Professional and high quality service from a multi-generation family owned business. Scott and his staff truly care about your progress as a musician. Their music teachers are highly educated and patient. I wouldn’t go anywhere else for my family’s music needs.
Cannot saying anything negative about the Music Shop. I always recommend you to friends and family. My experience has been positive. Your staff is friendly and always helpful. My teacher amazing. I’ll miss my lessons but will stop in now an then when I need something. Sincerely, Claudia “
The cellos were in not in good shape and we had to pay a luthiere to redo repairs that were poorly done when we received the instrument.
Great place but website could be better such as pics of some used equipment. I’m a drummer and would like to see what they have for new and used cymbals,stands,drum kits etc. And prices. I have done business with them and always had a great experience the reason for three stars is the website doesn’t do the music shop justice. All and all great store great people.
3. Stewart’s Music LLC
Address: 171 Main St, Niantic, CT 06357 , Sils , Connecticut , United States
They are both really nice people. We have purchased instruments, books and other items for my kids music classes andboth owners have been very helpful. I needed to get computer microphones needed in order to submit homework online and I went with the idea of purchasing 2. They could have taken advantage of that and wouldn’t have been the wiser but instead, he convinced me that I only needed one. The instruments that we got from them have worked beautifully and we’ve had them for over a year now. My kids have been going there every week for music lessons and they are always very welcoming. There is no other music store for us but Stewart’s.
A great local business that always has everything I’m looking for. Would highly recommend.
We have always had a good experience at Stewart’s. We have purchased, rented, and sold instruments through them while my two children took music at school from elementary school through high school. They always told us our options as what was really needed at certain levels of playing, whether purchasing or renting was best. My son also took lessons with one of their teachers and enjoyed his instructor while picking up a new instrument for the summer. They worked with our kids school and pick and delivery was easy as it is done at the schools. Both are musicians and understand all instruments and questions about instruments. Easy going and fair prices buying and selling. When we consigned our last instrument after the kids went off to college I realized that I’m going to miss seeing them. How many businesses can you say that about?
Absolutely awful owners were nasty and they charged way too much for a simple repair just go to music and arts its easier and cheaper
Simple advise dont scream at your costumers to get business
Terrible customer service. Took my flute to get repaired and instead of just simply fixing what needed to be done to it I was told I shouldn’t have bought an off brand flute. This was all I could afford at the time (as a teenager). I am looking to invest in a new one but honestly it is no ones job to criticize the instrument I have. I waited for the repair to be done and called 3 different times on it. The repair person got sick which is understandable. When I called the last time they said it was finished and I asked why they never called me to let me know they said that I said I was going to come in regardless. Which is true. But still does not explain why no one called me. Overall a bad experience. Was treated very poorly and will not be going there again.
4. La Salle Music & Sound
Address: 993 Main St #2233, East Hartford, CT 06108 , Sils , Connecticut , United States
Very curtious and quick service went to fix guitar ❤
Great service.
Stopped in store for first time to get a couple guitar related things. Super friendly and knowledgeable
First, the employees were excellent; friendly and helpful. I was extremely disappointed in the store itself. This was basically a dark, messy pawn shop, not the store I was familiar with from years ago. My only reason to go back would be to pick through dusty items to find something I might be in search of, more of an adventure.
Was a dj for 30 years and bought and sold equipment all over Ct . I stopped in at lasalle music in east hartford it was a nightmare . Equipment from the seventies store a mess and the staff looked like a Grateful Dead fan with colored hair . So glad I moved on with my teaching at a high school
Ordered lugs for my snare. They sent me receipts and invoices and never shipped my lugs. I called and emailed multiple times and never got a response back after leaving numerous messages. Been 2 months and I still don’t have my lugs and am out $60.
Sent me a different accordion with no straps and a case that should of been thrown out
5. The Music Score LLC
Address: 2315 Silas Deane Hwy, Rocky Hill, CT 06067 , Sils , Connecticut , United States
Came here for some guitar strings and the employee was super awesome
I didn’t come to purchase any thing but the employees were more than happy to show me their selection and teach me about the purpose of the parts on the guitars/bass.
