Mark moved in 1990 – and he and his son and grand-parents have had Tucson’s BEST all-around music store since music began, saving sales and state sales tax, shipping and years ago renting to the agent of Taylor, Justin, Trump, Bill Clinton, Michelle Obama and others since music began over 2500 years ago … seems that way every day at Arizona’s downtown music haven, shipment, fix-it and even MAKE-IT-WORK in sales #musicstore. Great key board and label/posters SCARES even for Halloween
Nice store love it
Way smaller than other location.
Atienden bien pero son lentos
They didn’t have the instrument we reserved and paid for.but they are going to make it right in a week. I’ll update this post.
Was a great music store later .with alot of selection … And I had a problem with being over charged and the manager helped me with the problem and it was great costumer service…. Thank you
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!
They told me they only charge for the E string on a single re-string on my bass guitar during a phone call I had with them because i only needed one string to get fixed. Only to get charged about 20$ when I picked up my instrument, 17$ for the re-string labor & 3$ for the string?? i love this store but that did not sat right with me
Taking pandemic precautions the staff is always helpful, kind and friendly.
Had great experience well priced. They were very helpful
Awesome selection of quality banjos
Neat shop, friendly staff. Went in to see if they could help with my Djembe drum repair, but they don’t currently have anyone who can replace and restring the skin for the drumhead ☹️
This place needs a few more customers that are interested in older instruments. Nice people. Bought a older repaired guitar and gig bag. Perfect for someone who just wants to see if they like playing a guitar.
Love the new ukulele room.
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.
Friendly and helpful service. Cool vibes all around. Very Tucson.
“Guitar section for employees only” unfortunately I didn’t bring my binoculars to look at guitar prices. I just went elsewhere.
Great used musical equipment and friendly service.
Unique place for sure but a bit pricey. Then again who isn’t these days.
Will not do business with anymore!
Not a word from staff my whole visit. Sales 101
They sold me a C trumpet that needed far more repairs than described. It had messy soldering all over it and a 2nd valve slide that was way to long(It was a generic slide someone had previously done a bad repair job on). I’m not sure if this is typically just a guitar shop or what, but wind players, avoid this place. I ended up selling the horn for way less than I paid, because no reasonable person would pay what I did after seeing it up close. Ended up buying a new one from a very knowledgeable store in San Jose. Lost about $400 when all was said and done, but at least I have a horn that functions without needing a copious number of repairs.
10. Redbox
Address: 4605 W Valencia Rd, Tucson, AZ 85757 , Valencia West , Arizona , United States
Theyre trying to charge my card 7.61 for a movie i took back yesterday and got charged for today i thought it was supposed to be secure and u guys arent supposed to rob pur money after u get the movie back and charged me already never using redbox again.
11. Chicago Music Store
Address: 5646 E Speedway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85712 , Valencia West , Arizona , United States
Excellent service, super friendly and knowledgeable staff! Chicago Music Store will be my go to music store from now on!!! Highly recommend!!!
Had an excellent experience when I went in on Thursday. Damien and Troy really know their stuff!
My experience with the Chicago Music Store on Speedway is a little different than most. I have not even stepped inside the building.
I have a keyboard that has been mine for +20 years and upon moving to Tucson recently the power cable became lost in the shuffle. Of course finding this unmarked cable online or getting the instrument’s manufacturer to identify the needed cable (of a model they no longer make) was no simple task. I was sent the wrong cord and still have a keyboard that I cannot play.
Upon speaking with Kate at the location on Speedway, over the course of several weeks of calling one another, her speaking to multiple reps at the manufacturer, and emails between the two of us, she called me today. She phoned me during my lunch break, which showed me that me and my needs had not become some mundane task at the end of her work day. She had found the right cord and was letting me know that she would be emailing me the information and could also take care of the ordering process for me.
5 stars, Kate, thank you.
I’m confident in where to go if and when I have a music need.
Everyone was nice wish they would have returned the product I purchased tho.
Great service, Mark and his team were really helpful!
I talked to jim the repair guy and he was super helpful and knew exactly what I was talking about.
