Long and Mcquade is arguably the second biggest musical store in town. They have a large selection of all instruments and a very approachable team of staff members who seem more like traveling musicians that all just happened to be in the same store at the same time. This is a fun place just to visit on it's own. The fun part of Long and Mcquade is that that storefront is really colorful and energetic. You won't get bogged down by price tags and fancy musical instruments like what you might face when walking into a Tom Lee; and that's what makes everything great about this place. Flashy colors, warm lighting, friendly faces walking around just playing instruments as they please. This is what a music store is supposed to look like. To be fair, I'm not much of a musician, nor am I musically talented in anyway. I was simply there to pick up a couple guitar picks since I'm trying to self learn, but this place helped me find everything I need to motivate myself to continue practicing. Props. read more

I firmly believe that most Canadian indie music gets made thanks largely to L&M. They have a super flexible rental policy and a super flexible return policy, not to mention super easy financing. It's super. You can rent an amp you need for a tour in one city and drop it in another city at the end of the tour. How awesome is that? Or you can buy a wicked mic, record all your vocals, and return it one month later for a full refund (Not that I've done that, with my high level of ethics and all, but I've heard...). Point is, you can get great gear and not break the bank, which, especially in Canada is priceless for rock n rollas. There's really not a better choice in Vancouver for all things musical. They've got everything you need in one giant spot (unless of course you are looking for vintage gear, then you'll likely have to look elsewhere. Try NJAMS). Staff is knowledgable and way less flaky than you would expect for a warehouse full of musicians. There is a mild scent of pretension and elitism in the air, but it's pretty minor overall and way less than other shops in town like Tom Lee and some other indies. What this means is you can ask a stupid question like, "What is an oscillator?" and maybe even make a reference to Bryan Adams without getting tarred, feathered and mocked into the street. read more

Any musician or aspiring musician should visit this Long & McQuade location; I'm serious! Under this roof is two floors packed with instruments (from string to brass, woodwins to percussion), sheet music, complete scores, and even classrooms for lessons! The moment I stepped foot through those doors, I was entranced. I'll even admit that my inner rockstar almost emerged to a point where I was tempted to buy a new guitar. What makes this place thrive is the selection of instruments and the knowledgeable staff members. They often busy with inventory or tuning an instrument, but with a quick gesture of attention, they'll be able to help and answer all your music-related questions. I love this place and can't wait to return! Rock out! read more

AWESOME and caring staffs!! DON'T GO to Tommy Lee on Granville St. Bad,bad,bad, customer service over there... I was looking for a nice tweed guitar case for a love one. The one I was looking for was not available in store... No problem!! The guy ordered-it online for me. They keep me posted via email (it was a lil delay). And they gave me a call at the second my ordered was arrived in store. Priceless!! It was a Christmas present so much appreciated. Will come back over and over. read more

Best service I've received at L and M today. Niall in the pro audio department was friendly, knowledgeable and attentive- just the kind of help you need when making those big $$$ purchases! Thanks Niall I'm loving the new gear! read more

I have found the people who work at Long & McQuade to be very helpful, friendly, knowledgeable and nice. Nikko and Royce were both very kind, patient, courteous and helpful. read more

But I'm just here for the speakers... I like this location. It sits on it's own solitary one-block of land. Because it's not in Downtown Vancouver, parking is not a problem and FREE. The building is big, multi-level and has an expansive line of musical instruments and recording gear. They are major dealers so you're most likely to find it here at expected Vancouver MSRP prices. Keep an eye out for open-box items which vary from store to store. Service is a hit and miss. Like any location where "artists" are employed in their own field, they have their own opinion and some can be snobby if you don't make them feel you are really, REALLY interested in making a purchase (Like, don't waste my time, dude! I'm composing something in my head. :P ) If you find someone who attends to you then it would be adviseable to stick to that person whenever you come back. Honestly speaking, I've had the greatest service over at Tom Lee Music Store along Granville. The guys over there friendlier and are cool to chat with (although I told one to call me when the speakers came in, he didn't. That's how I ended up buying it instead at Long & McQuade and discovering this location). If you end up at Long & McQuade, you'll be awed by the amount of gear they have in a relatively high-ceiling environment. You'll most likely be bringing a car to load all that heavy stuff you just bought which won't be a problem loading in their own private lot. Musical lessons? Sure. Skytrain and a few walking blocks won't hurt for that artist in you. Otherwise, Tom Lee at Granville is your other option. read more

