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!
Great store! Love the selection of Ernie Ball Music Man instruments.
Fantastic service, fast shipping, and competitive pricing.
Great service
2. Upton Bass String Instrument Co.
Address: 159 Packer Rd, Mystic, CT 06355 , Ulldecona , Connecticut , United States
Great mail order service at this time of COVID trouble. Keeping us going…
The woodworking and music craft of this beautiful shop have been endlessly rewarding and supportive. Not to mention the enthusiasm of the staff. It’s truly a mystic experience and not only because it’s in Mystic CT!
Upton Bass is the best! Back in 2007 I purchased an Upton Professor fully carved bass. The guys over there are amazing. Gary, Eric and Jack helped me through the process of choosing the right model, strings and set up, that would fit my playing style. The Bass ended up being the finest Double Bass I had owned to date(it was my third). After many gigs, rehearsals, recording sessions and auditions, I fell on some hard times and was forced to make the tough decision to have to sell it to a friend (he was super impressed with it and offered to buy it to help me out). I’ve purchased and sold a bunch of gear and instruments throughout my life but I will say that the sale of the Upton was my most regrettable move to date. Luckily for me- Gary and the team at Upton have continued their excellent pursuit of fine craftsmanship and I’m working with them on a custom built Brescian model. Very much looking forward to the process and working closely with Upton to have a bass that will be passed down generations.
I purchased a ply bass that had issues out the door. The geometries where all wrong (e.g., the neck was too thin and was not pitched to the back of the bass) and it had a buzz coming from the fingerboard and bridge setup. They were unable to resolve the buzzing sound and I took it it to a local luthier to have the problem resolved. I ended up donating the bass our school district and purchasing a Shen.
Also do not purchase bows from Upton. I purchased a $2000+ bow made by J.R. Silva, Brazil, which developed a splinter just above the frog within 6 months and Upton would not warrant the bow. I now have a $2000+ paperweight.
Update, 10/28/2023:
… as to your reply, yes, I initially thought this was a great bass until I started using it for rehearsals and the buzzing appeared. I thought it was something I was doing or even due to the new bow. I drove 4 hours one way to your location to have your staff address the buzzing issue and they shaved a high spot on the fingerboard near first position and the buzzing did not appear while I was there. When I returned home and started using the bass again for rehearsals the buzzing reappeared. I wasn’t about to drive an other 8 hours to give your staff a second chance at addressing this. Instead, I took it to a local luthier who fixed the buzzing through a combination of reshaping both the fingerboard and bridge (the bridge was set up for jazz, even though I had told your staff that I play mostly orchestral music). While working on my bass, the luthier pointed out the other issues that I mentioned in my review. I am not a luthier, so I would not have necessarily recognized these issues except that through pro-longed use I might have developed muscular issues.
It also wasn’t until your staff responded last week that they could not help me with the issues with my bow that I decided to post this. I don’t like to post negative comments, but I wanted to warn other potential customers of my experience. Your staff could not even help with how I might get in touch with Mr. Silva. If you sell someone’s product, I would think you would have some form of contact information. I spent a lot of money on this bow ($2000+) and NO I DID NOT CAUSE THIS SPLINTER TO APPEAR. I do not appreciate you implying so by your comment. Had your staff handled things differently, I would not have posted this review.
You, as an owner, could have handled this differently as well. You *could* have contacted me by phone about this, instead of responding to my review in the manner that you did, and I might have considered removing this review. You could have even contacted me directly before I posted this review, as several days had lapsed between my speaking with your staff and my posting this review. At this point, based on the content of your reply, I will not remove this review.
3. Bethel Music Center – Instrument Sales, Rentals, Lessons and Repairs
Address: 273 Greenwood Ave #101, Bethel, CT 06801 , Ulldecona , Connecticut , United States
The People at Bethal Music Have always been unbelievable in finding any Quest i have been looking for. Super Friendly and Knowledgeable in all catagories. it has been a pleasure working with the the entire staff at Bethal Music.
Where else? Where else in the Danbury/Bethel area can you get all the music, Muzak, musique y musica Stuff and Expertise at all levels and for all genres that you may need?! Where, I ask you. Go ahead, try and tell me. But don’t try to tell me you’ll find nicer, more helpful staff than Sarah and Sophia and Juan and… Don’t even.
Great service! They make you feel appreciated and they actually care.
