Since I moved nearby, I've visited Hugo Helmer several times and have been impressed by the selection of acoustic guitars and the knowledgeability of the staff. Guitars I've looked at were priced competitively and ranged from beginner instruments to high-end Taylors, Gibsons and the like. I brought my Taylor in for service and was really pleased with the cost, turnaround and quality. These guys clearly know what they're doing, and that's a rare treasure these days. In an age when brick-and-mortar stores are being choked out by online conglomerates and franchises, Helmer's obvious competitive advantage is that you can walk in and get expertise, quality products and service, and the ability to see, touch and hear before you buy. read more

Great service and very reasonable prices. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable too. Highly recommend. read more

I had two Taylor guitars tuned up by Morty, the in-house luthier. The guitars now play perfectly. Morty set them up for my fingerstyle and made some other adjustments, all for a very reasonable price and within days of when I brought them in. Also, the staff guys I dealt with could not have been more friendly and helpful. There is a Guitar Center close to where I live and I am done with Guitar Center. I am willing to take the one-hour drive to Hugo Helmer. read more

I've been in here 6 or 7 times since moving to the PNW. I haven't had trouble with getting the attention of staff. They seem to know their merchandise and their sheet music and music book selection is way beyond anything I've seen in a long time. I've brought in 3 higher end acoustics for set ups (x2) and repair (x1) and the work was done promptly and done well. read more

It's website is hard to navigate, and they don't have good flute brands, the website is annoying and kept moving me to places where I did not want to go. I was trying to find an alto flute but every search I did on their website was not helpful because it kept saying "there is no match to your search" Their rental page is really confusing for me and I had trouble trying to navigate it. I do like the store but I would like to know what I'm going in there for and the specifics on what I'm getting. But with the confusing, annoying, and not user friendly website I was having trouble learning what I wanted to know. Also they had a lot of unfinished pages. I wouldn't rely on the website toget your information. read more

Like most traditional retail establishments, Helmer Music has been hit hard by Amazon hyper-convenience and pandemic habits. You can see the impact as you look around the store: low or no real inventory or selection on many things. Empty merchandise displays, sad and disorganized departments with merchandise stretched out across the store to give the appearance of plenty. Not the first store I've seen in such death throes, and not the last I'm sure. I managed to find one of the parts I was looking for. As I was paying, some bearded hillbilly type behind the counter managed to stir from his chair long enough to give me a hard time about my credit card, and then make some insulting joke about me being a drummer, as I walked out. Exactly what struggling businesses like this don't need. There were fully four sales people camped behind the counter, including ol' country boy rocked back in his chair there. The store was a disorganized mess, especially the drum department, and no one was doing anything about it. As we were headed to the register, some young man finally asked if we needed help. Too little, too late. I guess I got bad service because I'm playing the wrong instrument. But you'd think they'd be savvy enough to know how much money we worthless drummers spend to keep our instruments in performance trim, and behave accordingly on the sales floor, however little they might respect our craft otherwise. Recommended? Yeah, right.... read more

It's too bad the only music store in the area isn't better. Same story as many other reviews here - ok inventory, nice music book selection, but employees lack basic training on treating customers with courtesy, respect and friendliness. I brought in a couple small unused cheap items (with receipt and packaging) for exchange and was denied (more than 2 weeks). So, for a few bucks in savings, you lost another 'could've been' lifetime customer. Guess I'll stick with buying online. 70 year music player and teacher read more

Popped in to buy an amp. Place all but deserted, except for three people working the counter. Went to the counter. Stood in front of the first guy. He then started "doing stuff" behind the counter, Lost my chance to make eye contact. Moseyed down to the other two, who were having a conversation. Stood there. After a minute or so, one of them took a break from the conversation and asked "may I help you." Named the amp I was interested in buying. He went and got it. Rang me up. I left. Hard to figure why the place was so empty. Pros: there wasn't a tipping option on the checkout. read more

They re stringed my guitar and did a fantastic job. I bought a Taylor guitar here and they are a certified Taylor business so it came out wonderfully. Good customer service as well. read more

God awful inventory, unfriendly staff with laughable lack of knowledge on the few products they actually do sell. They also give you very bad offers (if any at all) on items you bring in for sale. To be honest I am very surprised they and still somehow in business. Save yourself time/money and go to Guitar Center in Lynwood. read more

So I've left reviews of Hugo's in the past on here, but I've had an overwhelmingly bad experience the last several times I've been in there. The employees do not treat people with respect at all. I've seen this mentioned on here a lot and also from friends and acquaintances, but in the past I was always treated with a modicum of decency. Now not so much, or at all. Thats my only complaint too, but it's a big one. I've spent a lot of money in this store, and while I don't expect money to buy me respect, I'm a dang customer!!! How can they expect repeat buisness when they have a attitude with shoppers, and it's not like I'm a kid, I'm 40 years old and most of my free money goes towards music products. So Hugo's, enough is enough. you've lost this customer of 25 years. read more

Price was good but sales knowledge was not the best. Had to ask for all the pieces we needed which were suppose to be included. Head guy was a great help tho! read more

It was an awkward experience visiting this store the employees were rude. All guitars are locked in rooms and are not allowed to be played. All guitars had zip ties around the strings as to ensure they are not played. I have never seen this in all the music shops I have ever visited. The guitars I was able to see were high-end beginner guitars. There wasn't much inventory to pique interest as advertised by the business. There are many better shops just a short drive away. read more

