Mountain Music School has been the best decision we’ve made for our son’s piano lessons. The staff is super knowledgeable and very professional. I would recommend them to anyone who is looking for a place for themselves or their children.
I can’t say enough good things about Mountain Music School! Over the past two years, my son and I have had a fantastic time learning piano here. The instructors are top-notch, making each lesson both fun and educational. The school’s welcoming and supportive environment has really helped us thrive as musicians. I enthusiastically recommend Mountain Music School to anyone interested in learning music – it’s been an absolute joy!
When you are ready for a Martin acoustic,this is the place to go.The staff knows their product, and they won’t be happy , until you are happy.My guitar of a lifetime was the Martin HD-28.If you are looking for a fine instrument, Richard,Tom,and the rest of the Union Grove staff,will be there to help you. I’ve bought a Martin vintage 12 string,and my new HD-28 in the last two years. Great instruments,and a great store.Thanks for being in Santa Cruz !
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.
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.
The kids loved it!
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.
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.
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
4. Discount Smoke Shop
Address: 3105 Scotts Valley Dr, Scotts Valley, CA 95066 , Scotts Valley , California , United States
Very nice! Very nice owner and great prices and items.
This place has everything! The best smoke shop in the area.
Go here often. Good quality.
Has a good selection of stuff but is pricey
Small selection of Hookah Tobacco. But they have Fumari so I’m happy.
No discounts but good service.
The dude that works in this place is super unpleasant and over priced. He asks me for my ID which is fine then asks me my age then tells me to take my face mask off (covid) I’m 36 years old. I understand asking for ID but his attitude and implications of me being under 18 years old is insane.
Went in the store once, never again. When your business is “Discount Smokes” and you can’t even get that right you don’t deserve my business. Bought 2 pks ciggies. Sign on the smokes is $7.14. Rang it up, $8.80. So I say to the guy “They’re $7.14” Scans again,and again $8.80. So I ask, why does it say $7.14? “I don’t know. Scans yet again, and what a surprise, $8.80. Now, I am disabled , in pain, and depend on others to take me to the store. I did not have the energy to get into it with the drone I was dealing with, got a pk ($for $8.80!!!) and left. Gifting 2 stars since they were open and did in fact sell smokes.
Rude. That’s all I can say. And they have close to nothing. Worth the drive to Santa Cruz where you have much better options.
5. Sylvan Music
Address: 1521 Mission St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 , Scotts Valley , California , United States
Sylvan is more like a museum of fine guitars than a shop. They have the best collection of acoustic guitars I have ever seen. They also do amazing work. Albert Markasky is a master craftsman. If you want your guitar set up perfectly, go to Sylvan.
they had kool stuff but there was this old guy who was a dick. otherwise koolspot
Quick and friendly service.
Super nice and my violin looks great with jts new strings
Only a review on accessibility. I have been looking for a new “serious” guitar for some months. I’ve called three times to hear they are booked up. No thanks. Must be nice. Doesn’t seem they are interested in returning to business or selling guitars.
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.
overpriced instruments and bad service!
6. More Music
Address: 512 Front St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 , Scotts Valley , California , United States
They have high quality guitars that you will want to own!!!
Sweet deal on fret-less bass guitar!
Walked in by accident while visiting Santa Cruz just because I love guitar shops and trying guitars in general. What a fortunate discovery ! After a couple of minutes looking at various second hand guitars, Dave (the owner I guess) engaged in a very friendly and somehow nicely surrealist discussion and ended up letting me try a few of his old Martins from the 50s and 60s which obviously I couldn’t afford but it was one of these great moments meeting random people who happen to be great persons. For the mood and the guitars but obviously for the people inside this shop is definitely a great place for musicians.
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. The Starving Musician – Santa Cruz
Address: 1003 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 , Scotts Valley , California , United States
Best music place in town, nice vibe, no hard sell, huge selection of instruments.
