Visitacion Valley – Top 20 places for music shops20 recommended music shops in Visitacion Valley

Justin, our saxophonist, added an incredible touch to our wedding, creating an atmosphere of elegance and charm during the cocktail hour and amping up the party on the dance floor. Justin’s talent and professionalism were evident, and his music was a highlight of our celebration. We’re grateful for the unforgettable ambiance he provided, making our day even more special. Highly recommend Justin for anyone seeking a skilled and charismatic saxophonist to take your dance floor to the next level!

Had a wonderful experience renting an electric guitar and amp from Russo Music!!

When I was picking up the instrument, a teacher at the school showed me how to tune the guitar, hold it correctly, and even play some beginner chords. Everyone was very nice and welcoming.

This is also the only place in San Francisco that allowed me rent the guitar month to month with no minimum months. The process of renting the guitar was quick and easy. After renting the guitar for several months and practicing, I feel confident going to a guitar store and buying a guitar that works for me!

I am excited to come back to Russo Music to rent again or take music lessons!

The best music lessons in San Francisco! Nicole, one of the owners, is an extremely professional, talented individual. I also recommend them for instrument rentals in San Francisco. Thank you Russo Music!

Was there briefly on my spring break and bought some sheet music for a bargain.
Then I accidentally forgot my credit card there D:
But I called them and they had it and sent it to me! Very nice 🙂
They deserve 5 *’s!!!

This is where we go to get strings for my son’s guitars, he also enjoys playing a little everytime we go.

Update 8/2019: things have much improved this year!

Great teachers in a terribly mismanaged shop. I’ve been going here for piano lessons for more than a year, and things have been getting markedly worse. One teacher didn’t show up last week, I still can’t figure out why: they no longer have someone at the front desk, so nobody picks up the phone and there is no voicemail; the person who usually answers emails has apparently been on vacation for the past few weeks without any backup, so it’s been impossible to schedule anything. A couple of months ago I noticed that I had accidentally not paid for my lessons for several months (!). I paid them back based on my own accounting, but it’s pretty clear they are not keeping track.

I don’t normally write a review for a place from which I didn’t buy anything, but the front desk blond lady was exceptionally rude when I stopped in. Jokes on me for trying to browse a local music shop to get something for my trumpet? I guess I’ll take her advice and “just get it online”. Yeesh.

What an absolutely horrible experience. I came in with the intention of renting a bass guitar and inquiring about lessons. I reached out by phone to get details and was messaged by text. I replied about my interest and got a lame short answer on price. I waited for the advertised store hours and made the 45min drive. I stepped inside and there was no assistance. While I was waiting some short stubby pregnant woman came prancing in. It appeared to me that she was a parent to one of the kids. I decided to step out for a quick walk on the street because I attended the junior high around the corner and also sold newspapers on this street after school. This was a huge throwback for me.

I returned 20min later to find this stubby angry pregnant woman was an employee or something else, maybe store manager. I really do not care which or her role. Her demeanor to me was so freaking rude and un inviting. I sat down to wait for her to finish with a child lesson. Then she spoke to me in such a demeaning manner about doing business by appointment. I told her that it would have been nice if she had told me that with the text. Her smug remark was that i should have told her that I would be going in today. Isn’t that the lamest response ever?

What a despicable and ugly person she is when I’m trying to give her my business. I was really looking forward to the opportunity to start music lessons at 50yrs old. And this is the experience I get for trying to give to a small business in my old neighborhood? Jesus. I rechecked their website and found no mention about by appointment only. This place, her in particular, absolutely sucks. I hope they go out of business soon enough or get bought by a respectable owner.

If you want respectable music lessons and service check out Manor Music in Pacifica. Plenty of parking. They are awesome. It’s just that they don’t rent music equipment otherwise I’d be there without a second thought. I had my son take drum lessons with them. That’s how I know.

I had a great time took some friends of mine to get a recording session in and they did they thang. I was really impressed with how live it was.

