Outrageously cool gear, extraordinarily cool people, and always a great hang. Los Angeles is a big city, but there’s only one Big City Music. (See what I did there?) No but for real, Big City is a peerless resource and absolute playground for the musically inclined.
Johnathan is a nice guy. Thank you also Mr. C.
Absolutely great music store with people that care helping out
I initially reached out to Stephi to place an order for a module (as directed on their website) and the process was dragged out over at least a month! She would respond once then not again. Finally I called and left a message, and got no answer, then tried a different number and she immediately picked up. She asked that I email her my mailing address and said that she’d call me back, but she never did! Eventually I called again and THANKFULLY Jonathan picked up and processed my order in 10 minutes flat. He even was able to get me my preferred color, which was sold out according to Stephi. Thank you Jonathan!
The place has no signage at all and looks like it is abandoned, but it isn’t, it still exists at this address. They just keep the door locked. You have to call, or try knocking on the door. Kind of strange, but they did have what I needed.
I’ve been waiting for a module to be repaired for 8 months now. When I call, they either have no idea what I am talking about or will get to it ASAP.
It would be nice to have some idea why it’s taking so long or to have a realistic time frame up front.
I would not do repairs here again.
Awful customer service blaming me for their incompetence with shipping an item on time. Would definitely not do business again 🙂
Just did not have what I needed. I was being nice to this business in my review stating they just didn’t have what I needed. It was not a put down….but after their ” reply” sorry we don’t sell chicken here…..will stop recommending them for people to try. Chicken is not what I was looking for nor were my clients.
2. Performance Guitar
Address: 3621 Cahuenga Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90068 , Universal City , California , United States
Had Kenny work on my fender Stratocaster that was sounding thin and horrible. A friend of mine told me to give him a shot, and boy let me tell he brought it to life. It went from my worst guitar to my favorite guitar, plays smooth like butter and sounds amazing. I will only take my guitars to him now thanks, Kenny.
They gave my Gibson a facelift. Never sounded better
There is no one better in the WORLD.
I had the same exact experience as one of the other users here. Went in for a setup, and to get some electronics work done. The advertised price for a setup was $85, but Kenny recommended additional services for a total of $210. To be honest I did not push back, from my point of view the additional work didn’t seem necessary but I also appreciate the expertise of a professional. The guitar had been sitting in a case for a few years and a setup was overdue. Kenny’s shop came highly recommended, so I took his advice. We agreed to $210, plus the electronics work -which he could not give me a quote for on the spot. Today I got a call to come pick up the guitar, and I learned that he also replaced the bridge for an extra $35 (on top of the work we agreed on). He said that the bridge was bent, or damaged, so he had to replace it. This came as a surprise. As I mentioned this guitar has been mostly stowed away over the years -secondly I did re-string it more than a few times, and I feel like a bent bridge/broken saddle is something I would have noticed. I am not a luthier, and I don’t have a photo of the bridge before I took it in, so I’ll have to take his word for it. I understand that things come up, but it’s good business practice to call a customer to let them know about the additional service required. When asked about this, Kenny simply said “let me know and I will put the bridge back in”. I’ll go pick up the guitar, the setup might be great -but I can’t shake the feeling that I have been over charged. This experience left a bad taste in my mouth. I don’t know if recommend this shop to my colleagues.
EDIT: I picked up the guitar, the total came to $315. It’s not cheap, but the work is solid and the guitar feels good. So no complaints there. The bridge was marginally bent. I don’t think there was dishonesty on Kenny’s part, but communication leaves a lot to be desired. Calling/emailing a customer to discuss options should be part of the service. Also, the replacement bridge he used is not an original component. While the part he used might be superior (as he says) and I am not a stickler for that kind of thing, other customers might be -especially if they are looking to sell the instrument later down the road. The invoice in the end was still a bit nebulous. I bumped up the review by a star because the craftsmanship is solid. If you bring in your instrument just don’t expect too much in the way of customer education. I hope this is helpful.
Kenny does decent work but his business practices are dishonest in my opinion. His set up fee is advertised as being $85 . By the time i got to his shop he “”recommended” all sorts of things that would need to be done to my guitar in order to perform the set up. When I tried to push back against certain things being done he claimed to not be able to do one without the other. I am by no means a novice Ive been playing for over 15 years, while not the most luthier savvy the stuff he was saying just didnt seem honest to me. Anyway the total came to about 205. I agreed, he drew up the invoice, and I left. When I went to retrieve my guitar a few days later he had replaced the entire bridge and and bridge saddles without my permission or me having ever asked him to; he then tried to charge me over 300 dollars for the repair! I told him it was not ok seeing as how I had never even requested him to perform the extra work . Even then he told me it would “take too long” to take the new saddles off and replace them with the old ones but that nevertheless he’d refund me $40 . Still $80 more than the agreed upon price! I just had to eat it rather than go through the necessary steps to fight for my money back. I understand times are hard but that’s just not a proper or classy way to do business. I had high hopes for this place considering the reputation but I thought that was an extremely shady thing to do and it completely turned me off to the idea of working with him again.
