Unprofessional staff Including owner…read more Don't be fooled by the stores look. And end up with a bad purchase. After I purchased a guitar from this store. It was supposed to be shipped to my home. And shipped out a defective guitar Which took over a week to arrive. They respond only to the bad review. Owner won't call me. Dan is rude and disrespectful The only thing he says it's just needs an adjustment. I've taken it to a Luthier to check it out and found what I tried to explain to Dan Who thinks he knows everything. He refused to speak with the Luthier and said she doesn't know what she is doing. What? Just because she's a woman? She's the best in her profession and has a 5+ star reputation!! I've took a video of her doing her evaluation and found what I tried to explain to Dan Plus more!! Both Dan and owner never responded to see the video This place took the pleasure of Playing music away knowing that they don't care about anything after a sale. They don't even deserve a star ! I'm just sorry that i was cheated out of what was to be a good guitar! don't listen to there response!! it's all BS. .

A great little shop in Chester village! I have known the owner for decades and after many years of…read morehand-wringing about buying an US made acoustic guitar, I made a purchase after trying all sorts of models in different price ranges. Every guitar in the shop is tuned, ready to play and the atmosphere is relaxed and absolutely NO pressure. I didn't find what I wanted in the shop, but they ordered the model that I wanted to try. It was in the shop in two days, and I tried the ordered guitar and other alternate models again. I didn't end up exactly where I thought I would when I started, but AM helped guide me to the guitar that was right for me at a very fair price. Many thanks--excellent experience.

Excellent, kind and knowledgeable service. Needed a quick fix for a guitar and they were generous…read morewith their time and talent to help us out. Wonderful place!

I'll never forget the incredible experience I had at this wonderful store almost 3 years ago…read more It was 2020. The pandemic had just started a few months before and was still affecting daily life. During this time, when the anxiety and stress took hold I found the only thing that soothed me was music. As I realized that, I also realized how much I missed playing guitar. I had played when I was younger but gave it up and sadly moved onto other things and sold my guitars. I knew I wanted to buy another one and get back into playing again. One day in August, my mom and I were taking a Sunday drive around Mystic and decided to drive through a side road to avoid the tourist traffic on the main road. As we neared the end of the road, I noticed a building with a sign that said "Alpha Audio Works, Quality Musical Instruments". They probably sell guitars I thought. My mom also noticed the store and asked if I wanted to check it out. I said yes and we parked right in front of the store. It seemed a little dark inside and since alot of businesses were closed due to the pandemic, we thought maybe the store might be closed. I got out of the car to see if the door was open and it was locked. Dissapointed, I walked back to the car. Just as I got in and my mom was about to back out of the parking lot, we both noticed someone from inside open the door. It turns out that the right door was locked but the left one was open and luckily the owner was looking outside and noticed that we wanted to go in. We got out and he kindly introduced himself as the owner and welcomed us in. As I entered, I was so happy to see all of the beautiful guitars and basses on display. The owner Jim asked me some questions about what I was looking to buy and what kind of music I liked. He let me sit and try out a few guitars and let me plug into an amp. After awhile I picked out what I wanted and he let me put it on hold. I later realized that the guitar I picked was way too heavy and I went back a few days after and switched it out for a used black Squier strat that came with a small amp. It was only $150 altogether which was an amazing deal. Due to the pandemic, money was tight so I was elated that I would be able to get both a guitar AND an amp for under $200. I was so happy the day I took my beautiful guitar home and it has been my beauty ever since. I sadly haven't been back in over 2 years but I hope to go back at some point. The kind of customer service that Jim gave me that day was really special and I'll forever be grateful to him for giving me such a sweet deal and taking the time to let me try out so many guitars. Check this place out if you're looking to buy a guitar, bass, amp, drums, accessories for each of the mentioned instruments or audio equipment. They are very kind and knowledgeable and will take the time to help you out and answer all your questions. Thank you again Jim and Randy for my guitar and amp and for all the advice and help!

Great local music shop that has excellent customer service! Staff is very friendly and…read moreknowledgeable. They have a large selection of instruments and can match prices. They also teach lessons and even offer the first lesson free!

I recently got 2 acoustic guitars and one electric set up and fixed up by the good people at Frets,…read moreand I swear they've never sounded better. They are not only super-knowledgeable and passionate about guitars - they are really good people. It's a very welcoming place, and I will always brings my guitars and basses there from now on.

Very interesting collection of instruments and a friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable owner. They…read morehave a good range of low to high end guitars, including Furch and Rickenbacker.