Instrument rentals are great for their prices
Just stopped by quick. Had a great hour. They are the best
Good info from employees
4. Woodbury Music Shop
Address: 766 Main St S, Woodbury, CT 06798 , Ulldecona , Connecticut , United States
Woodbury Music is the best shop around of all of your instrument needs! The shop owner Dave, is both friendly & knowledgeable! I have gotten both common things done (fixing of saxophone keys) as well as unusual things done (fixing of a dulcimer bridge) and everyone has always been great! I have also taken lessons for almost three years now, and my teacher Mike is not only a dedicated teacher, but also a very talented professional. Stop by and check it out!
A hidden gem UPSTAIRS. Don’t miss it. Dave the owner is great, and talented. Patrick Gill is the PREMIER guitar TECH in the whole northwest CT region. He works miracles at a very fair price. Excellent teachers, Will for piano and keyboards and Mike for guitar and bass. Better check them out. I only trust my guitars to Dave and Patrick. Won’t go anywhere else. Seriously.
Great honest shop here. Had a great online interaction with Dave via email. Want to know why I trust them? Because they talked me out of a purchase. Ha! Thanks again!
5. La Salle Music & Sound
Address: 993 Main St #2233, East Hartford, CT 06108 , Ulldecona , Connecticut , United States
Small shop but has any parts you’d need are probably there and the staff were helpful.
They really helped on some amp repairs.
Very curtious and quick service went to fix guitar ❤
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.
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.
Closed even though the hours said it was open (3 pm on a Wednesday). The place looked like a hoarders attic. Absolute mess.
Sent me a different accordion with no straps and a case that should of been thrown out
6. Middlesex Music Academy
Address: 440 Main St, Middletown, CT 06457 , Ulldecona , Connecticut , United States
I had a last-minute emergency repair needed for my flute right before a performance, and the staff at Middlesex Music Academy were all so kind and helpful. They fixed my flute in record time, and walked me through the whole process with the highest of professionalism. Thank you so much!
I needed small studio monitors for a Yamaha YDP 323, so that I could record it without wearing headphones. Matt recommended PreSonus Eris E4.5’s. What a great set of speakers! No hum or distortion and completely accurate. The price was also great, no more than online while shopping local. Great store, great staff. Thank you!
Great service – they fixed my instrument while I waited, gave clear instructions on follow up care, and I was all set for my gig that night.
The sales team made it possible for me to afford a piano for my son
I would give Middlesex Music Academy a 0 if I was able to. I called to inquire about a $150 charge when I haven‘t been confirmed by John the guitar teacher. I made a request to Matt that Tuesday was my preference but John was booked so he scheduled Thursday at 6pm. I received a text and email from John yesterday that he had a conflict for Thursday and offered Friday. I responded via text/email that would not work and inquired if this was temporary or permanent to which I did not receive a response. I let John know this may not be a good fit then. I called today to have the charge refunded and Jim proceeded to call me names, saying I was yelling & screaming over the phone and I was being rude. No need to go into the dramatics but Jim needs a lesson in manners, telling the truth and understanding that being a manager does not give him the authority to behave poorly. Never once did I raise my voice but did correct Jim several times throughout the conversation all because i asked for a refund. Extremely unprofessional and a bad look for Middlesex Music all around. I will be taking my business elsewhere. Inexcusable & theater worthy performance by Jim today folks!!!
I signed up for a piano lesson trial online. Their site is very confusing and it’s not clear if the lesson is in-person and online. I called them, left a message but they never called me back. In the day/time of the lesson, I called them 3 times because I was having problems to contact the teacher. The guy who works there, Jim, clearly doesn’t have any customer service skills. He was rude and unpleasant. He didn’t make any effort to help me, told me a was confused and nobody else had problems. I just canceled the future lessons there. It’s easier just hire a private piano teacher. Hopefully I will never have to deal with this guy again.
I paid $80 for a setup on a guitar and got it back with the strings a mile off of the neck and the floyd rose studs so high out of the body I could park a car under it. The bridge pickup was raised until it was practically touching the strings and the neck pickup was lowered to below the pickup ring. The tech then told me that 10-52 strings don’t exist. They’re light top heavy bottom and aren’t even uncommon strings. Every time I go there they give bad advice and clearly don’t know what they’re talking about. My friend tried to buy a tubescreamer (basic overdrive) and they tried to sell him a phaser instead (completely different thing).
