As someone who’s studied music theory in college and wanted to finally learn how to properly play the guitar, Lloyd was just perfect. He’s incredibly knowledgeable and patient, letting you dictate exactly what you want to learn at the pace you want to learn it.
We were doing business next door and walked in since my daughter was looking to take advanced piano lessons. Frank was so nice and knowledgeable! I brought my daughter in a few weeks later to let her check it out at which time she talked music with Frank. She had grown a little stale with her last instructor.
She is such a gentle Soul herself, and that is why I can absolutely take it when she gives me feedback on a topic as sensitive as my vocal performance during a lesson! I really couldn’t recommend a person or a teacher more than Kimberly and her singing lessons. It/she will change your life (and voice) for the better. Guaranteed.
John and Angela truly helped make my wedding a special and successful event! They are as technically precise as they are musically sensitive. They were happy to accommodate our requests in addition to their deep catalog of arranged standards and duet repertoire. I highly recommend them for special events, public and private functions or any other venue where nothing but the best will do.
These are some great musicians! They have an outstanding sense of musicianship and musicality that you don’t find in many other ensembles. As a composer and arranger who has collaborated with the duo on multiple occasions, I can attest to their attention to detail and authenticity to the music.
I had ordered the Galestro-Smith Duo’s new holiday album, Christmas Time is Near, before Christmas but because I was out of town for the holiday, I didn’t receive it until my return at the end of the year. I have played it over and over. I think I may have to stay in ‘Christmas mode’ for a while! This has quickly become one of my favorite Christmas CDs and it’s making me look forward to next Christmas already!! My deepest gratitude to Jonathan and Angela for sharing their extraordinary talents. I will wait with delightful anticipation to see (and hear!) what they do next.
4. Rocketstar records
Address: 2243 Bee Ridge Rd, Sarasota, FL 34239 , Southgate , Florida , United States
Good quality records. Ended getting a great deal. Used records sound like new.
Super awesome customer service. Very knowledgeable and very helpful. Can’t wait to go again. <3
I had the best experience with purchasing my boyfriend a rare vinyl. He absolutely LOVED it, and it was his favorite gift that I’ve given him… I couldn’t have done it without Rockstar Records, and I’m beyond grateful for the amazing customer service that I’ve been shown here. 10/10 Recommend this place for any vinyls for yourself or a friend… you won’t regret!
Cluttered, but lots of records. No pricing. Thought that was weird.
Sold a bunch of CD’s. I guess they aren’t worth much these days.
Little cramped (was told they would be expanding soon) but very cool place. More than enough records to look through, owner is a good sport and funny.
Please don’t be misled by the other reviews here – this place wants nothing more than to be a great record store, but the owner is making this place a very stressful experience and scaring away customers, as he did with me. A simple negotiation of one dollar in order to give exact change turned into a condescending nightmare of a conversation, with the owner backpedaling on the pricetags he marked on the records and trying to charge me more. When he finally finished berating the other staffer and me, I gave up and said no thank you, only to have him yell at me and follow me out into the street continuing to yell. Please don’t patron this place until the owner learns to be respectful to others.
Hands down the worst experience I’ve ever had at a record store. I’d heavily advice you to not make the trip here.
First of all it’s hard to find because there is no sign over the store. It says Video Renaissance instead. So it was a little more difficult to find. Strike one.
Secondly, the owner? (Older guy) or maybe just a worker? Was very very rude and disrespectful to me the entire time.
I asked him if he had a clearance section, I usually start there at other stores and make my way to the more expensive items after I pick up a couple cheap ones. He laughed at me and said “no they are all old records and marked up, not down” with a snarky attitude. Strike two.
Then I proceeded to look around and found that over half of the records aren’t even priced. So he advised me to bring the records up to price them. I brought up 3 at a time a couple different times. It took him very long to look them up and price them. Most other places can price them much quicker and cheaper. He marked them all way up, at last 4 times what I could buy them at and have seen them at other stores in the Sarasota area.
All the records already priced where also way way too expensive. I told him respectfully I wasn’t Interested in any of them. He came back extremely rude and snarky saying ,”what cuz you’re looking for discounted prices right.” But old him just because I brought them up I wasn’t obligated to purchase them. Strike three.
