Johnny Beane TV is the O.G. of the Van Halen YouTube podcasts! His channel is an AWESOME place to be if you love Van Halen, music and good comradery! He has great special guests and co-hosts, and also does giveaways every week of some very cool stuff! Come join the fun! Highly recommend! ROCK ON!
Johnny Beane TV is the best in the business!
It’s great watching Johnny Beane Tv
3 Stars in this constellation….you..me..
Eddie…
2. David Morse Violins
Address: 3235 Paper Mill Rd, Soquel, CA 95073 , Soquel , California , United States
I play Mariachi violin and my violin is one of David Morses’. I love my violin! Thank you David!
Very respectful gentleman.
David Morse is one of the leading violin makers in central California. My experience with him has been wonderful. David has shown me many of his master violins and his wisdom about violins is extensive. I am looking forward to owning one of his creations.
Craftsman extraordinaire
3. Sound Healing Temple
Address: Gather Room, 708 Capitola Ave, Capitola, CA 95010 , Soquel , California , United States
They’re really nice and knowledgeable. Got a mic stand for my Theremini and they throw in an adapter for nothing! Definitely will do my future purchases here, it’s local and it’s better than online shopping in every sense.
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.
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.
The kids loved it!
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.
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.
5. Guitar Shop
Address: 926 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062 , Soquel , California , United States
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.
Great service. Good products new and used!
He fixed my modified Fender p-bass neck/nut issue. I asked him how I could make my bass sound better and he gave some suggestions. He was not pushy at all and was pretty chill. I am happy with how my bass turned out! 🙂 Oh, and I drove all the way from Monterey just to take my guitar to his shop! Totally worth it. Prices are reasonable.
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…
6. Jim Greiner’s Hands-On! Drumming Events
Address: 2745 Daubenbiss Ave, Soquel, CA 95073 , Soquel , California , United States
Usually has most new electronics in stock. Fairly nice staff although you might have to be pretty knowledgeable in electronics to get what you are looking for
It’s your typical Best Buy.
I had some reward money to spend.
Been to the cell phone department many times…..its always the same, a lot of people waiting in line and a lack of sales help. This is just another reason so many brick and mortar operations are failing. It’s not a lack of customers but a lack of sales help. Good riddance to those stores that constantly leave customers (with cash in their pockets) waiting in lines that are worse than hwy.1 rush hour traffic.
Went in to buy a camera.
No selection high prices and no service.
Total waste of my time.
Unknowledgeable, unhelpful, and terrible. Defrauds customers by selling them broken, overpriced tech. Staffed by either criminals or the most incompetent idiots to ever undeservingly take up space. The worst electronics store in the entire state, absolutely disgusting.
9. Jansen Music
Address: 7960 Soquel Dr j, Aptos, CA 95003 , Soquel , California , United States
I snapped my low g string,but the guy at Jansen,had me pickin and a grinnin’ in no time”
Great place and I will tell you this guy knows his stuff super friendly and helpful
The salesman was very informative and helpful
Really great, great prices. Excellent collection of acoustics.
I’ve been doing business at this great store since they were on Main Street in Watsonville. Shame on you Watsonville for letting this business move to Aptos. Wide selection of all musical instruments, as well as sheet music and musical accessories. Good friendly store. Parking can be limited at times, but not always.
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 $1500 then he would let me try it. I have never experienced this at any guitar store. I have shopped here in the past and it has always been a mediocre experience. the man who works behind the counter always has a mopey attitude and their products are usually priced over normal retail. Spend your money somewhere else (Sylvan Music, Midtown Guitar Company).
10. Santa Cruz Piano Teacher
Address: 3110 Porter St, Soquel, CA 95073 , Soquel , California , United States
beau is an extraordinary piano teacher! he is very experienced and talented while still being fun. my daughter looks forward to her lessons every week. thanks beau!
11. MJO Productions
Address: 4025 Cherryvale Ave, Soquel, CA 95073 , Soquel , California , United States
My daughter has been going to work on her music with the support Oz and MJO Productions. Such creativity and raw talent. Love being apart of this journey.
12. The Starving Musician – Santa Cruz
Address: 1003 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 , Soquel , California , United States
Best music place in town, nice vibe, no hard sell, huge selection of instruments.
Wonderful place for lessons
I was starving and they refused to provide me with nourishment 🙁
I also only saw a couple eagles and not even one pelican , kind of behind the times if you ask meeeeeee &%$
Great people and a decent selection of new and pre-owned gear.
This store has been serving the musical community for a long time.
Great music store you’ll never know what you’ll find here prices are great
Rasict employees mainly the guys the girl is cute and freindly
New location and staff suck
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.
13. More Music
Address: 512 Front St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 , Soquel , 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
Dave is fantastic. Great collection of both electric and acoustic. Plus a ton of equipment. Does repairs appraisals quite talented guy…
Private showings only. No regular shop hours.
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.
I had a custom built djembe made exactly to my specs and it turned out perfectly! Their communications with me were quick, clear and there were no problems or unexpected issues or costs. The quality and craftsmanship is second to none. I can’t recommend them more highly – thank you Matt and Sahar!
You’re the best around the world…
Drumskulldrums…
17. Sylvan Music
Address: 1521 Mission St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 , Soquel , California , United States
Large variety of amps, pedals, and guitars from all kinds of companies, small to big. Ranging from inexpensive begginer equipment to hand-wired AB763 Headstrong Royal Reverbs, brand new custom shop instruments, and collector Fender’s and Gibson’s from before the time God needed guitar lessons from Hendrix. They also have acoustic guitars, if that’s your thing.
These guys are the nicest, most generous people! Excellent quality and service
Music… ~BbB~
Workers were very helpful
Quick and friendly service.
It’s a music store
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.
Purchased a guitar online. They say they made a mistake and instead of owning up to their mistake they stole my guitar and refunded the money. Then they offered to sell it back to me at their original offer. This is akin to them ripping it out of my hands and throwing my money at me saying this doesn’t count as I attempt to leave the store. I don’t care about the money, this was just a donor body for a build I’m making. The real problem is that if they make a mistake it will be you that has to deal with it. I would recommend supporting a different shop with integrity.
Drove in from Idaho. Heard the place was legendary. Went in to buy a Santa Cruz guitar, had 6k of cash in my pocket. Indeed there is nice stuff in there, but the arrogance of the employees is a joke. All of them huddled around the computer or on their phones. Asked the kid at the front desk a question about a pedal and he just stared and went back to his phone. Lame. I will find another place to buy a Santa Cruz guitar. Do not waste your time.
18. Ugly Mug CoffeeHouse
Address: 4640 Soquel Dr, Soquel, CA 95073 , Soquel , California , United States
Coffee is good, and pastries and ice cream and the barristae are friendly. Their savories don’t excite me. I love the couch, but it may need some plywood under the cushions since the springs are shot. It’s a bit loud but not terrible.
We stopped in after dinner and got coffee. The kids were able to order ice cream. They have a large selection of cookies with a few GF options. It’s an eclectic, laid back vibe with friendly service.
Great intimate musical performance!
Steven was a great barista, and we love “roll the dice” Mondays! I won!
Very bad experience. Unreasonable. Avoid this place if you wanted to be treated respectfully. The coffee may be good but not worth it for the rude service.
Great customer service. However, I got an oat milk cappuccino and the espresso is so over extracted it tastes like I’m drinking a cigarette.
19. Sven Place
Address: Capitola, CA 95010 , Soquel , California , United States
