The reason why some times you have to wait for a cashier is because they have other things to do other than standing at the register. If something is sold out then it will be stocked once the truck comes in. Isles are NOT cluttered. Boxes are not laying everywhere. And no need for name calling. If you don’t like who works there or think they aren’t doing a good job, apply to work there and see if you can do any better. Bet you can’t.
They recently redid the store and it looks great! They even have a produce section!!
Awesome food and waiters are fantastic
They just need to straighten up the place
Typical Dollar General
Worst DG ever,3 registers and 1 employee,line that goes from 1 end of the store to the other everytime I go in there
Getting better
Will never go back
3. Steve Rayborn Music Services
Address: 1967 Grey Hill Rd, West Blocton, AL 35184 , Woodstock , Alabama , United States
Great place to learn a musical instrument. Steve is a great person who wants to take care of you or your child’s needs when it comes to music. He even DJs for social events such as weddings across the USA.
I would highly recommend Steve Rayborn for any of your special events. He was our DJ for our wedding this past weekend, 10/28, and was blown away by his professionalism and knowledge.
Not only a DJ, he can play several different instruments.
Steve Rayborn is a talented artist with the ability to teach beginners to advanced learners, adjusting the experience to fit the individual needs of his pupils. He has been patient, energetic, and flexible to our schedules. My child loves piano lessons with Mr. Steve. He even DJs weddings and other events!
4. Art’s Music Shop, Inc
Address: 4647 US-280, Birmingham, AL 35242 , Woodstock , Alabama , United States
Very knowledgeable and helpful in getting the equipment we needed.
I have bought two saxophones here. And most recently some accessories. There’s usually someone here that is knowledgeable about the things I need and the questions I have. It has always been a a good experience for me.
I called and they didnt answear
Always have a good experience at Arts. They work well with the school programs and if they don’t have what we need they are sure to find it
Nice; they’ll order in for u
No words!
This place is a joke. I called and asked about a mellophone and was told that they had several from me to choose from. I get there and they had one that was new and one from the 70’s they tried sell me. I will stay with Bailey Brothers.
Very overpriced! I understand small business vs online shopping and major companies, but come on!
5. Thornton piano studio
Address: Royal Dr, Lake View, AL 35111 , Woodstock , Alabama , United States
I love Thornton piano studio! Miranda is very well educated and will listen to your thoughts about what you want to achieve in the year. She has helped me become a better pianist, and has made me confident in my skills. She is always there if you have a quick question and will give you other references to achieve your struggle or goal. I highly recommend becoming one of her students if you are trying to become better acquainted with music.
Miranda loves her students and she puts her heart and soul into teaching each one of them.
Excellent teacher!
Such a great teacher! So good with kids!
6. Bailey Brothers Music Company
Address: 4673 US-280 Suite # 7, Birmingham, AL 35242 , Woodstock , Alabama , United States
I have done business with these guys from day one in downtown Montgomery. I now live in Gadsden drive over an hour to their store. Always a good time and worth the drive to find what I need!
Amazing service, nice place, and amazing condition instruments. They have mint condition products.
We always go here for our musical needs. I love the place. They are always friendly and helpful. I would recommend any musician to this place.
It was my first time in the store and I had an excellent experience. David was very helpful and friendly as well as the other staff present. The online site lacks a lot of the guitars they have in stock because they get new guitars a lot so I would advise actually going into the store to see their wide selection.
I needed to buy instruments for my Middle School kids. They were very upfront with their prices and seemed to have the best deals.
Usually get good service, but I took my guitar nut to be repaired after my guitar took a spill. I let them know the guitar had fallen and hoped they would fix. The nut was replaced poorly but the guitar had a buzz. Took it back 2 more times. The last visit, the person in charge of the repair (2 weeks later)said I had heavy fingers and raised the stings to a height that made the guitar unplayable. I took to another repair shop and they repaired the nut replaced by Bailey Brothers found a couple of uneven frets repaired the frets adjusted the neck and had to re-setup the guitar from the disaster repair at Bailey Brothers. If in need of repairs I will never return to this store.
manager and owner very racist!
This place is as good as, if not better than, Guitar Center. But this one man that works there is not the friendliest and makes me and my music buddy never wanna come again… I was gonna buy at least $20-$60 of stuff, and my buddy was gonna get his guitar worked on, but we decided against it after our experience today.
My friend and I were playing our guitars together at moderate volumes. No louder than the other customers that passed through. Our volume knobs probably were set around 1. This rude clerk guy came up to us and told us “turn it down, there are customers in here”. When there was maybe 1 other guy in the guitar room at most. What are we, trash? Are we not customers?
