Long time listener, first time visitor!…read more I've heard the Long & McQuade musical instrument ads on radio for years. And Lo and behold I finally visited with the family to pickup a larger-sized violin from this location. The store has a huge assortment of different instruments including new and used in its various sections ranging from guitars to flutes to saxophones. Some instruments can be tried and we noticed a few young musicians playing the piano while waiting for their music class. Indeed this store also features a set of teaching classrooms in a back corner and many families appeared to come into the store to attend their session. Our sales rep was quite patient letting us test several different violins and answer our questions regarding the brand quality and the differences size. We were able to get a good deal during the Black Friday sale with help from the manager. Our case and bow were also checked to be of good quality. The family left impressed with the service. Skip it or hit it? Come for the reputation, stay for the service.

Due to COVID they told me to call or text when I got there. I texted and I don't think they got it…read moreso I waited outside but someone eventually came out to make sure I've been helped. Their customer service is phenomenal, kind and make my experience easy and enjoyable.

A couple of Wednesdays ago, I was in the Bloor-Ossington area. I had parked in front of this Long &…read moreMcQuade for a couple of hours. I like backstories. I saw a heritage sign on Long & McQuade's building. It used to be the Concord Tavern. This tavern was open from 1948 till 1983. Back in the day, it was the hip location for artists and music lovers. The Concord hosted a bunch of talented musicians, jam sessions, and cool performances. Ronnie Hawkins and his band, which was later shortened to The Band, performed up to seven days a week at the Concord during the 1960's. Eventually, The Band joined Bob Dylan as his backing band and later became stars themselves. Pretty cool! Jack Long, a member of the Jack Long Trio, was the founder of Long & McQuade Musical Instruments. To date, it is Canada's biggest music store. He started his business in a small Toronto house on Carlton Street in 1956 and expanded to more than 90 locations in all ten provinces. Through a bit of research, I found out that Long had passed on September 4, 2024 at the age of 95. He was a jazz lover. He played the trumpet. He was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2014. Drummer Jack McQuade of this trio, who left the business in 1965, passed away in the 1970's from cancer. I don't know who the third member of this trio was. When the Concord Tavern closed down in 1983, an Irish pub took over, but eventually closed down. Long & McQuade's moved into its current location in 1988. It's fitting that a music store gave this site a new musical life. It has a massive assortment of instruments, sheet music, accessories, and more. I looked through the window. I didn't go in because I'd be there for hours and would likely buy an instrument to attempt to play. I grew up with a lot of music. We had a local music store in the Beaches that is now gone for good. My parents got me a ukelele in grade 3. When I was in grade 9, they got me a clarinet and I played it all through high school. This massive music store is my kryptonite. From guitars, to trombones, the selection of musical instruments looked impressive. I saw a girl lugging her trumpet into the store. My guess was that she was there for lessons. I don't miss hours of practicing various musical instruments growing up and likely annoying everyone who lived in my apartment building. I'm sure that they are stronger for it... haha! This store does have a few parking spots, but they are limited. It's probably best to parking on the street and shell out of parking. Maybe when I strike it rich, you'll see me getting an electric guitar from this store. I imagine annoying my neighbours in Markham playing it. (376)

Monday morning just after opening, Bloor location. Drum department, grey haired bearded man was…read moretotally useless in completing my purchase. I had gift cards I wanted to use but he had trouble with the tap machine. He sat there without a solution because he had no critical thinking skills. So I had to suggest using a different machine. It worked but he cashed me out without using my gift cards. I asked if I could use them and he just said " Not now you can't" I was upset and got half way up the stairs then turned around and said I want a refund and we'll do this again with the gift cards. Again, a solution I had to come up with. Thankfully Isaiah stepped in and said he would handle it. if you go to the drum department, bypass the useless twit with the grey hair and beard. 3 stars all going to Isaiah.

I ordered a duet collection from Remenyi six months ago, which turned out to be out of print…read more Remenyi continually informed me when it was expected to arrive. I was so grateful not to be forgotten and delighted when it finally arrived. Merrilee Brand

Oh, Remenyi. How you were so good to mi! How impressed I…read morewas to comm via text (thanks again, Katie & team!) on my sitch of a score I wrongly purchased online. Then you offer to hand-deliver the correct Bach by an amiable staffer at my home, as Mike (ty!) would be nearby. Whuuut? So pleased and grateful for excellent, tech-fuelled AND human experience. Allegro to the double line. Bravi! Rick

Fantastic place. Great service. Kudos to Peter.read more

The store is very nice inside, looks recently built or renovated. The store was overflowing with…read moreG&L, Heritage and Charvel guitars with many of the same base models. The prices are average for the Canadian market. The owner was a little abrasive when I was in the store which I wrote about, but he sent me a message on here which was quite different and even tempered. The main reason I wouldn't return is because the stock is very old fashioned and trending more towards that niche market.