Great service! Nice friendly owner
My daughter is signed up for lessons and her teacher is great (I hear the others are as well). Just try not to deal with the guy that owns it.
Very knowledgeable and friendly.
I tried to return my daughter’s Viola due to the school no longer providing classes. It was a total nightmare to get an answer in regards to my credit. They are very irresponsible and I am very disappointed by the lack of care towards my return which was even misplaced! Mom and dad are not helpful at all and he should really look at keeping them home, they make things worse!
Arrived at 10:00am (they open at 10am, but not today). I waited and they finally arrived. All I needed was guitar strings, but they had none. What a waste of time.
6. JC Music
Address: 529 W Main St, Meriden, CT 06451 , Sils , Connecticut , United States
They got my elec. piano working again with a quick turn around and updated me throughout the process. Pro the whole way!
Overall, excellent service and very friendly people. I have had positive experiences every time I needed something or had to sell something with their consignment program. Very simple and easy. I would highly recommend it to anyone!
My 3 boys take piano lessons at JC Music and I have been pleased to see their growth not only in their technical skills but in their understanding of music theory and their enthusiasm to play. This is in no small part due to Brian’s instruction and also the twice a year recitals which give the boys something fun to prepare for. Additionally we have used JC music’s instrument rental program to get my son’s clarinet for school and found that process smooth and the instrument itself was in excellent shape. Nothing but good things to say about JC music.
My grandson really enjoyed the music lessons and they are very professional and knowledgeable. Highly recommend them.
Would like to obtain some nice brushes and some type of top hat set used and very sturdy since I break percussion instruments all the time when I perform?
My son, Roberto Luis and Rosa live in Meriden. Are you far from the mall? I have spent a lot of time jamming in Puerto Rico to salsa, merengue, etc but my favorite is funk like Buddy Miles.
Completely disappointed. I placed an order in store on a instrument that was never placed with JC music. The customer service was poorly displayed and the options they gave us was not acceptable. I asked to speak to the owner several times and would not get on the phone and made his new employee talk to me. I ended up going somewhere else that was amazing
This was a horrible expierence. They need to get their stuff together, they had already-sold instruments on shelf. They had an amazing guitar sale and when I went to buy, it was already sold! They got my hopes high and let it down and I will not give them my money any longer.
Never have any of the literature or instrument parts I’m looking for. Took 3 months to repair a trombone. I tried to return an item and they wouldn’t give me back the cash to go to another place. The owner has blatantly disrespected my mother on several occasions and doesn’t have much knowledge of much of anything outside of rock music. As far as i’m concerned, this is the worst music store i’ve ever set foot in and would not recommend to anybody.
7. Music & Arts
Address: 99 Executive Blvd S, Southington, CT 06489 , Sils , Connecticut , United States
Found a bass that changed my life, come for the instruments, stay for the customer service.
I was looking to buy a higher end digital piano. This was the best instrument buying experience of my 65+ years. Grant and the women working in the store were very helpful in my evaluating different keyboards. They brought in additional keyboards more than once for me to try from the warehouse. I was not rushed in making a decision. Their feedback as to tone, feel etc were spot on. Great overall experience!
Went to Music and Arts looking for a new guitar but not knowing exactly what I wanted, but thanks to Grant and his expertise and guidance I walked away with a guitar I’m super in love with!
I whould l8ke to buy aking or yamaha euphonium
8. Sam Ash Music Stores
Address: 95 Amity Rd, New Haven, CT 06515 , Sils , Connecticut , United States
Knowledgeable, courteous , and quality is the standard at the New Haven Sam Ash.
Thanks for helping me find my music.
We hit this location every time we’re in the area. The staff is always helpful and friendly-not smarmy like at a lot of GC stores. We have never had a bad experience at this store! We recommend it.
I like the people at this store, they are salesmen first, but they are very cordial as they are taking your money.
