My daughter has been coming here for over a year for piano lessons with Tristan. She’s only 5 and as you probably know, has a short attention span. Tristan makes the lessons fun and engaging and she absolutely loves coming every week. As a mom who waits for her the waiting area, I love the staff! They are funny, kind, and caring. By sitting in the waiting room, I get to meet the other teachers and can see the love and passion they have for their craft and they’re fun to talk to!
Our experience was wonderful. Kingsley helped us secure a rental credit towards a new cello and made sure we had a great experience. We want to thank everyone any this location for making sure everything went seamlessly
Each time I’ve been to Music & Arts the service and knowledge of staff has been terrific. My children are very young so have not started lessons yet, but they do have simple instruments for the littles like shakers, slide whistles, tambourines and kazoos that my children really enjoy. I’ve been researching music lessons and this store has reasonable prices plus can give guidance on instrument repair/valuation.
2/4/19 -(got a response that I cannot “respond to” so I will post that here)
Music & Arts, I see your reply. The email address does not help unfortunately. I have have called and spoken to Corporate and gotten nowhere. I have an email from a school liaison so far nothing, and again at the store level nothing. So far all that has happened is I have had to repeat myself and my story numerous times and have yet to get any kind of resolution. Unfortunately giving me the generic email address to the corporate “customer service” group doesn’t help me at this point, I think we are way beyond that point.
How can you give negative stars! This store takes advantage of the schools that feed into it. Because of the amazing music program LCMS has kids need the ability to rent instruments. So we did over a year ago and have over $1000 in credit that we were told we could use towards a new one at “equal or greater” value in case we ever wanted to buy vs rent. I expected my son to quit but in fact he has excelled and is first chair, in the Jazz program and I want to reward him and use my credit. They are telling me I cannot use the credit towards the instrument he wants (which by the way is over $1000 more than the one they want me to buy) because the one he wants is “professional grade” and the credit only works towards “student” level instruments. What?? Why would I spend thousands on something he has grown out of and not something he can grow into? What is the logic? Let’s teach a child how to ride a bike with training wheels and when they are really good we will buy them a shiny new bike with another set of training wheels. That is the logic. I have called the store, the GM, corporate and have been told “sorry that’s our policy, that’s what’s in the agreement you signed”. The clerk at the store only told me I would get a discount and use my credit towards the equal or greater value they are local and get all the school business so why would they lie? So I signed the agreement I’m not a lawyer I trusted them plus I signed my son up for lessons. It is disgusting how I have been treated and the fact that my son suffers because I wanted so much to buy him this for his 13th birthday. I caution anyone please go to Nick Rail on Kanan, go anywhere else but this horrible place. They are too big and just take advantage of their fortunate position. I am going to the school board next.
5. Teaching Piano Made Simple
Address: 6560 Woodcrest Pl, Oak Park, CA 91377 , Oak Park , California , United States
Nima I can’t thank you enough for the 5 star treatment in the purchasing of the Yamaha FG-75. Not only did you give me a great deal but to drive the guitar all the way to San Diego was amazing! Best transaction ever! Thank you!
Nima Rocks! He’s kept me in sticks and drumheads for years! Super knowledgeable and friendly!
Only open by appointment but very friendly and helpful! Need an instrument rental or lessons? Give them a call : )
One star is too many. I found a Carvin 12 string on his Craigslist ad (under the OWNER section by the way) and contacted him. He said he would hold it til I came to LA in 4 weeks. I gave him my credit card number for a 10% deposit. He never charged it. Then when I got to LA with money in hand, he said he sold it the week before. Never called, texted, or emailed me back. I passed on several other guitars, and sold one of my prized PRS guitars so I could have the money for it. I needed it for a show this weekend and now I’m out, nothing I can do to have a 12 string for my show. Bad business. I held up my end, you didn’t hold yours.
One star is too many. This business is creepy and unethical. Save yourself the headaches and go down the street to Nick Rail.
7. Abilly Music
Address: 5533 Spanish Oak Ln, Oak Park, CA 91377 , Oak Park , California , United States
I love this store. They always help me out and on this trip the store manager made sure we picked the right instrument for my 7 year old. He got to try the different options before making his choice. So much better than buying an instrument online!
