who is giving you money.
NOT JUST THAT, but the one dude did not even listen to what I said, last time I was there.
I was shopping for strings for my 8 string, and I said: “Hi, I am looking for strings for an 8 string”.
and he said: “We don’t sell 8s”
… Guitarists know that means 8 gauge strings..
I didn’t ask for 8s I clearly said 8 STRING guitar STRINGS.
Then when I pointed out the 3 different packs of strings behind him, he got standoffish with me and then proceeded to talk down to me like I didn’t know string gauges.
I’ve played guitar for nearly 20 years now. I have moved allover California, and this is the WORST store I’ve ever been in. Sucks that Instrumental Music Closed down. Worst store, next to one in Ventura that stinks of incense and the dude was just.. a little odd. Really friendly, but a little overly friendly, But it is better than Standoffish employees.
Also looking at other reviews on here, I have NEVER heard anyone say any of those things about the store
“Knowledgeable”, the 3 times I have been in, I knew more.
“Cool People”, right the people who ignored me, scoffed in my face when I said I was only browsing, and then that one dude for strings.. yea.. real cool.
“Prices are Fair and Competitive”, I’d disagree on 60% or more of their products. I can buy strings, picks, cables, pickups, and GUITARS cheaper literally anywhere else I have been.
my 8 string, they had one used, same brand, same guitar, that was 300$ MORE, I found one NEW for 300$ less and it came with a hardcase.
And that is just my experience, I have not heard any of my friends, old SBCC Teachers (if they are guitarists), or students say anything GOOD about Jensen.
I have heard maybe ONE person say they had an employee who repaired guitars that was actually nice and did a really good job. But I didn’t have that experience the 3-4 times I went in. Never will go again. I literally go down to Ventura to do music business now.
2. Nick Rail Music
Address: 2801 De La Vina St, Santa Barbara, CA 93105 , Mission Canyon , California , United States
The guy at the front was a pleasure and my boyfriend really enjoyed the little jam rooms they have, super rad!
I was looking for a book of charts of classic songs for vocals. The gentleman who helped me told me about The Real Vocal Book which wasn’t in the store at that time. We ordered it and when it came in I couldn’t have been happier. It was exactly what I needed.
This place is amazing!
It’s been awhile since I visited Nick Rail Music and I was pleasantly surprised at the layout and selection. Service was super friendly too. A few more electric guitars and accessories and I’ll go five stars. It’s nice to be shopping “small business local” again. NR is literally the only music store available since Instrumental Music left and Jensen curtailed their hours. I’ll be back for certain, maybe even walk out with one of those Taylors…:-)
I was in and out no problem. They had what I needed, staff was friendly and knowledgeable. Would be 5 stars for customer service. But I’m giving it 4 stars because some items are over priced.
Very good helpfuL music associate clerks…. A
Great line of Ukulelè instruments. . . Good rateinge of fourStars. . .
Came in to purchase a Yamaha YTR5330MRC trumpet and they did not have it in the store so they told me that they were going to try and get the trumpet for me, so I gave them my phone number cause they had told me that they were going to call me back to tell me if they were able to get it, I waited two weeks and no response and now a month later still nothing. I came all the way from Ventura city to the store all for nothing, they wasted my time, very unprofessional when I entered the store it was slow there were no customers they could of called me the same day but anyways I do not recommend coming to this store very unprofessional.
NOT RENT OR BUY FROM THEM. GO ONLINE AND GET WHAT YOU NEED 4 TIMES CHEAPER THEN HERE. I rented a Sax for my daughter for 3 years paying $61.00 per month for an Alto Accent Sax with an option to buy. When the 3 years were completed they said that only 2 years applied for the buy option. I said ok how much more do i need to buy it? They still wanted $900 plus and i had already paid $1800 on rental and this type of Sax sell for $350 used online. I tried to use the money to buy something else because i had to get something equal or higher value as long as it was a band instrument. I ask for a clarinet that had the price of $1900 and they said that if i wanted that one I had to pay the resale price of $2400 so i still needed out of pocket $600 and I said but the price says $1900 and with no shame at all they said thats for someone that comes in and buys it here in the store but since you are using credit then you have to pay de resale price. The customer service was terrible and the way they steal people’s money and taking advantage of students its totally wrong. I hope they are giving money back to the schools for having them as the renters for their bands.
Horrible communication and it took nearly 3 months to repair my guitar. Terrible service…do not recommend.
3. Harps by the Sea
Address: 22 W Mission St Suite AA, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 , Mission Canyon , California , United States
When visiting my grandchildren in Santa Barbara I am so proud and impressed by my son David and his wife Valerie. I see first hand the relentless efforts and time spent on their students. Both Dave and Valerie are dedicated to teach their many students to be the very best they can and to flourish in their individual music education. Both their children are proof of that philosophy as Sofia and Joey are talented prolific musicians because of their parents dedication and belief in the joy music brings to the world.
Valerie and David are superb musicians and excellent teachers. They both have a knack for working with kids and are always patient and supportive with my son! They offer beginning to expert lessons for many instruments (violin, viola, cello, bass, guitar, keyboard), all with a high level of expertise.
I walked in to buy strings, and the door was open … suddenly the owner comes out of the back and asks me why I’m in there. I tell him I need guit strings. He tells me he is giving a lesson and can’t help until the lesson is over… seriously. I know exactly what I want, and I can’t believe that he left the door open if he was too busy to take my money!
Supposed to be an open storefront but it was locked up during posted buisness hours. off the street and hard to find. No one picks up the phone.
I have purchased a turntable and amp from them. Cody was super helpful
He was patient and willing to answer by questions when setting up the equipment
Prices were good too.
True professionals. Thorough, neat, with the ability to solve any unforeseen problems.
They are well worth the investment.
I purchased a few sonos speakers for my new house. Drake helped me out, he was very professional and the service was very good. I am very happy with the speakers.
Mission audio is a disappointment. We have a new house that was built about three years ago with an extensive system that was installed by a different company. We asked mission audio to look at our system to take it over for upgrades and maintenance. First, they were receptive to the idea but now they don’t even return phone calls or emails. There acting like a couple that broke up and ignoring us hoping that we would go away. This is not professional at all.
They appear very competent and professional. However, I am not happy with an excessive “one hour minimum” charge of $175 for a visit to our home by their service tech. He basically pointed out, in about 25 minutes, how our home sound system works. This same company had installed this system for a previous owner in 1998. Seems like a lot for just showing us how our system works.
Somebody came to activate the system that went off, literally he just press a button and leave.
What’s the criteria to charge $225 for 10 minutes “job” (literally press a button) in which in the first place we were told that those issues can be fix from the central office and is within the guaranteed.
But most importan, what’s the criteria of this company to charge $225 for 10 minutes “job”?
How much it’d be if it was a more complicated and extensive job?, $500, $1000?
12. Bruce F Wood
Address: 1201 Alta Vista Rd #201, Santa Barbara, CA 93103 , Mission Canyon , California , United States
First time here. Had a great experience. Super friendly and professional. I’ll be sure to be back again and again.
Had a great time there, Andrew was very knowledgeable and helpful and the studio was cozy with plenty of equipment.
We rent a rehearsal studio here monthly and really enjoy it. It’s one of the few spots in town that has rehearsal space for reasonable rates. It has air conditioning, and a drum set, mics, and a bass amp ready to go. 10/10 would recommend
15. Music With Malia
Address: 2040 Alameda Padre Serra, Santa Barbara, CA 93103 , Mission Canyon , California , United States
