Great customer service, very friendly. Great prices.
My friend brought his guitar in for new strings, and because he has poor eyesight, he asked for assistance in restringing. Though there were quite a few customers needing assistance, my friend was told they’d have it done within about 40 minutes. We browsed a few other stores and came back in 30 minutes, delighted to discover his guitar was ready — for about $30.
Good ole starving Musician…what can i say. Gone are the good old days of aggressive wheeling and dealing like its former occupant Union Grove music. The staff is nice and the vibe is chill. The inventory is severely lacking its not their fault tho. With covid and Amazon its almost impossible to compete. I am glad Starving musician is there as its a last reminder that was once was
all around good
Mostly my friend liked it and they seem to have a big collection of guitars and amplifiers of all kinds, some I have not seen before.
Also an isolated room where you can sit and play the guitars you found.
They do have a weird bag policy where you can’t go around with a bag in the shop so they request that you leave the bag behind the counter. Just put cameras in the shop to avoid this…
They were not very helpful. Told them I was looking for a used electric guitar for my wife to learn on and he didn’t care to take the time and talk to us. All the employees were just hanging out in the front and not really doing anything. We left.
OUT OF BUSINESS! This was a regular stop for me for years, whenever I would be in Santa Cruz (4-6 times a year). I see a mention of “Guitar Center” (?) on this thread….ugh! “Another one bites the dust” 🙁
Tried talking to staff and got ignored. All I wanted to do was try out one if the digital pianos. Couldn’t even do that. Wouldn’t recommend to those who are “artists ” its clear they don’t care.
2. Guitar Shop
Address: 926 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062 , Pasatiempo , California , United States
Amazing shop with the best luthier west of Water St.
Steve is an expert at getting a guitar from bad/ok to awesome. He took my guitar and in less than 30 minutes got it properly intonated and it was a dream to play. He watches you play and then sets up your guitar to match. Amazing guitar tech, don’t know what I’d do without him.
Amazing service. Steve knows his stuff. I had my ’52 RI telecaster rewired, fully set up and adjusted perfectly within 48 hours! Very nice guys, too.
Nice little place, a little slow on the customer service.
Quality merchandise, was surprised how low some of the prices were.
Recommended.
Professional
I had the feeling that this wasn’t a legitimate business. The guy knows his guitar strings and he didn’t rip me off or anything, but I won’t visit again.
Didn’t return phone, email/website inquiry from a week ago…nobody is that bitchen. At least return a message letting me know you’re to busy and cool to accept more business work…
3. Drumskull Drums
Address: 105 Pioneer St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 , Pasatiempo , California , United States
Thank you so much Sahar and Matthew for all of your wonderful service and elegant work in renovating my battered 20-y.o. DDD djembe. It was well worth all of the shipping costs to and from Hawaii
It’s really beautiful, sounds incredible, and is putting a big smile on my face! I was surprised and amazed that there are no cross-knots involved, yet the head is so tight! The triple ring was done perfectly. The finish has been beautifully renewed, the cradle rings re-covered and newly roped, and I’m very glad I ordered the rubber guard on the bottom. It looks super solid, is perfectly mounted, and should be good protection for a few more decades.
You two do some wonderful things there!
THANK YOU!
I just got my new Premier Line Djembe shipped to me! I was a bit nervous about the shipping but it was packed very carefully and arrived safe and sound. The drum exceeds my wildest expectations. Absolutely exquisite. Beautiful sound and fantastic craftsmanship. Thank you!
Great work fixing up a great drum. They found some emerging cracks in the shell and sealed them, replaced the rings, and put a superb skin on it with super-nice rope. Beautiful and sounds world-class!
4. More Music
Address: 512 Front St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 , Pasatiempo , California , United States
I have been very impressed by Dave and his staff Phi and Paul. I have had 2 experiences with Dave, and can assure everyone that he is determined to get the right guitar for you. i can speak for his honesty and his vast experience. I recommend More Music without reservation or hesitation. I am very glad I became a customer and will certainly do more business with them AD ANDERSON
cool relaxed shop with great customer service
So very dissatisfied buyer beware
Tried to sell some guitars and other music equipment here on consignment. When it had been a couple months and nothing had sold, I went in to get the equipment back and sell it on craigslist. They had “misplaced” both of my guitar cases and all three guitar cables, which they gave me a little bit of cash for as a consolation. They did sell my digitech but did not pay me for almost two months from when it sold. Some of the employees are super helpful and this may be a good music store in some aspects but the lack of integrity in the consignment department made me feel obligated to let people know to avoid it.
Lousy customer service. every time I go in there to shop, I get kicked out of rooms, or asked to move from a certain spot. I’m a customer too!
5. Midtown Guitar Company
Address: 926 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062 , Pasatiempo , California , United States
Went here with my brother and the woman working here went the extra mile to find him the right guitar tuner. The shop is small but neat and simply packed with cool stuff.
