Good deals, low key and friendly staff can’t be beat
THE place in Tucson for all my Brompton needs.
Got a cool 25 cent vinyl!
Great used musical equipment and friendly service.
A real cool shop, bikes, musical instruments, old stereo equipment, old vinyl! The place has a very good instrument repair shop too!
It’s a good place
I thought it was a music store, but it is a bike store
I’ve read the experiences of other customers at this store and can’t believe that I am having such a negative experience with these guys! Granted the mistake was made on my part, but after realizing what had happened and returning the instrument in good condition and trying to fix the mistake, my wages were garnished for twice the amount of what the instrument was worth that I had rented! $1315.76 and now two and a half years later after I had paid in full they are trying to garnish my wages again for another $100. All of this was done without communication, I made a mistake after moving to a new house and packing the instrument away and forgot about it. I returned the item when I came across it unpacking immediately without notice. I wasn’t expecting not having to pay something, but to come back after having paid in full and after such a long time makes me wonder if the customers are really the focus of this store!
Will not do business with anymore!
2. Tucson Music Co/Business Music
Address: 1019 S Euclid Ave, Tucson, AZ 85719 , Tucson , Arizona , United States
Glad to see this staple still going. Mask enforcement, distancing in place, but the record store vibe is still strong. Live long Zia.
I sell my old music here.
This place specializes in used digital entertainment (i.e. CDs and DVDs). If you are looking for a Friday night movie, some cheap music you will actually own, or that random movie from your childhood then check this place out.
good selection, fair (competitive) pricing. A little more “corporate” feel than I prefer. Helpful, but not very knowledgeable staff. Small chain with stores in Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Tucson. The Tucson store is nothing special, but they’re the early birds there, opening at 10am where 12 noon is typical. Worth checking out for a couple hours before moving on to better options. A good selection of new vinyl. But if you’re digging through the used bins they are not in alphabetical order or anything resembling order at all. It’s like being at a Goodwill thrift store with better records.
Great place to pick up new and used movies and music, in many formats. The only thing keeping them from being 5-star is their absolutely dismal trade offers
I went into the store to buy a movie (would’ve preferred to get it at the Bookman’s next door) and my wife called while I was checking out. I was looking at the guitar picks and the rude cashiers both practically yelled at me to get off my phone, even though it could’ve been an important call. This makes me sad as I used to love this location and this one experience soured my opinion of it.
Buyer beware.
After being a customer for over 20+ years I got burnt.
Buying a new defective CD they will not return the full amount to you. So you are better off buying used and not new.
Dirty as Amazon.
If they order you a CD make sure it’s the right one.
4. Guitar Center
Address: 4720 E Broadway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85711 , Tucson , Arizona , United States
I heard the rumor that GC was not what it used to be, but I stayed there trying every bass and nobody made me feel uncomfortable. I bought a couple of strings and the personel knew very well the product.
They didn’t have the strap locks I’ve been looking for 🙁
Love guitar center at guitars etc. In Tucson AZ got my first guitar a fender strat
Very friendly staff and very knowledgeable about products! Was able to speak to both my 16 year old and me so both could understand what we were looking for and getting. Had a good stock of different kinds of what we were looking for. Decent prices as well. Overall good experience.
The staff was less knowledgeable than I would have liked but I got an outstanding deal on a classical guitar that made up for everything.
The workers were friendly and helpful. Don’t be afraid to ask questions
Always clean need more equipment and better customer service way better
Horrible. Everytime i go there no employees greet me or ask me if i need help. I don’t feel acknowledged at all. I hate going there. I’m fed up with them and now i go to Chicago Music store. That place understands what customer service is all about. NOT guitar center.
It’s a problem to return items, and very unfriendly service. I don’t plan to ever purchase any thing again from this store. It’s the employees, most of all!!!
I was in the Broadway store today 7/31/22 at about noon. I was and still am looking to spend about $2000 dollars on a new PRS S2 Guitar and a Boss Amp. Like i said, 2K or more.
I wondered around the nearly empty store (An employee back by the Keyboards was actually assisting a customer) for over half an hour. Never got a “Hello” or a “How ya doin today?” nor did anyone acknowledge that I was even in the store. What a Joke! I was really excited for today. What a letdown. I wouldn’t go back in that store if they paid me. Best to keep your money local, and they just proved it.
