Exclusive selection: The top 20 music shops of Modesto

Very friendly and knowledgeable!

Only place I go to get reeds for my granddaughter.

Awesome staff. Extremely helpful.

The best thing about Gottschalk Music is that they are very personable and will help you with your specific instrument and music needs. They will help with your specific questions and what you may need for your instruments. The repair specializes in brass (trumpet, trombone, French horn, baritone, tuba) and woodwind (flute, clarinet, saxophone, etc) instruments.

A little hard to find but the staff was great and informative

Nice experience talking to Gary about working on my guitar.

Gary Vessel is a recognized expert referred to me by my violin teacher! Violin repairs and setups can be expensive, but Gary won’t charge you for what you don’t need! That is why he is an in demand luthier. He may give you some disappointing news about your violin, that you believe is a rare treasure , but that is the only downside to visiting this business. Thomas and Vessel carriy a full line of accessories for string instruments and a full line violins, violas, and cellos. I don’t believe you can go wrong with this shop.

LOVE this place. Quality instruments. Quality customer service. Just very pleased with our interactions here. Great place! Thank you!

I came in here with my daughter and Gary Vessel was very rude and creepy to her. I was asking about violins and trying to keep it normal but you can tell Gary does not have good customer service. Dont bring your kids here. I wish my daughter would have never met that man. Once we got in the car, my daughter said ” Daddy, I think that man Gary was so strange and he was so rude”. Dont waste your time here and definitely don’t bring your kids here to Gary.

The second star is simply because this establishment has a reputation for making good violins. The three missing stars are more about character, integrity, and the love of music itself. If I throw honesty into the mix, I really ought rate this shop as one star.

But such a harsh rating deserves clarity, so I will tell my tale. I entered this establishment with a violin in one hand and a ten year old girl hanging on the other hand. The girl, having never played violin, is in love with the instrument for all the beauty and happiness the instrument has inspired in her and she has determined to invest the thousands of hours required to master it. She is however, young and impulsive, so the violin in my other hand is a loaner, the best her school can provide, and it may not be a perfect instrument, but in the hands of a budding new violinist, it is the perfect tool to test the waters and determine how deep her dedication to the instrument goes. It does however need the care and attention of someone skilled enough to replace the bridge and put on a new string.

So here I stand as one of the patrons of this little shop filled with stringed instruments. My daughter is even more deeply enthralled and excited as she’s waited weeks to see this instrument come alive again. Four people stand in front of the shop, playing together. It sounds great. She squeezes my hand even tighter. She’s almost in tears of excitement as one of the players breaks away to help us.

That’s where this sweet scenario goes wrong. What I assume is an artist, takes the violin to a cluttered work table, “hmmm and hah’s” over it for a moment, then brings the violin back and states that the violin is unfixable and unplayable.

The little hand I’m holding gets a little limp. I begin to ask questions while he goes on showing me how the strings lay against the fingerboard and digging through a small box of different sized bridges. He makes measurements and attempts to demonstrate why this violin is of no value because he can’t lift the strings far enough off of the fingerboard to make it play perfectly.

I look down at my daughter and she is failing to hold back the tears. She buries her head in my shirt as she believes her school is out of violins and without a successful repair, she will not be able to take lessons.

The shopkeeper notices, and puts on a display of making one more attempt at repair before shaking his head and saying there’s no way to fix it…however, he does happen to rent violins. My instincts had already been firing off warnings, but the distinct stench of car salesmen hit my nostrils as his attempt at an upsell continued. Needless to say, I left. I took my daughter to the car and did my best to console her as she could no longer hold back her tears. Not being a violinist, I could not be sure if i had just been manipulated, or the violin truly was trash, so I took it out of the case. If it is “unfixable,” I thought, then something must be broken because even a cheap violin is designed to play, even if it is badly. Nothing was broken.

I thought through the experience in the store. He was making measurements but not holding the ruler all the way against the surfaces he was measuring. He was being dishonest, manipulating me, and trying to play my daughters heartbreak against me.

So, still not wishing to think badly of a person without knowing, I asked around. Come to find out, this guy isn’t the only violin expert in Modesto. How could he know that I know violinists? The violin is fixable. The bridges and fake measurements he was showing me were just that, fake.

His reputation for these kind of antics is well known in the community for exactly the type of experience I have just described.

In the end, the school had found funding for a couple of new violins, and one was offered to my daughter, along with a sweet promise to help her get caught up with the rest of the class when the new one arrives.

I’d drive a long way to go somewhere else. Dishonesty is dishonesty. Play straight if you want my business.

