The only reason why I give this place a 5-stars is because of the teacher. I worked under Tony for 3 years and it was a stellar experience. He was super encouraging and I really enjoyed taking lessons under him... too bad I'm graduating this year and had to discontinue. I think the repairs on this place are nice but a bit slow. Jason does great work and makes sure that everything is in working order but it takes a long time. My only negative experience with this place: I took my clarinet in for repair. They gave me an estimated date of a week. I called them around the 5-day mark to ask if it was ready and they told me an extra 2-days (as expected). I ended up being busy at that time so I couldn't check-in on the one week mark. When I went in to visit though, they said that it would need another week. Overall though, I really like this place! It's local and the people inside are friendly. They do charge a premium on reeds though.... ordering online is better. read more

When it comes to repair, Jason will tell you 3-5 days but it will not happen as he said. It took 2 weeks and 5 days waiting and did not do the repair, I had to get it back without repair being done.. so if you read about repairs from this stores in reviews about took forever, it is True!!!! read more

I purchased a 6-string banjo from a private party and tried to restring it myself. I sprung the tailpiece and it was a mess. I figured it was a total loss I took it to Jason at ABC Music. He completely rebuilt, restrung, and set it up in under a week at a very fair price. I recommend ABC to anyone who has an instructor that needs Some TLC. They flat out did a great job- and they did it very reasonably! read more

Great place with great people! My sons wanted to start guitar lessons. I called to inquire and we were added to a waitlist for weekend lessons. Within 5 days Jason (wonderful guy who runs the store) called us back with openings. Upon coming in he sized my sons for their guitars and we are able to pay for them and lessons as we go along. He is very knowledgeable and kind to all of us. Then we met their instructor Matt. My sons adore him, he's so patient with them and they really look up to him. Great pricing, never try to sell us more, and really warm and wonderful people. I love that our town has businesses like this. read more

Yes for music lessons. I hear mixed reviews about instrument repair and also many years back. Maybe this place used to be under a different owner? read more

Jason was great and helpful. We found the perfect Alto Sax for my son with Jason's help. We love supporting local businesses and I highly recommend ABC Music to everyone nearby. read more

Love this local music store that has weathered the test of time. Jason was very patient in answering all my inquiries about violin lessons & had a very warm welcoming voice. The violin teachers are great! read more

I took my keyboard to get fix and they take forever, very poor communication and service on this field.

OMG!!!!! REALLY???? I had two keys that would stick together when you would strike one key. After 5 months of getting the run around, I finally get my keyboard back, and now about a dozen keys won't work. I'm sorry, but this is just too unacceptable. I trusted you guys. read more

Very nice service here! Had them repair a violin string and they were pretty fast and affordable. I was told that the repair would take about an hour but they were quick and finished within 20 minutes. They offer lessons at reasonable prices, too. Nice location. Will definitely be coming back to use their services. read more

They never answer the phone I've tried for days calling because I had a family emergency and couldn't make my lesson! No one ever answers the phone I will be asking for a refund since I payed for 2 months. My trainer was great but whoever works the front is horrible!!! read more

Left my guitar here during COVID back in 2019-2020 (forgot how long ago) they wrote down my number refused to give a receipt. Never heard back from them and every time I go back the man who sold the service is never in and the other workers don't know anything about it. I left my number 4 different times and have yet to hear back about my guitar in 2023 not to mention my customized white fiberglass guitar case with the guitar. read more

5 stars! ... and that's really only 'cause this place is my hometown music store- which is why it's strange that I'm the 1st review... this place has been around as long as I've been alive. ABC music is where I took my guitar lessons from a somewhat inebriated someone who i won't mention here, where I bought my first guitar and mini-amp, and the local string dealer for my friends' instruments. Never got too good of a deal here, especially on the lessons, which were really just Bob listening to songs off the radio, roughly jotting them down on binder paper for me to practice with, and hoping for the best til the next time I saw him. I never learned how to play guitar... But its such an experience, you must check it out yourself. Stop by Lucca Deli next door while you're there for some bomb sandwich action. :) read more

ABC Music - mmmm.... musik - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Castro Valley, California

Jason was great. He fixed my sax in a day and I was back playing that night. The sax plays a ton better now. I am very satisfied

I will always love ABC, I've been coming in since I was a little kid with my mom. I used to walk by and stare at the guitars in the window after school like Wayne's World when I'd get my first guitar, my first guitar I bough here, my first lessons were with Bob, and Jason has always treated me like family. They aren't a flashy big store, but they have what I need in a pinch, and have always done right by me, fixed what I needed fixed, and sold me guitar stuff for more than fair prices. What more could I ask for? read more

The owner is very nice and professional. When my friends need everything about the music class, I will send them here.

