Let me try out amps and got a great deal! Everyone was chill and let me do my thing.
Love it. They let you try out guitars, amps, with tons of variety.
They treat you better than family and have the coolest toys
Just like every other guitar center
Love any guitar store but come on can’t you come down on a price when the instrument is damaged and and obviously used . The staff seem nicer than a lot of guitar centers I’ve been to all in all a good store.
They had a couple of specialized cables I needed in stock. The place does seem a little empty with all the COVID restrictions in place.
One star about sums it up, I believe . . .
Order a fender Stratocaster it came wrapped in paper it had a big gash in the bottom I waited over a month. Ordered another one still backordered been a month now again and still waiting.
This place use to have good quality guitars, now all the have is cheap junk. Went in to get some guitar stings the other day, waited forever for someone to check me out. I ended up just walking away. I’m not waiting 30 minutes to purchase guitar strings. Won’t be back!
2. The Musician’s Exchange
Address: 2221 Alma Hwy, Van Buren, AR 72956 , Odón , Arkansas , United States
It’s a wonderful place, you can get any kind of musicians equipment down there that you need ; service is great and people are just wonderful. Bill’s the owner and he’s a wonderful guy you’ll enjoy just chatting with you, so if you need anything in the way of musician’s equipment stop by The exchange
They carry a variety of used and new musical products. A fun place to browse and talk music with good people!
Had exactly what I needed, no need to wait a week on internet orders when there’s a friendly local shop right down the street. Highly recommend!
Drove by & stopped because I’m new to the area and was looking for a music store. I’m a new drummer, so I was only curious about their drum supplies. Sadly, they had very little drum stuff, with only a handful of used cymbals for sale on display that I could try out.
The few drum sets they had were used, in bad condition & were stacked (not on stands or with heads on them). So, I was a bit disappointed.
Store looked a bit old, dirty & run down. The two guys working behind the counter were busy chatting with regular customers, but did welcome me when I entered the store. They were pleasant enough (which is why I gave 3 stars instead of 2). Wish they had more quality drum stuff to offer.
Had a hard time trying any of the basses or bass amps….nothing was even plugged in…..had to run extension cords all over the place . Then the basses and amps were so crowded could not move to even try the gear out. Didn’t feel like rerunning power to the whole department to try any other amps out. Shame would have tried more gear out….but just wasn’t expecting to hook it all up myself. Sorry guys you lost a sale….take ten minutes plug In couple bass amps everyday instead of sitting out smoking…..dude you know who you are….you shut the door on my wife as you went back in after your cig break….seriously….Shame store has potential
Interesting selection of mostly used gear. Friendly folks!
Bought a brand new acoustic guitar here after years of using this store for my musical needs. The guitar wasnt staying in tune and i noticed the intonation was a little off as well. I took it back 4 days later and they offered me 100 bucks for it. It was brand new and i spend 400 on it and bought a 150 dollar case as well. Thats not the way you treat repeat customers. I will never be returning to this store again.
Hate it I could not find a clarinet ,:(
Dropped a guitar off for the owner to look at. He told me over the phone he’d give $150 for it and only a few hours later when I came in to get the money he prints me a ticket off and hands me $100. I reminded him that wasn’t what we agreed on and all he said was “that’s all I can do unless you want me to undo the transaction”. Not good business in my opinion. He lost a customer over 50 bucks. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
And now he’s calling me a liar. This isn’t some story I made up when I was bored, it actually happened. Remember the guitar was dropped off so it could be appraised. I don’t enjoy writing bad reviews but this one was earned.
3. Saied Music Co
Address: 2880 Point Cir, Fayetteville, AR 72704 , Odón , Arkansas , United States
When I got there I was excited to be buying a ukulele something I’ve been wanting since I was little and when I asked how much taxes were because $82 up from the $54 seemed outrageous the man said idk and didn’t even check it just took an extra $21 and when I was asking questions about other instruments he had. No information literally making me. Still waiting on the money to be back in my account had to go to bed hungry tonight
Do not let them store your debit card on file. I have an unauthorized charge on my account. ONLY PAY THEM THROUGH THE WEBSITE, NOT OVER THE PHONE.
Awful service. Bought strings for my guitar, and since im not very good at putting them on and they were the most expensive strings, i left my guitar for them to put the strings on for me bc they said theyd do it for free and that they would call me within a day or so. I waoted almsot a week and figured that i must have missed the call and went there to get my guitar. They hadnt even touched it and told me that it would be several more days before they could get to it. I just went ahead and took my guitar. Never getting my business again im just gonna go to guitar center.