I've bought close to $10,000 worth of musical equipment from Long and Mcquade at various times in the past, and have had nothing but bad, and when I say bad I mean dishonest and deceitful, experiences from them. I bought a $2000 guitar from them that they sold as new, but it turned out to be a used rental guitar, they apologized and gave me some money back towards the purchase price. And, just last week on Thursday November 10, 2022, I made a $250 payment on a guitar I have on long term hold with them from my Visa card for which I gave the guitar manager Wesley Webb my number, and later the next day I noticed a $100 fraudulent transaction on the same card for which I had given Wesley that card's information. I would have expected a certain level of professionalism from Long and McQuade, after all, if I went in their Terminal Avenue location in Vancouver and stole $100 worth of merchandise, they'd probably have me prosecuted. As a result of this suspected fraud, I have reported this transaction to TD Visa card services and given them Wesley's name. These guys seem like very shady characters, even though the general public would probably expect a certain level of professionalism from a name like Long and Mcquade. read more

I hope the customer service here can become an industry standard- from the guy who answered the phone (Kiran?) to our desk help, 10/10 experience. Our friday couldn't have been the same w/o y'all read more

The items here are almost always overpriced. With recession, one would think a bargain or two can be had here, but not at Long&Mcquade. Add to this the almost rock star attitude of the customer service people, if you ain't white, they won't even bother asking you what you needed. They're not too helpful at all if you're just asking questions. They're young, they appear to have other musical jobs and they don't care. At one time, they even shouted at a guy who was strumming a guitar a bit too loud! Watch out for their gimmick offer. If you ever fall for their six months no interest offer you're simply a sucker. They add up an admin fee of $39 bucks for six months "no interest" and higher admin fee if you opt to fund an instrument much longer. They add the taxes to the over all price and then apply the interest even on the tax. Imagine paying interest on a PST/GST. "Its the machine. That's how its computed" they'd say if you ask. I hope recession will soon catch up with these people. I'd like to see them retain their fuckfaced attitude when they'll be bumming along Hastings! Overall, its a business I wont mind seeing closed. read more

Such a great music store! For a cousins birthday present (she's really into Taylor Swift) we wanted to get her the songbook/sheet music for some Taylor Swift songs. She pointed out a few books she had her eye on and gave me an idea of the level of piano she's at. Went to Tom Lee first, couldn't find the book I was looking for. Next to this store, and we shouldve gone here first! So. Much. Sheet Music. I had some trouble finding where the Taylor Swift stuff was, so I asked one of the clerks. Very friendly! She pointed me to some different Talor Swift books. She asked me some questions about what I was looking for (easy Taylor Swift sheet music). She brought me some really easy stuff, and also pointed me in the direction of something more advanced. Really big help! They did not have the specific book I wanted in stock, so the clerk went to see if it was In the back room. Turns out it was, and she rang my purchase up straightaway. Price was a little expensive (could get it cheaper somewhere else) but overall great experience. read more

I was really nervous to walk into an instrument store considering I've never played any sort of instrument before. I knew what I wanted but when I was buying this the worker there was very nice. He made the sort of small talk that wasn't uncomfortable at all. I only talked to him but seems like the rest of the workers there would be really nice! I'm glad I had the courage to walk in! read more

Long & McQuade has long been my go-to guitar shop which provides me with wonderful services and good selections of equipments and gears. Their prices are very competitive even against Amazon.ca. Special mentioning are the staff at their Langley and Vancouver stores who have been very courteous and informative in helping me to select my gears. read more

