Very helpful place I went for a small item and ended buying 2 more items that i tough they didn’t have , my first time shopping here
The Magic Flute has a stellar selection of sheet music. This is the second time within a few months that I stopped in and found exactly what I needed in stock. On my last visit I was looking for the collection of Mozart piano sonatas. They had five different editions to choose from. Sales people are friendly and knowledgeable.
I love the Magic Flute. The team is very friendly and extremely helpful.
It was hard to get a hold of them at first because of so many others calling, but when I did get a hold of them I loved there service! They have great organization in there store!
Tons of sheet music in this store. Staff is friendly and helpful. Many instruments can be purchased here. They have lessons in the back. It is a little run down.
How did we get so lucky to get a world-class music store in our little county?! The staff of the Magic Flute is so helpful and knowledgeable about all things musical, and their ability to repair instruments is unsurpassed. They treat you like an honored guest, whether you are looking a $1,000+ instrument or a piece of sheet music. And finally, their generosity in conducting fundraising events for local nonprofit music groups is like the frosting on a big beautiful cake! Thank you Magic Flute – you are truly magical!
Nice shop but prepared to get stared at like you’re a criminal if you happen to bring kids in that play the kids instruments. Would of bought a new guitar for my son but the laser stare by multiple employees made me and my kids too uncomfortable so we just left. Also, pretty overpriced. Like the name though.
I bought a cello here 12 years ago, wanted to sell it back. Staff was super unhelpful, told me to bring it up and then said the person in charge of consignment was off till Friday, then asked me why I even bothered driving up when I. Very, very dissapointed.
Saturday 1:30 PM, Incredibly rude salesman in the saxophone department. I’ve Purchased an Alto Saxophone, two high end Ukuleles, many accessories, and dozens of music books from them in the past. I’ll be taking future business including musical instrument purchases to the web from now on.
2. Bananas At Large
Address: 1654 Second St, San Rafael, CA 94901 , Santa Venetia , California , United States
I was interested in a certain guitar type and sent a message to the store. I got a quick and wonderfully complete email response from Dan Petruzzella.
He sent a link to 3 guitars they had in the San Rafael store so I went in to play and buy one. Dan was so knowledgeable and helpful for a low priced guitar purchase I could not believe it! Ill be BAAAAAK
Excellent staff service from the minute I walked in door. Highly recommend.
The staff at Bananas at Large is very friendly and knowledgeable with instruments and gear and are able to answer any questions I might have about a product! Best one-stop music shop in town!
Friendly store
I recently purchased a guitar from this store. The customer service was pretty good before the sale.
After the sale my only real niggle is they did not have any of the case candy or hang tags that typically come with new guitars. Most guitars come with two wrenches for adjustments. Also, they did not have a box to get my guitar home safely. I understand that you can’t hang onto every guitar box that comes in but how about hanging on to a few for new guitar sales?
So far great!!! I’ll follow up when i Receive my order!!! Thanx
Terrible store if you play drums. Very little stock, super disorganized. They can always order things, but might as well use Amazon at that point.
Edit: the store sends out a text if you make a transaction to leave a review. Apparently if you aren’t happy with your experience they will attack you and your own place of business. Classy guys. You solicit my opinion and then get aggressive because you didn’t like my answer. Bummer that those 5 transactions we really small, because they’ll definitely be the last ones you get from me.
Somewhat hectic. Shopped for a small drum machine to practice with. Salesman sold me an Alesis, which I found out neither worked nor was stand alone, it needed to be amplified. He never explained anything about the device, so I drive home, tried it out, and returned the same day. Rather a waste of time, wish he had at least tried it out or explained that it needed an amp. I checked online and found a Korg at $89 with a built in speaker and ordered it online. I find that there everyone seems sort of caffeinated at Bananas, and the leisure vibe is gone. Maybe that’s just the vibe of musicians. Bananas is still my favorite store in the Bay Area.
they were nice but kept pestering me if I wanted to buy the bass guitar that I was trying out, I was only playing for 10 minutes then they keep asking if I wanted to buy it, then by minute 15 they just went and decreased my volume, I dont know bout you guys but I like to hear the instrument that Im trying out to see if I really like it, if you guys cant handle noise, being it is an instrument shop with loud amps, maybe you guys should work at a library. I felt rushed to try it out and when I was on the fence about it, they politely took the bass from me, left feeling a lil bit dissapointed with the whole experience.
update: Lol. came by to respond to the store’s reply to my review. you guys should should take up fiction writing too, as how you’re good at making things up. man, so funny.
I still firmly standby to my original review.
3. Amazing Grace Music
Address: 91 Red Hill Ave, San Anselmo, CA 94960 , Santa Venetia , California , United States
Bought a wonderful fiddle at a great price. Thanks!
Best shop for stringed instruments you will ever visit.
This is a mom and pop shop that feels like a secret. The love of music, not corporate
Superb spot for the hard to find string instrument or the impossible to find.
Great local music store. Got my first guitar from their old store when I was 13. Comfortable layout and helpful service. Ask John to fix your violin or if you’re looking to take up Uke/banjo.
