I was very impressed by the entire experience at the Denver Folklore Center. I came, on a recommendation, to get an overview of my options and considerations for moving up to a nice guitar ($600-$1200 range). I worked with Mark, who was incredibly helpful and patient. I let him know upfront that I was just gathering info, not necessarily looking to make a purchase. He was informative without the least bit of condescension, and he did a very thorough job of letting me know what my options were (even if it was something they did not carry). There was no sales pressure, and I left with the exact information and experience I was requiring (In contrast to my trip to the "Big Box" Music Store). Denver Folklore will certainly be on my radar moving forward both as a destination for a good selection of guitars, but also as a true information asset to the industry. read more

Brian and Mark were "instrumental" in giving me a confident start on the journey to play the banjo. They are easy-going, fun guys who will give you all the facts and opinions you want/need, but never rush or push you into a purchase decision. The rent-before-you-buy option gave me the opportunity to try two types of instruments at an incredibly reasonable cost. Thanks for the non-intimidating warm welcome to all of us beginners, Denver Folklore. Here's hoping some of the amazing talent-energies within your store soak into me :) read more

Hands down the best place to buy or rent a guitar or any stringged instrument really. Lots of sheet music to thumb through.

This neighborhood shop is excellent. Beautiful instruments, wonderful service and true instrumental experts. From purchasing a new instrument to a quick string change, you'll be very happy with your visit. read more

I have been going to the Folklore Center for years. Eighteen years ago I bought a $1,900 guitar from them. It appears that they have lost their mojo. Since the founder sold out several years ago, it doesn't seem the same. I went there this morning about 10:30 and found the door locked. There was a sign on the door that said something like, "Knock loudly and stand back on the X and we will check you out to see if it is safe for you to come in." Soon a guy opens the door and comands me to put my mask over my nose. (I wear glasses and if I put the mask over my nose, I can't see). He then commands me to use their smelly hand cleaner. I pull down my mask so I can breathe and go into the store. Another clerk commands me to put the mask over my nose. I looked through the guitar instruction books (which are about less than half the number that there used to be), couldn't find anything worthwhile and proceed to leave. The door is locked and I try to unlock it. Another clerk comes by and quickly unlocks it. It seemed that they were more concerned with Covid than they were with customers. Since Harry left, the store has lost it's heart, soul and brains. I will never go back to that store. I will quit playing my guitar before anybody in that store ever gets a penny of my money. My advice to others is to watch the store and the news and see what's happening. You might find some good deals when the store goes out of business, which it will surely do if it treats the other customers the way they treated me. read more

Just took my grandfathers guitar in to be worked on and they gave it the utmost care and respect that it deserved. Fixed everything just how I needed. The place is cozy and warm and the people that work there are all super friendly. It was also affordable. I will be going back for all my needs for sure. read more

Absolutely wonderful guitar store! Was in Denver for a vacation and planned on buying a guitar. I had 3 different shops picked out. Denver Folklore Center was the first shop that I stopped at. Right away Saul made me feel comfortable and was willing to answer all of my questions. I played a lot of guitars while I was there and the entire time Saul gave me time to play while checking in and answering anymore questions I came up with. I never felt any pressure to buy anything. Just friendly people who clearly love music! I left the shop after about 2 hours and decided I didn't need to go to the other stores in Denver. I went to my hotel and slept on my decision overnight. The next day Jeff helped me out as Saul was not in that day. Jeff was great too! I ended up with a Martin Dreadnought and I love it!! I even got a follow up phone call a month later just to make sure I was happy with the guitar and to remind me that I could stop in for a string change and any adjustments that might be needed. Thanks a lot for the great experience. It was so refreshing to have knowledgable staff who made me feel right at home. Thank you read more

Love these guys. Learned a ton from the folks here about different guitar brands, woods, and shapes and how they affect tone. The people here are super knowledgable and friendly, Mark and Brian are especially cool guys, I haven't formally met the rest of the staff but they are all very friendly as well. Would highly recommend getting a guitar or other instrument here as they take incredible care of the instruments and are very welcoming to let you play around and test them all out. Just bought a great guitar here and they even threw in a pack of strings with the purchase. Very warm and welcoming place, I will continue to visit. read more

Great shop. The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. They have a great selection of acoustic guitars. I wasn't super happy with the setup on an electric guitar I brought in. It took a long time and I got the impression that they don't really work on electrics much. They did take it back and fix it. read more