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
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.
Worst Music Store in Tucson. Don’t ever buy from them.
12. Rainbow Guitars
Address: 2550 N Campbell Ave, Tucson, AZ 85719 , Valencia West , Arizona , United States
I don’t trust anyone else for my set-ups/repairs. Their repair department is very skilled and compassionate. Everyone I talked to was courteous! Well worth the small wait for the highest-quality shop in Tucson, in my opinion. Long Live Rainbow Guitars!
After a particularly horrible experience at Sticks N Strings, I went to Rainbow. They are completely the opposite of the other store. LOTS of choices, great pricing and the staff are very open and honest about the brands, the quality and their pricing. Stephan ROCKS. (And so does the guy in the custom guitar shop…but, I forgot his name!) The staff are friendly and personable and just really fun to talk to. I’ve only shopped their a few times, but they already know me.
My ONLY criticism of this store…is the sign out front. Such an awesome shop needs a ‘fresh’ sign. I can’t tell you how many times I drove right past it, never knowing it was even open…it looks closed from the outside because the canopy sign is kind of faded. But seriously, that’s IT. Once you walk in the doors, you’re blown away.
Seems you can’t just go into the store to buy without an appointment due to the virus. Understandable, but I didn’t see that on the website before driving over there. Still I try to keep it local, hope to see some of their inventory in a couple of days, I have heard good things.
Friendly, knowledgeable staff, clean store, lots of merchandise, but they offer a lot less on trade-ins then other stores!
Very cool selection of folk instruments!
Bought a Collings 470 JL and paid over 7 grand for it. When I called to complain about FedExs delay, I spoke with Vic who was very dismissive, rude, and unsympathetic. He basically told me there was nothing he could do and then hung up on me. Lesson learned, do not buy from these people, they do not care about their customers. Very unprofessional!
Came into Rainbow Guitars disgusted with Guitar Center and their customer service or rather lack there of!
I moved to Tucson from Las Vegas 1.5 years ago and I have found poor customer service to be pretty much pandemic in Tucson in all businesses including the medical field!
My experience went exactly like this…….I was at the door waiting for the store to open at 10:30 am. I practically had $4,000.00 in my hand to spend on a new or used guitar I’ve always wanted. They didn’t have a Gibson ES 335 in stock new or used and I asked about a 336 because I saw one online in their used inventory. The salesman who’s initials are “Stefin” told me they didn’t have any in stock so we looked for probably 30 minutes in the Gibson website and found a brand new one I liked and the salesman who’s initials are “Stefan” took my number and said he’d call me next week! So I went home and when I got there I called the store, asked for the salesman who I’ll still refer to as “Stefan” and asked him again about the ES 336 I saw online. He then looks and says “oh I didn’t know we had this in inventory.”
The salesman I won’t mention his name, didn’t know his inventory, didn’t research his inventory when asked, directed me to the brand new guitars online which is obviously more money to them and it’s been nearly 2 weeks now and I still haven’t heard from Rainbow Guitars and the MIA salesperson commonly referred to as “Stefan!”
High end guitars with low end customer service! And I come from a service oriented town! So either Harvey & his shop here is making so much money that they don’t need my $4,000.00 at the end of the year? or it’s just more atrocious customer service in this cowtown?!
I need to start a business and then have this town hire me to teach them all Customer Service!
HEAD’S WOULD ROLL!!! Starting with a certain sales associate who lost the business and it’s owner $$$$ FOUR GRAND $$$$ and any return business!
And I called this morning to speak to the owner, left my number and it’s 5 hours later and no call! So there you go! Lead by example is a great business practice!
Drum department sales person sucks. He was outside in the parking lot smoking when I pulled in. No big deal. He didn’t know I was there for his department. Took him about 5 mins. to come in. Again no big deal. When he came in l said hi and he never acknowledged me. Keep in mind I’m the only customer in his department. He sat behind the computer the whole time I’m there. I had to dig out a cajon I was interested in. I sat there and played it for a few minutes. You would think he’d ask if I needed any help or had any questions. Another customer came in and he acknowledged her and took care of her. Again no big deal, but the whole time I was there not once was I was approached. I finally got fed up, left and went to Guitar Center. Spent the $500.00 I had in my pocket for a cajon and carrying case.