Down to earth friendly vibe makes it an easy studio to record in , you can just be yourself relax and have fun with your music.The multi-talented CEO/Artist Forchin 500 is very personable and humble!

I love this shop! I bought a 3 tier elektron box stand which is pretty rare. They also have a lot of niche items that you won’t find anywhere else in the Bay Area.

Mission Synths is the spot!!! One stop shop for all my Eurorack needs!! Support your local businesses… shop small buy local!

Amazing new synth shop. Tons of modular stuff, and standalone instruments too. They have a lot of the gear put out to try and play with!

Phenomenal selection, great music playing, friendly staff, fantastic store all together.

I love this place. One of the best music/movie stores I have ever been to. The quality/square foot of store is #1 anywhere. The owner Shelby pipes great music through the store as well, and also DJ’s a radio show in San Francisco Wednesday nights on KXSF FM.

Estive em sua loja e comprei vários cds de rock para meu irmão. Sou do Brasil. Meu irmão ficou muito feliz com as raridades. Parabéns pela loja e esqueci de perguntar o seu nome?

I’ve been to your store and bought several rock CDs for my brother. I’m from Brazil. My brother was very happy with the rarities. Congratulations on the store and Forgot to ask your name?

Comfortable enough to stay and dig forever!

As a teenager, I use to hang out at the local Tower Records, digging through records to find something to add to my collection. This place allows you to look and hopefully find that old album to add to your collection. They have both old and use CD’s and albums. The key is taking the time to looking through everything they have.

Nowadays, places like this are hard to find. There is a great energy here, that of the late 60’s/early 70’s. Everything is a very nice price, especially because I have found that LPs and 45’s can be very expensive. As of writing this (10/13/19) the 45’s are buy 3 get one free, but the helpful and nice owner of the shop charged me for three and gave me two free. I gave it four stars for a few reasons: besides all of this, the records are not well organized (but not awful either.) One of the 45s was scratched pretty bad, but I got it for free and the song on the other side is good, so that is OK. They may not have the exact record you want, but even though I left the place without a much-hoped for Beach Boys record, I found a delightful Doo-Wop record that has yielded many hours of joy. I have also found many, many good CDs here. I think that there is even a small tape collection. I have also made some good DVD finds. And, if you have any Spongebob memorabilia to get off of your hands, the shop owner would be happy to buy it. I also found a 25 cent record sleeve that I needed for my Alfred Apaka LP that I lost the case for. This is quite a nice place to find old music media, and I am glad I live nearby!

Why, but why don’t you post online you are closed for a week???

We always buy the sheet music for piano and flute classes here. Much better to support your small local store than Amazon. In case you haven’t noticed, not many of the small bricks and mortar places are left.
Sunset Music will call you promptly in case your sheet music has to be special ordered. Very friendly!

Fight amazon. Browse sheet music and buy something you didn’t know you wanted.

Impecável. Se houvesse mais estrelas dava mais. Como um alfarrabista típico de Lisboa mas de música e mesmo ao lado de uma pastelaria chinesa. Se não fosse falar inglês seria quase como estar em Portugal. A senhora da loja foi muito afável. Tinha uma grande variedade para o espaço pequeno. O livro que comprei foi do agrado do nosso maestro . Vamos ver se brevemente entoaremos algumas das músicas em concerto. Se alguma vez voltar à cidade certamente voltarei. Um obrigada gigante à senhora que nos acolheu e ajudou.

you buy music, rent an intstrument or buy a brand new one.

Kool

Someone is using your number as a scam
Hope you get that cleared up.

The best place in the city for underground live music and a stellar book selection.

One of the must go places for bibliophiles in San Francisco. Small and cozy bookshop with rich collections of books and records. I am particularly fascinated by the collection of non fiction books spanning across several genres such as native american history, San Francisco, modern economy and politics, travel, photography, painting, music and many more.They also organize live jazz music. listening to jazz music in this shop filled with nice smell of books has definitely made my day. The person behind the counter (Eric) is also a nice and friendly guy. Loved the place.