Bought a few vinyls from here and I can honestly say the atmosphere there is super relaxed and the staff is friendly and not wanting me to hurry up and buy. Will go back again and they support local artist!!!

Went here for opening day as well as most recently today. It’s nice having a record shop downtown, and they have a wide selection. On top of this, they carry CD’s, cadettes, VHS, and old pop culture memorabilia all at an affordable price. Their is 3 little arcade machines, and 2 little pinball machines in the back which appear to be on free play. The employee(perhaps owner?) seems very friendly and will take your photo and give you a sticker when you make a purchase. On top of all of this, they’ll even buy old records off of you, if you have no need for them anymore. Highly recommend to anyone looking for that new album they just need in their lives.

Thank you Phil for helping me purchase the perfect piano. Had it not been for you I would have settled for something not nearly as nice. This piano is more than I would ever imagined in my wildest dreams. Thank you for coming out and setting it up a few hours of my purchase. I so appreciate all your help and thoughtfulness.

Excellence in all facets.

Very professional, educated in product, not pushy, willing to work with budget. Will continue recommending.

Solid selection for a wide variety of instruments. Sweet, helpful staff.

Ever since Bodhizafa showed me the art of music this has been my go to music store. Just can’t wait till the 50 year storm.

Informative

Trash

Great place to go for your musical needs!

I’ve been using this shop for probably 30 years. They’re awesome they’re knowledgeable and they do really good work.

Great repair shop done right the first time.

Staff is really helpful

Roger is coolest guy you will ever meet!

Nice studio the sound tec or producer was very welcoming and had a vast knowledge of the studio great place to do your business

Rodger is the man!!

Going to be Recording here soon..Hey,Hey, Roger!

Raul is an excellent musician and a supportive mentor! Professional and fun energy while creating those lasting memories and exploring music with those he works with

Raul is an amazing teacher and knows the fundamentals of playing the guitar and bass. He never makes me feel like a question or comment I have is stupid and he always answers them the best he can. He’s helped me so far in my musical journey and he has helped me get to a point where I have a guitar/punk album coming out at the end of the month. I highly recommend Raul for learning the guitar. Reach out to him!

Raul knows what’s up! Great instructor and is really patient in ensuring you progress through a technique, a concept or a song. He is also really good at simplifying really complex ideas, especially from music theory. I also thought he was really encouraging which is always motivating.

They’ve been around forever they got a new location in Modesto Right-off McHenry Avenue

I needed a sound system last minute for an event, and Barker’s Music made it happen! I was greeted by a wonderful associate named Kasey who helped me get everything I needed and explained how to set up/operate the equipment. It all worked flawlessly! Definitely a small business to support here in Modesto, go to these guys before anyone else! Thanks Barker’s!

Best place for music lessons and equipment!!

Love the people here and great piano lessons!! They need a bigger place though!

Alright place, kinda small inside since all the pianos are in the way.

Didn’t have the strings I was looking for but were still able to provide me with a nice set at a decent price. Lots of singles to choose from, store owner was patient and friendly. Couldn’t ask much more.

Employees had no idea what they were selling, how it worked, what it was for , what they had or literally anything about the gear they were selling. Not even how much it cost

Called in to ask if they had an xlr cable in stock and the lady who answered laughed and asked if I was kidding. It’s a pretty standard microphone cable..strange that I would be laughed at. I encourage that others stray away from this place and allow another shop with some decent customer service and knowledge take its place.

Bad and not friendly at all. No one to greet you, buying tickets to an event, told AFTER he brought tickets out CASH only! No signs stating this policy anywhere. Yah im sure people are buying Pianos cash only WTH! Bad service. Bad business.

They were all very helpful in helping me find a new skin for my banjo.

Awesome experience. Walked out with a (used) cybal pack listed for $165… for $0.98, on my birthday. Thanks guys, for making my day!

Great selection, prices are decent

They have always treated me right.

It’s just another chain store that doesnt care about the community it’s in only the money it can draw out of it.

They are the best deal around.they will match any price thats out there so far.until they dont I’ll deal with them

Pretty disappointed that Guitar Center’s customer service is only great when you make purchases. Try getting a refund or credit for an unauthorized charge and you’ll end up having to dispute with your credit card. After buying a gift card for 4 one hour guitar lessons for my husband, Guitar Center asked my husband for his credit card in case he wanted to purchase additional lessons. Before his gifted sessions were complete, they had already charged our credit card $230! When we tried to dispute the charge, they asked us to call to schedule lessons. This is a lesson all right – how not to trust a local business with your credit card information. Just sent a lengthy response to our creditor.