4. Houck Music Co
Address: 806 W Main St, Cabot, AR 72023 , Odón , Arkansas , United States
Went in for some reeds and walked out with a new SASSY Sax a few months ago. And OHhhhhh…! What rich Sound-Vibes she conveys.
If you break your horn he’s the Crook to fix it.
I’ve never been in the store,I called looking for someone to do a repair an set up on my violin. They referred me to Bill Carter. The best most giving string instrument repair guy I’ve ever met. So they get 5 stars for that
They are great. But they closed the business. They still do instrument repairs from home though.
Very rude!
6. Palmer Music Company
Address: 1131 Front St, Conway, AR 72032 , Odón , Arkansas , United States
This place is fantastic! They’re an asset to our town and are helping foster music in the community in addition to being a great local spot for repairs & lessons.
Every guitar in this place is set up correctly. Even the cheap <$200 student imports.
Very knowledgeable and friendly people to work with!!!
My guitar was in for repairs for about 4 months. Almost no communication was provided about status of the repair work. It’s understandable with Covid making it difficult to have parts shipped, but the lack of adequate communication was uncomfortably disappointing. I don’t blame the young individual who was working on my guitar, but rather leadership who should have provided direction on appropriate and timely customer service communication. It doesn’t matter to me that it would have taken considerable time for repairs. But the lack of communication stating that due to a backlog in parts, and it was just a waiting game, would have been enough. A 30 second phone call every couple of weeks or so to advise a customer that no progress has been made is better than nothing…it would have been enough to have left my guitar there for months longer. The ironic thing about all this is that I really like the store and the people at Palmer Music, so I will most likely continue to purchase my music supplies from them and I hope my experience there was a one-off….
Usually busy because they’re good at what they do!
Talked to Joey in the store today. He took some time to help me plan for an upcoming purchase for our church. They have a large selection of all kinds of musical instruments and they do lessons, as well. Knowledgeable and helpful staff. Highly recommended! Thanks, Joey!
Went in expecting to buy a new guitar on 01/26/2023. The man behind the counter was very unfriendly & unhelpful.
I found one I wanted to buy but I just didn’t really want to give my money to a person who didn’t know how to smile.
Another employee walked by and was even more emotionless than the other guy. I left feeling very unwelcome.
I will not be back.
Go to GUITAR CENTER instead (you can actually have FUN there).
7. Saied Music Co
Address: 4300 Rogers Ave #55, Fort Smith, AR 72903 , Odón , Arkansas , United States
Medium sized store, knowledgeable staff. Instrument selection can be bigger, but they know their market. Can get more instruments from other locations. Great at if you’re just starting out or looking for a nice gift for your musical kiddo.
Bought 2 song books and they are ordering the 3 one I wanted.
They are very friendly and have good service. I believe they are high on their prices.
It’s good quality music and instrument accessories but their a little costly
They had the components I needed and were very helpful.
I bought a keyboard DGX-640 from this store which is cost $920. Then I realized the keyboard was not brand new and there was no box at all. Later, I did a research online, (Ebay, Amazon..etc.) and found that the original price was only $599 including everything. Most of the keyboards they are selling are not brand new at all. Be ware!
I showed them the kind of guitar strings I needed specifically not knowing entirely the name because they’re the experts right? I said I needed bullet strings for two fender guitars… they sold me a pack of “strings with the ball on the end” and when I opened the package they weren’t what I needed. A musical instrument store where the workers don’t know anything about musical instruments. Don’t waste your time or money or money, you’ll just be gaslit.
8. Shuffield Music Company
Address: 610 Main St, Arkadelphia, AR 71923 , Odón , Arkansas , United States
I wish I could give an amazing picture right now but they are working on an 80 year old Coronet. They are taking it on and if they do as great as last time I hope to start learning to play it.
Great place for horn repair. Fast and friendly service
This is a follow-up on my last review of independent music services – I brought my socks home after they fixed it again because it dropped on the floor before I can get out the door – there was so great they fixed it for free and took it home and I’ve been playing it then one day I picked it up I and one of the keys just fell off. I knew it was one that was broken when it smashed on the floor they put it all back together and it worked fine for a week or so but the post that fell off they couldn’t have known that it was compromised by the fall. I took the saxophone back two them and they fixed it again for only 25 dollars! Like I said in my previous review THESE GUYS ARE OFF THE HOOK AWESOME!!!
Very helpful and informative
Did excellent work on my old trombone, very nice people!
I came in with a horn to have repairs done to it. I needed to have my saxophone’s neck recorked. I needed additional repairs, but above all needed the recorking. The repairman came up, looked at the instrument brand and said he could do nothing for me because if he broke something, he would have to make a part. I thanked him and walked out. I thought by the ratings that this would be a location with skilled craftsmen, but instead feel like it’s people prone to mistakes so they can only work on standard brands and not all instruments. I’d consider calling before coming. They are the only place around for quite a distance and driving over 60 miles to be treated like this felt very awful!