The experience was good and great customer service
The girl at the front of store, with long brown hair was more involved in her cell phone then noticing I was standing at the counter for a good two minutes. The girl in the band department was very nice and helpful, so was everyone else.
I was on hold FOREVER, and it was super annoying.
Use the excuse they own the company to screw you on a guitar you bought from them 9 months earlier . Brought in as a test and they failed a guitar should not lose half its value in 9 months if you sell it as your brand!
Everyone was super helpful until I cordially opted to not provide a phone number at checkout. Jordan was helping me and claimed he needed an address or phone number to process the transaction. I pointed out that Radio Shack usually enters a fake number and he ended up doing the same but his entire demeanor had already changed. He set my card and then the pen (to sign the receipt) down on the counter rather than hand them back to me (seemed deliberate but of course I don’t know for certain). I said “Thanks, have a good day” as we finished up but he turned away and didn’t say anything in return. He definitely seemed to take the fact that I didn’t want to provide any personal information way too personally. Pretty silly, if you ask me.
9. DuBaldo Music Center
Address: 881 Main St, Manchester, CT 06040 , Sils , Connecticut , United States
Finally got to visit after doing some business over the phone 18 years ago with Pete. Great inventory, selection and people. One of the very best examples of why we need to support local businesses and how great a family can run them!
Fantastic service, fast shipping, and competitive pricing.
That was likely the most pleasant guitar buying experience I have ever had. I could not recommend patronizing this amazing store more. Thank you so much!!
Great service
10. Music & Arts
Address: 315 W Main St, Avon, CT 06001 , Sils , Connecticut , United States
Fantastic store and wonderful staff. Thanks Andrew for all your help in renting a cello!
Awesome place. I purchased my guitar here and take lessons. Dave, Eric, Eddy, Jay, and Jason are all incredible people.
An error in judgment when I decided to place an order for them to send out my two guitars I STILL to this day can’t string myself worth beans. Decent store for the most part but what really got me sore was the fact that the clerk said that they send their instruments out to a repair tech in E. Hartford but then found out that for whatever reason they have to send the guitars to a tech in BOSTON and the woodwind and brass instruments are the only instruments they ferry back and forth for repairs to EH. Misleading and wonder if it were intentional or whether or not someone else over there neglected to tell him that the different instruments get repaired at different locations. Not my fault I didn’t get the right info but certainly my fault I opted to not take my precious guitars back before the start of business last week so I could either try once again to string them myself or have someone else nearer to me I’d forgotten momentarily about do it for me instead. Ideally I’ll see if I can learn the proper way to string them from now on to save on the cost and also to not feel helpless and at the mercy of someone else whose repair shop happens to be out of state yet.
I really don’t like there! The drum teacher charged me for 3 times but only want to teach twice! The attitude of stuffs were not nice either! So horrible!
Will never take an instrument there for repair again. They still have the instrument after more than a year, cannot give me an answer as to when it will be ready & don’t seem to care about customers. Repeated calls and visits only result in messages left for manager who never gets back to us. Seriously think twice before ever purchasing or getting service at this store.
The details pertaining to the boxes in and around the location are not what I am interested in anymore. Absolutely in poor taste to remove something biodegradable without thinking. I’d give it a 5 star if the app let me!
11. Martel Music Store
Address: 1 Whiting St, Plainville, CT 06062 , Sils , Connecticut , United States
Stopped by Martel’s on a whim to have my vintage Fender amp retubed and biased. Their amp tech went above and BEYOND what I could’ve ever asked for. He not only burned in the tubes, but he also took the time to clean out all the caps and really just the whole amp. Very detailed servicing. Amp sounds
That’s what local business is all about. The details.
These guys will nail whatever you need and do it RIGHT for a fair price. Whether it’s finding your dream guitar or specialized repair work.
Thanks Corey & Mark.
Great stock and friendly service.
I went to Martel Music for the first time today on search of new strings for my dulcimer. The one I have ball ends on them and store only had ones with loop ends. The person I spoke, did not get her name, went out of her way to find ball end strings. She measured the existing strings and made up 2 complete sets of strings for my dulcimer. I want to thank her for taking the time for doing that and the excellent customer service she provided. I left knowing that I will be back when I need strings and/or a new guitar. Thank you once again.