4. Player’s Guitars
Address: 840 B St, San Rafael, CA 94901 , Santa Venetia , California , United States
Great service and tons of tube amp and pre-war guitars
Awesome vintage gear and great repair shop. I’ve had three guitars modified there and been very happy with the work and the quick turnaround. I also bought a great tube amp and a pedal. Prices are quite reasonable, and the guys are friendly and laid back. It’s my “go to” in Marin.
ギター大好きなリペアマンさんが親切に応対してくれます。おいてあるギターも面白い。今度は何か買おう！
Bad business ethics
5. Levin H Musical
Address: 33 Vendola Dr, San Rafael, CA 94903 , Santa Venetia , California , United States
Moses is the best teacher I’ver ever had! And he took time to find me just the right 7/8 cello. He taught me to feel the music, not just read notes and for a beginner like me, that was important. I always left my lessons feeling joyful and more confident. He’s such an experienced professional musician, and since I am a beginner, whenever I could arrange a lesson with him , I felt most honored.that he made time for me. I live in the East Bay and used to work in Marin, however, since working on this side of the bay now as well, it’s been difficult for me to coordinate lesson times on Sat. I hope to arrange lessons with him again, as he is THE BEST. He gave me challenging music to practice, yet not so hard that I would be discouraged from continuing. I HIGHLY recommend Dolce Violins for renting, purchasing instruments or for lessons. MOSES ROCKS!!!!!
I highly recommend this place. Moses is was so helpful in every way. Don’t go anywhere else!
9. Music Studio of Marin
Address: 117 Paul Dr. Suite C, San Rafael, CA 94903 , Santa Venetia , California , United States
I have been a participant in Chris’s adult performance group events, where her students perform a wide variety of pieces that they have been working on. Her adult students are a loyal and enthusiastic crew, and I have observed her kind feedback after performances.
I myself appreciate her warm encouragement of me as a singer-songwriter. Although I am not myself a student, the specificity of her feedback would make it easy to take instruction from her.
10. RML Productions Inc
Address: 27 Bryn Mawr Dr, San Rafael, CA 94901 , Santa Venetia , California , United States
Chris has tuned and regulated our piano since we moved to Marin and is the most detail-oriented and thoughtful piano technician I’ve worked with! Our action was too heavy when we bought the piano (a 6’1″ grand) so he worked on each key to get the gram-weight exactly where I wanted it. A pro friend of ours played shortly after and said “this is NOT the same piano! It’s fantastic!”. If your piano needs work – call him now. He’s worth the wait to get his time.
Christopher did a fantastic job with the restoration of my Yamaha G3 grand piano. It feels and sounds like a new piano. His craftsmanship, attention to detail and skill sets are all next level. He is simply the best out there.
I’d been looking for a golden age American upright for a very long time. I was so happy to come across Christopher Ris and his restored 1906 Mason Hamlin. I found him incredibly knowledgable and trustworthy. And the restoration on the piano was absolutely top notch. I would recommend Christopher to anyone looking to either purchase or restore a classic piano.
14. George Music School
Address: 108 Trellis Dr, San Rafael, CA 94903 , Santa Venetia , California , United States
We wanted to do high tea with the girls , 8 and 10. No place was quite right. One suggested we go to the lobby of the Benson. We came, had a cup of tea (girls) and a glass of champagne (mom’s) and dessert. The girls loved how ‘fancy’ everything was specifically looking up at the beautiful ornate ceilings and chandeliers. The chocolate stout cake and macaroons were delicious.
The service was inexperienced and after we ordered one item walked away before we were able to order the second item.
Great selection of used and new vinyl. The inventory is always rotating. All genres sold, including an especially good selection of rock, punk, and jazz. The owner knows his stuff and is very transparent about what he is selling. The records are even graded. He is very helpful and will help you tell the difference between releases and pressings. This is a vinyl lover’s paradise. I’ve found records here i’ve found nowhere else in the Bay Area. You are guaranteed a quality product at a reasonable price at Red Devil Records. Ignore the negative reviews.
Absolutely wonderful customer service, great selection, you honestly feel welcome.
Originally I left a one star review here but the customer service has definitely gone up lately and has been more welcoming so I’m changing it to 4 stars.
Nice music shop : vinyl, CDs, cassette tape. Inventory well organized. Records labeled with condition of the used albums. Knowledgeable service. Easy downtown parking.
Nice to be able to walk in to the past and buy some vinyl from staff so knowledgeable
Not really kind with the client. No “Hello” or “Goodbye”
Upon entering the store I was looked up and down by a rude man who happened to be the cashier. I was looking for a specific record that I couldn’t find in the store so I asked this man if the store carried it. I was interrupted with an affirmative, firm, and mean “NO.” The tone in which he spoke to me was very rude. I will DEFINITELY NOT be going to this place again after having this experience. Also, the store doesn’t even have much selection besides old classics. Good luck trying to find any music that came out after the year 2000 at this place.
Prices are outrageous for vinyl that’s not playable, I’d rather wait for a reproduction and pay less!