11. Cousins Music
Address: 1604 Rogers Ave, Fort Smith, AR 72901 , Odón , Arkansas , United States
If there is anyone you want working on your instruments, it’s Beau Cousins. Professional quality work and Beau will give you instrument the TLC in deserves. Definitely think of him first before going to a retail music store. 10/10 all day, everyday.
The crew at this location was on their game. I only needed a couple items, but the hospitality had me looking for other things to buy. In the words of Arnold Schwarzenegger, “I’ll be back!”
Good prices. Friendly staff
Good store, email excellent service, and fair prices.
A good place to buy a musical instrument.. mostly guitars, but they sell other things too.. amps, wires, drums, organs (keyboards), some brass instruments, mics, recording tools of all kinds, sheet music.. it’s all good stuff.
Depending on the day though, it really can be hard to get help.
Enjoyed our experience for the most part, as we bought a keyboard-electric piano, and we bought a stand, and a starter kit for the keyboard, went to look at guitars and stuff, only one guy was with the guitar section, and was overwhelmed, i would most certainly like to come back and hopefully have a chance to talk to someone about a guitar, little cramped on the piano side, and would enjoy a bit more of a selection in that section, and experience wasn’t to bad, but just can’t give a 5 star at this time.
I guess you need to be a musician to be worthy of help at Guitar Center. I called them earlier today because I wanted to purchase a banjo and lessons. I am not a musician and have never really played an instrument, but I have always wanted to learn to play Bluegrass on the banjo. The friendly gentlemen I spoke to on the phone (no need to mention names online) told me to come in and ask for him.
I went by there this afternoon and he said he had to leave for a lunch break, but he could show me where the banjos were located. So he pointed me to a wall of banjos and then left for his lunch break. I understand needing to take a lunch break…no worries at all…but I asked if someone else could help and supposedly someone was going to come help me.
So after standing there picking up random banjos for 20 minutes, and feeling like a total idiot, I went up to the front desk and asked for help and asked a couple of questions.
I was told he would check on my question. I walked around the store for about 10-15 minutes, always within sight of the front desk, and saw multiple people arrive and get help. I sat on a stool for a while and finally a different gentleman came up to answer my question and I said I came in to get a banjo and sign up for lessons and that I needed someone to show me the banjos and answer questions. I was interested in a nicer used one (more expensive) versus the lower-end new models. He asked me to wait a moment and he went to the desk to answer a returns questions for another sales rep. That was no problem, they are busy, but he then moved on and helped other people. I stood around for another 10 minutes or so thinking he would return. I again watched as they helped other people that not only came in after me, but even ones as they arrived through the door. And at different points in time the gentleman behind the desk was helping no one at all and even looked over at me a couple of times.
They were clearly very busy, and I do understand that. But I was ignored consistently and felt foolish. I had cash in hand and was ready to make the purchase. I was really disappointed and felt silly…like I really didn’t belong there.
I am not big on writing negative reviews, but this really bothered me so I thought I would share my experience so other people new to the music scene will at least be aware of my experience. Perhaps this was an anomaly…I just don’t know.
So… I went into this location to purchase a board recently. When asked if I needed assistance, I explained what I was trying to do, and was pointed to the appropriate area. When I went back, however, the rep that should have been able to assist me was helping some other customers. After waiting for 15min., I went and sought assistance again, only to be redirected to the same rep (who was still assisting the other customer). Ultimately, after waiting another 5min, I left and purchased the board from Amazon. I understand that the reps have to help other customers, so I wasn’t necessarily upset by that. I just hate that I made the 45min trip, only to have to leave and buy it online. It was just inconvenient.
It’s the only game in town
13. Big Event Music
Address: 149 E Grand Ave, Hot Springs, AR 71901 , Odón , Arkansas , United States
They did an incredible job with my dad’s 60 year old acoustic guitar.
“BIG EVENT MUSIC” store! A must visit if you would like to learn how to play an instrument, rent musical equipment and/or purchase a musical instrument of your very own! Brent and Doug are two of the kindest, most knowledgeable individuals who totally LOVE music and know what music MEANS to their customers.
Guitar lessons, and much much more abound in this twelve year old well established business near downtown Hot Springs, Arkansas.
My one stop shop for all my musical needs. You can also record tracks. Awesome place.
Nice music shop.
Does it have a recording studio? I want to make a song
Not enough inventory
I bought a lot of things from Brent when the store sold instruments and amps and was always happy with them. Unfortunately, things have changed. I brought a guitar in that needed a rewire job. I was aware they were busy with festivals but they kept my guitar for 2 months and finally called and told me they didn’t have time to fix it. Needless to say, I wont be back.
