Nothing comes close in terms of a store that provides legitimate value. Doing whatever i can to make sure any money going toward new equipment is spent at Big City Music. read more

After reading some forums online and watching various YouTube videos to see what modulars were all about, Big City Music was considered one of the best in the nation. I stopped by on the way home to explore modular synths for the first time, hoping I'd get that "feeling" like this is a perfect fit for me. Thanks to seeing Big City Music here on Yelp, I drove to their address but had trouble finding the building because there were no signs anywhere. From Ventura, it looked like there was an abandoned building at the address listed. So, I called and talked to Roger. He was great to talk to and said they usually ask customers to make an appointment to stop by. Lucky for me they were available at that time and I could stop in. He gave me better directions, since the entrance was actually off Ventura Blvd. Big City Music is unlike any other music store I've been to. It feels like I'm entering a "secret club" where you go enter through back door and walk into a room-sized warehouse full of boxes and supplies everywhere. Roger was glad to see me and introduced himself right away. He then pointed me to the demo room, where there are several large modular synths, some (very nice) keyboards, guitar pedals, vintage gear and a couple people (Stephi and Morgan) ready to help out. I mentioned I was new to modular synths and wanted to mess around a bit to get a feel for what they can do. Stephi cleared off a module and handed me some patch cables to mess around as much as I wanted. I never felt rushed the entire time I was there. At first, I was clueless. Just clueless. I started having doubts immediately. What the F was I doing here? Rather than allowing them to hear my embarrassingly-awful sounds I'd be making, I popped on some headphones and patched on the fly. After a half-hour, I felt comfortable enough to ask Morgan a few questions about the basics. He jumped right in on their massive modular and started patching like a mad scientist, showing me what all the modules can do. I was very impressed with his knowledge and passion. I instantly felt at ease, even though I had very little knowledge of what was going on. The way he explained things were super helpful. Since my first visit, I decided to take the dive into modular and have returned. I bought a Monorocket case, some patch cables and a few modules to get me started. I'll definitely be coming back here to fill up my case over the coming months and ask for a couple more tutorials. I'm very lucky to live so close to this great store and to learn from awesome people. Cheers-- read more

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I went here first back in 2005 and again very recently and I still can't say enough good things about Big City Music. They have the most amazing selection of high quality gear that you won't see at any other shop in town. They also happen to have the absolute best customer service I have ever received at any merchant anywhere, music gear or otherwise. Stephi and Jonathan go above and beyond and are highly knowledgeable experts. It's rare and nearly impossible to find this combination of service and quality gear in one place. read more

This is a really interesting little place, packed with a fantastic, high-end selection. Their prices are competitive and the service was very personal (they let me try out and compare multiple pedals for about 30 minutes until I made up my mind. They offered very personal sugestions, feedback and advice as well). I love going in there. You have to call ahead though and they are generally in from about 2-6 or so. If you're looking for high end guitar effects, crazy moog and keyboard stuff, check them out. You can see their stock online at: www.bigcitymusic.com read more

Quick Summary: By Appointment Only and Check out their website before going. I walked in on this place not knowing a thing except that it's a cool spot with a lot of cool synths. The staff was really accommodating of me even if it was super awkward cause I obviously did not know what I was doing and was just trying a bunch of things like I was in guitar center LOL. For people who want to check this place out, go to their website and look at things you wanna try, they have it in stock but its not necessarily out on display. I walked in without an appointment so the place was not ready and I feel like I saw it for what it was which is cool. They still were getting ready to install AC and had a rhodes on the floor. The lady who hosted me was really nice and was really patient in explaining some stuff that I wanted to ask. Oh, its also an unmarked orange house right beside Fox and Hounds. (where I watch a lot of soccer matches at 4am) So yeah, thanks guys for being nice and accommodating! read more

I stumbled upon Big City Music in search of a hard-to-find piece while visiting LA. I live in Sweden but am a California native and visit pretty regularly. Anyway, I just thought it was another modular shop, but Wow what an exceptional place! - some great vintage gear, and first time I saw Metasonix and Cwejman in a store. A little research and I learned what an institution this place is, and about the only place that regularly stocks Cwejman. (Was able to order a QMMF-4 a couple weeks later!). Anyway, Roger was super helpful and I got a couple things (4MS SMR and an O'Tool Plus Oscilloscope). I'm an older musical hobbyist nobody who just loves synths and yet felt treated very well, even though they cater to a lot of industry heavies. Great place and look forward to visiting again. Hoping to get a couple more Cwejman pieces on my list, but just a fun place to browse in too and discover new things. read more

I really dig this place. The vibe is great and everybody there is really friendly. Not to mention the collage of unique gear they have. Every time I've gone there, it's been a positive, personal experience and I always leave with exactly what I want, or better.. I fell in love with this place the first time I went there. Chain music stores are great and all as long as you don't mind buying standard gear from faceless, nameless people, but if you want to get some sweat gear and enjoy your purchasing experience, Big City Music is where it's at. read more