3. Ventura Music
Address: 11268 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604 , Universal City , California , United States
Nice place for used guitars/drums. Nice owner. Got good deals off their Craigslist ads.
This guitar shop is a gem. I was in Studio City the other day and had to stop by. I was there over an hour because there was so many cool guitars to check out. They also have keyboards, a B3 with Leslie, and all kinds of drums. Randy was totally cool, Freud not, and knowledgeable on the gear. I also said hi to George. I used to come here a lot years ago when I lived here. Definitely a must stop for serious buyers. They have so much vintage gear that is one of a kind.
George and Randy have the vintage Ludwig hardware that I was looking for.
All vintage
The curator is kinda wacky. But if your looking for single drums be it floor tom bass to complete a kit or build up a rat kit. This place is a good place to begin.
Great selection of stolen items
I found two guitars, that were stolen from my storage at this Ventura music store. They bought them from the thieves , without asking them for identification please be aware if you purchase at that store it may have been a stolen gear and you will be in a big trouble with the law.
This store doesn’t ask where the instruments Are coming from , or take information about it . Who knows they might have a connection with the thieves.
If you want to make music that you’ll remember for the rest of your life. Come here. Straight and simple.
Great vibe with tons of inspiration flowing. Staff is super friendly and experts in their craft. 100% private facility with plenty of space or it can be cozy and intimate.
If you are looking for a great experience with some of LA’s Top tier Engineers do your self a favor and get over to this studio. They not only provide amazing quality radio ready sound but they handle your projects with care and attention to details. It feels like they submerge themselves in the creative process with you and don’t just do the bare minimum like any other studio in SoCal. I’ve always felt right at home here. I would give 10 Stars if I could! Check them out!
If you’re a true artist, then this the studio you need to pull up on
6. L.A. Vintage Gear – Studio City Location
Address: 11636 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604 , Universal City , California , United States
Great shop! They have high quality hard to find gear. Purchased a used amp which they shipped across country. They did a great job packing it. The amp showed up exactly as advertised and is great. Highly recommended.
Vintage music gear is awesome!! Got my son a vintage Ludwig drum snare the owner and the staff are super friendly and very knowledgeable definitely looking forward to going back soon.
Nicest store in LA! Where pros and serious players feel at home. Fine interior decorations, feels like a top notch recording studio! You’ll lose track of time there!!
Very grateful they require a vaccine to enter too! Thanks for doing your part guys!
7. Sonic Right
Address: 3575 Cahuenga Blvd W, Los Angeles, CA 90068 , Universal City , California , United States
We absolutely love Sonic Right Studios in Studio City! The sound acoustics for playback is on point. They definitely know what they are doing.
They recorded, mixed and mastered 3 of our projects and they all came out exactly how we wanted it to. Plus the price was the lowest we found anywhere, especially for the quality and professionalism. This place is hands down, THE BEST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK here in the Studio City and Hollywood area!
We will be using them again very soon. And thank you Jonathan and Sonic Right Studios, you are amazing!
Jonathan is a whiz when it comes to making it happen as soon as you ask. He really opened my eyes up to have amazing other platforms are. He is more than flew in on every platform but able 10 seemed to be the one that we made the most happen on. The vibe is on point. There’s a nice red couch for a guest to sit on maybe even two. But the less people the better. The way that the studio set up is very efficient and you have everything you need and more considering that John knows what he’s doing. The booth is perfectly done and you can tell that no expense was spared for the construction of the spot. I have worked in a lot of huge studios with mixing boards for days and a lot of Diles that she won’t actually even use but this place has by far been my best studio experience, not because anything was in an abundance, but rather because everything that was there , We used perfectly
10 out of 10 I would recommend you at least try this one once. It’s definitely worth finding out don’t you think? Hope to see other people find this gym and make great music at the same place I go to. The price is unbeatable for the service you get. Jonathan knows what’s up. Can’t emphasize that enough
8. Hot Topic
Address: 1000 Universal Hollywood Dr STE 161, Universal City, CA 91608 , Universal City , California , United States
My little girl ”victoria” always find what she’s looking for and I love this place too
Classic hot topic with all the Universal studios flair. Lots of fun stuff as always.
