Music Planet has always been the go to shop for me for anything musical. For one thing it's in the…read moreperfect location, really central and easy to get to. For another, the staff are always so helpful. Whether you're looking to by picks or a $6000 keyboard, they're right there to guide you all along the way. They'll get instruments down for you so can have a little play when you're looking to buy. There's loads of great instruments there with top brands like Martin, Fender, Korg, and loads more. I love the back room with lots of DJ equipment, crazy electronic gadgets and little keyboards that make all sorts of noises and do all sorts of things. They are really ahead in the digital side of music but have really good traditional instruments. If you're ever in need of anything musical Music Planet should be the first place you go!

Music shops are often hit or miss. Sometimes you find really interesting, passionate people who…read moreabsolutely love what they're doing and because of that are super helpful and friendly. And other times you find really interesting, passionate people who absolutely love what they're doing and because of that are *ab-so-lute-ly-terrifying*. I really needed a new set of strings. And because they seem to cost close to a month's salary in Australia, I figured I'd save a bit on the exchange rate and pick some up in Auckland. Immediately upon walking in, I knew I was dealing with the 1st type of passionate employee I mentioned above, and before I knew it, I just wanted to be friends with all of them. I picked some strings based on their recommendations. I lusted over a few custom left handed Martins. I snooped a little bit at the rest of the gear before leaving. Aucklanders are lucky to have such a wonderful music shop so centrally located and stuffed to the brim with the right kind of passion.

KBB is a one-stop shop for anything musical: they've got it all, from recorders to grand pianos and…read moreeverything inbewteen. They also offer an instrument repair service, and did a good job on rehabilitating an old clanger of a clarinet I bought for nothing off Trade Me. Everyone who works here is also a musician, and they'll often call someone else over if the person you are talking to isn't an expert in that particular instrumental area rather than trying to bluff their way through it. Finally, they're big supporters of music education, even paying for one music teacher a year to travel overseas for professional development, and are long standing sponsors of a big secondary school's music competition, so thumbs up for that.

I don't know a heck of a lot about pianos (would love to learn one day), but despite the name this…read morestore is much more than just pianos. They sell other instruments as well like keyboards, guitars, ukuleles, violins, and other small music related devices that you might need (metronomes, guitar strings etc.). What I like about this place is the large selection of books and DVD's that they stock. It's almost like a mini library in the side section of the store. You can get tablature books, print music, full band/album works, as well as numerous lesson books and DVD's. Everything you might want in order to learn an instrument, or improve your skills.

Piano Traders have been around for decades. As the name implies they specialise in pianos and other…read moresuch musical instruments including guitars, keyboards, and basic wind instruments. Piano Traders also stock a seemingly infinite amount of sheet music - anything from Beethoven, Bach and beginners scales to contemporary easy listening music, Piano Traders has it all. Not just used by the general public, Piano Traders is also the one stop shop for music teachers. When I was learning the flute, we used to visit Piano Traders to check out their sheet music and I was always so impressed by the beautiful baby grand pianos - oh how I wish I had learned to play them instead!!!! The staff are all really passionate about music, and are musicians themselves which makes any advice they give you seem really relevant and genuine. It's so nice to talk to people who actually know what they're on about! Bonus: Located on Mt Eden Road, halfway between the Village and Symonds St, there's plenty of free on street parking readily available.

It's sortof embarssing to admit this, given how hipster-ish this sounds, but I just bought a…read moreukulele*. I didn't want to spend hundreds of dollars on it, and wanted a concert size one, which is slightly larger than the standard uke. I looked around for a while and was very pleased to find one at Music Book Shop for about $20 cheaper than anywhere else. The owner was super friendly, and actually swapped the one I was going to get with another one as he was worried that one of the tuning pegs wasn't right. He also tuned it for me in the shop which I meant I could go home and start playing. They also have a big stock of sheet music, mostly for piano, guitar and strings, all at good prices, and music stands for $20, which again is very cheap. *I reckon this whole ukulele thing will crash and burn soon, whence it will go back to being something that only earnest primary school music teachers play. I'm looking forward to this day.

Very good price on a brand new Casio Px-350 today. Nice gentlemen. I knew what I was after so…read moredidn't expect service, just a sale. Still. Nice little shop with lots of music books.

Realistically, a drum shop has a limited audience. Are you interested in drumming? If not, then…read moreDrum City will hold absolutely no appeal for you. I mean, it's just full of drums and stuff. If you are interested in drumming, however, and want to buy a drum or something drum related, then Drum City is perfect for you. It's full of drums and stuff! Their prices are comparable to anyone else selling drums in Auckland (i.e. you get what you pay for and if you want something really nice, it won't be cheap) and they have a decent range of gear. The guys who work there are obviously drummers themselves, and are happy to answer questions if you want to know specifics about particular items. Also I took my little brother in there (he's just starting to learn to play, bless) and they were friendly and helpful with him, without being condescending. If you buy skins they're happy to put them on and tune them for you, which is great for people like me who aren't that good at tuning.

This is a MEAN rock shock as in I love it!…read more I headed over here to get some styling new headphones to use on a new project. I had already scrolled around on the world wide web and had a look at the range they offered in store. With such brands as Sennheiser, Denon and Logitech to name just a few. I immediately asked the helpful sales assistant for help looking at what was on offer, and they showed me the line up. Knowing what you want does help for an easy sale, however I was able to learn more about other brands and there uses which was very useful. I did walk away with a Pioneer brand i was after in the right shade even. I could spend hours just exploring the wonderland that is The Rock Shop Takapuna, but I will have to save that for another day when its raining out and don't feel like running off to the beach! Great Service, second to none music gear, a happy shopper indeed.

I have special memories of Cadenza. Back in the day there was a Cadenza Guitars shop in Takapuna,…read morewhere 13 years ago my dad took me in as a little boy one day and my love affair with the guitar started. I'll never forget how the bloke went to some length to find me a perfect guitar for an 8-year-old to start on - a half-size Mitello acoustic with nylon strings and luminous sort of wood. A lovely guitar which I still own and love even if I am a bit big for it now. Anyway, I don't think Cadenza has a Takapuna shop any longer, but I was very happy to find their shop in K Road a few years back. This place is all about guitars, with a particular emphasis on fine/vintage acoustics. It isn't big like the Rock Shop, but it's mecca for the guitarist - it has this nice old wooden smell which just makes me smile. They're one of the best stockists of Martin acoustics, which one of these days I'll be able to afford. Wonderful shop.