7. Rayburn Music
Address: 22B Andover Dr, West Hartford, CT 06110 , Ulldecona , Connecticut , United States
Excellent Quality of both service and instruments.
Very friendly fast and efficient service! I love shopping local
Fast and friendly service
trying to reach the store for the past 5 months. they are not responding to email or phone call. The phone service is also disconnected now.
we are left with no response and no refund.
STAY AWAY from this company! I rented a cello early 2019. We returned the cello in Aug 2019 and are still getting billed for it! I’ve called and left messages since no one picks up the phone in the Milford office where I rented and returned the instrument. No call back and monthly payments for the cello are still getting charged off my bank card. Had to file a complaint with my bank to stop payments. Terrible terrible business practice!
In store service is good but can never call the Hartford Rayburn Music. Electronic voice prompts to dial 0 for an attendant but when do so it says “Your call cannot be transferred” been a customer for about 3 years. Never could get done anything over phone. Have to visit store for everything.
8. The Music Shop
Address: 405 Queen St, Southington, CT 06489 , Ulldecona , Connecticut , United States
Very helpful staff and kids get to play the demo keyboards which only sparks their creativity and musicality and that’s a bonus in my book. They also offer lessons here and have a huge selection of guitars and instruments can be rented or purchased. Will be visiting again that’s for sure!!!!
Used to go to guitar center all the time till one day the worker wasn’t there, gave a chance over here and wasn’t disappointed! Gave me help on my Billie joe Armstrong replica by installing a new neck and saddles and I have to say this has to be the best set up I’ve ever played, I feel like I’m playing a custom shop on a squier! Such great help, friendly faces and now my go to for setups and help! Have a custom Strat there being worked on and I can’t tell you how tired there gonna get of me bringing in guitar after guitar to get setup in my collection one comes back to me and I give them another the same visit haha, thank you Scott, Jackson and Tyler!! Feels like a family and not business and that’s the best type!
– Michael
We had a great experience at the music shop in Southington. We went in to buy a guitar for our son. Tyler was really helpful and answered all our questions patiently. Thank you Tyler!
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.
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.
9. The Music Score LLC
Address: 2315 Silas Deane Hwy, Rocky Hill, CT 06067 , Ulldecona , Connecticut , United States
I have been taking piano lessons with Gil Flores @ The Music Score studio for the past 2 years and have had an excellent experience. Gil brings a wealth of musical experience and teaches in a very understandable, nonthreatening manner with reasonable expectations and positive feedback. Relates well to all age groups.
Really great place to stop by and get an instrument. The prices seem a bit higher but the quality is surely within the quality you’d expect.
I bought a ukulele here and the quality and sound lived up to the price.
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.
Very knowledgeable and friendly.
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.
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.
10. JC Music
Address: 529 W Main St, Meriden, CT 06451 , Ulldecona , Connecticut , United States
They have a range of teachers to learn music from! I’ve learned so much within the 2 years I’ve been there!
Definitely would recommend this store, I’ve bought a few instruments and books from them and I put a guitar and some accessories up for consignment which sold relatively quickly. It’s a great store and I’ll continue to shop there for as long as I live in Meriden.
My daughter has taken piano lessons with Brian at JC music for two years. It has been a positive experience all around. We have been very impressed with Brian’s knowledge, ability and patience with teaching young children. I would highly recommend him!
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.
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.
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.
11. Creative Music Center
Address: 701 Main St, Monroe, CT 06468 , Ulldecona , Connecticut , United States
All of the staff, from folks at the register to the instructors to the director of music education, are professional and knowledgeable, with a warm welcome to boot!
The older guy really helped me with my guitar! He was so nice!
Nice music store in Monroe, we bought a cute ukulele here!
Poor customer service.
Came here with my son they were very rude to my son and not very knowledgeable… wouldn’t come back here again and don’t recommend it.
Brought my daughter’s flute in to be repaired. Over a month and they never touched it. No time table given for when they would fix it.
12. Giuliano’s Music
Address: 406 Westport Ave, Norwalk, CT 06850 , Ulldecona , Connecticut , United States
Giuliano’s Music Store is truly a gift to this community.
From purchasing an instrument or having your prized guitar repaired or set up to perfection, Bobby has you covered with care and detail.
I got a great deal on a pre-owned Gibson that was being sold on consignment. Bobby took care of me and the guitar is in FANTASTIC condition, as described. I am very happy with my purchase. Thank you!
