Premium music shops of Moraga: Our Top-20 selection

wonderful school and staff! Our kids love it here!

What a wonderful little school with such big love for what they do! As a music teacher myself I’ve had the chance to visit both the Moraga location here as well as the SF location, and both are more than up to snuff when it comes to what they bring to their students, teachers, and community. The location is beautiful and the space is just lovely, and I was told it’d be opening up even more room to teach more students in just a month or so! The vibe is serene (and there’s lots of good parking!), and the teachers are all clearly as excited as their students to bring their love of music and education to the table ever since this place opened in January. I believe in such an attitude, and feel it’s one of the paramount traits to have to help spur both children and adults alike into finding their own love of music and learning within themselves. Having been a music teacher myself for the past 15+/- years, it put a huge smile on my face to also learn that this is currently the only music school in Moraga; to think, they’re bringing more of this joy that I share to more places out there that could definitely benefit from it! Absolutely wonderful. There is such variety in what one could learn here (from classical to rock) and I see all of the best reasons to give them a go, especially that the teachers and staff are so ready to make their place here in the Moraga area. Music schools like Amabile give me great hope that the love of music and learning will persevere through and through for ages to come 🙂

Such a great place for music lessons!

I took my Taylor guitar to change strings and get setup. Scott from Lamorinda did great job and the turn around was timely. I highly recommend Lamorinda.

Incredibly helpful, wonderful people, all ranges of instruments, sheet music, instructors and more. I can’t say enough good things about this gem of a shop.

Nice people working here and quaint store. Good supply of supplemental music books for students learning music.

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.

I was wonderfully helped. For a small shop it had a decent selection and decent prices

Great customer service and repair

Boo

Short version: I bought a guitar here in the spring of 2015. Up to this point in my 44yrs, this was by far the single best shopping experience of my life. The owner, Stevie Coyle, is gracious and patient (even after opening the store outside of normal hours for some indecisive guy he doesn’t know from Adam). Nice range of unique guitars and an owner who can help you along your guitar path, wherever you find yourself currently. I highly, highly recommend a visit.

The longer version: I was on a string of work trips in 2015 and I drove 2 hours out of my way one afternoon in hopes of playing some guitars, maybe buying one. The shop was closed but at the urging of the neighboring store’s owner(?) I tapped on the window to get the other owner’s attention (who was inside in the dark on a PC). After finishing up an online guitar lesson, Stevie opened his shop for me and introduced himself. He allowed me to look around for about 20 minutes until his next lesson was to begin. At the end of the 20-minutes I expected to get the boot, instead, Stevie helped me transport 4 interesting guitars to a back stage area where I could mess with them without interrupting his lesson. Throughout the next hour he occasionally found time to pop in and check on me, each time bringing at least one more guitar seemingly in line with what I was playing or looking at when he had last left the room…all knowing that I was mostly just window shopping while homesick.

By the time his lesson ended I was intent upon buying something from him. Partly due to his kindness, but really the guitars he was handing me were amazing. I couldn’t decide on one, and kept offering to let him close up and go home (and hoping I could return before leaving CA). Not only did he not allow me to bow out for him, and not only was he patient, he started coming up with creative ways to help me make a decision. My favorite being 20+minutes of me sitting eyes-closed while he set guitars in my hands to play blindly. Allowing me to hear them without distraction of style/finish etc. He played my top 3 (5, 7?) guitars for me, all amazingly. Never any pressure, occasionally even side tracking with interesting guitar or shopping related stories, seemingly to say I needn’t feel pressured.

Eventually I chose a Corcoran, paid him for it and to pack and send it back to my home in MI. And then, apparently because his kindness knows no bounds, Stevie allowed me to take the guitar in hand and play it while in CA for the next few days, agreeing to meet up with me later, closer to where I’d be at that point. That meeting interrupted a rehearsal session (Dead Flowers, I think), he took the guitar back and shipped it home for me such that it arrived only a day or two after I did.

I certainly cannot promise anyone an experience like mine (maybe he felt the same kinship I did), but I’m nearly certain that there are others out there with a similar story about him. Just a great shop, and great guy.

The Corcoran I bought remains my favorite guitar to date, second in guitars I’ve played only to another I played that night (also a Corcoran I believe), but that one was some 2k above my price range.

Stevie, if you read this, I’m sorry I haven’t taken the time to write it sooner (I actually thought I had!). I hope your doing well.

Great guitars. Odd hours. Stevie is a great guitar connoisseur and teacher. Interesting mix of great acoustic guitars.

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.

Family run, happy, low-key, accepting atmosphere. Tight, but cozy inside seating is complimented with lots of oitside seating.
Great little place t meet old friends and make new friends too.

Peanut butter frappuccino all day

Truly a community gathering point. Makes you feel like family. Best drinks and food and incredible ambiance!