Very knowledgeable staff, passionate about music, I don't feel rushed while asking questions trying to figure out what the best gear suits my gig. Well done guys!! read more

Wes hooked me up with a guitar case today. He was helpful and polite. I have often purchased with L & M using their payment plan and the experience is always easy and hassle-free. A lot of people don't seem to know you can rent almost any instrument from L & M, so if you want to try something out, it's a great way to do it for just a few bucks. They are sometimes criticized as being a big box music store but it is nice to know you can go there and most likely come away with whatever it was you needed. Looking forward to making more purchases with L & M in the future. read more

Things have been crazy getting use to the new normal, I placed a big order through there online ordering option but ran in to some shipping delays due to covid. I sent them a email and got a response right away, after emailing back and forth the rep called my local store and explained everything to them. I got a call from the store, the associate (I'm sorry I can't remember his name) was great he gave me great advice and is transfering in a few items for me! Amazing company!! the website is super easy to use and I love all the ways you can narrow down your search. I will shop here from now on (I use to be a tomlee shopper) I have been converted! Thanks for the amazing experience you guys rock! read more

I inherited a beat up old guitar and brought it in to have new strings put on. I was interested in learning how to play it. The staff wouldn't touch it. They sold me some strings but said that since the guitar is worthless they wouldn't put them on it ? I wanted to get some beginner guitar books as well, but since they didn't seem interested in helping me I guess I'll just buy them online. I left the store regretting I went inside. read more

As a recreational guitarist I find coming into this place to be a bit agonizing because its just wall-to-wall guitar. A large inventory of Gibson, Fender and PRS models as well as Ibanez, Charvel and EVH leaves me feeling like a giddy kid in a candy store. There are also name brand amps of every type and price practically staring you in the face no matter which way you turn. A separate room for acoustic guitars is located nearby and there are racks and racks of all the usual guitar paraphernalia. The staff are very friendly and knowledgeable. Highly recommended. read more

I have been shopping at various Long & Mcquade locations for some time. I've watched them, in the past decade, slowly but surely corner the market, taking over other smaller music instrument retailers. Didn't think it was so bad at first as i had usually had good experiences. But with the the last experience i had i'm ready to call it what it is. Its an unresponsive, uncaring monster of a business. And that has an upside and a downside. Upside is that they can out compete most other shops for price and selection. Downside is the service seriously suffers. In the showroom they go through all the motions. They have the requisite fake smiles, but when it comes down to really dealing with customer concerns there seems to be an understanding in most (not all) of the sales reps that they don't really have to address your concerns because for many products they are now the sole providers. Anyways, it will be difficult on my pocket book, but i am now going to shop elsewhere, and i hope more people do the same. read more

Wow shitty customer service!!! Both in the instrument rentals and the lesson area. Get your lessons and rentals elsewhere.

Condescending sales guys in Recording Depart - check $100 Restocking fee for a long time buyer (15 yrs) trying to exchange something in mint condition 3 months old - check Sell gear as new that was clearly rented - check Bass and Drum department super friendly - check Guitar department senior sales guy fantastic - check They're ok if you know exactly what you want. read more

This place is how a business should be run. So whatever is being done here...KEEP DOING IT. The staff is incredible. Every. Single. Time. Professional, courteous, helpful and kind. I almost always have a question or two when I go in and I know that the L&MQ staff will be there to shepherd me through. Could not recommend more highly. Cheers folks! read more

The service at Long & McQuade in Nanaimo is real average. This is by far, the worst branch on the island. That's why I always go to Victoria or Courtney. The employees hide when people walk in the store and come out their hiding places only when you hunt them down. The management at this store is a joke and is afraid to talk to customers. Don't even try to trade-in a guitar that you purchased from them, if you don't want to be insulted? read more

The rental department here is top notch! I've been renting here for years and I am consistently impressed by how nice and professional all their staff is. Renting gear is always easy. They are very knowledgable about getting you the right size sound and lights for the gig. I will always give them my business. read more