Though to be fair, there was a little kid who sat behind us who was louder than both of us combined, and he was tremolo picking the most random nonsensical annoying noise (future shredder?), but he should’ve told the kid to turn down—not us. We both turned our amps off because he was rude the last time we were in the store and we were pretty annoyed at this point. But the kid turned his amp down and continued the random picking and the dude immediately came back and said “hey, okay, turn it off, that’s enough for today” and took the guitar from the kid. The rudest music store clerk we’ve ever encountered. There’s another guy who is super nice that works there who let us turn the volume up—at least 2 or 3 times what we did today—and test every amp in the store. We bought a $2,000 setup from the nice guy in the past, but this rude guy would probably kick us out of the store before we could make a purchase. I didn’t catch his name, but he’s average height, blondish, his hair is thinning, and he had a short beard. A nicer worker told us he’s been there 3 years, though I’m not sure how he’s lasted that long. He’ll probably follow you around like you’re a thief and ask if he can help you 8 times like he did to us the last time we came in the store simply to buy a cable.
Dishonest, and disrespectful. While I’m aware they have an “all sales final” on used gear policy, it is their responsibility to properly inspect the gear they take in and not sell something that is damaged internally (in my case, a guitar amp). Idiot salesman also had a smug grin on his face the whole time my brother and I were having to deal with it (all 5-6 hours) and was making snooty comments back and forth. In a nut shell they sold me a dead amp and then laughed in my face about it. If this is how your business treats customers, don’t expect to be a business for long. I attempted a purchase with Bailey Brothers about 8 years ago. Was not a pleasant experience. This one wasn’t either. Rest assured, that’s it. I will not be back.
Update: Hey the owner called me just to prove they really do not care about customers. Tried to minimize what happened, and basically acted exactly like Keith did. Also a robotic “I apologize but we’re not going to do anything to fix it” does not count as rectifying anything. Gee wonder why the Southside store closed! Oh yeah and if you have a bad experience with them and they don’t own up to it they’ll do like any typical teenager does and tries to badmouth you on Facebook, then stalk your page. Very mature. Screenshots are great though aren’t they?
PS: Oh and buddy, if I were mad and desperate to pay my rent, then why in the heck did I buy a $700 amp from you? Nice try.
7. Guitar Gallery Inc, The Guitar Gallery Guitars and Records, Guitar Gallery Records
Address: 309 Hargrove E Rd, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 , Woodstock , Alabama , United States
Agree with Brandon. My experience has only been positive. Great prices, great service and good value. The viewer that rated this store as unsatisfactory must not bave been totally awake when they wrote it.
Wide selection of guitars and very helpful staff
Willing to find what your looking for no matter if new or dated.
I dropped by to look at some used Guitars and was greeted appropriately. I didn’t find what I was looking for but the guys were feuendly
Knowledgeable
Didn’t have what I needed or wanted I guess i shouldn’t be so harsh it being Virus season but still..
The person who answers the phone is freakishly weird. Everything I ever ask do they have he says he doesn’t know what that is. PLEASE FIRE THIS NONCHALANT MAN. He creeps me out and does not know anything about music. Please get another worker gosh
Tried to give a used bass with a part of a fret missing
Horrible I wasn’t even allowed to approach the merchandise cases where I could see the items on display.
8. GA Church Music
Address: 7514 Starkey Dr, Bessemer, AL 35022 , Woodstock , Alabama , United States
9. Highland Music
Address: 3000 Clairmont Ave, Birmingham, AL 35205 , Woodstock , Alabama , United States
Great place to buy guitars, basses, amps, anything guitar related. Don is a great guy and he takes great care of you. If you need anything guitar related, this is the place to go…!!!
This is a great place with TRUE music lovers who are so knowledgeable about their craft–instruments, local artists/acts, Birmingham stories–so.much.great history here in addition to great quality instruments, notices of upcoming concerts– you feel like you’ve stepped into a artist’s world set apart! I get my son’s gift certificates here as he upgrades and swaps guitars.
Staff very knowledgeable. Looking forward to going back Monday to see if I can trade my mandolin for an acoustic electric guitar I’ve been looking for.
Vibey little shop. Some cool vintage gear.
Gotta catch the right people in.. but good little music store..
I left this store just a moment ago after being asked to leave because I had not yet made a purchase. I had originally intended to pick up a few packs of strings for my acoustic, now I’m glad I had not. I stopped by today with my friend who had told me about this store. He has been a customer of this store before and had always told me the staff here was friendly and that they have great service. We spent roughly 45 minutes in the store before the man at the counter, whom we had previously overheard talking to another customer about us saying, “What’s the deal with these two jokebags?” told us to get out of the store because we had not yet bought anything. We promptly left the store and I soon received a text from my friend saying that he had gone back inside to try to clear things up with the man that was working the counter and he told me that the man said he was not feeling well and is looking to close the store early. So if his goal is to minimize the business they get to close up early, he is doing very well.