I love love this historic book store. Nice selection and amazing music program! I know! I was also surprised. This place is just amazing

In terms of books, they definitely opt for comprehensiveness over curation.

A great local bookstore.

I came her for jazz, I wasn’t too enthused throughout the performance. I was, and I was not, it’s hard to explain. As for the books, I didn’t see the shop was so organized to give me access to it’s library in the short time I had to peruse the shelves.

Guy is just a shrew, straight from the work of Shakespeare , only smiles or speaks kindly to females , he fits right in with mechanics, used car salesmen & the other majority of used book store proprietors , low class and simply an unhappy fellow , mad at life , mad at business, mad at past decisions , no love of brotherhood, no love of self , just an all around unhappy fellow storing up treasures in this life. And the guy likes to repeat himself , insulting your intelligence, making it clear of his closed , one track mind . Cool part of town , Glen Park , just a shame a character like this taints it.

Not the best place to see music. Dirty, smelly, and surrounded by books of no real interest. Like a second hand junk store. Music was GREAT tonight though….Elena Welch was the Main Event! Love Elena!

The manager was rude, and used books with bent covers and colored pages are priced at new value. However there was a surprisingly wide collection

was introduced to Ellie&Eva Company in the mid 80s
while looking for Chinese New Years decorations for family and friends. Since then I’ve been a regular customer for strings, picks, sometimes just for conversation, maybe play some bass, bend some notes on a Gu Zheng The place is ecclectic.
When friends come from out of town they always enjoy visiting the shop to check out their singular collection – from traditional Chinese instruments to rock-star-signed electric guitars.
A unique shop in Chinatown. The only one like it in the world.

Repaired my mom’s pipa for a very low price. It’s a very honest business and the guy working there is clearly very passionate about his work. 10/10 would recommend. Before and after pictures attached. He did an amazing job.

String Instruments
As I was sightseeing through San Francisco’s China Town, I just happened to look inside a small store. (Found out it is a string instrument store)
The artwork on the front row of acoustic guitars caught my eye.
If your looking for out of the ordinary string instruments, definitely stop by and talk to Alan (He is one of the pictures) and if your lucky, he might introduce you to his 96 year old father who still works there.

My child had a terrific experience learning to play guitar and bass with Lorenzo from their very first lesson until they went off to college. Lorenzo was able to inspire learning & progression while not overwhelming. He is reliable and offers a great experience for those wanting to play music!

Lorenzo is the man! Super dope at jazz, theory, rock, and anything you’d want to learn in between.
Very patient and not at all intimidating. Highly recommend!

This place is awesome! Lorenzo is the best music teacher and there is no downside at this place! percent fun and teaching

Awesome collection of music books and dvds/Blu rays.
Very iconic atmosphere!

I could’ve spent the entire day in Amoeba! Sooo much to choose from! It really might be one of the best record stores in the US! Everything is marked and easy to follow and find! People rock too!

Amoeba is a throw back to a time before online digital music crushed record stores: the kind to patronise and keep in the city. Wonderful place to spend an hour or more

Great place

It’d been awhile since I’d been here. I’m glad I came back. I sold a stack of CD’s, got a nice store credit and promptly scored two new CD’s 😀

The store employee who handled my CD sale and store credit was efficient and clearly communicated.

Impressive collection of old and new Vinyl. A must for the enthusiast.

Really terrible live music and mic feedback to round out your time browsing antiquated media. Wasn’t for me

I spent 4 hours at Amoeba looking for anything of interest that was also in good enough condition to buy, and I came away with nothing but a headache. In my opinion, it’s quantity over quality here. I kept seeing a lot of the same records over and over again. I think they need to curate more than they are. The second star is for personality which they definitely have.

LA location is so much bigger and better. I was done looking around in a half hour.