I just saw Sylvia L' s review of the guitar shop at L & M from the last year and had a chuckle. I also had a horrible experience at the shop this week and wonder if all sales reps in that department (Guitar Centre) are simply rude to the customers who are not experienced professional guitar players. I am a public school music teacher who have taught hundred of students over the years how to play the ukulele. Every year I buy a couple of concert ukuleles with the music fund that is raised by our school parents by selling hot lunch at school. The cheap ukuleles I have bought over the years have brought a lot of joy to our young students even though most of the ukuleles in my music room have bad intonations, strings that won't stay in tune, and the tuning pegs that are barely hanging on. This year I decided that I should start buying better ukuleles for my school; in a long run it would be a better investment. So, I spent hours on doing research and comparing prices online and when I was finally ready to check out some of those ukuleles in store, I went to the Long and McQuade in Vancouver. The first time I went there, I felt that I was not wanted there. The older sales rep was busy chatting with another customer who had clearly completed his transaction and wasn't shopping. The younger sales rep also seemed very indifferent and just waited for me to say something first as if he was thinking "What do you want?" I told him what I wanted to see and even though the computer showed that there were three of those ukes in the store, he couldn't find them. After telling me that he could not find them, he just stood there staring at me with no suggestions. He didn't say he would call the other stores. He didn't say he could order them for me. By the way, while he was in the back room looking for the ukulele, I was trying to look at some of the ukuleles that were hanging (and locked ) way above my head right outside the door, but I could not reach them, so I opened the step ladder that was sitting against the wall and got up there just to touch some of the locked ukuleles. This is when I saw the older sales rep walk right by me without acknowledging me or offering his help. He knows all those ukuleles are locked and it should have been really clear to him that I wanted to look at some of them. Did he think that I was on the step ladder for fun? Anyway it became really clear to me that none of these sales reps cared whether I stayed or went. So I left. Unfortunately, against my good judgement, I went there again three days later. They had the lowest price (cheaper than Amazon) for one of the ukuleles I was considering to buy. I tried the ukulele that I went in there for and decided to buy just one to try it out. While I was checking out the ukulele, the older sales rep (the same sales rep from the other day) was busy chatting with a guy who was trying out one of the guitars in the back of the room. The sales rep was being really friendly with him and seemed excited to talk about guitar stuff. When I finally got his attention, I asked him if he could change the high G string to low G (I didn't want to do it myself because it was a brand new ukulele.) if I bought the uke. Without any hesitation he said, "No, I have a customer I'm helping." He was refferring to the guitar player in the room who had been happily noodling for who-knows-how-long. That's when I realized that this guy did not want or need my business. I told him I would think about it and walked away. Maybe the guitar he was hoping to sell was much more expensive than the $149 ukulele I wanted to buy. Or maybe he is tired of mothers, kids, and teachers who are looking for cheap ukuleles that do not deserve his attention. Or maybe he just wants to hang out with guitar players who speak his language. Well, I don't know why he made me feel like I did not matter both times I went to the store, but I do know this. A $149 ukulele is luxury to me and to my students. I had done all the research and homework before I went into the store. I knew what I wanted. Yet, twice I walked away from the store with nothing. I would love to support our local stores before I choose to shop at places like Amazon, but if the retailers cannot provide their customers with good service, the lowest price will always win. To be fair, I did have a good experience in the drum shop at L & M last week and also like the choral music department there, so I will still support their business, but if anyone is looking for a ukulele, I will send them to Tapestry Music. You will understand why if you read my review on Tapestry Music. read more

Long and McQuade has always treated me with great attention and respect for my needs in musical gear and given me many opportunities to check out new musical gear. They are very ready to help out and the staff are great! I would highly recommend them to all musicians--amateur or Pro. read more

This place is music to everyones ears, if your making music they have it all here, huge successful rental section for bands and shows, studio speaker room, lots of instruments for sale including vintage stuff, DJ mixing section gear & set up, full on lessons available. Great location. They are priced a bit higher than most but its a one stop shop. read more