I recently bought a quality double bass from Gary Upton and I'm in LOVE with it. The reason I'm…read morewriting this review however is to praise the service he provides. I just had an issue with my causing some of the varnish to come off and he was right there, having me come in so it could be repaired like new. Quality work, great group of guys who work there! Bruce Rothschild

I am writing this as a customer once removed, as it is my wife who has had the relationship with…read moreUpton Bass. But I was along for the ride, and she is not a Yelper! She decided about 15 years ago that she wanted to obtain and learn to play the double bass for bluegrass. To start her out, I bought a bass on EBay, believe it or not. I think it was around $500 or a bit more, and we drove to a shipping depot to pick it up. It was an entry level instrument, obviously, something to try while deciding whether to get serious about playing. After a year or more, she decided she wanted to stick with it and get a better quality instrument. We were led to Upton Bass in Mystic, Connecticut. We directed them to build a bass for her, which they did right in house. They asked some questions and fine-tuned what sort of double-bass would suit her needs. They combine high quality with affordable prices. At least once we were there to see her bass in the early stage of being built, and then later picked it up to bring it home. She continued taking lessons and attending bluegrass jam sessions, both at bluegrass festivals and separate jam sessions. She learned to tune it and insisted on carrying it everywhere herself rather than asking me to do it. She enjoyed the experiences for many years. Finally it reached the point where she played it less and less. Back and knee issues made it more difficult for her to play and transport it, until finally she made the tough decision to sell the instrument so that it wouldn't fall into disuse. We had a thought to sell it to one of a few acquaintances who were interested, for a couple thousand dollars. But she checked and found that Upton Bass, still thriving in the business, could not build new basses fast enough for their demand and worked with people like my wife to inspect, evaluate and repair basses they had built to a large group of customers anxious to own an Upton Bass. So she sent pictures and a description and learned that he was sure they could sell the bass for much more than the 2K we had envisioned. We brought the bass down and found them in a new location, in a regular neighborhood in a well built and converted barn. He looked it over and reiterated that he was confident he could sell it so that even with their commission, we would receive much more than the price we had pulled out of thin air. It took a while to go through the sale process, as he likes to make sure the new buyer is serious and then satisfied so that the deal is clean and finished before sending out our check. But my wife had taken care of the instrument over the years, and it did sell for a great price. Who knew the original purchase was also a good investment? Even though it was difficult to let the bass go, it is good to know a serious musician now owns it. Thus our positive 15 year or so relationship with Upton Bass came to a close, and we would recommend them for the purchase (or the sale) of a quality double bass.

This shop is a gem for anyone with musical needs. It's hidden in a strip mall on Rt 1, near one of…read morethe best cannoli bakeries on the shoreline, so there's an extra bonus! My daughter rents her school instrument here, and repairs or maintenance have always been handled quickly and without hassle. The owner is welcoming, patient, and happy to answer even my most clueless questions. On many occasions, he's gone above and beyond - offering extra resources, making thoughtful recommendations, and taking the time to help our daughter deepen her love and understanding of music.

I was looking for someone to give piano lessons for my son when my wife discovered the Thames…read moreValley Music School during an internet search. After doing some research, I decided to give them a call. The person I spoke with, Kathy, was very helpful and explained all of the options available. TVMS teaches to all levels of students- from beginners to advanced musicians. They have a good number of teachers to choose from, and they offer lesson times during the week and on Saturdays. Lessons are given at Connecticut College in the Cummings Art Center. Students have the opportunity to use the College's resources, which include individual practice rooms (all with Steinway grand pianos). TVMS schedules several student recitals during the year where students have the opportunity to play in front of an audience, something that all students need to become comfortable with. The cost for lessons is a bit higher than what you may find on the outside- however, I feel the cost is definitely offset by the quality of the lessons and all of the extras that are available to the student. I highly recommend TVMS for anyone who is searching for a music teacher- especially for those who are more serious in their intent.

The level of instruction for both private lessons and youth orchestra is amazing!! So grateful…read morefriends recommended we come here!! Looking forward to many more years of listening to my children play here!

We purchased a beautifully restored piano from James after he advised us not to try to restore an…read moreolder Sohmer with a cracked soundboard. My son is a professional pianist, and he had told me that we should let the piano go, but I was attached to it as my mother had given it to us. I was impressed that James didn't try to talk me into a repair job, which would have been costly. Instead, he invited my son to his studio, where he played a variety of instruments and bought a Yamaha to replace our old piano. James moved the new one in and took the old one away, and we paid much less than we expected. My son thinks the world of James and the quality of his work. He is our favorite tuner in 30 years of working with different individuals.

I have had the extreme pleasure of doing business with Jim. His prices are extremely fair. He is…read moreone of the best piano tuners in the state. He refurbishes pianos with unbelievable detail. I was able to buy a beautiful Yamaha that he worked on for many months. I love the sound of this piano. Jim removed my older piano and delivered the one I bought from him. He and his movers were so careful and professional with the removal and delivery of the Yamaha piano.