Tried to get my guitars worked on here multiple times. First time was an 8 string, guy said “I don’t like black guitars they scratch too easily” and then rubbed a cloth with steel wool fibers over it and scratched the guitar. GEE I wonder why! Had a pickup swap done on another guitar, put a scratch on it that went through the paint. Not only that, but he took it upon himself to do a full “set up” when I did not ask him to now I have buzz everywhere and it plays worse than it did before, then charged me for it. Oh and the pickups are also out of phase. Sorry, but that’s it. No more chances. Goodbye.
As a local of BHM I’ve been to Highland Music many times over the last 10 years or so. They’ve always had an interesting selection of gear. You’ll see the usual flow of second-hand gear pass through. It seems like a popular place to sell your guitar or amp on consignment. Highland also has some neat vintage stuff. They have several vintage CBS era Strats hanging out behind the counter. They have always managed to have a few other vintage Fenders too. They even have a literal wall of vintage Fender Champ amps that include tweed, blackface, and silverface era examples. So why the low score you ask?
The problem with Highland music is the people working there consistently give customers a negative experience. These guys are unknowledgeable in the gear they carry-not the biggest deal. That would be easily forgiven if it weren’t for their habit of just making up stuff to sound smart when they don’t have an answer. What’s worse than this is their attitude toward customers. Don’t bother asking to play one of those cool vintage guitars. You will only be met with a snide remark about how you probably can’t afford it. Both myself and friends have experienced this kind of rude talk from Highland Music, and it’s honestly lead to our decision of willfully not spending our money there.
I do not intend on bashing this store. I am not an angry internet troll, and this is not that kind of post. I genuinely want to see Highland Music succeed. Despite the faults I have complained about, I think it is the coolest guitar store we have in BHM. I would love to see these sort of things change.
10. Jerry’s Music
Address: 1003 US-43, Winfield, AL 35594 , Woodstock , Alabama , United States
Mr. Tedrow was very friendly and helpful! I’ve wanted a concertina for a long time and contacted him about either making or ordering one for me. He set me up with a Clover that he worked on and it’s been great! The store is really nice with lots of practice rooms and he let me use one to try out my new concertina. Mr. Tedrow was very knowledgeable and I will now consider him first when looking for new instruments or repairs.
My favorite store in alabama
Bob Tedrow and his crew are the greatest. Very knowledgeable and helpful.
Good product, Good service.
Friendly atmosphere and lots of instruments.
I’ve never dealt with someone so rude over the phone. The owner tried to guilt me with sarcasm and acted like victim when I questioned a price. Full story: I asked to order a cello string. All was going well (owner answered questions about speed of shipping and availability of the string), but then he quoted a price ($81) that was far above what other shops charge. I said respectfully that “I’ve purchased the string for $45 at other walk-in shops” and he became sarcastic and argumentative with me, claiming he was “holding my hand” through the process, and said “Well, I have to pay $35 for this string so what do YOU think is fair for ME to make? $15? What is 35 + 15, huh? Ohhh, maybe $50 is more than you can afford?” A simple, “well this is my price” would have been fine as a response from him, but I felt disrespected so I hung up and decided I’m never going to spend a dime Homewood Musical Instrument Co. I advise everyone else to steer clear of this shop and the guy who owns it.
12. Eat My Beats
Address: 4755 Jug Factory Rd, Tuscaloosa, AL 35405 , Woodstock , Alabama , United States
I’ve done business with both the retail and pro AV sides of Eat My Beats. Even though they know I work for a competitor, they’ve always treated me well and helped me out in tricky situations.
The entire staff is knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with, and I believe the success they’ve experienced is a testament to this.
I will definitely be returning.
These guys are awesome, from having the “little things” on hand or stage and sound for large venues!
…
Good to work with, prices were reasonable as well.
Helpful staff
Terrible “service”!
I rented a speaker and mic for an event and it started raining shortly after I rented the equipment within the next hr once the rain slacked up a little bit because i didn’t want to get their equipment wet for numerous reasons. So I then immediately returned the equipment unused, never even removed the equipment from my vehicle and they still charged me full price for the rental. They’re rental policy is horrible. If I have to rent equipment again it will not be from EatMyBeats based off my experience with the rental equipment. I work retail and I understand policies but I also understand customer experience and how it effects business. The guy that I returned the equipment too showed no empathy and basically made me feel like EatMyBeats doesn’t care that you never used it and we’re going to take your money regardless.