Very knowledgeable, friendly, prompt, real asset to the community.
Chris Levy did a great job on both my flute and piccolo, including researching and successfully troubleshooting an unusual repair issue. Thank you, Chris and Nick Rail store in Agoura!
DO 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.
We wouldn’t recommend their rent to equity program. Firstly, you can get store credit, but you must purchase a muscial instrument on the day you return the instrument you’re renting. Otherwise, your credit is unredeemable. Additionally, you can’t buy any accessories (ex: a bow or books) but only an instrument.
Secondly, your instrument choices are really limited.
Thirdly, when you buy a musical instrument from them with store credit, you have to pay for the MSRP, which is the full price and a lot more expensive than the sale price.
Overall, it was an unpleasant experience.
When we went to return our instrument, we were looking to buy a student or intermediate model with our credit and pay for any amount not covered by the credit. However the feeling that we had was that they did not want to uphold their end of the contract and gave many excuses, and we were told that they did not have any such instruments only the really expensive professiinal level ones. When a company does not act in good faith, it’s better to just walk away and find another place with better service. We will not be going back to Nick Rail. We were able to use existing credit in a different music store prior to our experience at Nick Rail and purchased a student model instrument there. Nick Rails did not want to provide us with a similar service. Very very disappointing.
The staff was helpful. I went in looking for preamp tubes and was helped immediately.
The staff and my local store is a wonderful place and this review is not towards that store but the online store is horrible!
I recently order a large amount of equipment from the online site. I was told 3 to 5 days shipping. On the 5th day the order was partially shipped. I called customer service service serveral times and was told several different things that all turned out to be not true. As an example we are understaffed and your order has been in processing for 4 days a brief hold amd its ready to ship and it will leave this afternoon. Shipped a day later. Another lie i was told was we will have it in the store it is being shipped to by the end of the week even if we have to overnight the order. That didnt happen either. Long story short my order cam in 11 days after ordering it. How is that 3 to 5 days? Why does it take 4 days and 2 phone calls to process my order? After this experience i will not by from guitar center again. The online store has now made it were i will not due business with guitar center again. This does suck because it is cloae to my house and work and i buy alot of equipment. Looks like i will be doing alot of shopping on amazon from now on since my packages arrive when quoted.
Make sure you read the fine print on any lessons you purchase. Really sad customer service. Manager is useless. Very disappointing.
They need self checkout. I just wanted to buy some guitar strings. But the two customers in front of me being helped by the sales staff were purchasing instruments. And of course the staff was trying to upsell them everything from a case, to insurance, lessons, etc…. I just needed a $10 pair of strings. I stood at the counter for 10-15 minutes with my card in hand, with none of the staff able or willing to check me out, so I left the strings on the counter and walked out.
11. Bargain Musician
Address: 5310 Derry Ave Ste L, Agoura Hills, CA 91301 , Oak Park , California , United States
Great selection of kit guitars, I have built 7 of Zane’s kits, with three in the que. A great way to practice wood finishing techniques and paint styles and have a cool thing to play at the end or to gift to your musician friends. The kits are all there, however you need to do a bunch of online research to do the work, but that is 50% of the fun. Zane is really practical with his technical advice and supportive of his product and sales. I love the kit guitar building hobby and will continue to shop at Bargain Musician.
Great prices and service. I’ve never seen so many guitars! They even stock a wide selection for lefties. I called ahead and set an appt & got the VIP treatment.
Bargain Musician is great! Zane is a great guy! He is very friendly and helpful!!! I love the LP style guitar I built from one of the kits! It was so cool to be able to make it my own! It plays and sounds great! I’m using it on my band’s recordings this week and I’ll be using it on stage too! It’s so cool!!! I want to build another one now!!!
12. Neil Dorval Piano Player Piano Tuner Event & Wedding Music Band
Address: 775 Skyridge Ln, Oak Park, CA 91377 , Oak Park , California , United States
EXCELLENT PROFESSIONAL PIANO TUNING SERVICES | HIGH LEVEL PIANO PLAYING OF ALL GENRES | HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Neil Dorval is a wonderful gifted pianist & entertainer. His music sessions are always delightful & fully engaging. Don’t miss attending Neil’s performances as it’s great fun for any audience!!