When you walk into a business and you are going to spend your hard earned money on their products I expect them to at least give me the finger, they don’t even say hi or ask you if they can help you it’s a real sad deal Bad management
I won’t spend a penny there

to the store walking into a guitar center in Modesto to take we took of rain 62 to sell to them not even two minutes into the store went to the restroom and got accused of stealing an iPhone two times I didn’t have an iPhone that girl miss placed her phone and then went back to the counter to take care of the rain 62 and then they didn’t want to except it because supposedly we have to have a laptop with us and they have a laptop so they can try it and they didn’t want to do that and they said that they didn’t want to take some thing that it was work wasn’t working it’s working just perfectly fine and then it’s just I have an a brand new laptop that does not work on the rain 62 and they assume that it don’t work with an attitude

Roger was extremely professional and personable. He was prompt in getting back to my request and was able to tailor lessons to my specific needs. He took the time to listen to where I was at with my abilities and then created lessons that would help me to progress and meet my goals. I will definitely be recommending him to others.

I have always wanted to learn how to play the piano and Roger Coss Music has helped me make my dream a reality.

We recently started lessons, and I’m very pleased to say that Dr. Coss relates well to my son and uses a friendly, welcoming tone. He listens to what he wants to learn and helps him to set goals.

Artist doing paint brush to music was there. It was awesome to visit during the Pandemic. Highly recommended

The Best DJ Shop & Lighting/DJ Services Out There! Really appreciate the easy communication, experience & fantastic pricing Frank has to offer. I probably contacted DJ Light Shop a hundred times, Frank was always quick and pleasant in his responses. Please booked DJ Frank for your next special occasion, or visit the DJ Light Shop for any DJ product needed for your business! This is truly a 10 STAR Business/services!

Thanks!
Viva La Selfie

The best lights in the 209.

Great guy,awesome service! THAT’S THE STORE! HANDS DOWN

Never open

Every thing u need from old school music too rap and new school music freestyle music mac dre

Dope place fa sho. One of the only places that carrys planet of the grapes and def supports local artist

Dope

Ok

It’s okay

Worse experience, call no answer, drive by always closed!!

Siempre está cerrado

It’s always closed and when look it up online it says that it’s open but when go there it’s close. They should fix their office hours

low cost recording studio with great staff and sound.

I recorded 9 of 10 songs from this studio and all have great sound. I recommend this place.

Modesto Sound is a Non profit organization. My son has been luck to take classes ranging from setting up stages for live music/bands and how to work the boards that control the various equipment used to make a live stage come to life. So happy we found this organization!

Great services of a small but professional recording studio. They cater to teenagers and really give a great experience for young recording musicians.

Good selection

Wether you are interested in purchasing new or used CDs/DVDs this is the perfect place. Rasputin Music has a wide variety of new generation or classic selection of movies and music. Out of the many times I have purchased used movies for less then $5, I have not yet ran into one that did not work. The team at Rasputin also cares for their customers, very friendly and helpful.

Amazing selection of vintage clothing. Incredibly helpful staff. The pink haired manager should get a significant raise.

Sometimes you can find a real gem here.

I’m so glad to still have a record store in Modesto that still sells vinyl, only wish they sold more of the records I want.

It’s a warehouse of vinyls, videos, DVDs, CDs and vintage tees. Buy, sell, or trade!

This place does not offer a restroom for customers. It’s getting pretty annoying that businesses stop offering customer restrooms. Companies don’t want to clean up the restrooms? Why did prices go up? Customer have to pay extra and NOT be allowed to use the restrooms! It’s BS!!!
I won’t shop anywhere That does not offer public restrooms!!!

They need to organize the cheap movies..alphabetical order it then by genre too..

smells like body Odor. not much in clothes. tons of music

Leo is great! I have been taking lessons from him for 10+ years and still learning new things. I would highly recommend him to guitar players of all skill levels.

Great teacher

Lot’s of memorabilia!!

Excellent people

Great prices on new amd used music! Awesome place to buy movie memorabilia and TV series memorabilia and weird Oddball crazy stuff

Great selection and service

Cool laid back vibe helpful employees

good place to get funny T shirts , and movie stuff

Less then ten minutes until closing but lazy employee

I went into this store in January of 2023 and was offered a 10% coupon if I provided an email. I provided my email and come to find out I’ve been charging $11.99 on my bank statement every month for a FYE backstage pass on the card I used at the time of my purchase. I was never informed I was being signed up for a membership. And now I’ve been charged a total of nearly $100 when I’ve only gone to the store once.. I won’t ever go back for this reason. Inform your customers that you’re signing them up for a membership, let alone one that charges monthly. Extremely frustrated that I cannot get my money back when I never was informed. 0/10

They had really small selection of cds, not what I was expecting.