5. Chicago Music Store
Address: 45 S 6th Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701 , Tucson , Arizona , United States
Great Music Store! Mark and his staff are Awesome! I’ve known Mark over 35 years! Friendly and Professional! Everyone go see these guys for your music needs!
Amazing!
They have always been the best in town!!!
I didn’t know this store moved down the street until after I pulled on the old locations door. The new location is a lot more organized and welcoming. What isn’t welcoming is the manager.
You will find almost anything you need at this store. What they don’t have they will be able to find the right thing for you. Need a new reed for your sax or strings for a guitar? You found the right place! Do you want to have a friendly conversation with the workers? Look elsewhere!
I’ve been a customer of the chacago store for 40 years & I can. Say ” YOU CAN’T BEAT UM”
Friendly and great customer service!
HATED IT! Couldn’t for the life of me understand why they would move to a smaller building, until I realized it was because they were probably losing business! All thanks to an inconsiderate manager. After being rushed and insulted by management I can honestly say that I refuse to give them any opportunity of doing business with me whatsoever in the foreseeable future!
sad i have to change my review, really wanted to like this store but after returning our bass we ended up with one with a broken neck pick up and electrical problems. it kept making cracking and popping while it was plugged in. needless to say we returned it and got our other one back. we fixed up the flaws ourselves but point being you guys need to pay attention to these pieces you’re selling and work on them before you sell them. don’t sell somebody something like that.
This is a terrible store. The guy in charge is sleazy and their service is really bad. We went to a band rental night and this guy started yelling at everyone to come to his table. He really is embarrassing.
6. Desert Island Records
Address: 2930 E Broadway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85716 , Tucson , Arizona , United States
This place is great! Lots of options for viynl and a very friendly and awesome owner who is willing to help out. Also great selection of record players and speakers.
Jordan hooked it up! Got our record player up and running at the end of a long day and put in the extra time to answer some questions that I had as a newbie. Awesome local shop.
Best of Tucson 2023 for sure.
I’ve sold over 200 cassettes and 50 LPs to Jordan at his interesting store. He’s fair, aware, and knows his stuff. The selection here is astounding so if you love music, it’s time to visit Desert Island.
Great record store, but not a large collection of 12″ singles for sale
Pretty fair trade prices.
Great selection of new and used vinyl.
Called and asked if they had a specific record and the gentleman said he had one left. I asked him to hold it for me, and he confirmed he would. Made the drive over to the store to pick it up and he said he didnt get around to pulling it. We walked over to where the record would be and it wasnt there. He then claimed “I’m not here everyday so I don’t see what gets sold or not.” Buddy… if you wouldve looked and held it like you said you were going to I wouldn’t have made the trip to be disappointed. If I could give no stars I would.
The owner will not give you fair pricing . Left some items/parts for him to research for me but when I returned . He did not give me any advice on the parts and and said they mysteriously disappeared. Now owner is being dishonest I took over two weeks to get back in touch with him due to Christmas holidays and his hours of operation , however I did call once to check in and regardless they were not his to do as please and not informing me first . Take responsibility for your actions .
7. The Folk Shop
Address: 2525 N Campbell Ave, Tucson, AZ 85719 , Tucson , Arizona , United States
Was looking all over town as a long shot to fix up a uke from the 60s… Got tossed around a while by the big stores then ran into this place. Literally the paragon of a beautifully run business! Amazing staff, amazing store, AMAZING prices! Had all my missing tuners, strings, and even a fret board for less than what others would charge just for strings… I wish I could rate them 6/5 stars…
Very helpful staff, super eclectic collection of used instruments. A must-visit. FYI currently only available by appointment.
Best music store in the world! The staff has always been incredible, and the gear is to die for. Their repair shop, and selection are truly world class. They’re single handedly keeping the plectrum banjo alive in AZ! I’m sad I don’t live in the state anymore, but plan to be back soon!
This is a nice local folk music shop. If it had more choices I’d give it 5 stars, but a great place nevertheless.
Extremely friendly. Good selection of many types of folk acoustic instruments and they let you play most of them. Somewhat limited array of different brands, thus 4 stars. I’m looking forward to doing more business with them.