Buyer beware! I…read moreprefer to give my business to local shops instead of the big box stores. New to the area I went to Rogers and I purchased an iPad interface for my electric guitar. After going to use it I discovered it did not work properly. I went back to the store hoping for refund or exchange. Now to be fair it is very clear they do NOT do refunds or exchanges that said I assumed it was for products that worked. I was told they could not do anything presently but would call the company to figure out the problem. What?!! A couple days later they called me back telling me how to use it properly. which I was already doing. I took it back to the store only to be greeted by a worker, who had heard of my problem, defensively defend a product that was obviously sold to me broken. Apparently if you buy something which is sold to you broken, you are on the hook as they cannot return it to their distributor (which is a middle man not the actual company). After calling her boss they exchanged it for another but they assured me that all their products are tested when they get them and it was my equipment that was the problem. I plugged in the new interface and it worked first try! I could go into more detail but the time I have already wasted with this store is more than enough. Long and Mcquade it is I guess. Good luck if you shop here. Steve

Great little shop, has every thing you need for you instrumental needs…read more Very reasonable prices for guitar lessons - the lessons also get you a membership card and you get 10% discount on anything. I am really happy with the service.

10 stars if I could. I'm in another province and I found my dream guitar on their site. I put it on…read morelayaway for a bit, but when I was ready, they shipped it out to me no fuss. Great dealing with them!

Long time customer. Nice selection of new and used…read moreincluding the odd vintage guitar. My kids have lessons here for guitar and drums and both really like their teachers. Cool staff, no problem parking.

Got a few special orders for pickup after Purolator lost our initial guitar purchase (terrible…read moreservice from Purolator, if you order online I suggest shipping insurance). Unfortunately it was a discontinued guitar so we had to grab a demo and didn't want to risk shipping an order that might get lost again. We called for a special order from Nate and it went relatively smoothly. When the order was ready for pickup, we went in store, and Sandra was very helpful and accommodating. The first order was a demo transferred from Quebec, so she let us try out the guitar in store, and we found some issues with the tone knob. She got a tech to help fix the tone knob, and the guitar was otherwise in decent condition, so we kept it. She also noted 1 year warranty and a free setup that can be claimed later, which was great to know especially for used/demo purchases. We were happy with the first order so we asked her for a second special order from the Burlington store, and it came in damaged unfortunately, even though we ordered new (looked like the package wasn't prepared properly from the Burlington store that shipped it). The bottom edge of the guitar was completely chipped, and was pretty dirty/scuffed. It seems that new does not mean unopened, but rather that it has not been on the store display before. Luckily we were also able to try this at the store to find out. The manager offered a discount but we really wanted a new guitar, so we did a third special order from the Owen Sound location. This time things went a lot more smoothly and the guitar came in great condition, and was packaged for transport properly. Sandra ensured us that the package had not been opened before which was great news. She had even kept us in the loop during the entire process, letting us know when it will be handled and when to expect the order. Looks like each store has variations in customer service, logistics, and handling of guitars, so it might be a hit or miss sometimes, but luckily we had a good experience with Sandra and the team at this location. My only criticisms are that these variations made it pretty frustrating to purchase when they don't work out as planned (even with a great sales rep), and selling opened guitars as new without checking its condition thoroughly is not great practice. I would suggest anyone looking to purchase from Long and McQuade to thoroughly check the guitar even if it is new, and perhaps find a good sales rep that can help you ease the experience.

Long and McQuade your level of unprofessionalism is despicable. Never coming back here. I had a few…read morethings brought in for a retail store inventory purchase, they turned them all away. And cited it was "the law" that the couldn't take my gear. Solely taking advantage of your customers that spend tons of money and time in your store. Thank you yet again for another horrible experience and a waste of time like usual. Don't spend money here. They're cheap and recklessly unprofessional. I will be making a note to all and anyone to avoid this horrible store. I can't believe you have employees citing laws and then refusing to allow the customer to speak to the manager. Even if I did have the money to shop at your store I never will ever again. Rest assured. I feel personally disgusted by the lack of respect and care at your store.

These guys are awesome. I have bought numerous item both online and at the store. Pricing on name…read morebrand products is competitive and delivery was quick, inexpensive with all items carefully packed. Staff at the store are excellent, knowledgeable friendly and go out of their way to ensure you get the right product. The solo necks are excellent value, frets are level, no sprout and are head and shoulders above a squire or other lower end guitars. Basic bodies are fine if you plan to finish with a solid colour and you will have to spend some time in prep before painting. A Solo neck fits the Solo bodies properly, fender necks may fit loose. Great value for what you pay, however you will have to put some effort into making that custom shop beauty. Great fun.

This is a great place for all kinds of music gear, especially guitars. I bought my son a beginners'…read moreguitar that was very affordable and is holding up great. The staff has great product knowledge and customer service. Thank you guys for a hassle free experience and all your helpful tips!