I've purchased 2 guitars here. Both for beginners. The owner and staff were very helpful and I got the perfect setup both times. Great store!! Hey read more

This place lied to us and broke my daughters heart. I would give them zero stars if it were an option. Around late November 2015, we purchased a Luna guitar for my daughter for Christmas. The lady who helped us was very helpful and informative, so we bought the guitar. In early January someone at my daughter's school broke her guitar head. We took it back to ABC music and the guy said he could repair it. He stated he would glue it and sand it. He stated it would be 3-5 days and he would call to let us know what cosmetic worked needed to be done and get our approval. He NEVER called so we had to call him. This was the FIRST time we called. He stated he glued it and it was clamped and drying. He said he needed to reinforce the glue and that he was going to sand it. We called a SECOND time, because we had not heard from them. They stated they were finishing up sanding the guitar and it would be ready in a few days. We called Monday and they stated it would be ready Friday or Saturday. I went to pick up the guitar on Sunday. By this time they had our guitar for 17 days. They opened the case and the strings were not on the guitar. The lady asked if they were suppose to string the guitar. I told her that I would have hoped they would have. I went to inspect the neck because it didn't look good. When I touched it the neck fell off. Upon further inspection I noticed the guitar head had NEVER been glued or even worked on. I told them they lied to us. They said they could have it ready by Wednesday. Needless to say at this point and was angry and I took my broken guitar. This place can't be trusted and I would stay clear of it. How can you trust a Music company that straight lied to us. We called many times and it was stated they were working on the guitar. LIARS! I would never trust this guitar company ever again. I will never recommend this place to anyone. read more

ABC has been around forever; always there when I need something: strings, picks, parts, an adjustment on a guitar, advice. Never took lessons form Bob, but he's good, very good. ABC is a community fixture, and I hope it'll always be there. read more

This place is small but awesome. I'v been coming here since i got my first guitar. Which was when i was 13. never took lessons here or anywhere so i can't say anything about that. When my bass amp blew out they didn't charge me to look at it they just told me what was wrong, that was cool because that saved me money. Also when my turning pegs broke on my five sting bass, they offered to get two sets of pegs take one out of the second package and only charge me for the one pack. Also saving me money. Everyone i know comes here to get strings, straps, picks, sheets, heads, and great customer service. read more

This business doesn't honor their business hours ... The website said it opens at noon on Sunday's -come to find that they open on Sunday's at 1 pm. Stood waiting outside till 1:15 nobody in sight ....wow ... Beyond ridiculous .... Update: got a call back from the manager apologizing for the mishap.... While I appreciate the call back unfortunately I was unable to purchase the books as I had already ordered them online read more

Great selection, service. Nice studio space for lessons. The staff is knowledgeable and helpful.

I came to buy my son a guitar for Christmas. The guy haha helped me was really nice a knowledgeable. My son loved his guitar

I'm a new customer, and thus far? Very impressed. My child is starting 5th grade band this year. I really SHOULD have brought my old student flute in over the summer for a "tune up" (sorry, couldn't resist the pun) but the vacation months got away from me and suddenly it's deadline time! Purely poor planning on my part (whee! alliteration!) but ABC Music managed a really fast turnaround. I dropped off the flute LATE on Friday (Did I mention that they're open until 8pm? So convenient!) and it was ready Tuesday (today) afternoon. My beginner musician will have a properly working instrument for tomorrow's first day of hands-on instruction. Win! And the staff at ABC Music was super-helpful and easy to deal with. Yes, I know I goofed - but you'd never know it by the way they treated me. I felt sheepish about my poor planning, they made me feel like it was totally fine and that they'd manage to accommodate my "oops." Many businesses would be snide and scolding. ABC Music was nothing but helpful (with side dishes of cheerful and polite). I'll be coming back. read more

The duration of my time in this store lasted about one minute. I walked in, asked the employee about the rosin, got his opinion, and chose one. Simple and fast, which is perfect, in my opinion. Plus, it was reasonably priced. read more

I took electric Guitar lessons from Bob, They give lessons also to Band students. The store is not Guitar center, but They have a nice variety of Guitars. They have strings, and accessories. It is a small music shop, but it is very personal, and the whole staff, Jason, Bob & Tony are very knowledgeable. If they don't have the item your looking for, they will gladly order, or suggest another store(even if it is their competition) where to find it. read more

Great little shop if you're looking for an instrument. Bought a 3/4 guitar and mini bongos here a few months back (apparently I'm into small instruments). I do believe I was helped by the owners, both of whom were knowledgable and friendly. Ended up paying around $150 for the guitar (Luna) , which I was quoted much higher at another music shop. The bongos they had on hand had a small crack in the top, so they offered to order another to replace it. They had it all together within 2 days. The shop is small and they didn't have a very large selection, but I recommend this place to anyone local looking to buy instruments! read more

I'm from Livermore so I go to the Livermore branch and it is great! Chris is a fantastic guy and extremely helpful, and Chelsea (I believe works at both stores) is equally knowledgeable and friendly. Prices are sometimes shockingly low for quality products, and more than once they've handled repairs for me for free! I recommend this store to everyone I know. read more