Worst place ever took my son's trumpet in last week to get fixed my son needed it back right away. The girl told me it would get fixed within the next two days. It's been over a week. I called them the beginning of this week. The same person told me they haven't got to it yet ok fine no problem ...I called today and the old man told me they tried to get a hold of me the day after I took the trumpet which is a complete lie because why would the girl tell me they haven't looked at the trumpet yet ?? Which is it pick one liars not to mention the old man that helped me over the phone, and in person were extremely rude Couldn't even apologize for lying and wasting my time and energy waiting for a week without a call or explanation not to mention, my son hasn't been able to play in his music class because they don't have extra trumpets for him. Thanks a lot Hugo Helmer trash. You guys made me feel very unwelcome. I wasn't even rude to anyone until I was lied to read more

We are so fortunate to have Hugo Helmer Music in our area! They've been so helpful with my entertainment hobby. I recently needed an upgrade for my speaker amp and Joe Peterson suggested the perfect fit! The price was comparable to Amazon with convenience and expertise that I don't have. They even gave me a veteran's discount after the fact. If you need a lift and you like music, just go visit Hugo Helmer and that'll fix you right up! read more

Hugo is a nice music store with quality gear and a knowledgeable, friendly staff. I would say that this store is best for guitar players (incredible guitar selection for being outside a major city) and drummers. Selection is limited for band type instruments. I much prefer Hugo to places like Guitar Center. Just know that you will pay retail prices for your equipment as they don't have many sales per say. You might be able to find a good deal on a used or discontinued guitar from their limited selection in the back of the shop. BTW "Guitar John" is an all around great teacher if you are looking to learn how to rock the electric guitar! John is Hugo's resident guitar instructor. read more

Great selection and service. Best local shop in the business. Large selection of new and used items and knowledgeable staff. Can't complain.

No customer service. Spent 15 minutes in your store before I left because nobody seemed interested in helping me. I was looking at purchasing an 88 key keyboard and spent more than enough time looking for prices and waiting for someone to catch on that I needed some help. It's hard to tell who works there as everyone seemed to walk by without any eye contact. read more

Its been awhile since I've been to this store it was actually when they were still downtown but Im still chapped over the fact that when I rented loudspeaker equipment from them for my wedding we ran into some problems getting all the rental things back from Ferndale including all the tables and chairs and clean up we had to do and there was no way I was going to make it back to their store by the time they closed on the day the equipment was due back so I called them and gave them my word I would be at their door the minute they opened in the morning but they didn't care.. it was either I had the equipment back by closing or get charged late fees, when I asked if someone else was picking up the equipment they said no but insisted they would still charge me a late fee, I like to support local business as I live in Skagit but needless to say I've never stepped foot back in their store and I do play guitar as well and have spent a few thousand on amps over the years but go to Guitar Center in Lynnwood, to bad H.H. lost out on sales. I understand a business needs to have rules on these things so people don't take advantage but in this situation they would not have lost any sales and they would have gained a loyal customer for helping me out. In my opinion it showed their true colors as far as customer service goes. read more

Pretty decent variety, too bad the sales staff has to be so intrusive. I'm a hobbyist when it comes to music and in the past I've made a point of "buying local" at HH thinking I was doing the right thing. My loyalty has been met with being shoo'd away from the very gear that I'm interested in. Save yourself some cash and grief: Head to Guitar Center in Lynwood. read more

I bought my wife a few things here, a keyboard and a Uke. The staff is low key, not pushy and makes you feel welcome. I can't comment on pricing, because I'm not up to date on what the latest whiz bang toys cost, but They didnt seem out of line. The selection is a bit over the top, and traditional instruments are everywhere. This place is easy to get to, and they encourage you to play....... Well worth the time spent.... read more

I'd probably say this is somewhere between a 3.5 and a 4. Overall, this is a great music store. They have a pretty great selection of gear and it is super convenient as the closest Guitar Center is in Lynnwood. One of the guys who works in the guitar section (unfortunately I can't remember his name) is fantastic. He always remembers me when I go in and is really knowledgeable about different gear. He is always able to make great recommendations to me on everything from guitars to cases to strings to pedals. Some of the sales staff is definitely a bit intrusive, which is why I give them a lower rating. I've had them keep an extra eye on my friend and I seemingly just because we are girls (both of us actually play guitar and know what we are doing). But the last few times I've been in, those intrusive salesguys have been absent. Hopefully they've moved on. The store also has a really nice military discount which was great for my friend when she went in to get a starter guitar and accessories. Overall, I definitely recommend Hugos! read more

This is by far the best music store I've ever been to in my life. The staff is incredible and attentive, not pushy, store and selection are huge, they demo all their cool new instruments and the service department is the bed I've ever dealt with. read more

Awesome friendly staff. I have bought a lot of musical equipment over the years from Hugo Helmer. Always have had a excellent experience. Nice, clean, and a big selection of nice instruments. Good stuff. read more

I have shopped at Hugo's for several years now. While there are better prices to be found in the big box stores, they are the only gig in the Mount Vernon area so if you are looking for windwood reeds, guitar strings or other accessories, they are a good choice. Their prices on bigger ticket items are nominal to a little higher, but they have a good payment plan. I came up short on a "90 day same as cash" deal not long ago and they stretched me out to 120 days and held my product until I could pay them off, interest free. Their staff is knowledgeable and helpful. read more

I drive up from Seattle just to go here. Great staff and they have a huge selection in both high end and low end gear. I have been going here for 15+ years and haven't found a better store anywhere. read more