Knowledgeable staff and well-stocked. It's like walking into an old-time bookstore, only it's about MUSIC!

Baxter Northup is located on the bustling Ventura Blvd, but unless you're looking for it, it's really easy to miss! For starters, the windows and posters have seen their days that one might think that it is out of business, but it is in fact not and quite the opposite - tons of space inside! They have a variety of instruments and supplies, including a cleaning swab which I was looking for. And the plus is that they also offer music lessons in private rooms - even same day! I had an initial same-day oboe lesson with Phil, and we had great conversation. However, I have to admit that I didn't learn too much, and that we spent most of the time talking. The person working at the front was pretty chill, but paying for lessons wasn't very clear from the beginning - recommend being more specific with those. Their website is via Tumblr (?) which is a surprise. Lessons were $40 / session, and they recommend one session per week (but how long is a session?). Overall, I wish that there was more clarity on this side from time to payment the moment that we signed up. Parking was fairly easy to find on the street or in the lot in the back. However, do note that parking on the street is via metered parking and not free most hours. Return? Potentially for some music books! read more

This is my go to place for Instrument fixing and tuning. There is a wonderful gentleman who is very nice and knowledgeable who helps us. It usually fast :) read more

Knowledgeable and friendly staff with shelves that are always well stocked. Their teaching staff are consummate professionals. This is a local business worth supporting ! read more

Hello, my name is Julian. I want to start off by saying how disappointed I am with Baxter and the employee Ed.. Originally, I had gone to guitar Center to look for a violin bridge because mine had broken. I have a student violin and I walked in there, hoping to buy a new one. I spoke to Ed and he gave me a spiel about how much they charge for custom violin bridges, which is wonderful and great information but I was looking simply to replace a standard violin bridge. I understand that not every bridge is perfect with your violin, but like I said, I'm a student looking to replace a bridge. And proceeded to tell me practically no, he was not gonna sell me a bridge that day for whatever specific reason I walked out of there with my head down, extremely disappointed. Please don't label people or shop with your own pocket. I hope to go back someday and buy items at the store. Just needs to get a little bit more friendly, and customer oriented. . I'm 23 years old, just really want to say how upset and disappointed I am thanks a lot Ed! read more

Baxter Northup Music Co. - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Sherman Oaks, California

I've gone in a couple of times now and it's a very cool store even to just look at. It feels like you're transported a few decades back. Very helpful and knowledgeable store staff. read more

Came here for flute repair. My Armstrong flute is from the 80s and hasn't been played since the late 80s. It's been sitting in my house, and in decent condition. I just wanted it in playing condition for my 11 year old who wants to play it in middle school band. Ed at Baxter Northrup was great and took the time to talk to me about my flute and what the repair person would be looking for and taking into consideration. Ed was upfront, honest and made the effort to work with me so that we wouldn't have to overhaul the entire instrument at one time, which would be very costly. Also, they charged me nothing to give me a repair quote and check out my flute. They changed out the worst of the keypads, cork in the head of the flute, and replaced lost corks from the other open hole keys so that my daughter could learn to play it. They also took out some small dents from the head of the flute and steamed it. All for $125! They were honest that because of the age of my flute and the fact that I'd never kept up maintenance that I may need to bring the flute back over time for further pad replacements. However, they were extremely accommodating with my budget and told me that even professional musicians won't overhaul their entire instrument all at once because of the cost. I was told at another shop that it would be almost $600 to get it into playing condition for my daughter and they told me it would be difficult for my daughter to play an open hole flute. Uhhh --- that's why you can put corks in it. I'm feeling so glad I decided to come to Baxter Northrup for a second opinion. They made this mama very happy! They also have a big selection of music books, sheet music and instruments. And their music lesson rooms look pretty cool! So glad this place is still standing in the Valley! read more

I was there to change a string on my guitar, he did it really quick and his advices was really helpful, just wanna to say thank you from bottom of my heart. P.s. he charged me only 5$ read more

Baxter Northup Music Co. - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Sherman Oaks, California