I bought everything from guitar cases to a JBL top of line PA from them before I found out they are totally BOGUS! Sold me used merchandise as new, then got an attitude when I called them on it! Cuss me out when you’re a thiefing liar? I don’t think so! I wouldn’t buy a guitar pick from these people!!!
14. Music Center
Address: 2809 W 28th Ave, Pine Bluff, AR 71603 , Odón , Arkansas , United States
DSD are pros. They care about music and the tools that make it. Detailed quotes, accurate estimates and very quick turn around times on repairs and other necessary work. Super friendly and helpful, with the kind of personality that makes you welcome the first step in the door.
Amazing and quick work. Friendly staff. Been using DSD 5 year for service and repairs. Thanks for being there for us in a crunch.
Owner does excellent work and finishes it as promised. I have had my kid’s horn cleaned and repaired there for 3yrs. Excellent work. Reasonably priced. Owner cleans and repairs instruments for public schools system, too.
I was going to give this company a try. Told him several times I was going to be there by 3:30 on Friday. Good luck with getting your instruments back.
16. River Valley Music Center
Address: 407 N Arkansas Ave Suite 5C, Russellville, AR 72801 , Odón , Arkansas , United States
Wonderful teachers very flexible schedules and I always feel at home being there!
Love the selection and staff here. Their selection of Aria classical guitars is lovely, and their prices are fantastic!!! Everyone whom I have had the pleasure of visiting with has always been a delight to talk with as well. Was first referred up here by Josh over at Hippie Palace. Stop in and check them out; you will be pleased you did
I’ve been by here twice to buy a guitar case and sign my kid up for lessons. First time they were closed (not a holiday) and the second time, they were open but no one was inside.
Arrived around 1:00p.m. and doors were locked but lights were on. Luckily there was a kitchen gear store across the hall with the sweetest ladies running it (seriously, give them a visit they’re so nice) killed about 30 minutes in there before waiting on the hall an additional 20. Dude showed up and unlocked the door, I got excited, then he turned off the lights and relocked the doors. I just wanted some guitar string and a string winder… So yeah, Valley Piano was great, just go there
17. Little Rock Violin Shop
Address: 316 E 11th St, Little Rock, AR 72202 , Odón , Arkansas , United States
Quality work! I’ve had my cello repaired and prices are reasonable for the trade
I’m a professional violinist and have brought my violins to different shops in Chicago, NY, and Houston during the times I lived in those cities.
I brought my violin for a repair at Little Rock violin shop. The repair turned out great, Josh did a wonderful job. The repair took a little longer than scheduled, but Joe (the owner) went out of his way to make things right.
The bow rehair was also very good.
This shop offers high quality service and customer care. It leaves nothing to be desired even when comparing with famous violin shops in large cities.
Thank you for your service.
Joe runs a good business here.
The shop is clean and kept up well.
Lots of supplies and various important services offered.
Matt, newest associate, gives a high quality bow rehair.
Unique violin shop
I love that there’s a local place to have your stringed instruments adjusted and usually while you wait. My only complaint is that they charged me two different prices for the same service. My family is new to violin lessons and the instrument, so I can’t be absolutely sure that there was no difference…but there should be a uniform price for tuning/restringing a 1/4 sized violin. The staff is very courteous and informative. They also have a list of great string instrument instructors.
18. FYE
Address: 4501 Central Ave #142, Hot Springs, AR 71913 , Odón , Arkansas , United States
The store is clean, well-stocked, and very visually appealing. The staff are friendly and awesome. Go spend your dollars there because you know you wanna! 😉
Greatest place ever
Different little collectables shop.
Not just music anymore. You can find cards, toys, candy, clothes, even a few blankets here now. Kind of got a little bit of almost everything. Next time your out go have a look, you just might find something you need to take home.
Great staff
No where as good as it used to be. Large store but everything is ridiculously overpriced.
Wandered into the Hot Springs Mall location. Yes, there is so much to look at but the prices are stupid high even with whatever sale they have going. Second, my 16 year old daughter was purchasing a marvel canvas and the clerk talked her into a 10% discount by signing up for a music online service that had a rotating fee. The clerk knew it was for adults over 18 years old but still convinced her to sign up. My daughter was happy about the discount when she told me outside but when I read the print at the bottom I had to explain what it meant and the clerk never told her. I went back into the store and confront the clerk who admitted to doing so to a child because she even admitted she gave a false date of birth to do the subscription. I talked with the manager about policies and procedures. Not happy with what happened.
Very hot alot of the merch was damaged and pretty sure it’s hot enough to spoil the snacks.