Putting an inanimate object ( guitar) in a five day quarantine seemed silly….especially after the tech spent 20 minutes in extremely close contact doing the inspection. The work was fine, the price was fair. The extreme lock down just turned me off….
Very rude disrespectful because I was asking for a part and I didn’t have a mask and I wasn’t trying to go in the place without permission and they were just very rude very very rude and I didn’t understand I was thrown off by it. Yelling at me for no reason all I wanted was a part I didn’t even try to go into shop told her I’d wait outside because I didn’t have a mask she slams door in my face. So I go get a mask and they won’t even deal with me I was the up most respectful and didn’t deserve that. Very very rude!!! I’ll never do business with them again.
Well, over the years I’ve bought, sold, and traded with Paul and really wouldn’t do so again. The last guitar I purchased there had broken tuner barrels and more important, his pricing and moods vary wildly. Certainly lots to look at, but no great shakes in terms of quality or pricing.
I am absolutely incredulous as to how condescendingly I was treated over the phone by this place. I arrived with my Taylor 312-CE looking to trade up and quite likely spend substantial chunk of money. I noticed the posting on the door that read (I may be paraphrasing) “masks required even for those vaccinated.” I have been twice jabbed with Pfizer, but no problem. I get it. I understand it. People may not be fully honest about their status and might contaminate others. I have zero issue complying with the policy The posting also read “do not knock; call to be granted entry” (again, I may be paraphrasing, but this was the gist). I keep a KN-95 with me in the car but couldn’t find it. Maybe it fell behind the seat or something. I ring their number. A woman answers. Convo goes like this: “Hi, I noticed you require masks even for the vaxxed, which I am fully, but I can’t seem to find mine here in my car….I’m here outside….do you happen to have any masks there inside the store that you could pass out to me”? (like logical, sensible merchants across town, the state, the country have in abundance in case you forgot or can’t find yours—sterile ones for the taking in boxes) “If not, I don’t live too far. I can run home, grab one and come back”. The woman on the phone raises her voice and says “NO YOU NEED TO WEAR A MASK” and abruptly hangs up!! Um, I think I got that part and more than amply communicated it back. Wow. And delivered with a tone of voice akin to Mrs. Gulch from Wizard of Oz. I was perfectly polite, acknowledged the policy and was willing to go out of my way to comply. This is not only ridiculously bad policy, but there was not even basic intelligible, lucid communication on her part. Not the conduct of a sound minded individual.
Now, for some background. I have never made any major purchases at Folk Shop. However, I have patronized them over years–even before I moved to Tucson. The first time, I was recording an album visiting from Austin in 2014 and needed a dobro capo. The engineer called around to Guitar Center and few other places. They didn’t even know what a dobro was, much less a dobro capo. Folk Shop to the rescue with a Paul Beard capo, just like the one I had forgotten and left back in TX! I’ve been there since for strings, straps, stainless steel slides etc. Never ever the slightest of problems. What happened today is totally inexcusable. I myself have been fastidious and a stickler about masking and distancing throughout the pandemic, but this kind of post-mandate fanaticism, illogic and outright meanness is beyond the pale. They certainly don’t want my money or any of my future business. To hell with this place. l’ll buy a guitar from Musician’s Friend before stepping foot in there, even though I prefer to shop locally.
8. L&M Music Center
Address: 4915 E Speedway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85712 , Tucson , Arizona , United States
Super friendly staff! My son and I will definitely be back! Thank you again
Everything you need whether a working musician or a beginner. Friendly staff to meet all your musical needs!
Very knowledgeable and helpful. Great pricing. Highly recommended
Friendly knowledgeable staff
Friendly staff. Stock is usually good and other times they don’t have reeds which requires me to travel further to a different store.
It’s basically just a repair shop for guitars and amps
John took my bass for a setup about a month ago. He first said it would take about a week. a week later, I called in and he said he was working on it that day. When I came in the towards the end of the following day John had not worked on the instrument at all. Instead of providing customer service, he gave the run around and said it would be done in a week, he said he would call me the following Monday. Havent heard from him since, now i have to find time to go back to retrieve my property and i expect him to give me a hard time based on how he has treated me so far. Wish i could give 0 stars, its been a month.