Then I found one, a Joe Cocker album that was clearly priced as $1. It was one of his better albums and I thought well might as well walk away with one record. I brought it to him. He proceeded to laugh hysterically saying “oh I bet you think this is prices one dollar?” And then said it was actually $14 and that the 4 faded, which clearly he just mismarked it and should have honored that price as others stores would of.
I just stood there speechless and baffled how disgruntled this guy is in life, and said “bye have a good day.”
He almost ran out of the building yelling “what prices do you want that are cheaper, I’m willing to haggle.” Something like that, but no way would I ever want to give this guy my hard earned money when he was so horrible to me the entire time.
Mark my words this business will be out of commission within the year.
If you want to go to a run down, disorganized, overpriced, and with the worst owner ever. Please be my guess. For me this is worth zero stars if I could rate it that.
He was fantastic of course he always is it is always a pleasure to go see Andres
Andres is one of the most unique talented live musicians we have seen! We would absolutely hire for a private event. We love to go to his gigs around Sarasota. He is a well rounded musician, engaging, funny, and an absolute delight.
An evening with this band is a wonderful time! Great musical talent mixed with an awesome ability to somehow get even the hesitant and shy up front singing into microphones, dancing to tambourines, and dinging cowbells with smiles on their faces! So much fun!!
Hatley does a great job reading and interacting with the crowd and tailors the performance to keep them entertained. Has a great song selection for any audience or event.
Great entertainer
8. Sarasota Gold
Address: 2936 Webber Pl, Sarasota, FL 34232 , Southgate , Florida , United States
I was looking for a weighted key keyboard for my son (his first), our teacher recommended the store. Clark Dawson was FANTASTIC! He gave my son a complete demonstration of the Roland keyboard with such enthusiasm! I’ve never seen my son so excited. His passion for music and the instruments was clear. I highly recommend this store! 5 stars for sure!
I am a new pianist and piano teacher in Sarasota, and had the opportunity this week to try out a magnificent 2019 7-foot Steinway “B” at Pritchards Pianos on 2108 Bee Ridge Road. All the pieces I played by Rachmaninoff’, Schubert and Chopin sounded amazing – wow!! I am greatly indebted to the kind and generous owner of Pritchard’s, Clark Dawson as well as the wonderful staff – Sarasota is so fortunate to have you as Sarasota’s authorized Steinway dealer! I look forward to working with you here in Sarasota this September. Thank you!!!!!
This is a upscale store. It only sells Steinway pianos, as far as I know. The owner has a perfect reputation.
Encontramos lo que queriamos._
Very knowledgable people here…..
Katherine Alexander talented
This is the words experience I ever had, we when for a piano and will like to finance it but because of a prior credit issue that I had was denied the owner Dave ask if I can have someone else apply and I had my dad apply and they did not even wanted to run his application because the Piano will be deliver to my address, then Dave ask if there was another way that we could play for the Piano I again ran out of my way and got my mother to put it on her credit card I call Dave and gave him the CC number and he call me later that afternoon and told me that he could not use the CC because it could be charge back he ask me if I can just do a wire transfer so I got the cash advance from the CC and call him to get his wire transfer information to transfer the money and he did not even wanted to take my call he had his store manager call me and tell me that they have sold the piano and that they will not have another one in stock. Will never do business with someone like this again.
10. Piano Distributors
Address: 4223 S Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34231 , Southgate , Florida , United States
The manager was great there. I have been in several times and fee; quite welcomed.
I am a high school student and I’ve been taking piano lessons at Piano Distributers for about two years. My teacher is Tatyana Gershfeld, who has many years of experience teaching in both Europe and the USA. Her knowledge expands from music theory to piano playing. She gathers all her students two times a year and organizes concerts in Piano Distributers. Her students are of all ages. The store possesses all sorts of pianos and the ones I practice on are of very high quality. I recently purchased one with Tatyana’s help and I’m very happy. I gained knowledge that will help me continue playing piano in college!
Having to give up my Yamaha C2 grand piano when I moved from a large home to a small apartment was heartbreaking. Then, Bill Adams told me about the lady who purchased it and was so happy to get it she cried. I felt very relieved! My Yamaha Clavinova is not the same but I feel very good about it knowing my C2 is in loving hands.
