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.
Hard to find a cozy shop like this in other cities. The staff were really cool, and my friend got to test out one of his dream guitars. Have some strange string instruments and a good selection of pedals.
Good
The kids loved it!
Staff is always friendly. Wish there was a little more selection.
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.
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.
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
I’m an older woman who plays electric guitar. Have purchased top-line new guitars there and sold some equipment there, and they did the job. But I have never been comfortable there. The boss is angry, curt and dismissive and the staff doesn’t seem relaxed or happy. There are unwritten rules about how long you can stay, what you can touch etc. Not for me any more.
Great customer service, very friendly. Great prices.
I am having a nut and saddle replacement put in my classical guitar. I’ve always gotten excellent treatment, products and services from the guys that work at Starving Musician and a great time turnaround for repairs. I wouldn’t take my guitar anywhere else.
first time to this location, as i usually go to the one in santa clara, near where my parents live. it’s always a cool store to go to with cheap and funky stuff as well as some new stuff.
service is always a good balance of courteous without being obtrusive. you can try out instruments without being bothered or harassed, but you need to be cognizant of not being that guy who cranks up and just noodles unnecessarily.
there isn’t a lot of stock these days, but that’s with nearly every music store. the santa cruz store had some cool yamaha revstar guitars, which were pretty cool. also, the location is near a bunch of other things within walking distance, so you can spend a few hours walking around and doing stuff.
Starving musicians can’t afford this place. Some cool things on the shelf.
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.
Honestly, if you’re a starving artist, you are not welcome here. The staff makes it very clear that they don’t care about the artists at all. I wouldn’t recommended this place to my worst enemy.
Used selection is not like it was in the 90’s….
4. Guitar Shop
Address: 926 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062 , Santa Cruz County , California , United States
Just walked in for the first time, met Steve, walked out around an hour later with a head full of new knowledge and ideas. He’s a nice guy, gave me some very clear explanations of technical topics, answered some questions I’ve had for years.
Great store,possibly the best informed staff you could hope for at a guitar shop. World class luthier plus an amplification/effects expert. Highly recommended!
Awesome work! Steve is a great guy with infinite knowledge and experience. My old Fender P-Bass sounds and feels better than it did when I bought it brand new years ago.
Beyond stoked
Professional
Nice little place, a little slow on the customer service.
Quality merchandise, was surprised how low some of the prices were.
Recommended.
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…
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.
5. Drumskull Drums
Address: 105 Pioneer St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 , Santa Cruz County , California , United States
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!
The best.
Incredible attention to detail, Matt brought my early 90s djembe back to life, the tone is fantastic! Highly recommended
6. More Music
Address: 512 Front St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 , Santa Cruz County , California , United States
David, the owner, is a true aficionado of guitars, their history & playability! A master of guitar playing in his own right, he has a way of making you “feel” right @ home in his store! You can not go wrong with any of his suggestions!
I’ve known Dave for almost 30 years. He and his guys take care of me. End of story.
There are lots of types of guitar shops with different vibes. This is not going to be anything like the big-box megacenters. You’ll find things that are great for beginners, but also a huge selection of unique and vintage instruments. Dave is passionate about guitars and will get to know what you are looking for. There are so many great amplifiers; you’ll never be able to check them all out, but you’ll see some amazing ones. Just starting out? Let them know about what you want to learn, what you want to play, and what you budget may be. If you are expecting a mall-like store where you can grab a bunch of modern electrics and sit and blare out loud classic rock riffs, you may not find what you are looking for. But you can get to play some really cool, interesting, and unique guitars. And you’ll probably see something you’ve never seen before.
So very dissatisfied buyer beware
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!
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.
7. Sylvan Music
Address: 1521 Mission St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 , Santa Cruz County , California , United States
My boyfriend wanted to treat himself and wanted to buy a vintage Martin ukulele that he couldn’t afford before. He was nervous to spend the money, but it wound up being the best purchase he ever made. Great service, great people. He feels he got more than he paid for. I cannot express how great these guys are.
Workers were very helpful
Don’t show up @ 6 o’clock
they had kool stuff but there was this old guy who was a dick. otherwise koolspot
overpriced instruments and bad service!
Incredibly rude and unprofessional staff + expensive equipment!!
I brought my family violin and bow to this shop. The violin was a student violin but the bow was very nice. We got the violin back but was told that the bow broke and it had been thrown away. We never got our bow back.
8. Midtown Guitar Company
Address: 926 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062 , Santa Cruz County , California , United States
Sweet place! Great instruments and friendly faces!!
Great repair shop
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
Is this place closed for good? I’m here during hour but it’s closed
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?
Absolutely love this store! Decent prices and great selection of music. Staff is always super friendly, and the overall vibe is great
Amazing vinyl collections old & new, classical, reggae, rock, country, hip hop, and Indie. The buyers are really knowledgeable about niche vinyl. They’ve got plenty of CDs if that’s your thing. I’ve gone there since I was a kid but hadn’t visited in years. We just got a record player, so I’m sure I’ll be back for more vinyl.
Cool spot
Great section on music cd and records
A great used record store in Downtown Santa Cruz. Just wish that the prices weren’t too high though.
This shop has never done much for me. I usually leave without buying anything. Also, I can enter and leave without a Hello or Goodbye from an employee. Not a good experience.
Doesn’t even deserve one star. The buyer sells all quality records on discogs and puts out all of the trash for the people who actually go to record stores to dig. No respect for record store culture. It is buyers like this that are ruining vinyl culture. Only go here if you want trash cheap records.
The employees always nice and very helpful,I only go to them for movies,for me and my Grandsons.Thank you streetlight.
14. Johnny Beane TV
Address: 4768 Soquel Dr #232, Soquel, CA 95073 , Santa Cruz County , California , United States
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
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.
16. Bright Guitars
Address: 120 Otis St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 , Santa Cruz County , California , United States
Dale is extremely talented as a musician as well as an outstanding teacher. Years of Dale on a weekly basis and my son still looks forward to his lesson as if it were his 1st!
Dale is kind, caring, gifted, and happy to share.
19. DTXPerience
Address: 2400 Chanticleer Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062 , Santa Cruz County , California , United States