$70 restocking fee!
13. ReSound Quartet
Address: 14759 US-11, Coaling, AL 35453 , Woodstock , Alabama , United States
Great help troubleshooting sound equipment issues and solutions
Great place with great folks! Will continue doing business them
Great place for music
Can rent instruments for beginners
Friendly helpful
They have a good selection of musical instruments
Bad staff
They have charged me 3500 dollars for a clairnet. My neighbors grandson plays clairnet at the University of Alabama his last year. When he seen how much I paid for this clairnet. He show me, where it only cost 1200 dollar every where else. They are clearly taking advantage of parents that know nothing about instruments.
This place used to be very friendly and musicians dream to come in. Now it’s full of a bunch of butt heads. I Won’t Go Back
16. RSB Percussion
Address: 244 McFarland Blvd, Northport, AL 35476 , Woodstock , Alabama , United States
I’d “pick” this place for all my guitar needs. Very helpful and friendly “staff”. Don’t “fret”, the prices are good, and they won’t “string” you along.
I only buy from Ron. This is down to earth Gods people, You will enjoy the place, Come and be a part of this great Music store, Great equipment & prices for you budget. Thanks Ron.
Awesome
Large selection!! Beautiful instruments!!
Nice place. Good selection conveniently located.
It’s a standard small music store. There aren’t a lot of new high end instruments here, but they are all very nice folks.
Walked in today to look around and from the moment I walked in the door, the older gentleman (I guess the owner?) had his eye on me and was watching me like a hawk, made me feel unwelcome to be there. He asked if I was looking for anything in particular and when I told him very politely he didn’t have what I was looking for he arrogantly told me “I opened this store in 1973 and everything you see in the store is priced the same as you’d get it online” like ok bud I wasn’t complaining about the price you just don’t have what I was looking for. When I told him I wasn’t looking to buy today, and was just looking around he made a sarcastic comment about “well if you’re not buying, we can just put this back on the shelf” ??? I continued to walk around and look at some more product and he continued to watch me like a hawk until I got in my car and pulled out of the parking spot. All of my musician friends have recommended I don’t frequent this store, and I can honestly say, after that experience, I will not and will tell anyone that asks not to either. Lousy excuse for customer service.
I read reviews for this shop and thought it was an honest place to sell my gear. I walked in with an Epiphone AJ 220, with an Epiphone molded hardshell case I bought seperately, and an Epiphone “Snake Pit” 15w practice amp. ALL in like new condition. She plugged the guitar in and it was only the fourth time it had ever been plugged in. I never put the guitar in the case without wiping it down first. Look everything I listed up for yourself, and you’ll see what I lost. I messed up and let the lady know that I was in dire need of money for my family. The old guy asked where I bought it, and when I told him, he said he’d lost alot of business to “places like that”. No. I looked around the shop, and all he had was used gear that had been repaired and put up for sale. Junk. My guitar was the nicest instrument there! The reason he’s losing business is because he’s trying to sell junk and beating people in need out of what their instruments are worth. The lady acted like she was on Pawn Stars! If I hadn’t had needed the money really bad, I would have told her where she could stick her $200! That’s all they gave me for everything I brought in. Look up the items I listed, and you’ll see I did my part to support this business! The reviews I read must have been friends of theirs, because they definately misled me. Not fair at all.
20. Ellis Piano & Organ
Address: 1550 Montgomery Hwy suite a, Birmingham, AL 35216 , Woodstock , Alabama , United States
Fantastic family-owned business! I was in the market looking for a new digital piano, and decided to check the place out. Got to talking with one of the family members named Jason about all sorts of piano-related topics. He showed me around the place, helped me get familiar with the layout of the store, answered questions I had about their keyboards, and overall was extremely helpful. Extremely passionate about what he does as well — I enjoyed discussing some of their piano history with him. Ended up purchasing a Roland FP-30 along with a stand and bench for a fantastic price! If you’re in the market for anything piano-related, I would highly suggest Ellis Piano!
Beautiful, beautiful piano’s. The staff is awesome. Very friendly.
Love this place. Meet the father and sons. They all were very helpful. I made several visits before deciding. No pressure. My second purchase from Ellis Piano. The church also made a purchase from them.
Nice, helpful staff
The staff was friendly, and they have tons of pianos and other equipment to choose from. The space is enormous, and is fun to just browse. They also do repairs. Call or stop by for any musical needs. Would go again.
my experience was questionable. they decide who they want …