I was taken care of in a timely manner when I brought my flute in for repair a few weeks ago. Despite being busy with back to school, my flute was ready to go in about a week. Removing the tarnish, fixing 2 dents and a wellness check amounted to $100, far less than what I was expecting for my 15 year old flute that's never been to the shop. Baxter Northup Music Co. is quite large and there are always many instruments and music you can browse. The owner and workers are nice to talk to as well, all around a great business that I hope will stick around for more years to come. read more

There's a lot to be said for Los Angeles' oldest musical service and sales specialist, it is without hyperbole that I say that they offer the classiest operation here on the West Coast, and upcoming as well as veteran musicians will do a lot worse by making the extra trip. A family owned operation with excellence at the heart of everything they do, it is the antithesis of the corporate megastore experience. read more

This is a SFV jewel of a music instrument store and music classics. I cannot think of anything negative. I love their instrument rental program that credits how much you spend towards the purchase of a brand new instrument. They are always open. I mean always! Classes are 35/session and very flexible. There is parking on the back. read more

I was referred to this store from Guitar Center nearby. As I walked in, the store was empty with only one man at a counter reading a magazine. I couldn't find what I was looking for and I decided to ask the man for an assistance. Either it was more important for him to read the magazine or simply couldn't be bothered to help as he only answered to my questions with "Yes" or "No" with a look of as he didn't care at all. No wonder I was the only customer in the store with such a service. You should go to Guitar Center instead. They were so friendly, helpful, and answered all my questions I had. read more

All my experiences with Baxter Northup has been memorable. I went to get some saxophone repairs and I ended purchasing a great flute at a great price while waiting read more

Baxter Northup Music Co. - Steve is still working miracles...!!! - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Sherman Oaks, California

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I fpund this place last year while looking for some music related book stores. I don't take lessons here but maybe one day I will! Their book selection is expansive and diverse. Really like going here and exploring what they have to offer. read more

These folks are the best. They are very knowledgeable and professional. Highly recommend.

This place has such an amazing old school vibe. Owner is a great guy. Teachers are very good. read more

First off, I was SOOO excited to find a music store with piano lesson books! I was about to order them online, but I needed them ASAP & overnight shipping is so costly! They were super helpful & so many books. I quickly found the ones I was needing & then they directed me to staff paper & I was done, in & out! And the cashier was super friendly, dealing with all my allergy/sniffling jokes! If you are a piano teacher or student, this is the must-go place in the valley for lesson books! They also do lessons here & have instruments, music stands, everything!!! read more

This is the place if you are a musician in need of something. The people that work there are very knowledgeable, their selection and availability of products is unrivaled. They had what I needed and where very helpful in helping me find it and advising me on what to get. Their music library is also unrivaled, I've never seen so much music (besides in a band archive of music) and I only saw part of their stock. read more

Bought an awesome violin and viola the other week. The man working there was super cool and knowledgeable.

Great fast service on instrument repair. Lots of new and used sheet music to browse through. Everything very reasonably priced.

Best music store around! They have everything you might need and even if they don't, they will get it for you!! When I was in college, as a music major, this was my go to place!! So glad they're still around!! Love you guys!! read more

I don't want to be a jerk about this, it could have just been "one of those days" but here's the story. We stopped in here because my partner is looking to buy a musical instrument, we walked in and there was only one person working and he was on the phone barely acknowledged that we had entered, and had it been a business call that would be fine but it was obviously a personal call and it went on for nearly ten minutes, never attempted to end the call. When he finally got off the phone my partner told him what she was looking for and the disinterest was noticeable until he realized she knew what she was talking about with this particular instrument and then he was a lot more helpful. Not much chance of us returning. read more