11. David Turner Music
Address: 4046 Woodview Dr, Sarasota, FL 34232 , Southgate , Florida , United States
David is a phenomenal DJ and saxophonist! I reached out to him literally the evening before my party. He responded quickly and was very accomodating. We discussed tastes and music and he was a great hit! Brought everyone to the dance floor. He accommodated on the spot requests from guests even African songs! Playing the sax brought an added element you can’t quantify. He really made a difference to the party made the night such fun. Will definitely use him again. Thanks David.
I’ve got nothing but positive feedback about David Turner, who recently DJ’d our wedding. Our communication leading up to the wedding was prompt and professional. Our wedding day timeline was very detailed, and he was on point for 100% of it. Most of our bridal party had difficult names to pronounce, but David took the time to learn how to pronounce them and did perfect. The uplighting he provided really added a lot to our decoration. I’ve heard nothing but praise from impressed guests who saw him perform during cocktail hour. His blend of music with the songs/genres we discussed made for a fantastic reception. My wife and I absolutely loved him performing saxophone live along to some of our favorite songs. He even got our 1 year old ring bearer up and dancing. I literally can’t say anything negative and appreciate all the work and effort he put into our day. 100% the perfect DJ/entertainer and I’d definitely recommend him to anyone reading this.
David is a very professional entertainer and is able to provide a variety of music for our audiences! He is prompt in responding to calls and emails and is also very reliable. I highly recommend him for DJ services for any event and he is also able to provide live music that anyone would enjoy!
12. Sarasota Violins
Address: 777 S Palm Ave UNIT 1, Sarasota, FL 34236 , Southgate , Florida , United States
Mark gave my guitar a tune up- new strings, adjusted the truss rod and saddle, and now it plays like a dream. Everyone in the store was friendly and professional.
Very friendly, knowledgeable staff. Earned all of my future business.
Listen!! Brandon.And Staff. I didn’t know where to turn.BUT.. you didn’t Let Me leave unhappy. In mins. They put together A price. took the time. to hear me out. THAT!!! My way of being SMART!!
I love my boss katana 100
These guys have a good selection of gear! The staff are very helpful
slightly expensive but assess your needs if you cant wait in time to order online
Who is giving this place 5 stars? Such rude employees. Answering the phone when I’m asking a question, clearly not listening to my questions or the topic because the sales associate would have known he was selling me the wrong thing. I was trying to figure out what I needed and not only will I have to fork over a 15% restocking fee if I try to return it but that would mean dealing with the “greeter” and staff again. Also while I was paying I was offered a 2 year warranty on an $80 item that was almost 20 bucks. I said I might do 1 year and he said they don’t do 1 year. Complete with attitude. I get the product home and lo and behold! I register it online and there is a free 1 year warranty. Glad I avoided that ripoff. But the thing that really got me? Upon paying I was asked not just for my name, but pretty much everything except my ss#. I said that I didn’t want to give him my cell number and address and he mumbled something about corporate and that they make him ask. That does not make me feel any better! I refused and the attitude reached a level that I didn’t know was available. I wanted out of there. I tried to show my receipt at the door and was ignored until I finally spoke up about wanting to leave. No, I do not think I will be returning there. It’s too bad because the reason I gave it 2 stars and not 1? If you know what you want and you don’t deal with staff, their prices are actually not bad.
Sitting here since noon, it’s now 12:20 and the store is still not open.
Not sure I will ever shop here again. Woman in the brass section was very friendly and helpful. Sales manager was a total jerk to another customer and when that customer left the sales manager said “doesn’t matter he wasn’t going to buy anything anyway”. You can never judge what a customer can afford simply by looking at them.
Me and my money will go elsewhere.
15. Sarasota Guitar Repair
Address: 1841 Parakeet Way, Sarasota, FL 34232 , Southgate , Florida , United States
Peter did an excellent job fixing my acoustic guitar. Competent, professional and reasonably priced. Realizing I had driven 45 minutes to meet him, he did the work while I waited, saving me a trip back. Highly recommended.
Excellent service and a great guy to do business with. Deserves more than 5 stars
Pete is super professional, prompt, and kind!