Has more stuff than other hot topics I’ve been to :3
cool store but parking is ridiculous and getting to the store requires a very long uphill walk or shuttle ride if you don’t want to pay 20.00 to park.
I love this store! Enjoy walking in and browsing at the nick nacks, clothing line all related to movies, games, and music. On occasion there will be signing by selected Artist’s meet and greet. Fun store, pricing mid range and up, paid parking, within the center.
I really like this place, although I only checked out the vinyl.
I’ve been able to find some good albums for under 10 bucks, and the staff is so very nice. Perhaps the rest of the store is a different story, but if the product I am in specifically for meets my needs, then I am happy.
I visited two other record stores the same day prior to this one, and Cactus takes the top spot for now. The sugar skulls help, too.. I’m such a sucker for fun decor like that.
Racist manager, got falsely accused, and kicked out for being same race as people who stole from there.
Love the store but the manager with reddish hair i believe can be really rude and you get followed around by employees if you’re black ):
I have never seen such an incompetent store manager in my life, but Monica take takes that title. She is rude & mean to not only her customers, but her staff. I have witnessed her making her staff cry MULTIPLE TIMES in front of customers from her disgusting attitude. She runs her store like a military boot camp, not a fun inclusive upbeat store like I expect all Hot Topics to be. She should not be running this store, let alone any Hot Topic store in general. She should try out to be a military captain. I felt genuinely uncomfortable to be in that store around her. Hot Topic needs to do something regarding her. I pity all of her staff & hope they get a new manager that doesn’t make them cry over not folding a shirt perfectly.
9. Del Oro Music
Address: 10700 Ventura Blvd # H, Studio City, CA 91604 , Universal City , California , United States
One of the best studios in Hollywood. Friendly, great mics and gear – and most important, top-notch people behind the glass and working to develop whatever project comes through the door.
10. Sound Warrior
Address: 11271 Ventura Blvd #710, Studio City, CA 91604 , Universal City , California , United States
The aesthetic here is perfect! As a artist who is inspired by the setting that I record in CTM recordings is top tier in the way that the vibe is set for each session. I felt very secure in the building as well with how security is set up. I suggest anybody looking for top of the line production & engineering work out of this studio.
Went to CTM recently and made a hit record . I think a part of the reason was the atmosphere in the studio. Healthy competition and immense talent was a huge part of the reason for a great session. I would go back again ! DAD
CTM recording studio has an awesome vibe . Chase is great! Well worth the time and money. You can’t go wrong working at this studio.
20. Universal Studio Store
Address: 1000 Universal City Plaza, Studio City, CA 91602 , Universal City , California , United States
We love Blue the Raptor, he’s the best Raptor. I didn’t think the lab could make dinosaurs like that.
Came here to get the Halloween Horror Nights merch before things sold out and let me say, I was not disappointed! Store was well stocked with plenty of inventory and seemed to be well on track. The staff was great with helping find things and also just overall friendly and full of good banter. They were offering options and suggestions without being pushy. Working retail myself that foes a long way for me. Overall if you’re here for the merch it’s a good place to be. You don’t need actual park tickets since it’s located outside in CityWalk so you can easily come and shop all you want. Another year down for HHN and more to come!! See you in the fog!!
Great, clean, friendly people working there.
магазины в Universal Studios наполнены многими товарами. здесь чашки, вымпелы, брелки, кепки и футболки с символикой разных фильмов.
немного неприятно удивляют цены.
да и товаров, по настоящему оригинальных, здесь немного.
все таки, если время после просмотра аттракционов еще остается, можно зайти сюда и прикупить сувениры.
Good option if you forgot to get souvenirs in the park.
Wonderful but too expensive I think..they should do mid day promo
Aris Dehario Jr and his dad tried to fight me
Pésimo servicio hay mucha gente
The store is great but very poor service. After purchasing an interactive wand for my son, we later went over to the HP Theme Park and noticed the wand wasn’t working properly. Even the cast member there tried it and could not understand why it wasn’t working. This happened few days before the theme park was shut down due to the COVID-19. The lady did not tell us we could get it checked at Olivander’s, and I just found out about it from the site. A week later, we went back to US Store where we got it from and explained to the manager so she took the interactive wand to the back room to have it checked. She gave it back and said it was good, and I trusted her. We returned home to find out something was missing. The map was gone and not in the box. I had to contact someone there and was told to go back there and pick it up. A simple mistake from an employee/manager turned frustratingly for me to deal with the inconvenience and driving distance. I can’t believe how a simple issue turned out to be so catastrophic.