My daughter has started to take viola lessons virtually and because of that, we (the parents) have to tune the violas for the kids. The problem is I've been playing guitar for 25 years so I didn't realise how much more fragile the tuning systems of a viola are and I snapped a string. I called guitar centre and they don't even stock viola strings but the man who answered the phone reminded me of Baxter Northrup abs I'm glad he did. I went down there just as they opened and I was clearly not the first person who had done such a thing. He quickly grabbed a replacement D strong for me and offered to install it and tune it. It took him about 1/20th the time it would take me and I couldn't have been more appreciative. It's people and businesses like this we need to support during these times and I'm gonna go back there for as much business as I can from now on. read more

When I was looking for a wonderful place to brush up on my jazz flute, Baxter Northup delivered. In a happy coincidence, they also share a first name with my best furry friend, Baxter. Their tutelage was essential to my efforts to win over the beautiful Veronica Corningstone. This business is 100% Ron Burgandy approved read more

disclaimer: I havent actually been to the shop because they solved all my problems over the phone. I called and spoke to Ed because I have two violins, 1 Mendini with a broken string and bad pegs and another with a broken bow. Ed told me that my problems with my mendini we're really something I could take care of myself if i wanted to and that its best to learn how to re-string my violin myself (ref: youtube videos) as it comes with owning one but that if i really needed help they could take care of it for me. He noted that because mendinis are cheap violins re-pegging it would cost more than the violin. He told the that instead of trying to repair the bow and re-do the hair on it it would be cheaper to buy a new bow for like $30 or use my good bow on my second violin. I'm writing a review because I CLEARLY am a novice and he could have just told me to bring it in and we'll price it out or schedule me an appointment for repair and i wouldn't have argued at all because, hell, what do i know. And I recently had someone do that where I came in and because i had drove all the way there (it was kinda far) I was like, 'fine'. But instead he was kind enough to point out that i really didn't need to come in for what was wrong. now maybe they're swamped and didn't want to spend time on something dumb like my stuff but still, Ed just saved me a bunch of time and money. Oh he also answer my questions about finding sheet music and told me that most piano sheet music has the melody that i can play on my violin. read more

I haven't been here in some time, but this is a great spot to get started with some basic instruments or gear. I'm not a professional musician by any means, but I've bought a lot of the basics here for when I don't actually need to visit a string store (I believe their focus is on wind and brass, though they have a little of everything too). They've also been here on Ventura Blvd for my whole life. In a neighborhood where stores come and go, Baxter Northrup has been a fixture of the neighborhood. read more

Unbelievable. My friend asked me if I wanted to go with him to a local music store. I was excited to see this place. When we arrived I was very disappointed. This place is dead- I'm absolutely sure they're going out of business. No one greeted us as we walked in. I couldn't even tell customer from staff. I was taking a look at the strings for a classical guitar. $10 for a basic set of strings. At least they have a nice selection of sheet music going for them. When we decided to leave some guy came to greet us...as we were leaving...he saw us walk in. Anyways, if by some odd chance I decide to come back hopefully they have shaped up. read more

When you walk in you step back in time. This place is definitely "old school" but it doesn't mean that's a bad thing. I'm currently shopping for a Tenor, and the service received was fantastic. Even though I didn't buy the horn then and there, it didn't change the fact that the people here are knowledgeable and willing to part some wisdom my way. As a younger teen I used to come in all the time to buy book, reeds, etc and coming back years later and still experiencing the same stellar customer service makes me happy to see a shop that cares about more than a sale. Highly recommend! read more