Sad to say I had a very disappointing experience at this place :( I've always thought this store was so cute and charming and I've been dying to take a ukulele lesson. I finally saved up and bought a ukulele and called them to schedule a private lesson. I was referred to somebody named Mark Caldwell. I left him a voicemail and didn't hear from him for over three business days which in my opinion is a lot. When I did hear from him I was happy to schedule a lesson. He was supposed to text me the address of where to meet him and never did. I sent him 2 text messages and left him a voicemail and never got a reply. The day of my lesson I went to the music store and explained to them that I still hadn't heard from him and (with no concern) they brought me down the street to where the lessons take place. When I arrived I asked Mark what happened why I hadn't heard from him and he said yeah well sorry I guess you just slipped through the cracks. He really couldn't have cared less if he was wasting my time. He could tell that I was at the very least annoyed but getting more upset at their lack of concern and his response was in a very stern tone "look I've already apologized to you five times now so why don't we just not do this lesson". He also tried to put the blame on me by saying the communication was bad between both of us. But it wasn't bad between both of us it was only bad from him. When I'm scheduling my time and paying someone my money I think I deserve a little more respect than barking a half apology and blaming me for himself not getting back to me. I went back into the music store to explain to the owner what happened and got an almost identical response from him as well. There was one very nice gentleman that worked in the store that was giving me very sympathetic looks letting me know he understood how I was feeling but unfortunately he didn't seem to be the one in charge. I was really excited to be starting this new creative project and instead ended up crying in a guitar store. I do not believe in giving my money to people who don't respect me, my time, or my dollars. These guys did not seem to care one bit about how bad they were making me feel. I will be finding somewhere else to take my lessons and I will not be returning to Denver Folklore. What should've been a fun nurturing creative experience just turned into a bad day! read more

I have been a customer of the Denver Folklore Center for many years. They are always helpful and personable, no matter what I need, be it strings or a new fiddle. Everyone that works there knows a LOT about all aspects of acoustic instruments from setup to repairs. I couldn't be happier with my new fiddle, purchased about a month ago. I know if I have any questions or need help, I can either call or stop by and they will take care of it right then. This is the only acoustic music store I will do business with in the metro area. read more

I recently bought a vintage instrument from the folks at the Folklore Center and I'm really pleased with the transaction. We had a minor communication glitch, but these things aren't uncommon. What *IS* uncommon is the extent to which the Folklore Center staff were helpful and responsive in quickly working everything out. I'd have no hesitation about buying from them again. There should be more music stores like this one! read more

Thank you. Novice musician and picker inspired by my 5 year old daughter to learn how to pick and play some good ole Americana, ala Woody & Pete. Brother found an old used banjo which he bought but it turns out was unfixable. Not knowing nuthin, first took it first to Old Town Picking Parlor in Arvada which frankly couldn't have given a crap, then took it to DFC who actually looked at it, gave me the real scoop (not worth investing in - cause neck is warped and there's no fixing that, and you'll never get your $70 back it will take to make it semi playable when you go to sell it) and then rented me a beautiful sounding instrument for a reasonable $30 a month, part of which earns you a credit to purchase an instrument at their shop. All the while wise cracking "oh lord, we've turned loose another banjo player in the world. Some say there's already too many..." plus they were very sweet to my girl who was highly enamored of the rainbow, no, pink, ukelele hanging up on their wall... read more

I've had good experiences at the Denver Folklore Center and found them to be a nice place to do business. Today's experience changed my opinion. We rented an instrument for my son's class and bought extra strings for it. I prepaid for the entire rental term and left my credit card number in case of damage. During the rental period my card was breeched and I received a replacement. Two days ago someone from Denver Folklore Center called to ask for an updated card. I explained we were bringing the instrument back right away as the rental term was up. He generously told me there would be no additional charge since we were bringing it back. Today, two days after that conversation, we returned it to the store. My son asked if we could return the unused strings for a refund. The employee's response was "normally we would but we've been calling you for days since you gave us a bad credit card number." I told him I had received one call and didn't need to be criticized as we had returned the instrument as promised. His explanation was that he was speaking to my son and not me. He really tainted my experience with what has otherwise been good. read more

Recently purchased an ukulele from this store and had a great experience. As a first time ukulele player (and first time for any musical instrument), I received great customer service. They introduced me to a variety of instruments (different price ranges as well) and I am very pleased with my purchase! I highly recommend this shop! read more

There are just so many good things to say about this shop. I bought my first ukulele here and much to my surprise Harry suggested I go as inexpensive as possible to see if I liked the instrument. I am not one to listen and dropped a decent amount of cash for a solid mahogany model that three years later still brings a smile to my face. Last weekend I bought my first quality guitar (a Taylor) that DFC priced at a point that the big stores couldn't compete with. Even for the same price or a bit more I would have bought from DFC. There is something about being able to walk into a music shop and knowing any instrument you pick up had been cared for and is in perfect tune. Really the absolute care given to every item in this shop is remarkable. Top that with great, un pressured customer service, and a true interest in helping people express themselves through music regardless of ability, makes DFC a gem. Having spent countless hours in this shop over the last several years, I would not only highly recommend this music store but would travel great distance to give them my business. Thank you Harry for your shop and your sincere commitment to spreading the joy of music. Del read more

This is the place to go if you're looking for an acoustic instrument. The Denver Folklore Center has 'been there' for folk musicians since the 60s - it's the place that Joan Baez, Judy Collins, and others would stop in before their concerts, maybe even sing an impromptu song or two. Extremely knowledgeable and helpful staff - all musicians themselves. Doubt if you could find a better price on an instrument anywhere in the Denver area. Great selection of sheet music and CDs, too - and repairs and lessons. read more

I've been buying instruments from Harry for a couple decades or more. The prices on their instruments are fair, and they pretty much always have real treasures available. read more

This place is awesome! Customer service was fantastic! They helped get my mandolin up and running. Super friendly and competent. Super reasonable on pricing, read more

great place great prices frienly folk @ the center.. highly recommend