Very professional piano tuning service and excellent piano player himself.
13. Instrumental Music
Address: 1501 Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362 , Oak Park , California , United States
Best deals, great inventory and selection. Customer service is Top Notch, Knowledgeable, and Friendly. Rare in this day and age. Great place for ALL your musical needs. Including lessons !
Instrumental Music has always been the go-to place equipment. They also support our music associations. Top notch instruments and supplies at very decent prices.
Bought a Roland D50 in 1987 from here. Been coming back ever since! Great store with a great selection of instruments. The store is clean and well organized. The staff is super knowledgable, patient, friendly and accommodating! You will be MUCH better served here than at that big box store 🙂
Helpful staff
Always a pleasure & A REAL DEAL with John & the rest of the staff @ Instrumental MUSIC/ Thousand Oaks!
This place is the best . Great selection of instruments and a very helpful and friendly staff.Don’t waste your time shopping for your musical needs anywhere else !
14. Oak Smoke Shop
Address: 654 Lindero Canyon Rd, Oak Park, CA 91377 , Oak Park , California , United States
Matt assisted me at the window around 3:15 today and provided exceptional service. His above and beyond kindness really made my day!
Always good. They really make you feel welcome and are happy.
Drive-thru gets packed, but moves pretty quick.
Learn how to spell!
Decent Starbucks location. Good service, decent facilities. I wish there were more electrical outlets and wireless charging ports, but otherwise this is a good location to study and have coffee.
Don’t park near the store or the drive through that is packed all day long will block you in.
Service always very very slow…..took me over 30min just to get a cup of coffee this morning..this is way to long.. Starbucks needs to address this issue..good thing tim Hortons don’t exist here they would crush you.
Gift Card Fraud!!!
Horrible, horrible experience. Not only did these employees not give me my gift card or receipt back at the drive-thru, but one of them used my card to fraudulently purchase a venti-sized drink.
Went through the drive-thru and before leaving the parking lot, realized I hadn’t been given my gift card back, which had a substantial amount of money on it. When I went back to retrieve the card, not only did the employees inside the store fail to apologize but were completely disingenuous and rude. The whole interaction gave me a bad feeling so once I got home I checked my purchase history and saw that after they charged me for my order at 9:14 a.m., there was a separate charge at 9:18 (four whole minutes later) for a drink (a Venti—an iced shaken espresso with classic syrup) that I hadn’t ordered. While this additional purchase was voided afterwards, I’m fairly certain it was only canceled because I went back into the store to demand my card back and had a rather unpleasant exchange with one of the employees who took offense to my being offended by his disingenuous attitude.
I bought a guitar from their site back in 2015. I was impressed with the customer service and the quality of the guitar. Can’t recommend them more!
I’ve had great experiences with this shop. They communicate quickly and ship things out very fast with proper packaging. I highly recommend buying from here.
Bought from them on ebay. Did not get what I payed for.
Bought a guitar of a Reverb listing, no issues. Location was listed as Nashville, Tn. Contacted them about an acoustic listed on Reverb and the quantity magically changed from 2, to last one in stock. That was a few weeks ago and the inventory still has 2 listed in stock. Supposedly this one is in Nashville as well. Looked at the address on maps and it is a house. No telling where this gear comes from or what warehouse this company is connected to, but it isn’t what they claim. Something sketchy going on here.
18. Musicians Boulevard Inc
Address: 2511 Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362 , Oak Park , California , United States
Rented a Sax for a few months and took some lessons. Good experience and very fair pricing. The owner was knowledgeable and helpful.
Don’t bring your cello there they give you crummy strings/repairs
I have had a terrible experience with repair of my cello. I cannot go into details because there are too many. Length of time of repair and quality were horrible. Our family was a client of this store for many years, but this experience soured everything. If you need your cello worked on, please go elsewhere.
19. Symphony Metals
Address: Parking lot, 5777 Kanan Rd #111, Agoura Hills, CA 91301 , Oak Park , California , United States