This is the greatest music store. Although most guitars are lower end,they also have the Lowest prices for a few high end guitars.There are real pearls to be found by a buyer who knows their Gibson,Fender ,and Taylor guitars.There won’t be many of them,but I got lucky with each one of those names.The staff couldn’t be more helpful. What a fun place to visit ,if you enjoy playing guitar music.
I’ve recently moved close to Santa cruz and needed some stuff for my guitar. There are few great music stores in Santa Cruz but I came to starving musicians. They are in downtown SC and parking is easy.
They have a great selection of instruments, specially electric guitars. The staff are friendly and very knowledgeable. Prices are also fair. Definitely recommend this place.
Just visited briefly for the first time today, rating & review could change once I’ve spent more time here.
I was starving and they refused to provide me with nourishment 🙁
I also only saw a couple eagles and not even one pelican , kind of behind the times if you ask meeeeeee &%$
The help is experienced and they add some humor to your shopping
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.
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” 🙁
WAS a 25 year vet of yhe santa clara store
Never again, Santa Cruz .
Since the new location attitude is all you get.
They knew clearly my purchase history and would not do business.
I never post, iim making an exception for these rude children.
8. Robie’s Violin Shop
Address: Ben Lomond, CA 95005 , Scotts Valley , California , United States
Robie takes great care in the repairs he makes on all of my fractional size instruments I give to kids I work with in SLV. He also really know his fiddles and made some modifications to two instruments that made then sound 10× better.
Robie’s Fiddle and Banjo Shop is the only place to go in the Santa Cruz Mountains for expert handcrafted repairs and to purchase beautifully refurbished instruments.
9. Guitar Shop
Address: 926 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062 , Scotts Valley , California , United States
Friendly owner, small shop but interesting merchandise. Purchased a nice vintage speaker at a reasonable price. Tech gave us good information about how it was restored.
Amazing shop with the best luthier west of Water St.
Steve is a master of guitar repair/modification and we’re incredibly lucky to have him here in Santa Cruz. He’s always done great work for me and I wouldn’t take my guitars anywhere else.
Professional
Nice little place, a little slow on the customer service.
Quality merchandise, was surprised how low some of the prices were.
Recommended.
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…
10. Streetlight Records
Address: 939 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 , Scotts Valley , California , United States
Great selection of LPS, CDs Etc. Always fun to hang out here and browse the vinyl bins.
Great selection and nice staff.
I love going to buy DVDs and CD also sometimes I get more than one movie because it’s my favorite part of downtown santa Cruz
Great selection, less than helpful staff. Always some weirdos in there, if you don’t see any, then the weirdo is you.
Cool place.
Felt super unwelcome and judged for some reason when I went to pay for a vinyl. The red haired cashier girl glared at me and snatched the vinyl out of my hand and did not say a single word the whole interaction. Customer service skills are bottom of the barrel.
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.
Horrible, disgusting music drove me from the store before I could do my long awaited shopping. I complained but was told I was being rude. Will never be back.
11. Jansen Music
Address: 7960 Soquel Dr j, Aptos, CA 95003 , Scotts Valley , California , United States
Great place and I will tell you this guy knows his stuff super friendly and helpful
Friendly place with a nice selection of instruments, amps and related gear.
Love this store! I’ve been coming here for years as I have 3 sons who play guitar. A variety of quality music instruments to choose from and always accommodating. It’s a pleasure to support our local merchants. ( and I’ve been happy with the music instructors who teach there also)
Really great, great prices. Excellent collection of acoustics.
Good service but not much variety.
I take voice lessons here. Expect a bit of bleed from one practice room to the next. Nice display of instruments. Very friendly & knowledgeable proprietor.
Unfriendly customer service. wouldn’t let me try a amplifier, and told me if that if I had the $1500 then he would let me try it. I have never experienced this at any guitar store. I have shopped here in the past and it has always been a mediocre experience. the man who works behind the counter always has a mopey attitude and their products are usually priced over normal retail. Spend your money somewhere else (Sylvan Music, Midtown Guitar Company).
12. Slow Rick Drums
Address: 160 Kipling Ave, Ben Lomond, CA 95005 , Scotts Valley , California , United States