New start up! Friendly people
What a great experience very knowledgeable and thoughtful salesman and luthier looking forward to going back next time I need something
Only place that has a great selection of Blueridge guitars. Some are all solid wood.
Also has nice electrics. No one else has Blueridge like this place.
Knowledgeable owner also repairs guitars
after 6 years of living in Santa Cruz, I decide to visit. checked hours on google here. drive over and they are closed for 2+ weeks. maybe I’ll visit again in another 6 years. seems a great way to build your customer base. why didn’t you post that you are closed on google?
Is this place closed for good? I’m here during hour but it’s closed
6. Union Grove Music
Address: 1574 Soquel Dr ste g, Santa Cruz, CA 95065 , Pasatiempo , California , United States
Let my story lead you to your next great purchase with premier customer service.
I have been playing guitar for a few years but never took the plunge into a nice instrument. Never thought I deserved better than my entry level plywood guitar
Stimulus check came in and I re-thought this. I visited a few different shops, Sylvan, Guitar Showcase, and Guitar Center (yikes). None of these stores consulted me about what guitar would fit me best, I was left to my own devices. Since I don’t know a whole lot I really wanted the help of an expert.
Long story shortened I called Rich at Union Grove and we decided on a few different guitars I could try. He answered any questions I had and additionally asked about what I like to play.
I was in a rush to find something before Thanksgiving. Despite saying it would be a few days, Rich re-strung a few guitars for me to come in and try after telling him I couldn’t wait.
Following our appointment I left with a Martin CS-OM-13 that I have not been able to put down.
Don’t waste time elsewhere and get in with a shop that cares.
I love this place. The guitar repairs are superb and nobody knows vintage instruments like these guys.
Great guys and great instruments.
The kids loved it!
Very knowledgeable staff. The prices are a little higher than other stores around for the same item, but they also have more higher end items. Almost exclusively guitars, very little of any other instrument.
Staff is always friendly. Wish there was a little more selection.
I really tried to give this place a chance. When I ask for help, the staff gives me the distinct feeling that I am wasting their time. The selection is not good, and quite frankly I did not feel welcomed any of the times I have gone there.
Came in with a fat wad of cash to by a new guitar and the older woman that is always there walked up to me and said, “If you aren’t going to buy anything you shouldn’t be in here.” My guess is she assumed that, based on my appearance, I was just another 20 something about to play all the guitars and leave. This is was not the first, but it was the last time I received bad service there as I have never returned.
Look, I get it. You’re right in the middle of downtown where all the vagrants pass through, but the attitude has got to go. I used to occasionally stop in here whenever I needed strings, picks, etc. And every time I felt like I wasn’t welcome. Avoid like the plague
7. Choice Music
Address: Santa Cruz, CA 95060 , Pasatiempo , California , United States
Tom’s the best! He’s highly skilled and also a nice human being!
Will always call Tom to keep my Kawai piano in great sounding shape.
Tom has been tuning my old Baldwin grand, piano for years. He does a great job and is very professional and reliable. I recommend him highly.
Tom Cole is not only an incredibly wonderful gentleman but has a very sweet nature and did an incredible job with a family heirloom of mine the piano was 100 years old and he brought it back to life. My granddaughter who is four absolutely adores him and he was wonderful with her and our dogs. I would highly recommend this incredible man to come and work on your piano anytime he knows exactly what he’s doing
9. Snazzy Productions Live Music Concerts
Address: 1851 Branciforte Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95065 , Pasatiempo , California , United States
Be Natural Music has been very supportive in creating a space for my son who is 15 years old, to play the key boards in his own band, Common Cents. He has a friend that plays the bass guitar, and found new friends, and got to perform at Loudon Nelson, Kianti’s, Chestnut Street, and a popular area right downtown, Abbott Square. They practice every week for an hour, which keeps them thinking about performing and practicing. I have really enjoyed how professional Be Natural is, and interested my son has been in taking part in a real band experience where they get to play current songs that he is interested in learning. He is even singing back up. We are grateful to both Matt and Tea, who have the biggest hearts to care about kids and music, what a combo!
Our family really appreciates Be Natural Music and their approach to teaching music!
I was a student at Be Natural for about four years and I have to say that I would not be the same person without it. Taking theory classes and being part of the real rock band program has expanded not only my knowledge of music but also my love for it. I’m so grateful to now be a teacher there and to continue to share this passion with everyone in the community. This school is AWESOME!
I’m not sure how this place gets so many 5 star reviews. I reached out for music lessons about a month ago. No one ever got back to me, so I followed up again and then finally when I got ahold of someone, it was impossible to get her to respond to me. I’ve had to follow up every single time and now no response. Glad I didn’t waste my money! Do yourself a favor and don’t waste your time.