16. Strings Attached Inc.
Address: 3030 Alta Vista St #8233, Sarasota, FL 34237 , Southgate , Florida , United States
I recently purchased a new iPhone 12 Pro Max and set up new service with Verizon via Best Buy online. When I arrived at the store, an associate began to help me process and pick-up my phone. I believe his name was Eckner (my apologies if that’s incorrect). I’m here to tell you he was the most patient Salesperson I’ve ever dealt with! He took his time and was very thorough with me. We were there right up until closing and I told him I would try to complete the set up on my own at home. He never once pushed me to leave. These types of experiences are what keep me going back to our Best Buy on Tamiami Trail in Sarasota! Thanks for such excellent customer service !
Great service as always. We recently had an issue with an appliance from Pacific Kitchen and manager Steve Gordon was more than accommodating to resolve our issue. He arranged for it to be replaced and went above and beyond to take care of us. Thank you, we will continue to purchase from your location 🙂
Ordered two new computer screens and did curb side pick up. Was great..
This store is so helpful, employees at samsumg are polite and efficient.
They have what you need in electronics, too bad they don’t sell guitars anymore…
I’ve great customer service experience at this store compare to other best buy stores, on my way there now.
I was charged for 3 phone transactions when I only purchased 1 which resulted in $3200 of unauthorized funds being held from my bank account for over a week. I called customer service who instructed me to file a report with my local sheriff’s department, and that a supervisor would call me back, yet never did. I drove back to Best Buy near me to speak with a manager who happened to be very nice and proactive with helping me resolve this issue, but ultimately required me to file a dispute through my bank. I’ve been reimbursed for 1 transaction, but the 2nd is still pending release.
Couldn’t find any help…employees were walking around talking to each other. Left after 25 min of no help
The manager was rude, the sales guy dropped my computer he sold me
We hired DJ Littlebit to do our daughter’s wedding. I live out of town and was a little skeptical about hiring a DJ over the phone. I was pleasantly surprised when I found all of my doubts extinguished when I called DJ Littlebit. She was responsive to all of my questions and helped me and my daughter plan every step of the ceremony and reception. When we finally got to the day, She was there early to setup and make sure all was good. I watched from a distance as she got together with the banquet captain and gave them a copy of an outline she put together and explained the plan for the reception. That really impressed me! The ceremony and reception music was great! She knew just what to play and everybody loved her! If you need a good DJ…hire DJ Littlebit…you definitely get a quality DJ that delivers way above your expectations!
Was not happy at all. She did my sisters wedding and played none of the songs that were requested during their meeting. And was very demanding.
19. JumpDog Audio Productions
Address: 21 White Oak Terrace, Sarasota, FL 34237 , Southgate , Florida , United States
Excellent company with the best available products. Installation went smoothly. Responsive to any issues. Joe Carder, the CEO is to be commended.
This is a terrific company! Dan was very professional and patient with our requests and helped us find the perfect products for our needs in our living room and two bedrooms.
Installation day was awesome! Our installers were on time, professional, knowledgeable and helpful. They took great care with the work and left the house as clean as they found it. The finished product looks terrific and works great!
This is a professional company in every sense of the word. I highly recommend Integrity Sound and will certainly use them them again.
Integrity Sound recently installed my new 75-inch TV on a full-motion bracket, which included having to substantially reinforce the wall. The team at Integrity set the perfect expectation and did precisely what they promised and more. I can pull my 92lb TV almost 90 degrees from the wall with no concern. I had seen other work Integrity did in our condo building and was impressed. I went to their store on south Tamiami Trail and became even more impressed. Their team is very knowledgeable and accommodating. I ended up purchasing my REL subwoofer from them after a brief consultation. Too many other details to share, but let me say that I learned a lot about my AV equipment in the process and could no be happier with the installation. The team at Integrity Sound is among the best I have experienced in my long life as an audiophile and home theater lover. I highly recommend Integrity Sound and will be happy to share more of my experience upon request through the store.
Nice shop. Integrity has Mid-Fi and Hi-Fi equipment heads above the Bose and Sonos garbage at the typical Big Box store.
The demonstration of the anthem room correction was pretty amazing