Stopped by today to pick up a eurorack module I couldn't find in stock anywhere else. They were so nice and the place was like an electronic music geek playground. In a less covid time it would be fun to spend an hour or two there exploring. read more

I began my online search for some gift items, and with little knowledge about the items I was in pursuit of, stumbled upon Big City Music's website. After I reached out for assistance, Roger personally answered all of my questions and helped me with my pre-order. I greatly appreciate the help from both Roger and Stephi!! Without them I would not have found and been able to purchase the items that I was looking for! I'll definitely be a returning customer. If I lived in the CA area, we would stop in to say thank you in person. But instead we're sending our thanks from Chicago! read more

Big City Music - Thanks for getting the Cwejmans out so quickly! They're looking beautiful in their new home! - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Studio City, California

I initially reached out to Stephi to place an order for a module (as directed on their website) and the process was dragged out over at least a month! She would respond once then not again. Finally I called and left a message, and got no answer, then tried a different number and she immediately picked up. She asked that I email her my mailing address and said that she'd call me back, but she never did! Eventually I called again and THANKFULLY Jonathan picked up and processed my order in 10 minutes flat. He even was able to get me my preferred color, which was sold out according to Stephi. Thank you Jonathan! read more

I left a message on a Monday concerning auditioning a specific pedal. No reply. I contact them on Thursday and the salesman does not give me a specific answer as to whether they have that specific pedal in stock. There was no attempt to even check. As I was trying to make an appointment to visit the store, I was told by the salesman that he "was on the other line with Sweden." This guy did everything wrong when it comes to sales etiquette: No call back, not helpful once contacted, rushing me off the phone (If you can't take the call, don't pick up the phone, no "thank you"...nothing. Big City Music obviously does not need my business,. Sweden can have 'em. read more

If you like the latest VA synth in the marketting spotlight, if you like synths and effects everyone else has, if you like autotune and nonvintage vocoders, if you like corporate music marketting and sales, this place is not for you. Roger, Josh and Steph are the trio that run the business, and stock some of the most sought after boutinque effects and synths made. Ever see a crazy synth in a video and wonder, where does someone get something crazy like that, it's not the big chains, it's places like this. Ma and pa style service with the finest in synths and noisemakers. And they have a showroom you can visit with an appointment to boot. Some of it's not cheap, but you get what you pay for, handmade electrical circuits. read more

I had ordered an Intelligel Mixup from them. Sadly a capacitor had broken off during shipping. The metal pads the capacitor was soldiered to had broken off with the cap and was not something I could repair. I sent them photos and determined that I should send it back. They shipped the replacement out the same day I gave them the tracking number for the return. Their customer service is above and beyond. read more

I found a Moog theremin I really wanted on the Big City Music website, but I didn't want to worry about shipping/waiting. It turned out they weren't a far drive from me so I called ahead to make an appointment. There was a little bit of phone tag in between, but we were able to meet the same day I called. Roger was there to meet me and he was extremely friendly. I told him this would be my very first theremin and he gave me a lot of information and encouragement to take with me. I definitely look forward to coming back. read more

Great store, Josh is a really nice guy and helpful. They do sell Modular synthesizers which are not cheap at all but the possibilities with these things are endless! You can spend so much time finding new sounds with these things it's mind boggling. Check out their store, they also have a few things that are more affordable stuff like the Pocket Piano and Moog pedals. read more

Best synth shop in Los Angeles. Stephi and Roger are awesome.

This place is sooooo cool and Stephanie really knows what she's doing. Every time she gives a recommendation or shows me something new, my bank account cries a little. read more

Got a call from the owner Roger today, five years after I wrote the review of my experience with his service department. According to what he told me today, they no longer offer repair service on vintage synths. He asked that I change my review based on the fact that his business no longer offers the service that I was complaining about. That's fair, so three more stars for that. read more

Magical? Yes. Cheap? No. Big City Music is a wonderland where every electronic musical instrument I've ever looked up on the internet exists in one room. I've bought a synth, a drum machine, and lots of other things I can't recall this second. The point is, this place is like a speakeasy for gear - no sign, enter through the back, sort of by appointment only. Tons of modular if that's your bag. Want an op-1 right now? Go to Big City Music. Want an all tube drum machine? Want them to remember you a year later? Want the owner to actually answer the phone himself half the time? The best. read more

I purchased an item from Big City Music online through eBay, and I could not be happier. The price of this unique item was the best I could find and the customer service (Roger) was exceptional. Their attention and communication made me feel confident about my purchase. read more

A cool place but very sloppy business etiquette. I knew they had one piece of gear sitting in the back that wasn't made anymore. I asked them about it several times and finally they took my name and number and told me they'd call me when they decided to sell it. A couple months later that piece showed up on their website and it sold quickly. It's not the end of the world but you should be able to expect better customer service than that. read more

Just a heads up! This place is by appointment-only for the time being (it looks like they're still in the process of setting up the store). We came randomly and jiggled the [locked] front door but the guy running the store at the time was super nice and let us in! read more

Had a fantastic experience picking up some vintage gear from Roger, though their focus is definitely new and boutique!! I give this place six thumbs up Will be coming back very very soon read more