Always friendly and courteous. I have never had a bad experience and refer everyone to them!
Good service, very nice staff and management!
Everyone was insanely helpful from who I spoke to on the phone for customer support, to the guy that helped me out when I came to pick up the amp in store. Giuliano’s Music takes care of its customers. Will definitely be returning for anything else I need in the future.
I went needing a pack of guitar strings to find out that they were closed. Their hours online say 12-4 on Saturday. Their door said the same. Lights off no one answered the phone. The time I went you ask? 3:25. EDIT:I have since gone back and they have been very nice and kind. Which has let me to update my rating.
13. Music & Arts
Address: 907 Hartford Turnpike E11, Waterford, CT 06385 , Ulldecona , Connecticut , United States
I have been coming here for eight years now, and this place really feels like home. Wouldn’t go anywhere else for my music needs!
They had plenty of instruments, books, and other things to browse through. The atmosphere was pleasant and the staff was friendly. I will definitely be returning for musical purchases I need to make in the future.
Friendly and knowledgeable customer service.
Good music instructors, great service and great staff.
Music instructors are the best.
This store usually has my sax needs.
No ukulele’s or song books for ukulele’s even thou they advertise that they have them.
they were nice and informative, but i returned something and they opted to send me a check. It’s been over a month and i still haven’t gotten my money back
Be careful about their rental program. They will tell you that you can use the rental music towards an instrument, but the policy on this is excessively restrictive and limited to very few off-brands. Basically, the rental credit is worthless. If you want rentals, they are OK for that, but it is more or less money out the window. We kept an instrument for much longer than we otherwise would have after knowing that our child was going to stick with it with the plans on trading up. After accruing over $800 in credit, they said we could use it towards 2 different no-name brands or $200 of it towards a name brand instrument (which we ended up buying elsewhere for much less than that). You may be better served to rent briefly and return if your kid sticks with it after their 4 month promotion period, or pick a more local place and feel better about your money staying with local musicians and retailers.
14. Music & Arts
Address: 989 Farmington Ave, West Hartford, CT 06107 , Ulldecona , Connecticut , United States
Staff is always attentive and polite. Knowledgeable and helpful with any sort of question about an enormous range of instruments. Plus, my favorite, they aren’t just trying to sell you something ! Melanie M helped me and overall the experience was stellar! Thanks Melanie !
Great service!!
Service was amazing. My son plays contrabass and I don’t know much about the needs. The manager was really knowledgeable and helped us choose mid cost strings and a new bow suitable for a young but not brand new player. I appreciate that they didn’t do a hard sell with more cost than I was comfortable with right now. The things came in promptly. When we came in C. handled changing the strings and helping my son with the new bow. He was fantastic. I will continue to use their store! Really happy!
I have condensed my original rant down to the following- we really like our children’s teachers- but the front desk needs saving
Yeah it’s good!
Limited retail space, but the staff is helpful and knowledgeable. Music lessons are offered on site.
Make sure you ask questions. I signed my son up for instrument lessons over the phone and the woman asked me if I preferred West Hartford or East Hartford. I chose the one closest to my home, on the day of the first lesson, I brought my son to the store for the lesson and they tell me its an online lesson. An ONLINE lesson? No one ever said a thing about an online lesson and why would you ask me which store Id like to go to if the lesson was online!?
Unprofessional!!! I scheduled for 2 week straight for an hour due to the teacher not showing up and the second week they say no she is not on the Schedule and I need to reschedule. My daughter was already there and now has to wait for half an hour to do her regular 1/2 hour session.
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.
15. Greenwich Music
Address: 1200 E Putnam Ave, Riverside, CT 06878 , Ulldecona , Connecticut , United States
Needed a ukulele capo and they had it in stock. Very friendly and also great assortment of guitars, ukuleles, drums and other instruments. From what I can tell by pricing it’s very reasonable. Would definitely recommend if in or near Greenwich.
Great
We were kindly helped in the store, but we were buying a guitar for our son and we don’t live in the US. We were having problems with internet so we couldn’t research correctly at the moment, but they assured that the amp could be used in 220 current. We arrived home and we connected the amp and it didn’t work. So the amp was burned. Apart from that the price was a bit higher than the same thing in other stores, it’s not nice to pay 50 dollars more, but that is just business and anyone can charge what they want. It was our fault that we didn’t do a good research before buying. But the very kind person that assured us that it would work because he used to be an electrician, and it only needed a basic adapter, was totally wrong and now we are home and we lost an amp, so we paid extra for the set and it didn’t work. You were very kind indeed, but please if you are not sure about something, don’t sell it. Because we lost money and we can’t go back because we don’t live there.
