If you are shopping for your first guitar, or honestly any guitar, just go to True Tone Music. I…read morewill get into why, but that is basically the whole review in one sentence. I found them online and called ahead to see if they had the guitar I wanted in stock. They did, and whoever answered the phone was so genuinely enthusiastic that I was excited to go make my purchase. When I got there the place was busy, with people in the back trying out guitars and a few staff floating around helping everyone. The thing that struck me right away was that all of them looked like they actually enjoyed being there. The guy who helped me, Louis, was a total rock star. I told him I was after a guitar and wanted to start taking lessons, and he immediately walked me back to meet Shawn, one of the teachers who happened to be in that day. Shawn and I hit it off, and I texted him later that day to set up my first lesson, which is this coming week. I am genuinely excited for it. The guitar I wanted was there, brand new and in flawless condition. Here is the part that really got me. I had read that silk and steel strings can be gentler on your fingers when you are starting out, so I asked about them. Instead of brushing me off, Louis walked me through the real pros and cons, and not once did it feel like he was nudging me away from them to save the shop a little money or labor, which is honestly what I half expected. I ended up deciding against them, and then he handed me a set anyway and told me to take them home, and that if I changed my mind I could come back any time and they would put them on for me free. He let me pick out a handful of picks, threw in a tuner, and even knocked a chunk off the price of the guitar without me asking. I had not even thought to ask, since it was in perfect condition. Then there was the warranty. I asked about it, they did not know off the top of their heads, and at one point something like four of the staff were working to track down an answer for me. Mind you, I had already checked out. I was buying that guitar no matter what the warranty said. They chased the answer down anyway, simply because I had asked. They also threw in a hat, which sounds like a tiny thing but genuinely made me grin. Picking up a new instrument feels like the start of something, and a small gesture like that fit the whole spirit of the place. I walked out already wanting to come back, even though I have no reason to until my lesson. This is the kind of customer service people say does not exist anymore. I am here to tell you it does, and it is alive and well at True Tone Music. I never even planned to buy my first guitar there, and now I cannot picture it having gone any other way. Huge thank you to the entire team, and to Louis & Shawn. You made my first guitar purchase a great memory.

Best music store ever. This place is a gem in Santa Monica, the guys that work there are real…read moremusicians, they know everything there is to know. I've known one of the guys for decades, and let me tell you, if you need guitar advice, there is no one better.

I had a wonderful experience at this music shop! I came in to replace the strings on my daughter's…read moreguitar, and everything was done incredibly fast and with great quality. The owner is very friendly and truly passionate about what they do -- it makes such a difference! They also have an amazing selection of guitars from all over the world -- such a unique and interesting collection to explore. Thank you so much for the excellent service. Highly recommend this place!

The ultimate la no frills spot. GO HERE IF YOU NEED A RENTAL THEY ARE GREAT! Absolutely no frills,…read moregreat pricing.

Gabe is truly a wonderful teacher! He is professional, patient, knowledgeable and kind. As a total…read morebeginner of the bass guitar, he made sure I was forming good playing habits. I felt like I was learning useful/ important theory that didn't feel overwhelming or boring. His classes are really affordable for the quality teaching you get. If I wasn't working and being a mom full-time, I'd totally continue learning from Gabe. All to say, he works well with all ages!

I have taken bass lessons with Gabe for about two years. During that time, he taught me how to play…read morebass, the basics of guitar, and, most importantly, how to think like a musician. The area that helped me the most was music theory and how to play with anyone. Now, I have the tools to analyze any song I play or write and interpret why it may work. I can improve a bass line or be creative with the line in clever ways that I would not have thought about before. It has made me so much more comfortable jamming with anyone. With his lessons, I can get away with playing along to any song. Gabe can sometimes be a bit serious, but his seriousness made me focus much more on any given topic. The pace of the course is up to you, but Gabe will push you forward to help you play things you thought were above your level. Overall, Gabe is incredibly knowledgeable and can teach anything from the simplest concepts or techniques to something more complicated and technical.

Friendly knowledgeable help…read more Steve and Gary and Mitch are great. I only bring my guitars to Boulevard!

My son came back from college and needed to get his strings replaced on his entry level acoustic. I…read morewanted to teach him about going to Local stores and supporting them, but this is not the place. The wanted to charge 45$ for a string replace. I said OK. Steven, the person who helped us said," If it is more to be done, I will notify before they do the work" I said ok. We stayed for an hour, and I had a great discussion with the owner about jazz guitarist Ted Greene. That was the highlight of the store, and I do encourage people to go and learn the history of the store. I got an email the following day saying my son's guitar was ready and the charge was about 70$!!!! To change strings! I emailed back and said you told me 45. Steven said the tech Clean the guitar, oiled the tuning gears. We didn't ask for that, nor did it need it. He never checked with me about the work that needed to be done. It looked like a way to mark up the service. Beware! I called the store and talked with Steven and said you quoted me 45$ He said, "I am not going to argue with you over the money, and we will give you what was quoted." This wasn't about arguing, this was about integrity. Go to the store for nostalgia and some Martin's but be careful for the services and price adjustments.

Outstanding experience! Excellent customer service, very knowledgeable, friendly, helpful to sell…read moremy euphonium! Highly recommended!

This neighborhood shop is worthy of even a modicum of customer service…read more The GM must be operating in some mindset of scarcity or tyranny because their crew are all kind, helpful, and upbeat. Unfortunately, none of them hipped me to their absolute no way no how zero returns policy when i made a purchase under duress and need. They kind of had what i needed so in a pinch, I was grateful. When my situation changed, and I would have gladly accepted store credit they said "no way no how!" to my humble request to return or exchange brand new stuff in original packaging. Its no wonder stinkin guitar center prevails in this economy. Someone help out the underdogs so they can maybe run a good business! Shop at your own risk friends. Happy music making no matter what!

We love Culver Music! My older boy took trombone classes here and my younger one is now taking…read morepiano. It's almost a year now and he's still enjoying it!

During my short visit in Los Angeles I am enjoying my voice lessons with Pat. Her patience with me…read morean adult beginner is very much appreciated and based on the conversation with a parents of her child student, a favorite. Also the fellow staff members were great with coordinating my lessons and sending helpful class reminders.

I stop by Adam's Music every once in a while, whenever I have to purchase accessories for my…read morevarious wind and string instruments. Garrett and Sean are both super friendly and more than willing to help me out with whatever I need. They have an impressive assortment of used instruments as well as various accessories. I've bought several used brass instrument mouthpieces from them, for great prices. I highly recommend this store.

Great local music shop that caters to a wide variety of instruments. I came here to pick up slide…read morelubricant for my kid's trombone which they had in stock. We also have trumpet, guitar, and bass players in the family, so I'll definitely be back if I need anything else!

I took a number of in-person lessons with Fred. He's a professional musician doing everything from…read morebeing in the house band for the legendary Filmore West to a session man, recording from LA to Nashville and more. Legendary acts like Howlin Wolf specifically have ask Fred to transpose their catalog for their song books. Freds an incredible teacher. I highly recommend him if you're interested in taking lesson from this multi-instrumentalist

From the owner: Fred Sokolow has written over 200 instruction books and videos for guitar, ukulele, banjo,…read moremandolin, Dobro, lap steel and autoharp. He's a world renowned teacher and musician and his instructional style has helped millions of stringed instrument players with its clarity and down to earth style