Good place to buy some sheet music and a decent place to buy a few accessories like music stands and metronomes, but not a GREAT, amazing music store like you'd see in New York by any means. The problem is that they don't even pretend to stock a comprehensive selection of sheet music. The classical pickings are just o.k., the pop stuff is meh and the materials for music teachers are a bit better but nothing to flog your Molly about. Unfortunately, there is nothing here to make you say: "nom nom" and salivate down the front of your shirt. You'll be leafing through the classical music books and come across a yellowed book of Brahms piano pieces that looks like it was left behind in 1940 by Irving Berlin who was running late for lunch with Hoagy Carmichael at Musso and Frank's. I know this because the waiter who was working that day is still there, going strong at 107 years of age, where he's still slopping creamed spinach from antique chafing dishes directly into people's laps. But I digress. If you meander over to the popular music section you will find the sheet music for "Windy" by the Association, some howler by Taylor Swift and a collection of "the best of a-ha" all stuck together with a piece of gum, spat there by a Goth girl who thought she was in the clothing store next door. But here's the good news. You can usually find most "normal" things in this store, but the esoteric and obscure stuff will probably not be in stock and will bring on offers to "special order" things for you. But at that point you're probably better off doing it yourself over the internets invented by Al Gore who is a total hypocrite because he just bought a gigantic house that uses more energy than a family of pygmies in New Guinea uses in an entire decade. But again, I digress. The best thing about the store is that everybody is really nice, somewhat knowledgeable, and very helpful and enthusiastic about your patronage. And for that reason, I will go to them when I am needing anything in the realm of basic sheet music, perhaps a music stand every few years, and lord knows what else. They also sell some musical instruments like tubas, kazoos and those little wooden recorder-flute-thingies that we used to blow on in elementary school, the sound of which would attract bats and hornets that would make their nests in the teacher's hair. And they also give music lessons!...the store, not the bats and hornets. (But it seems like the people taking the lessons are mostly kids being dropped off by their parents so they can bang on a drum set somewhere other than in their house.) read more

First of all let me just say how nice it is to be sold a musical instrument by true fans of music. Every salesperson I've spoken to from when I bought my first clarinet, to when I happened to need some odds and ends for my band really seems to know their stuff. Their knowledge base isn't just limited to musical instruments, but to history trivia and genre. Call me crazy but I thinks that waaay cool! Many a time I've walked in to purchase some reeds and spent an hour in there. time seems to stop when I visit baxter. Sure the prices are a bit on the steep side, but I'm okay knowing that I'm supporting a local business and the knowledge base and service a def. worth it. Keep up the good work guys read more

Some incredibly cool staff here; always polite and honest and helpful! There's some specialty double-reed stuff I know I'll have to order online or make special trips; but when I've come here with a list I could always find it. I even found some treasures in the used book section! The community bulletin board in the back has been an easy place to find out about events for my students. I tried to get an appointment with a specialty repair shop in town; the wait list was 4 months for basic repairs. Since it wasn't crack repairs, I called Baxter Northup with my "Could you please do basic adjustments on my oboe" request. They got it done in a realistic amount of time and probably for 1/3 the cost of the other guy. My oboe's in great shape now. Thanks to all the good folks at BN, and cheers to great music ahead! read more

I am a woodwind player, well networked in South Orange County. I recently moved to the San Fernando Valley and went into Baxter Northup to buy reeds. After I told Ed (who was waiting on me) what I wanted to buy, I introduced myself and explained that I am trying to connect with musicians in the Valley, and that I brought in a few business cards. I asked if he would take them and help me get to know other people in the area. He made no comment whatsoever, and ignored all that I had just said. He slapped my item on the counter, took my money, and that was the end of my visit. I have never been treated so rudely, and dismissed so blatantly. Needless to say, that was my first and last time I will go through that door. There are plenty of good music stores around where I can get friendly, courteous service, and make some new connections in my new place of residence. read more

I've frequented this music store for many years, mostly with reasonably good success. (hence the A-OK rating). As a pro trumpeter/flutist, I've purchased new and used horns from them and have sold (on consignment) several instruments from them over the years. 18 months ago I purchased a new, gold-plated, Schilke B1 trumpet. It is a great horn and I love it and got a fair price (they even took another like-new Shilke X3 as a trade-in). But I'm selling as I have more horns than money these days! Today when went there to put my beautiful like-new Schilke B1 (gold-plated) on consignment with them (at their invitation) I received the "Who are you and what are you doing here?" reception and less than enthusiastic response to my horn (which is in perfect condition) with new pro case. Ed was the one who sold me the horn to begin with just 18 months ago, and I thought he would be happy to have the horn back to resell and reap more profit. A no-brainer really. No, instead, he came up with nothing but reasons why it wouldn't sell and basically wasn't interested except to say, "We'll hang it on the wall but I can't promise anything" And, "It's a slow market." (not exactly big news to me). At the very least, I was looking for someone who was interested in the horn - as I knew that would affect potential buyers. That attitude was not in evidence. So I packed up my horn and left, not a happy camper and very unlikely to return. I don't hold out much hope for longevity of this music store in spite of its long history in the business. Times and economic conditions change but there is one thing that does not: people. If you don't keep the customer happy and satisfied with a friendly, helpful attitude, and excellent service, your business is on its way down (sooner or later). Ignore or neglect the people at your peril. They are after all the only reason you are in business to begin with. Dan J. professional trumpeter read more