Took my clarinet in for the simplest repair. Took more then 3 months to get it back.
Incredible selection and you can deal with them on prices.
thank you Harvey! a man of his word, he delivered big time!
Friendly knowledgable staff. Been in Tucson forever. They are a big part of our musical community and have been solid for equipment choices.
Buscaba una squier telecaster y no encontré, hay guitarras de gama alta o muy alta
V very professional and good repair very very well experience Workshop
Cool little place! First time there and i was impressed. Prices are about the same as guitar center. Employees were great, greeted right away and all my questions were answered in detail.
You need an appointment to go in the store. Drove all this way and was turned away. The person at the door had zero customer service. I checked the website, it is in very small print that you need an appointment. Owner should make this requirement larger and adjust google hours to say that you need an appointment. Inadequate communication and bad customer service.
New business model is pretty inconvenient for anyone looking to drop in for a quick repair question or if they have an item in stock.
Tried calling and got transferred with no answer.
I was testing a guitar I wanted to buy when one of the employees walked in and said ” play a less expensive guitar” and he just grabbed it from my hand.when I had the cash in my pocket to purchase the guitar….I’m never going back.
11. Low Key Music Entertainment
Address: 2509 N Campbell Ave, Tucson, AZ 85719 , Tucson , Arizona , United States
The owner was very nice and helpful. He’s been helping out musicians in my family for decades!
Mark was such a great help to me with my Trumpet purchase! Excellent prices and customer service. I wont hesitate to use him again.
Had them set up my dad’s old acoustic guitar. They got it done in a day, cleaned it up nicely and charged a fair price for an experts time. Great shop!
Pretty good selection of instruments other than no ovation guitars. Didn’t have the product I was looking for and the desk manager is very pushy about selling. Other than those, decent store.
Helpful and friendly. Very knowledgeable about the product and give you space to look around.
Great service, Mark and his team were really helpful!
Wouldn’t recommend, music is suppose to be fun and the tall white guy doesn’t leave you alone. Let people play in peace. I’ll be going to guitar center where they let you express yourself.
For people who play guitar with left hand beware not the place for you to expensive but for people who play with there right hand good choice for you
Was doing rent to buy they gave me a broken instrument that didn’t work then I took it back the next day they accused me of breaking it then made me pay a hundred and fifty dollars to fix it even though I didn’t break it
13. Paracho Music Shop
Address: 4100 S Palo Verde Rd, Tucson, AZ 85714 , Tucson , Arizona , United States
Great people to be around with and great customer service!
I bought a used Yamaha G3 from Hachenberg and Sons about 2 years ago, and they were wonderful, personable, and helpful. So don’t hesitate to shop and buy from them.
Very polite and competitive prices!
Nice young sales person
New to town and looking to buy a new digital piano, we asked our Son about his family’s’ new Yamaha.
He had rave reviews for the store and the owner, Mark.
We went into the store and didn’t meet Mark but spoke with one of the salesmen on the floor. He was attentive, gave us all the information we asked for and then some. We figured out that the model we were after hadn’t been shipped yet!! We said we’d be back.
We left that day without buying. The next week we called and spoke with Mark. He has been terrifically helpful. He gave us a heck of a price on a new Yamaha. Mark estimated a month before delivery and then beat his own estimated installation date by at least two weeks!!
The installation was speedy, clean and easy.
We appreciated the process of shopping and buying from a locally owned business.
I just came in from out of town and wanted to check out some pianos. I saw this piano store was one of the only good ones in the area. Unfortunately, after walking in and trying out a few pianos, a salesman walked up to us and told us to quiet down because an “actual customer” was buying a piano. This would have been fine, but his condesending tone and rudeness toward us during this encounter made the store very unwelcoming. I was shocked to say the least and do not recommend going here to buy a piano.
They are completely lousy business people. Don’t deal with this piano compny, I don’t care how long they have been in business. They are no good. The don’t right their wrong. Do not trust them. I am warning you.