I'm a hobbyist musician who likes to spend money on guitar and bass gear. I started showing up here because they have a great selection of high end instruments and a pretty darn good amp selection. (The Victoria Long and McQuade on Hillside has a slightly better amp selection on any given week). What strikes me as I keep coming back is the quality of the customer service. In my 50+ transactions over the past few years, I've always had my expectations met or exceeded. They're there to help. Props to the guitar, electronics and rental sections for doing a great job for years. read more

As good as it gets in Vancouver I suppose. Good selection, some vintage gear, mostly new stuff. They carry pretty much all the major brands, Fender, Gibson, Ernie Ball, Marshall, Rickenbacker ect. Even carry some not so easy to find stuff ie: Dr. Z., Dingwall. But much like any chain store, pretty overpriced. Craigslist anyone? read more

Long & McQuade is the friendly neighbourhood music store that you can always count on. It is conveniently located near all the major recording studios in Vancouver. I cannot count the number of times I have gone myself, or sent someone to run to L&M to get some equipment we desperately need to complete our recording. Incredible selection of instruments and technical gear. Their staff are a wealth of knowledge, coming from all different backgrounds. The music industry is a small place, the relationships you cultivate with their staff often extends past the walls of the store. Great place, great vibe! read more

I love strolling through Long & McQuade to feast my eyes upon everything I would love to purchase. They have a wide variety of everything you need. Smaller components tend to be quite expensive and it can be a little hard getting ahold of a staff member to help you out. However, the staff is always pretty friendly & helpful. read more

This is one of the larger music supply stores in Vancouver, and it has a great selection of instruments, pro audio gear, DJ (cough) gear, and sheet music. It also offers a lot of music education, which is wonderful. My only issue (and it's a deal-breaker for me), is the attitude of a lot of the employees. At the best of times standoffish, customers are often invisible to the staff; when you finally get someone's attention, you're forced to deal with inherent know-it-all-ism and condescension (particularly the pro audio department). I don't think it's because they're bad people, I just think they forget they're working in a retail position, and the level of service ultimately suffers. It's not how I would run a shop that sells a lot of high-end gear and instruments, that's for sure. But, if you're a casual musician, hobbyist, or seasoned vet, this place is like a mall; it's got a bit of everything. read more

Great service BUT! Having just gotten back into composing electronic music, I find that LM does not carry equipment for the discriminating consumer. They are all out on backorder. So I end up buying my gear from their competitor in Toronto who shipped me my equipment free of charge. Major supply chain business remodelling is in order. Too bad because the service is top notch otherwise. Perhaps its a business decision on their part to cater to the main readily available consumer brands. read more

The best service around - they are a dream. So helpful and very knowledgeable. I wouldn't go anywhere else for equipment.

This has to be the greatest music store in BC. Knowledgeable staff and super inventory.