Interesting store with some interesting gear. They don’t seem to carry Fender or Gibson. They had a stomp box manufacturing class going on when I visited.
As one reviewer already stated. They have a terrible return policy especially with online purchases. Good store as long as you know you’re going to keep the item but who really knows, its musical gear, its hard to tell if your going to dig it or not until you play it with your rig. Returning a pedal (or probably anything) is just not worth it due the return fees. 2 stars because I received it pretty quickly but definitely wasn’t packed that well. Without a doubt this will be my last purchase from this store. There’s plenty of other great stores to choose from that won’t bend you over on return fees. **Edit for response to the owner** Yes you do clearly state your return fees online. “Small restocking fee” is a bit of an understatement…your restocking fee is 10%. If I pay $250 for a guitar pedal. Right off the bat you’re keeping $25 of my return. I couldn’t imagine purchasing a guitar online through your store.
Purchased a guitar for 750, now walking out with 637. Unfortunately I was not told about a very unfair and sneaky return exchange policy until I had asked after already completing the purchase. Also could not see clearly a visible sign inside that states anything about a return policy. When I asked where the sign was upon trying to return this guitar he pointed to have a corner and I still did not see the sign. I do believe that a return policy sign should be at the register for full disclosure. The law does state you are entitled to a full refund if you are not told about the refund policy during the time of the transaction, which I was not informed of that. Limited selection and unfortunately subject to a very steep restocking fee or store credit, if you are a serious musician make sure you know this first as you know that buying instruments is quite expensive and it is hard to want to get locked into something that you do not truly love.
12. George’s Music Center
Address: 905 New Harwinton Rd, Torrington, CT 06790 , Sils , Connecticut , United States
George is very knowledgeable about all the products he offers and has a large inventory.
This is the ultimate local and online retailer in the business. George continually goes above and beyond any musical instrument retailer I have ever dealt with to make the experience shopping there the best. You can’t get the type of personal service and attention at any mega big box music store that George provides to his customers.
Pro audio at it’s finest. If you need gear or tech work for your gig, give George’s a call.
Nice shop
Meh
If you’re not looking to go too far to get musical instruments. Look no further. Expensive though. But if you don’t care about prices, go for it. Not much of a selection though.
After going to this place; I must say I will never go back there again. The owner is so rude and disrespectful. Its not even funny. The owner needs get off his anthropocentric state of mind.
This place is just awful. The owner is so rude to us that i will never go back. We rented an instrument from him because our normal music store didnt have the instrument and when the instrument broke he said it was our fault and that it wasnt covered and then bad mouthed our local music store.
13. Matty’s Music LLC
Address: 654 Enfield St, Enfield, CT 06082 , Sils , Connecticut , United States
Matty shares his knowledge of guitar repair to the extent of being fair about what he can actually do and not do to help you. He is honorable to share what you can do yourself to facilitate the repair.
Please support locally owned businesses.
I was looking for music classes for our daughter and somebody had recommended Matty’s music. I gave them a call and got the owner on the phone. He was so nice he explained everything, so knowledgeable, and we set up a time to bring in my daughter. I’ll be very honest when I first saw the place I was hesitant but don’t judge a book by its cover! Maddie is so great! He gives the kids a safe space to be themselves while learning all about music and reading and playing, and it has quickly become such a special place to our daughter that now she’s brought her friends there and they too have found the absolute warmth and amazing place that Matty has here in town. Also the prices he charges are unbelievably fair.
Matty’s has great service and was my first choice for lessons.
Great service.
Dirty, stuff everywhere, completely disorganized.
14. Brian’s Guitars
Address: 453 W Main St, Cheshire, CT 06410 , Sils , Connecticut , United States
Great shop! Very professional and great customer service. Great atmosphere and vibe to just sit and demo some really great guitars.
Thanks Brian! What a great showroom and great experience buying here.