Good but no Peet’s:)

A go to place for a mid ride coffee

Always so spacious with friendly service… Needs better looking plants, new patio tables and chairs works be perfect!

I’m grateful to have a cafe in Moraga. And I understand we are still in a pandemic. But can you please take down the caution tape on the door and make a more permanent situation! If you don’t want customers entering. I understand the need but 2yrs and the caution tape is still up. It looks like a crime scene!

Some of the worst coffee I have ever had. Also will not let you inside to use the bathroom. Terrible coffee shop experience

Breakfast burrito with no eggs???

place is special full of beautiful people and sspectacular ! Good times

Thank you Carson for your wonderful service. For being patience the many times I visited. For playing beautiful songs on the pianos to show me how well it played. I got my piano from Music Exchange Walnut Creek!

Neat Store: does anyone remember when there was a sign in the front window that read, “Free Adult Organ Lessons!”????

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.

The Free Store has clothes, decorations, school supplies, kitchenware, various household items, and so much more, all for free if you’re an SMC student. There’s a 5 item limit per week. Some very cool things I’ve gotten in the past from here were a whiteboard, bookshelf, school supplies, and some kitchen drawer organizers. Definitely check out the Free Store if you’re an St. Mary’s student!

Nice rescue of a closed Orchard Supply House. Local owner and mostly original staff succeeding where the corporate owner failed.

Convenient, very helpful and friendly staff. Always walked out with what I needed.

Good customer service
Very helpful

Great hardware store, never crowded, very organized.

Convenient, but pricey

Helpful and polite employees. Good selection of tools and hardware.

wait in a long line to check out they finally opened more lanes and the register didn’t work. Time to spend money on decent point of sale equipment

Tried to return a fertilizer spreader that didn’t work. I used the item and I was not pleased with its performance. The gears slipped and deposited clumps of fertilizer on the first few feet of my lawn. The clerk said she could not accept the item since it wasn’t in a clean enough condition to resell. I told her the item was defective. She then said that they needed to confirm that at another desk.

I have never had a clerk question me with a defective product. I was upset, and two other employees tried to help me. Apparently this is their store policy – they wanted to know what was wrong to provide feedback to hq. That is legit but it should not be an issue for a customer.

It took me 15 minutes to return a product that I was not happy with. Poor customer service. OSH needs to review their return policy.

it’s convenient and easy to stop by. Helpful staff too.
Everything is okay except price. Understand that it is little pricy because of local store, but it’s too much compare with Home depot. Some of hardwires are 2.5 times expensive. I can get it 3-40% more, but 250% is too much. Orinda Hardware is more reasonable price compare this store.

Update: needed to update and confirm that this is the best guitar shop in Northern California. THE best staff

Amazing guitar shop.. 100/100 , Cameron helped me get my new HDRX 20 and was nothing short of great to work with.

Nice clean store. The private lessons are also great and teach kids how to play instruments fast while making sure they do every song right. The workers are also very nice.

Hands down the best guitar store in the Bay Area and beyond! Very knowledgeable staff, everyone was courteous and informative, they an amazing selection of quality guitars. Thank you Adam, Cris, Dave et al. I look forward to my next purchase at your store, and I’m bringing friends.

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

Jacob’s a great guitar teacher who tailors each lesson not just to my goals, but also how I’ve learned music before. Only been coming for a couple of months but I feel like I’m learning a ton. Studio space is awesome to boot.

The studio is lovely and both of my boys are taking lessons from different instructors. They are 6 and 9 and Jacob and Annie have been great with them. They are making music accessible to the boys and making them like it. My younger son is asking for homework and wants to practice. The studio is clean and nice to sit in and they even have WiFi for me to use while waiting. The appointment system is low-pressure instead of packages, which makes it easier to book without making a huge commitment. 5 stars!

Great space, gear, and sounds. Jacob will push & support you as much as you want. He’s always on point, and will help you sound your best, across genres. He’s also got a great network of session musicians if there’s a sound you need but can’t make yourself. Highly recommend.

Sweetest teacher ever!

A hidden gem!

A surprising find! I loved the substantial album collection and skateboards for sale. I was told that there is live music and that the owner is also a skateboarder Awesome!

Awesome vynil record store. Friendly staff and good selection.

It’s small but has a lot of LP vinyls. 99% rock bands.

Huge offering of pop and genre records of most kinds. Knowledgeable, helpful staff
Buy and sell. Parking in back.

Nice little shop.

A really nice store filled with awesome records that pretty much no one can afford. The new vinyl selection is amazing, but be sure to cash in a few savings bonds on the way down there. Almost nothing I looked at was under 35 dollars. And the small poorly organized used section was no better. Records in fair condition priced at 40 dollars. Ridiculous and highly disappointing. I was going to buy the new Hendrix Live at the LA forum Lp, but I just couldn’t bring myself to support this store. Sorry. I won’t be going back.