15. Southwest Strings
Address: 1721 S Cherrybell Stra, Tucson, AZ 85713 , Tucson , Arizona , United States
Rented a full-sized cello for 2 mo. Walked in not wait, rented the cello. Walked in, returned it. Kind employees. They were helpful on the phone as well. Thank you!
so helpful and answered my e mail questions right away ~
Wow. You need strings? Dont miss this place in Tucson. What a treat anf ask for Rafail. He is soft spoken, friendly and extremely helpful. I love this place and highly recommend it to anyone that plays a stringed instrument. Check it out and you wont be sorry. Thanks Rafiel. I messed up the spelling of your name I bet. Youare a treat.
Love this place nice people
Great service; changed my string for me. Don’t know about the string itself though. I bought a replacement E string for my violin. Got home to tune it, and it broke right away.
Very Nice plece coolSTUFF
Bad company. The g string was in bad condition and Southwest strings didn’t want to replace it for another one.
While I’m sure they’re online service is fine, their face-to-face is extremely lacking. Aside from the sterile atmosphere you hit when you first walk in, you have to wait for someone to walk away from the phone to greet you. Then it’s a hassle and almost like they do not want you to come to the store at all. Today’s goal’s was to get a new bridge fitted on my son’s violin at the request of his teacher who asked me to bring it to SW Strings specifically. The “sales person” told me that he could not help me! When just 2 months prior to this visit I came in to have a warped bridge replaced on my own violin with no problem, and even opted to have old mechanical pegs replaced while I was at it. While I have had positive dealings in the past (because where else are you going to go in Tucson) today’s experience was the worst yet. So bad, that I asked to speak with a manager, who never came out to speak with me but simply “allowed them” to “go ahead” and fit a bridge on my son’s violin. The sales man was quick to say that I “shouldn’t expect this service in the future”. Well don’t worry buddy! I won’t make the mistake of giving Southwest Strings my money again!! In an age when there are many many options, online and otherwise you really shouldn’t be such jerks to people who were previously loyal!!
I’ve been a loyal customer for 30+ years and purchased and traded both of my violas here but they won’t even consider purchasing a previously used instrument!
This place is the place to get some great instruments,,,, the staff is more than excellent, friendly, professional and knows alot about their instrument knowledge,, I purchased cool kazoos here and nothing less than satisfied. And they have classes and lessons here so that’s just adding to the greatness, I highly recommend anyone to stop by here I know I’m coming here again.
Very friendly, lovely people. Will def come again!
The staff are very knowledgeable and they will go to great lengths to make sure you get what you need.
Cool little place. Very helpful staff and nice selection of different types of instruments
Helpful people,great selection,but its a music store a bit pricey
Good !
Had my violin taken in for string and bridge replacement because of old age. When given back they failed to consult if I wanted the gear pegs back on, nor did they fill my request of a new bridge. When taken to a second opinion they stated that the bridge was ready to collapse and was causing issue to the sound post.
Place is ok but prices are high
I’m not sure what this store is doing but I’m pretty sure it is illegal. I did a Google search for Metronome Music and when I clicked on the link this store came up. I don’t like being misled or deceived and I will never take my business here. Shame on you
19. Fletcher Music Centers
Address: 4500 N Oracle Rd #203, Tucson, AZ 85705 , Tucson , Arizona , United States
Great place, fabulous organs and very friendly, helpful and caring staff.
I never thought I would ever be able to play any instrument. Thanks to Daun’s patience, teaching skills, and caring to see that all of her students succeed, here I am actually playing! WOW! I own a Lowrey Marquee and love it. I really miss my in-store classes but thankful for ZOOM! Thanks to Robert Roman and John Riley for making Zoom available.
I can confidently say that the people who have left negative reviews on this page do not know this company.
My friend bought a lovely Lowery Organ in November of this last year…..8 months old. He died 2 months ago, I called Fletcher Music to see about a consignment….they offered us 200.00 !!!! Wow I have a receipt here for 8,649.63 dated November 7 2019….that my friend is some really outrageous depreciation. Run fast from this business, run!
Employees were rude and unwelcoming.
The worst place you can get an organ and not the best place to go guitar center is highly recommended employees are rude as well even the owner of the company.
20. James Robert Violins
Address: 107 1/2 W 5th St, Tucson, AZ 85705 , Tucson , Arizona , United States