Great small shop with world class guitars and amps. These guys genuinely love what they do and are extremely knowledgeable in many brands, especially PRS. I have been here plenty of times, either to purchase, sell, or use Frank for repairs/modifications. They are always a pleasure to deal with and Frank always calls with any questions or problems he finds. I would never shop a corporate store over these guys!
BUYER BEWARE: If you’re shopping used online, call ahead and ask them to send you updated pictures of the instrument before you buy.
I just purchased a used guitar online, from Brian’s Guitars. It sounds and looks great.
HOWEVER: the pictures and listing posted online were not accurate. The listing said “near mint” condition. The pictures showed all the tags and plastic seals on the components still intact. When I received the guitar, all the seals were gone. There were scuffs on the pickguard, and there was a screw completely missing near the volume/tone knobs. After an email exchange, I learned that the pictures were posted from when the guitar was new. Still, why was a screw missing?
I may have scored a guitar at a sweet deal, but now my confidence is shook. Even though everything sounds fine, I’m left wondering if a screw was removed to mess around with the internal components. I’ll get that checked out, but given the inaccurate listing, I’m not sure if I would buy from Brian’s Guitars again.
Love the layout and they have beautiful guitars. However, customer service is lacking. I advice those that are interested in buying a high-end guitar and enjoy collecting these musical art pieces to look elsewhere as I was told so rudely. Especially if you are a minority. The stereo typing is real!. If you think this is a rant of someone that is not able to afford this level of guitars, well, think again. I have a small collection that keeps growing of high-end to medium range guitars, bass guitars , and amps. I Hope this helps someone that does not want to be profiled while shopping for their next piece of happiness.
I recently had a vintage bass repaired and appraised here. I left it with them to have the electronics fixed and a general setup done. I got a call that the guitar was ready to be picked up a few weeks later, but had to remind them to also do the appraisal.
I get the bass home and the jack is incredibly noisy. I called and was told that they would make it right at no cost. I take the bass back and the tech puts a new jack in. They still charged me $10 for the jack, the making it right part only included the labor (about ten minutes). I couldn’t care less about $10, but making an extra trip out (about half hour from my home) to have something fixed that should have been done in the first place, guarantees I will never go back here or recommend it to anyone.
15. Turnpike Music Garage
Address: 1485 Black Rock Tpke, Fairfield, CT 06825 , Sils , Connecticut , United States
Friendly staff and good price for instrument rentals.
I have taken my guitar and bass here to be setup a few times. I was very happy with the time it took and the results. It averaged about a week for the turnaround and the playability was great. I can’t speak for the lessons or major repair work, but for simple things this guitar/music shop is perfect.
Hi Donny
A little hard to find, but owner was very helpful in my search for a solid-woods Classical guitar. Looked at a very nice A/Yari. Has some nice guitars, but he is limited by space constraints. If the f-ups in Washington and the greedy sob’s on Wall St would all drop dead, this store would have a good chance of growing.
Had an excellent selection of strings. Plan on visiting again soon.
I got My sons cello at this store and the bridge was broken and the stand
16. Music & Arts
Address: 989 Farmington Ave, West Hartford, CT 06107 , Sils , Connecticut , United States
Went to music and arts for authorized Yamaha purchase. Great price and great service!
We stopped in right before closing while walking to a restaurant, but the guy working was still super nice and offered to stay and told us to take our time. We’ll be back again, we were impressed
We are new to the area and we’re pleased to have found this music store just around the corner. The customer service by telephone and in person was excellent; I spoke to a Chris and a Ruben, both of whom were gracious and helpful.
I had my 40-year-old folk guitar re-strung and re-conditioned for $25! To boot, Ruben was kind enough to tune my guitar on my way out of the store.
It’s rare to find a Music store these days. It’s even more rare to find a store whose staff provide such professional customer service. Will definitely bring our other two guitars in for servicing.
Limited retail space, but the staff is helpful and knowledgeable. Music lessons are offered on site.
Yeah it’s good!