It’s a nice place! It’s a bit small but otherwise it’s nice.
Terrible customer service. Called and said I would be by in 10 minutes for an emergency repair. Guy was nice on the phone. When I arrived 5 minutes early they had closed up and locked. Super helpful…
Rudest customer service I have ever encountered. The man I spoke to on the phone yelled and hung up on me. When my daughter went in person to drop off the instrument for repair at the agreed upon time, he remained upset and kicked my daughter out of the store. Strongly encourage anyone looking to have their instruments fixed to look elsewhere. Disappointing experience to say the least.
Their hours aren’t very convenient and I was having a guitar strung and I dropped it off and I didn’t get a call before the store closed and then they were closed the next day Sunday so I didn’t get my guitar until Monday and that was extremely inconvenient. They also have a very small selection of basses.Update, they aren’t even open a couple hours on the 4th of July so I won’t get my guitar till Tuesday I am very upset with this store.
16. Westbury Music
Address: 686 Main St, Watertown, CT 06795 , Ulldecona , Connecticut , United States
The Feola Family are awesome, helpful and actually excited about people learning music! Equipment, lessons or repairs, they’ve got you covered check them out.
Honest people work here and they do a good job repairing or maintaining gear. Inexpensive as well.
excellent store, good Fender Selection, nice acoustics, lessons, and school instruments.
Staff is very friendly and knowledgable.
Ordered instrument for my son, was told to pick up the next day, went the following day to pick it up and it wasn’t there. Also bought a box of reefs for the instrument and was given the wrong kind. The gentleman that waited on us was polite, although he didn’t recognize us even though we had just been in the day before!
17. Beller’s Music
Address: 881 Main St, Manchester, CT 06040 , Ulldecona , Connecticut , United States
Very reasonably priced, left a clarinet to be repaired and it was ready the next day! Would highly recommend!!!
In a market that seems to favor conglomerates and franchises, Beller’s Music is a great music store! From reeds to replacement mouthpieces they are great for those quick needs. But they are also very knowledgeable. I brought to them an older cornet that needed valve repair and replacement and they did a fantastic job at a very reasonable price. They provide excellent guidance on new purchases and make recommendations without being pushy. So happy to have a local resource like this.
Helpful, great selection, no pressure. Excellent local business.
18. Sam Ash Music Stores
Address: 95 Amity Rd, New Haven, CT 06515 , Ulldecona , Connecticut , United States
Great customer service as usual, I brought in a bass that I no longer use to put towards a microphone that I needed for the weekend. They gave me the best price possible for the bass and helped me find a microphone that I was more than pleased with. I really want to thank them for the help because I don’t know anything about what to look for in a good microphone. There’s a reason why I am a regular at this place, the people there are extremely helpful and more than willing to do so!
The customer service is great and the workers are very helpful especially when deciding an instrument. They greet you at the door and very professional workers. The pricing of their products is very reasonable! I would recommend them very highly for future purchases!
the best music store to do all your music business with .
The people there are very polite and friendly, you can ask questions and they let you try the instrument without annoying you trying to sell.
Great selection and great service.
Awesome music things and great customer service is a plus!!
Not what it used to be.
Drove 25 minutes to the store only to find out it doesn’t open until noon. Utterly rudiculous! Just close your doors for good if you’re going to have such restrictive hours!
No one greeted me and asked if I needed help.
19. Guitar Hangar – Lessons, Rentals, Repairs, and More
Address: 270 Federal Rd # 7, Brookfield, CT 06804 , Ulldecona , Connecticut , United States
Great customer service. Friendly and knowledgeable. I purchased a guitar online. George promptly answered numerous e-mails and was very flexible with different methods of payment. The guitar was shipped out immediately and I received it the next day, (I live a few States away). I have to say the Guitar arrived in mint, right out of the box condition and plays like a dream. Georges music also carries higher end guitars that will not be found (if even carried) at the average Guitar Center.
Wayne S Cooper
Great help and knowledgable staff
Excellent service, invaluable local resource!
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.
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.
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.