Laurel Thomsen is a consummate professional in every aspect. I’ve been taking lessons with her for 3-1/2 yrs. as a new adult violinist. My lessons have been consistent, organized, progressive, and challenging. Laurel has a way of cutting through new player frustration with her kindness and patience, as well as her ability to diagnose the source of those frustrations and work toward solving the problem with her students. She is quick to respond to emails any time I have a question. She also has a bank of technique videos that she makes available as they apply to my lessons and the level I’m at. I cannot recommend Laurel enough…her care, knowledge, encouragement, and teaching style have brought me this far in my violin journey and has been key to my enjoyment of playing.
Laurel Thomsen is a great teacher. She connects really well with my child, who began taking lessons from Laurel in June of 2015. During school, my child sometimes would avoid practicing, but once she started with Laurel she was more interested in practicing the music Laurel chose. My child was excited to learn how to read music from Laurel and has now figured out how to play a couple songs by ear. When Laurel is on tour she will continue lessons via skype which is great. It is really wonderful for my child to have weekly lessons with a musician who writes her own songs and performs them.
We hired Laurel Thomsen to play as a trio throughout our wedding ceremony and cocktail hour and couldn’t have been more pleased! Laurel was an absolute pleasure to work with throughout the entire process and the trio performed beautifully. 10/10 recommend. What a delight!
12. Santa Cruz Rehearsal Studios
Address: 118 Coral St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 , Pasatiempo , California , United States
Amazing people with an amazing space. My favorite local business.
A rehearsal studios sticks to their word oh, and this place delivers. Backline gear included.
The staff on my rehearsal nights are always nice and helpful. The rehearsal space itself and the equipment we use are reliable and get the job done for us! My band has 10 members, so during the warmer months we get really toasty in our room despite the multiple fans we are provided. So if you have a large number of band members I’d definitely recommend dressing in layers or bringing additional fans with you.
Great place to jam and reasonable prices
Very cool to have a place local to have band practice staff is cool location is clean very nicely built.
Complete ripoff waste of money -1star
Staff are a bunch of judgemental people who are looking to make sure they make you feel bad for who you are wow i thought musicians were not that kind of people
13. Noise Eater Recordings
Address: 112 Chilverton St, Santa Cruz, CA 95062 , Pasatiempo , California , United States
Olav is super knowledgeable and did an amazing job mastering one of our tracks. We recorded and mixed the song ourselves but he was instrumental in rounding out our final mix. With his guidance, in addition to mastering the track, he helped bring our basement-recorded song that much closer to a professional level recording. Will definitely be working with him again
I will totally record again with Noise Eater. The guy knows what he is doing and I love how he worked with me to get the desired dimensions and feel in my song. He incorporated all my ideas even when I thought it wasn’t possible and when I listened to my track, I got a beautiful surprise. He was able to give me very clear, friendly and constructive feed back even though my song was in Spanish. Noise Eater is professional, talented and committed to delivering solid quality results. I would say book him if you are thinking about it!
I love it!!! Now it sounds more full and blended together just hownow i wanted, great job man.
OMG I can’t believe I made it in I feel like a rockstar. I just wanted to know on purposes of Google Maps and doing a good review for them. I don’t even know what to say I felt like a rockstar. If you want to have fun I recommend taking your family in or just going with a couple buddies and just checking now ask if you questions see if you can roll them up a little bit make him second-guess you have some fun with it.
14. Staiano Music / Neverland Studios
Address: 623 California St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 , Pasatiempo , California , United States
Without exception, wonderful service and friendly connection each time I’ve been here. Ashwin and family are gems to the Santa Cruz music culture. Highly recommend for music lessons and a beautiful in house store of goods from India.
I’ve been going to Batish’s for years for reproduction of audio and visuals. The shop has grown immensely and now has many wonderful Indian gifts. I recently bought a round table cloth and I have had many compliments on it. I love it. Batish’s sister and mother are lovely people also. Batish used to perform for the Bethany University music department when it was in Scotts Valley (closed in 2011). I’m so glad they are in our community.
I have bought a few things from them over the years and they have what I think is the most interesting and high-value used instrument and amp inventory in the area. Lots of cool stuff that is fairly-priced, and here’s the best part: I was wanting to get into playing my guitar through two amplifiers and was tired of paying to rent to try stuff at my home rehearsal space, so I called Jamie over there and asked if it would be cool if I brought my whole rig in and set it up in a side room and then tried any of a number of amps to see which I liked. He said “sure – come on in and let’s find you an amp!” And so I did. I tried probably 8 amps until I found the exact right one. It took me over 90 minutes start to finish, and he was patient and cool and offered good advice the whole time. In the end, when I went to buy the amp, his flexibility with the price was as much as I could rightly expect. He and Steve (the owner) went the extra mile in every way for me, and I appreciated it. Not every shop is set up to help a guy out like that, and I felt I needed to share. Good luck out there and check these guys out when you are in Santa Cruz.
20. Bright Guitars
Address: 120 Otis St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 , Pasatiempo , California , United States