I've been a customer of Bob's for almost 4 years. hes helped become gig ready for small time local shows (cvhs battle of the bands, REAL battle of the bands, fall festival). he's never let me down. always helps when i need it and has time to talk about the big and little things in the musician world. i bought my first electric guitar at this shop: a metallic silver Ibanez ART-100 that has more than exceeded my expectations for the quality and sound. it was a rare find for me and have used it for 2 years and am NOT giving up this baby! purchased all kinds of picks, strap locks, capo's, strings and straps from this small local G.C.(haha) i always find myself coming back. never took lessons but i agree when someone said he is very good at whatever the staff in general teaches. all in all, great store, great people, great supplies, have some fun by picking up an instrument at ABC MUSIC NOW! read more

I went to ABC Music to get a minor repair on my violin. I was surprised when told that the repair was to be finished within a day. The staff member who took in the repair was knowledgeable and helpful. Outside of forgetting to phone me when the violin was ready (I went in the following day anyway), my experience was very good. I noticed that ABC Music has various instrument accessories and a good selection of music books for various instruments. read more

Small place, they had very little selection for instruments and the low end stuff seemed a little pricey. Very attentive staff, nice enough guys. I was a little put off when one of them assumed I was "just starting out" because I was a woman perhaps? He might as well have told me to get back in the kitchen. I will most likeley not return. read more

Ordered a switch pedal for amp in December. Told to come back on a week twice. Then told it was on back order. First week of February, they said it would be a week and they would call me. Then a week and a half later, I walked in a they told me they sold it to somebody else 5 minutes earlier. Don't believe what they say, or promises they make. Guitar lessons are cheaper at Olga's as well just a half block away. Will never patronize this place again. read more

Went in on Christmas Eve and they were open until 6pm. I didn't get the gentleman's name but he was knowledgeable, friendly, and professional. I wanted a basic acoustic guitar for my teenage daughter and he showed me a wide variety and explained the quality and pros and cons. He did not try to oversell me on anything and I walked out with a very nice guitar (that he tuned for me), strap, pics, case, and cool tuner for $200 which is waaaaaay less than I expected. I'm a very satisfied customer and will be back for future purchases and possibly lessons. read more

GREAT STORE! Small though but who cares? I took my bass there to get new strings and the guy fixed the neck and head, and cleaned the entire thing! for ONLY a few bucks more! Its an awesome store! Definitely going back! read more

This review is for the repair service. They told me all along the way that I would get frequent calls from them when my custom guitar part would be ready, and assured that it would be ready for my gig that was 3 weeks away. The gig is tomorrow and they still didn't have if. Here's my main issue. They NEVER called me back. I had to call them to get status updates every single time. I'm sure other parts of this store are ok but I would strongly advise not using them for repairs. When I told them I wanted to be communicated with, and that I was upset that my guitar wouldn't be ready for my gig. The guy said "here's the thing about acoustic guitars, you can just put a microphone in front of them.I played for Fog Hat, have you ever heard of them?" That was when I politely told him to cancel the order and that I wasn't going to need the repair. Ugh!!! read more

I went to a Christmas recital today held by the guitar teacher, James Wilson of ABC music. I couldn't believe the encouragement and effort from the teacher that led to confidence and excitement of the children! If you want a teacher with patients and passion, I would recommend James Wilson! read more

ABC Music - The proud and confident students of James Wilson, the guitar teach at ABC music at the annual XMAS Recital! - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Castro Valley, California

What the hell happened to thus place. The charm seemed to leave when Bob Marshall left. I got done strings to show support but the price was so high that I don't think I will do that again. I was there 6 months ago and their guitar selection was very mediocre. read more

My daughter has been going here for violin lessons for some time now. Although we didn't purchase her violin there, they have fixed it a number of times. Also repaired her guitar that was sounding pretty bad at one point and badly needed TLC which they provided. Love the staff. Violin teachers have been great. read more

This place is fine if you're just trying to get strings or a capo or something like that. I am giving only two stars though because I was told that they would be able to repair a nutt in 2 days and I didn't get it back for another 2 weeks. Besides that they were very nice. read more

This review was suppose to be written long time ago. In June/ July of 2014, I dropped off a Yamaha Speaker for them to fix. They said they will gladly get it done. And i didnt hear from them for atleast a good 2 months. I even forgot that I had a speaker in the shop, but I needed the speaker for a gig that was upcoming. The excuse they gave me was that THEY, wrote down the wrong number, even though I made sure they had the correct number. I made them repeat the number they had on file, maybe the person that was reading the number was dyslexic or just straight up retarded because that not a legitimate excuse for me. And i asked to talk to the owner Sue, and she did not want to offer a discount on the price, cause apparently the part had to come all the way from the Yamaha factory in Japan. If it was gonna be that expensive, you should communicate with the customer, cause after all its there money. AND NOW ON TOP OF THAT, The speaker doesnt even work properly. So i gotta spend even more money just to fix the speaker. I'd say you should take your business elsewhere, just warning you before you waste your money. I wouldnt even rate them one star to be honest with you. Worse establishment ever. Thats what the name of the store should be named. read more