"I'VE HAD MY SHARE OF SHERA It was somewhat of a case of misrepresentation from the start, this because the first wind I got of Shera was not at Long and McQuade but from Craigslist search of singing teachers where she was supposedly teaching independently of the big music company. On her phone message she sounded irrepressibly bubbly and exuberant, leading me to the belief that she was somewhere around her mid to early teens - fine - someone that young being that proficient - I wanted to learn composition, surely this girl had her finger on the beat of the times? - but when we spoke she opted out of lessons at her house for lessons at Long and McQuade Terminal avenue where she said she also taught. Coming face to face with her was somewhat of a let down - she was no Selena Gomez or Carly Rae Jepsen she was maybe late twentyish at best? but that didn't matter that much to me, my motives were of the purest - only to become excellent in music. I paid for and spent a full hour with her there and I really thought it went well, she seemed knowledgeable and competent and the singing exercises seemed to go really well and she really seemed to be supporting me - even supporting my pretty off the wall: "I want to be a star!" proposal (I am old.) She seemed to support that, provided I worked hard - I thought I had made a good impression. I spent a lot of time outlining the "story," my own personal experience to that point and what I wanted from her in anticipation of what I hoped would be many more classes to come - but no such classes would be forthcoming. The day of my next lesson I had a last minute cancellation call and was told by Long and McQuade that Shera was taking the summer off - (but her ad still ran on Craigslist) - she wouldn't answer my phone calls, won't respond to my emails, would offer no apology or explanation of her rude ditching of me - I was quite baffled - I felt that I had done nothing to offended her - no sexual harassment - nothing even close to that - my advice - avoid Long and Mcquade - or at least avoid Shera. I have subsequently spoken with the manager of Terminal Avenue Long and McQuade, Darren, who was completely unhelpful; offering me no kind of compensation for this shaudy treatment. He refused to give me any kind of refund even though I explained that the time spent was a laying down of the groundwork for many lessons from Shera and he offered me no adequate explanations after he did not even bother to return my call - when I got through to him hours later he said he was "sorry" - but I don't think he really was. When I called Long and McQuade using the anonmyous *67 the music lesson person responded to my fake inquiry about lesson in a way that affirmed my suspicions, that Shera has not taken a summer vacation but that she is indeed actively teaching. Here is the real kicker - the Vancouver police twice came to my building - to my door looking for me - by the letter they left I learned why - "criminal harassment" !!! Amazing?! (not really) -- I am aghast by this current legal situation - where women (almost always) at the drop of the hat or the snap of a finger can call in the storm troupers to do their bidding in instances when men have done very close to nothing at all to them - an extremely unfairly weighted in their favour situation which women abuse as the men they implicate are summarily carted away to the cells with no kind of due process - the extent of my "criminal harassment" in this case was to leave a message on her Craigslist music lesson number saying: "I hope you enjoy your vacation and thanks for standing by me." If this is criminal harassment then we (most especially men) can consider ourselves in great jeopardy - we can consider ourselves completely gagged and rendered absolutely impotent - (oops maybe I can't use that word?) - if what I did (said - in a recorded message to Shera) is criminal harassment then this is a world that I do not wish to occupy and I intend to take up, to the fullest of my ability, the legal challenge which this laying before me - to take a stand against ridiculous politically correct nonsense applied with a super strong arm. read more

Best music store ever! Amazing staff who will answer any question you have and great prices! Location is ideal and this is the best place in town for music equipment. The rental department is very well organized and runs smooth. The prices for rentals are super decent so if you need gear or lights or anything just for a weekend or gig these are the guys! They have sales almost constantly and sometimes slightly used gear is unbelievably cheap! Once someone was late returning the equipment they got and we were supposed to be getting it next and the guys literally just opened brand new equipment for us as they understood the bind we were in. Helped load the van and we were on our way! read more

best chain music store in Vancouver. yeah it's overpriced. any new musical instrument is overpriced (in vancouver). they do seem to have the lowest prices in terms of new instruments. they also carry a wider range of guitar makes than tom lee. seriously if you want a good deal on instruments, everyone knows you buy used ie craigslist/ebay. read more

Drum department- Fantastic range of snares and cymbals but the staff are not helpful in the least when purchasing. I have actually gone off the place after ordering a drum stool they gave me the wrong one. When I got the right one it broke. I took it back, they gave me the wrong one AGAIN and then accused me of not bringing all the parts back off the wrong one they gave me. Also said the broken one was an easy repair. Regardless if it was an easy or difficult repair it shouldn't have broke after 2 days. Most likely they just pushed the pin back in place and guaranteed whoever buys it will find the pin will keep dropping out. I did not like the attitude in the least that I received for returning the throne. Next time I need drum gear I will shop around. Buying gear with your hard earned cash should be a fun experience. Long And Mcquade drum department does not offer that. Great selection- poor attitudes read more

I had a perfect experience at this location today. The gentlemen at the rentals desk were extremely polite, helpful, and explained everything I needed to know. And my rental happened to be very cheap which was also a plus! Will come here from now on for any of my acoustical needs :) read more