Kevin was a delight to work with and his music accompanying our ceremony was so special. My wife Ashley and I asked Kevin if he could learn to play a few songs that are important to us. Kevin sent us samples of the songs before hand, and they were perfect!
Kevin, thank you so much for being a part of our Wedding. You and your music added to our day!
Kevin: Thank you for playing beautifully [and tirelessly] at our house. Our guests loved it just as much as Anne and I did. You added elegance and romance and the feeling Fred Astaire was about to appear!
Julian Nott – Santa Barbara
Kevin is a great pianist, lovely person and great with people
I have seen Dave and Valerie teach and they have a natural ability for teaching all ages with patience and positive reinforcement. Dave has been a positive influence on my grandson. His knowledge and expertise has made him excel with his music career.
Valerie and David have been instrumental in helping our sons learn how to play and appreciate the violin and guitar. They meet them at their level and teach at an appropriate and encouraging pace. They are considerate teachers and highly trained and competent. I am confident they are receiving the best instruction in town. We are so thankful to be part of their program.
Valerie is a very good and kind teacher. Her own magnificent tone when she plays her viola is inspiring! My son has been her student now for 7 years!
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 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!
9. Jensen Guitar & Music Co.
Address: 2830 De La Vina St, Santa Barbara, CA 93105 , Montecito , California , United States
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!
#FenderAmplifiers
Guitar has never sounded better after their setup service!! I bought my first guitar there 10 years ago and they’ve always been great! Thanks Jensens!
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.
worst experience ever. be warned
10. Nick Rail Music
Address: 2801 De La Vina St, Santa Barbara, CA 93105 , Montecito , California , United States
What a great little music shop! I broke a guitar string on my baby Taylor, so came into this shop. Not only did they have the specific strings I needed for my guitar, the nice manager restrung my broken string on the spot and tuned my guitar free of charge. The strings themselves were a few dollars cheaper than on Amazon. They also were able to sell me the specific batteries I needed for my snark tuner, also a bit cheaper than Amazon. Great customer service, location, and value. I definitely will be coming back.
Great people great staff and they have everything!
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.
Friendly staff, could use more electric guitar and bass accessories
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.
Great fast service!
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.
I was calling to get a price estimate, and when I asked “can I get a price estimate on a drum set” they hung up. I thought this was a music shop. Very rude and disrespectful.
I was really looking forward to renting a clarinet from this location. Unfortunately, the service was terrible and I decided against it. Try a different music shop or try ordering online.
11. Detar Music
Address: 146 Powers Ave, Santa Barbara, CA 93103 , Montecito , California , United States
These guys are great! The studio is awesome for anything you need to record. They do lessons for beginners to experts and I have heard nothing but the best!
We absolutely love Detar Music and the great music teachers there. My son Connor has been taking piano lessons from Daniel Bagdazian for almost a year and he loves it. We all look forward to his lesson each week. Daniel is always positive and encouraging with Connor. We are grateful to have found such a supportive and fun music studio. I have recommended them to friends who are also happy there. 🙂
Awesome place and great atmosphere for musical studies and learning. Gus is the man, his musical understanding and tutoring is top level. The best.
12. TiMAC Productions
Address: 1414 School House Rd, Montecito, CA 93108 , Montecito , California , United States
We highly recommend this firm. They have been leaders in their field for a very long time and have the kind of inventory it is very hard to find. If quality is important to you they are well worth investigating.
14. Dancing Drum Rhythm & Art Center
Address: 810 E Gutierrez St, Santa Barbara, CA 93105 , Montecito , California , United States
I have been taking lessons with Vera for almost a year, and in that short amount of time I have grown exponentially, not only as a piano student, but also as a musician. I came to Vera as a singer who needed a better understanding of the music I was singing and she not only addressed that, but took a personal interest in my growth as a well-rounded musician, including teaching me theory, rhythm, sight reading, music history, and even introducing me to my current voice teacher.
Vera is an incredibly talented teacher and pianist who truly cares about her students and their success. I can honestly say that taking lessons with Vera was one of the best decisions that I have ever made, and I cannot recommend her enough!
I’ve had the pleasure of sending some of my past piano students to study with Vera Kong, when I had to move away from Santa Barbara several years back. Not only did my former students continue to improve, but they ended up expanding their musical horizon in ways I could not offer them. It is rare to come across a highly trained music educator, where the student has a chance to learn from the strengths of both a pianist and a vocalist. Ms. Kong received her musical training from some of the finest institutions in the world, studying with the absolute top pianists and pedagogues. In addition to witnessing her excellent pedagogical abilities, I’ve also heard Ms. Kong’s live performances on numerous occasions–I would not hesitate to hear her in person when given a chance. She is a SUPERB musician and a kind-hearted individual of the highest order. I would trust her to guide any piano student to a successful journey in music.
Vera Kong is a very passionate, patient and professional piano teacher. My daughter was so inspired, and now she performs with soul! Vera has very clear plan for the kids. She sets short term and long term goals which helped the kids find their motivation. Every year’s recital is amazing! It tells the kids music is elegant, precious, and serious. I can’t appreciate more
18. Josephine’s Antiques & Gallery
Address: 1470 E Valley Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93108 , Montecito , California , United States
If you like to find some great treasures this is an awesome place —great assortment and amazing buys!!
Amazing collection of British silver, furniture, costume hats, paintings and more, jumbled into a tiny store (up on the left near the Montecito Market), with the even tinier and endlessly fascinating Josephine herself residing. Worth a trip!
Everything was seeming positive one second, the next second I’m being accused of stealing stuff from her shop. An impressive collection indeed but the owner’s age and deteriorating mental state make it difficult to do business. Shame.
19. Swell Man Music
Address: Santa Barbara, CA 93150 , Montecito , California , United States
This is always a stopping place on trips back and forth up the central coast. We can stretch our legs, use the restrooms, and of course get a great coffee drink and tasty snack!
Girl at the counter was very bubbly and nice. Love this place!
Almost always have a positive experience. Would like some consistency with purchasing a half pound of coffee. It’s never the same, they do, they don’t, they do with some. Confusing! Same thing if you order tea with steamed milk. A different “name” for it every time. Makes it difficult to order.
Wonderful atmosphere, but what’s up with serving food, but zero condiments, not even salt? Good food though. Pro servers, Aug team
Store was very clean, organized and fast with getting orders out. Employees are a little rude and don’t acknowledge customers waiting to place orders.
The more I try Starbucks, the less I like the staff attitude and the coffee.
The person was in such a hurry to make my drink, she had to make it three times and still got it wrong. The first time she didn’t put the chips in my Java Chip. Second time she ran out of the binder and I guess not knowing that it would taste different. The third time she put twice the amount of mocha. At that point I gave up and left.
GOT ALL ORDERS WRONG!! NEVER COME TO THIS PLACE GOT 4 OF OUR WRONGS AND 2 OF OUR ORDERS GOT MESSED UP NOT 1 NOT 2 BUT 3 TIMES
