This is what American-made quality and customer service is all about. If you’re ever in the area, and they are giving tours again, go. It’s a great group of people who believe in what they do. I have a Deering Sierra 5-string and four-string Irish Tenor that sound awesome! Had a finish issue with my first Irish tenor banjo, but they stood behind their reputation and addressed it, which blew me away with their response given customer service. My wife is looking for a “banjolele” or banjo uke. I’m trying to sway her towards their concert as, I don’t think, there’s another banjo that comes close to the sound/timbre of theirs. I’d never hesitate to buy from Deering. Even with the occasional challenge, in my experience, they’ve ponied up to address it. And that’s what I care about. Life never goes exactly how I think it ought, but, when things go sideways, what is the response going to be. I’ll continue to look to Deering given my banjo musical needs.
Great tour for kids and not-kids…
It is a biggest Banjo Company in USA !!! Everyone should go there
Long history of fame for banjos. Family owned & operated. Friendly. Take time , interest with questions. Tours – call to set up.
Very original.
I wrote a review but the “confirm e-mail address” on your e-mail to me did not connect me to anything. For what it is worth, here’s what your banjo case handle looks like. Not what I expected for $300+.
Dropped the ball with their customer service. I was informed that i would be receiving a new neck for my banjo back in July. I think i have been left high and dry with no communication on any progress or solution to my Goodtime Artisan Banjo that i bought brand new last year.
2. Lucky Cat Studio
Address: 3911 N Cordoba Ave Unit I, Spring Valley, CA 91977 , Spring Valley , California , United States
When it comes to buying authentic cultural instruments or artifacts in a world where indigenous cultures have been stolen from and exploited for centuries, integrity and trustworthiness are among the most important virtues I look for in vendors. This is why I buy from and refer people to Mundo Music.
Ignacio is not just a businessman he is a man of the community. He is not just in it to make money but to also educate people about culture and music from all over the world.
His instruments are vast in variety, high and quality and reasonable in price. I purchased a beautiful djembe that I will likely have for the rest of my life.
I highly recommend investing in Mundo Music for your authentic instrument needs.
It’s difficult to find authentic Malinke style drums in San Diego. I’m glad I found Mundo Music because not only was I able to purchase a djembe and drum case that sounds incredible, but Ignacio is now my go to guy for when I need tune ups or repairs. Thank you Mundo Music!
Ignacio is an excellent guy for repair and sales. I bought my first drum from him and it was one of the best decision I’ve ever made! Smooth business, like James Bond.
5. U J Music
Address: 3911 N Cordoba Ave, Spring Valley, CA 91977 , Spring Valley , California , United States
Great small town music store. Support local merchants
Owner very helpful and knowledgeable. The place was a bit stuffy, but had better prices for violin than guitar center. Would definitely return and recommend.
Come here first.
Pro’s use it! Good place for accessories for all instruments (it’s not just a “piano store,” which Google listed it as). As a professional musician, I go there regularly for valve oil, instructional material, mutes, stands, and more. Always helpful on the phone and in person. There aren’t many brick-and-mortar places like this left, and I’m glad they’re there.
Alway helpful; full service instrument store
Great service and good choice for buying my first ukulele
The staff always seems bothered when you come in. Also over priced.
Walked in today and the whole upstairs smelled like sewage!! I used to love this place. Please, please fix this. I cannot come back with that smell!!
Alan’s has been our one-stop-shop for music, instrument rentals and instrument repair since our daughters started taking piano lessons 18 years ago. In the years since, we’ve taken flutes, saxes and a trombone in for repair. Often, Bob would do it on the spot – and would refuse payment. Most times it was quick, professional and fairly priced. And, I’ve posted appropriately complimentary reviews at that time. Our girls are away at college now, so we haven’t been there in quite a while, but this week’s experience was markedly different. Last Wednesday, I joined a community concert band (first ensemble in nearly 40 years). On Thursday, I took two flutes in for adjustment. On Friday, I called – as directed. Bob advised that he hadn’t even looked at them yet, but said that he would call me back. Today – Tuesday, I called and was informed that I was “moving up the list”. I understand (now) that they have more work than they can handle, and I don’t begrudge them that. But, it would have been nice if they would have said, “We won’t be able to get to your instruments for a week, or a month, or until 2019”, rather than leading me to believe that I should expect the same service as I’d always received in the past. And, when I picked up the instruments this morning, I asked for a recommendation to another shop that might not be as busy. But instead of extending that professional courtesy, they said they didn’t know, since several shops had closed. The 2 stars is for that. So, I guess it’s not surprising afterall, that no one in my section had ever heard of Alan’s Music. I will take my leaky flute into tomorrow’s rehearsal and ask where my fellow musicians recommend I take it for repair.