A very wonderful shop that caters to all musicians. You won't find tons of guitars hanging on the shelf but you will find tons of sheet music, lessons, moderate repairs and a few examples of all the instruments. There is a corral of fender amps to choose from and Steve, the guy who helped me, was excessively knowledgeable and extremely helpful. I found a saddle for my acoustic guitar at a very reasonable price. Parking was tricky as I had to use a meter and was still enjoying my conversation when forced to leave due to its fascist imperative. All in all a wonderful experience, I will definitely be returning here. read more

This place is all about the music and the instrument. They fixed my flute at a reasonable price and are so knowledgable. They helped me when my son started the alto saxophone, even though it was a school instrument he looked at it and gave us useful information on carrying forward and getting supplies. The reeds are best priced here compared to other stores. I play piano, and this place has all the sheet music and lesson books you will need. Go here and get set up and you will not regret it. Both parents are kids will be find this store helpful whether you know music or not. read more

Mostly I was delighted to see their collection of colored metal Manhasset music stands: red, purple, blue, in addition to basic black. Fully stocked music stores are hard to find these days, and colored music stands are a bonus prize. I'm also fascinated with the mix of used, vintage, and new items mixed in throughout the store (there was a vintage black iron music stand standing next to the Manhassets). I could easily spend a happy half hour browsing here. I think I spotted an old school tick-tock metronome. Printed music collection is spotty- they carry more variety for piano and violin- other instruments (brass, woodwinds) seemed to be represented by mostly method books. There's also a choral music section. I'm looking forward to the next time I'm in this area so I can explore more. read more

For all your musical instrument needs, except violin, only string fixes. This place has been a staple for so many years. And one of the few open on Sundays! read more

I have been playing guitar my entire life, but only recently began and bought a used alto sax from some college kid. I had little to no idea how lousy the plastic mouthpiece was until an hour ago. Both times I called, they were very helpful and friendly, inviting me to bring my horn and try out a few. When I arrived, the salesman knew my price point and he gave me three different MPCs to try. He set me up in a practice room, and ten minuets later, I walked out with an EXCELLENT mouthpiece and a huge smile! :) Oh yeah, I showed the sax specialist how the neck was a little bent from the previous owner and - get this - he takes me into the shop and proceeds to repair the neck. He tell me to play a few notes and WOW !! Between the MPC and the neck-work,(for which he did NOT even charge me!) my horn plays about 100 times better! Oh yes I will be back! :) read more

Came in here after guitar center turned me down to fix my violin strings. Ed was more than helpful and he was SUPER knowledgeable about what I needed and even gave me a bunch of insight on my instrument. I will definitely come back here for my music needs. Love this place!!!! read more

My 8 year old started coming here about 3 months ago. After a month of taking lessons from a really great teacher, the teacher moved and I was forced to find a different teacher. For that entire month I would sit watching the lady in the room next door teach people to play guitar, so I asked her if she would take my son on as a student. She said yes and I am so glad she did. October is my sons teacher and she is just the best. I can't say enough good stuff about her. After only a few lessons she got my son p,aging songs and he absolutely loves coming to his lessons. And it's not just October, this whole place is amazing and the staff is fantastic. So accommodating and friendly and knowledgable. We will be coming here for years! read more