I have condensed my original rant down to the following- we really like our children’s teachers- but the front desk needs saving
Very poor service. I had gone few days ago to order a rental violin size 1/16 according to my son teacher recommendations, and a violin for my wife. This week I received a call letting me know that the violins were ready for pick up.
First thing I was told when I arrived was that the violin 1/16 was not there, after I told the associate I have received a phone call, he went to check again and sure enough he found it.
He mentioned that the violin ha a tag outside saying it was 1/32, but that it was a size 1/16 because it has been measured.
He proceeded to fill up a rental contact that I signed, however I suspected the violin was indeed a 1/32, I then open the violin box and inside the violin there was a mark for 1/32 size.
I mentioned to the associate that I thought the violin was a 1/32 not a 1/16. He was visible frustrated and said that his manager had I don’t remember what degrees in music and that he had measured the violin ant it was a 1/32, he then told me that I could check online the dimensions for a 1/16 violin, which I did, and sure enough the violin was a 1/32 according to the measurements they have online. I told the associate that I preferred to wait, he replied that the contract was already done, I said that I did not care, because I wanted the right size violin. All along this discussion the associate attitude was extremely rude.
I would not recommend this store, however unfortunately there aren’t too many options available.
Go to the one in East Hartford much better . They only want to help when you make major purchases.
The worst company in the world!!!! If I can give anyone advice it would be to stay away from this place. Their thief’s and I will never do business with them again.
17. Music & Arts
Address: 22 West Putnam Avenue, Greenwich, CT 06830 , Sils , Connecticut , United States
This is an amazing store with a fantastic service. I walked in looking for a new Sax and Mark and Lisa made it happen. They were super friendly, answered all my questions, and made my shopping experience a fantastic one. Thanks! I strongly recommend this place!
This is one of my Fav places to get all of my musical needs taken care of! friendly and knowledgeable staff! Great Rentals to btw
Great service. Got there right before the closing time. The owner was extremely patient.
18. Guitar Center
Address: 839 Queen St, Southington, CT 06489 , Sils , Connecticut , United States
A musician could easily spend the day there and not get bored.
Great staff
Only went in for a gift certificate but while waiting in line I noticed many people getting help with different products. Staff seemed well informed with the various products.
Not as large as the Manchester store but we’ll stocked and organized with helpful staff at each area.
Great selection of items…but good luck getting some assistance in the store.
Lazy
Customer service at this location is garbage. Maybe punk kid could stay off his phone long enough to complete the sales transaction.
I’m not sure how managers decide on used gear trade-in pricing, but in one store i was offered 560.00 on my amp… but in Southington I was offered 450.00. I told the manager that the other store offered me more. He came up to $500 which I was willing to accept since I was trying to offer it as a trade for another used amp that was priced at $519. I asked the manager to just do an even trade. He refused and the deal didn’t happen over $19. Since I know my amp was worth more at a different store… and I made the manager aware of that…I can’t understand why he was so firm on that small amount of money to make or break the deal. As a side note… on reverb.com I know the amp i was trading sold for a minimum… in my same condition.. for 999.00. It was just a bad experience for me because I don’t understand the inflexibility over such a small amount.
19. Connecticut Music Co
Address: Westbrook, CT 06498 , Sils , Connecticut , United States
I always get a fair deal. GC is very laid back and good to there customers. If you have a problem ask for
Chaz. Store manager. The time I had to return a les Paul. He’s the one who did it and was really nice. I’ve probably bought 20 guitars over the years from them and never had any problem exchanging or trading or returning. Very good place for newbies also.
Keep Rockin my brother and sisters
Not Happy with associate’s knowledge of products
Knowledgeable people, but often more expensive than the competitors.
Nice place to go and buy instruments.
S#&t show…..Manager needs to do a better job. Service was at an all-time low. Hopefully better next time.
How can you have employees that don’t know what a Mandolin is or if you have any in stock?
large inventory and nice space here. just cant recommend their guitar setups. i got a platinum setup on two of my axes and they just didnt check for intonation at all–i adjusted the saddles myself the day i picked them up. and the wiring of my new pickups was messed up pretty badly.