8. Moze Guitars
Address: 8415 La Mesa Blvd #1, La Mesa, CA 91942 , Spring Valley , California , United States
These guys are amazing. I’ll never go anywhere else in San Diego. They fixed my guitar beautifully and were so sweet and conversational.
I brought in a Fender jazz fretless, i purchased on reverb. I paid full price for a neglected instrument. The fingerboard was allowed to dry and warp. The crew at Moze Guitars turned my Reverb dud, into the amazingly toned bass it was originally. Beautiful work great price. Thank you!
If you require professional instrument repair – go see Gene or Walt at Moze Guitar. They are THE BEST in town!
Really enjoy talking to the guys that work there. They know their stuff.
I’ve been going to Moze since he was on College Avenue for many years now. Recently however he has some new people working for him that are rude and condescending. They actually damaged my G&L by trying to jam noiseless pick ups into it that it wasn’t designed for. Instead of calling me up they tried to push them in and distorted the pick guard. They also were unable to set the guitar up. The best way I can describe the guys face who took care of me while I was dealing with this was a contemptuous sneer. The bank got my money back but I’ll never go here again.
Took my guitar in to get a rewire because it was out of phase, extremely quiet, and no notes rang out. Made sure it was my guitar that was the problem and nothing else. Took it to Moze and they said they’d fix it. Two and a half weeks go by and I hear nothing. Today I got my guitar back and it’s like they didn’t even touch it. Nothing was re-wired, my guitar is still broken, I was charged $65.
9. McCrea Music Company
Address: 4730 3rd St suite b, La Mesa, CA 91941 , Spring Valley , California , United States
Loved McCrea Music Co! Very friendly! Good deals and they go the extra mile to make sure you and your child are happy.
It is a nice and clean place to visit
My kids go here for piano lessons and we’ve had a good experience. We’ve been doing the lessons for 2 years. They’re pretty disorganized, bordering on hoarders and Gentry is forgetful, but I like them and they’re friendly/chatty. The instructor my kids see is nice and gentle and positive and I’ve seen nice progression in their skills.
I got my daughter’s cello here. They are a bit unorganized but they do have great customer service. This store will upgrade your instrument to a bigger one for no charge if you buy from them. I’m a satisfied customer 🙂
This is the real deal, musicians running a business. As such you’re gonna get some good along with some bad. they’re not very organized but they love music and they love teaching music. So I guess my real question is do you want your child being taught music by a musician or an accountant?
My mom bought a bass from McCrea for $3000 retail. A few years later we found out (from a reputable dealer) that the Bass was made in China and was finished (just stained) in the US and sold at a premium by McCrea. They have been ripping people off for years we paid $3000.00 for an instrument that was worth $100.00. Be very careful if you buy a McCrea brand instrument it is most likely a chineese knock off of a name brand.
Horrible experience. I would never go there again and would not recommend it to anyone. Read all reviews carefully
I took my kids here for lessons and an instrument rental and the owner is very unprofessional. I was a day late on payment he kept calling and said he would come find me. I took my kids out of there.The studio smells musty and not sure if its safe for kids. Scary.
10. Guitar Center
Address: 8825 Murray Dr, La Mesa, CA 91942 , Spring Valley , California , United States
Best place for musical instruments, no place better
Great customer service, really helpped me out with buying new gear. Also you can pretty much interact and play with any instrument they have there.
Great place
Pricey but the best place to buy instruments in San Diego
Cool place
Good product selection, great service and employees. Not cheap.
The customer service is horrible here. No one ever asks if you need help and you have to walk around the store to find someone to help you. I almost purchased an electronic Roland drum kit but decided not to when the person selling was rude and very short mannered. Glad I went to Sam ash because it was also $100 cheaper there.
Management needs to speak to employees on customer service!!
This guitar center blows.
I’m thinking about returning back the items I purchased, and re-buying them at Sam Ash Music store.
The customer service at this place is non-existent. Be prepared to stand around looking for somebody to help you.
This place is really only useful if you know exactly what you want and are going to get in and get out.
Stay too long and the employees’ existential desperation will stink up your aura, and you’ll be checking your local back pages for a sweat lodge near you. Might even have to smudge your car.
You were warned.
