Every time I have been to the shop, the employees are always knowledgeable and genuine people who care more about the customer''s happiness than their profits. I recently bought an acoustic guitar here after months searching. I tried the Guitar Center in SF and Emeryville to try to pinpoint what I was looking for, but couldn't find anything that met my needs. I'm very picky and had given up on finding an acoustic until I walked by Gottschalk's.The sales associate, Jay, greeted me and warmly, but gave me space to try things on my own. As soon as I had a question about the wood backing of a Taylor, they went into a detailed explanation of what it was made of and the pros/cons of the material. After hearing about my long list of preferences for a guitar, Jay suggested I try the Eastman acoustic dreadnaught. I immediately liked how it felt and sounded, which had only happened once before with a handmade vintage Martin acoustic that was way out of my price range. I ended up purchasing the Eastman the next day and am very happy with it. Shoutout to Jay for the help, they were incredibly nice and honest. read more

Despite forgetting to update their hours online to reflect their COVID-operation reduced hours, I am thrilled about the service I received today. I am new to Merced but when I walked in, it felt like home. Stunning guitars paved the walls to my left, and to my right, a woman requested how she could assist me. I followed her to a door that said "employees only". When she came out, she held exactly what I was looking for: a 5/8 microphone stand for my theramin! During the transaction process, as I was sifting through my wallet, an unmasked man attempted an entry into the store. I stood happily at the counter as the associate refused him service and entry. He waited outside the door and I was exposed to him on my way out, albeit while I was wearing a mask. Thank you to the associates running this lovely store. You're doing a fantastic job. I'll be back! (However, please update your online hours!) read more

Gottschalk Music Center - A standardized microphone stand for mounting a Moog theramin. - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Merced, California

As a local musician I can always count on the friendly staff at Gottschalks Merced to go out of their to help me in any situation. I recently went in for something minor and ended up having an in-depth conversation on guitar pedals with Elliot and Jay. I walked away feeling much smarter on the subject. And Rick is amazing! I can count on for him for suggestions and advice on all things music, he has a wealth of knowledge on just about everything. The whole team is passionate about music and it shows. For great products and outstanding service, I highly recommend the team at Gottschalk Music Center in Merced. read more

can I select no stars? I brought in a Peavy 115 powered PA speaker for repairs. I was charged $100.00 for an estimate. It was sent to their shop In Clovis.I was told they would call me with an estimate before they proceeded. Three weeks later I called Clovis, because no one had called me. They said no-one had looked at it yet. Two weeks after that they called and said they had replaced some parts. They plugged it in to test it, and it ran for 3 minutes, then failed again. The repair person gave it a DNR rating and sent it back without fixing it. Merced shop did not call me to say it was returned I called them two days later. They kept my $100 dollars even though they didn't give me an estimate or fix my speaker. I paid $100.00 to learn that their repair tech. was not knowledgeable. That they are not genuine people that care more about the customers happiness than their profits. Gottschalks used to be a good music store. Now they charge you $ 100.00 to show you their incompetence. They made me add star raying to complete this review so I'll give them one star, don't even deserve that. read more

Kool people here. From time to time they have killer clearance sales. Friendly home town feel ya digg.

I had an amazing experience a employee named Rick and and Elliot was the best employees in my opinion I was asking for an Irig 2 and they help me out telling what the inputs was.My experience was amazing 100% go to this store read more

I've been a Merced musician since I was 10 years old and have gone to Gottschalk Music the entire time. I have taken instruments to be repaired here, I've taken music lessons here and purchased musical instruments here...all have been extremely pleasant experiences. The staff and instructors are all knowledgeable, helpful, and friendly. I've done some business with the other music stores in town, but always end up back at Gottschalk Music. They have the most knowledgeable music staff in town, hands down. If you want your instrument fixed correctly definitely take it here. If you want a quality instrument at a great price, buy it here. read more

My son started Trumpet and we decided instead of purchasing a thousand dollar plus instrument on what may have been a whim and instead financed with this store. This started what would be a journey of incredible lack of customer service and just plain stupidity on the part of the staff of this store. Their incompetence for even simple things like keeping up to date with their client credit card information was stunning. When coupled with their rude and despicable behavior was a recipe for I hope is the failure of their business. I wouldn't wish these people on my worst enemy. read more

In my 45 years of dealing with music stores all over the country this has to be the worst. Do not have repairs done hear or take your instruments hear. They will tell you they know how to do the work but if you do let them work on your instrument you may wind up with broken parts. I brought my guitar and a new pickup to be installed and received a phone call that parts were missing, when I showed up to the store I was able to show him the velcrow that was included in the new pickup. What I did not notice was that they had pulled wires and broken the pickup. read more

This store is the best! I love that when you walk in, you can often find musicians playing various instruments and that it is encouraged. Rick is an awesome manager and this store allows for young musicians to be excited about music. Our son is a drummer and at his last visit to the store, my husband recorded him jamming with another much more experienced drummer who during that short encounter inspired some great new beats that my son now uses. read more

We've come here many times to purchase instruments and every time we've been pleased. We've purchased flutes, guitars, a saxophone, and other odds and ends like cleaning kits, strings, etc. The staff is so friendly and very helpful. You can tell that their passion for music compels them to help others find their way as well. read more