13. Instrumental Music Center Speedway
Address: 7063 E Speedway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85710 , Valencia West , Arizona , United States
Good selection of instruments for schools. Helpful staff.
Fast knowledgeable and clear! Friendly too.
Wonderful experience picking up a rental instrument as a new, adult student. Katie was attentive, friendly, funny and very thorough in helping me get started. I felt cared for and it has given me a positive attitude going forward with something I’ve had on my bucket list for a long time! Highly recommend this place.
Went for reeds. Nice variety. Clean and well organized store. Helpful and welcoming employees. Has pretty much everything in stock.
Helped us out to select keyboard for birthday gift. Price same as best deal online.
Got my guitar strings, good customer service
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
Not pleased at all. I called ahead to get instruments repaired and was told it would be two weeks. I drove to drop off instruments and asked if I could have them done a few days sooner. I was told the repair person is taking a vacation and it would be 3 weeks. But, if I wanted to pay double, I could have it done sooner. What a scam! I will never do business with this music store.
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.
I rilly injiy it it has stuff for my house my animals and my plants
Wal-Mart! Never disappoints,one shop stop shopping bonanza!
Hay de todomucho parking buenos precios competitivo
There is only 4 cashier open the line are bloking the walk ways
Buen surtido
It’s a nice Walmart. What else is there to say?
They were very very slow.didnt wash my windows.
Bad experience with bakery dept. Their bakery book shows cakes with the option to put a personal photo on it….yet, when I called the store they said it has never been an option. If it’s not an option place a note somewhere or don’t make it an option in your bakery book. Side note, Safeway came to the rescue and is making my cake with same day pick up!
Thiefs in Tire department. Manager never available. Make sure you have all your valuables and auto accessories BT cool chargers anything sparkling or shiny.
17. Del Sol Marketplace
Address: 5405 W Valencia Rd, Tucson, AZ 85757 , Valencia West , Arizona , United States
This place is no longer! Where has the smoke shop moved to?
Nice place. I saw no problems with it.
Great store!!
It is a nice gas station next to the casino and they have slots machines too. They have good customer service
awesome cig/tobacco pricesss..no state tax! =D
Great selection. Our stop before departing the casino.
Occasional transient inside stifles it a bit
I purchased coffee and asked for cashback. I was double charged for the coffee and when i went to show the cashiers and the mamager were all rude saud was a hold. Issue was not resolved and cashier lied bout it being refunded. Wont shop there again
Security guard rude, too long of a drive.
Broken pump, wanted to take my photo before lettings me in the store. Kind of creepy.
18. Zia Records (Speedway – Tucson)
Address: 3370 E Speedway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85716 , Valencia West , Arizona , United States
Had some older C.D.’s I couldn’t find anywhere else.
They have a good selection of cds movies, shows, games, and memorabilia. Definitely a great place to get some fun items and nerd out.
Great used record store!!!!
Always friendly n helpful
Very tranquil, staff is friendly & helpful
Very helpful staff and a wide selection of music and movies.
Horrible customer service. I would never spend money here.
Reserved a record over the phone 2 days prior and spoke to them the previous day as well about adding on a new player and made sure it would be ok to pick up the next day. After paying for a ride down there I Was told at the door that I couldn’t pay for it in cash and that they couldn’t do business with me.
I think the staff is just a little too high to provide customer service and do their job correctly. A trained monkey could take my money and put it in the register customer service seems to be a thing of the past
19. Redbox
Address: 2929 W Valencia Rd, Tucson, AZ 85746 , Valencia West , Arizona , United States
Hired Mariachi Alegre for my parents Bday on 03/26/23, I just want to say WOW, George and his team 5 Mariachis total came on time, they started singing Las Mañanitas at the door as I requested to surprise my parents, My parents were so very happy at the end and not just them but it was a surprised for all the family, they did a great job, will definitely hire them again! Good business.
Claudia
