Been here several times for different things. Prices are run of the mill. Sometimes they have good deals on used stompboxes. They have a decent selection of instruments with some quirky ones here and there. But as far as customer service here is my take. First off I typically don't like going here for one reason. The guy in the hat. You know the one. No matter what I am stopping in for, whether it be something small like a daisy chain adapter or strings or something bigger like amps or service this particular employee always tries to up sell me to the point that I regret ever asking him a question about anything. Something I think would be $20-$30 is not good enough. I need to spend at least $200 or $300. Also, here's a tip for a lot of you 'pro' gear slut musicians out there. When someone asks you about equipment explain it to them simply because they obviously don't understand something and they want to know more. If they knew the answer they wouldn't be asking. It seems like the guy at mr. music sees fielding your question as great time to rattle off the most complex response and show you that he can run circles around you in the music retail category instead of helping you find the product that's right for you. Anyway I thought if I just avoided asking him questions it wouldn't be a problem as everyone else in the store is very friendly and very helpful. WRONG. I went in there a little bit ago to try out an amp they had that I was seriously considering buying. I wanted to play it and if I liked it I was going to hand over the cash right there. I went there on my lunch break and only had a short amount of time to try the amp. Unfortunately, I had to wait for the open mic dike jam session to end before I could even look at the amp. 10 minutes later I saw my chance. I plugged in and gave it a go. I liked the amp. A lot. I wanted to check out some other sounds on it and get a feel for it but I was sure I would buy it.....until lo and behold hat man comes in and plugs into another amp cranks it up to 11 on the shred dial and starts wailing like he was going to be losing his fingers soon. I couldn't believe it. I couldn't even hear myself anymore. He had no regard for anyone or anything and I was not about to play dueling banjos with this guy. I simply wanted to hear this amp a little before I bought it. I would rather play the same riff over and over for reference when testing out equipment and instead of playing over people and trying to show off with the fastest sweetest licks I know. It wasn't until the owner or his boss or whoever it was came out from around the corner and asked hat man why he was playing guitar and not working, that the guy stopped. Seriously the worst. I want to give my money to the local mom and pop stores even if their prices aren't better. But it's difficult when your employees drive me away because they would rather show boat then offer me help with equipment. You should check out Mr.Music just hope that some of the staff have the day off. read more

Amazing guitar shop, a veritable library of guitars. They have everything, and many variations and brands. Even had the full line of Gretsch resonators, plus National, Fender, and Regal models. Helpful, low-pressure staff. Great selection of amps and accessories as well. Will definitely be back. read more

Based on three visits while instrument shopping: First time: Found the instrument I wanted, but wanted to shop around a little more before committing. People were friendly and helpful. Second time (the next day): Went back for the instrument, but they sold it. Ended up leaving my info for when they got it back in and having a great conversation with one of the employees. At this point, I'm loving this place. As a girl, generally whenever I go into music shops, it's assumed I'm the dumb girlfriend/groupie who doesn't actually know anything and I get treated as such. Not here. Third time: I get a call that the instrument I wanted is back in, so I head in on a Saturday to pick it up. I don't recognize any of the employees, and they all generally ignore me and can't seem to be bothered with me until I am clearly buying something. Even then, I get the brush-off rather quickly. I wish I thought to ask if they make commission and find out when the nicer employees were working so I could have come back and done business with them, instead of the ones who continued to make me feel like music is an exclusive boy's club. In the end: This store has everything and is fairly priced. The people working know their stuff (even the rude ones), but it's hit or miss for customer service. I'll definitely be coming back for all my future needs, but I'll definitely be checking who's working before buying anything. read more

The only good music store from my younger days left in the Boston area. I have been going here since I first picked up a guitar in the early 70s and still going today. They are always friendly and good to talk to. They have been around long enough they pretty much know everyone and every thing about the Boston music scene. They have a great selection of Gibsons and Fenders as well as some very nice used gear at great prices. You can not beat the selection of parts!!!! I try and hit Mr Music at least once every other week for parts alone. I bought my first pedal here and Electro Harmonix Big Muff PI when it first came out still have it! I am glad they are still around! read more

Best selection of basses in Boston, bar none. Great, helpful staff, the best music store in Boston, period.

You gotta love a store where you can walk in and the guys are talking about football, movies, women..or just about anything and they welcome you into the conversation..then when you get down to music, they do give you honest opinions..and they welcome other customer input..example: I was in there one day and a man brought his son into the store to buy his first electric guitar..they tried out a few models, a Strat, a BC Rich Warlock, a used Jackson Rhoads model..as the kid was trying each guitar the salesman was pointing out the differences...while the kid was strumming the start, (being next to them) I chimed in "The great thing about a Strat is that you can play any kind of music with it" the salesman smiled at me and said "You nailed it man!!" when the father started asking me questions, I gave him my honest opinion and the salesman let me speak..they ended up buying the Strat!! I should have asked for a comission lol!! read more

This is really a great store! The experience I had today was very good. I went there today to buy a guitar. The staff was really nice and professional. I told him what I was looking for and he recommended some guitars. He walked away when I was testing the guitars, so there's really no pressure shopping there. If you're looking for a guitar, def. take a look there. They won't give you pressure to buy anything. read more

Been buying guitar strings, harmonicas, guitars, since 1977. Excellent harmonica selection and prices. Bunch of Les Paul guitars, which I know very little about myself, but one of my in-laws bought two Les Pauls; one that he resold at a small profit, and one that he plays to his day. Very interesting used acoustic guitar inventory....I also remember purchasing several microphones, several amplifiers, cables, straps, cases. Great place for those of us who still prefer "brick and mortar." Yes, there is the occasional less than stellar customer service, but mostly they are friendly and knowledgeable. read more

I just got back from a trip to this store. 45 mins each way and man was it worth it. This is hands down one of the best stores I have gone to. It is not huge but they fit a ton into the space and all of it is quality. They have an amazing selection of pedals and some nice boutique amps that are built in house. I dealt with Jameson and he spent a ton of time with me to figure out what I needed to get the sound I was hearing in my head. I left with two pedals and actually had a blast shopping there. If you are in the area or even if you are a little further away, this store will not disappoint. read more

I just came home from there and wanted to write a quick note of how great they are to work with. They had a guitar pedal on eBay that I went in person to try. As my luck would have it, someone bought the item on-line while I was literally in the store testing it out. He showed me the eBay auction and sure enough, it was true. I was getting ready to leave and the owner felt so bad he let me try out and even better pedal that was not marked down and gave it to me at the same price as the one I had been looking at. Could not be happier and would encourage anyone considering the big box guitar store to go to Mr Music instead. read more

Really great place, really nice people, lots of great merchandise with fair prices. 10/10 recommend if you love guitars.

Neighborhood feel, guitar, strings, and great deals on amps. Helpful staff, excellent local if you live in Allston. Got a great deal on a strat, had a few sketches so they cut me even a better deal. love going here to buy stuff. read more

I've been a professonal musician here in Boston for 30+ years, and I've been to Mr Music off and on, here and there...honestly, I usually end up going to G.C. for stuff, but I got a gift certificate from my bandmates this summer, and needed an emergency repair on one of my guitars as well as some odds and ends, so headed over. I forgot how funky this place is, but the real gem was the repair that they did, on the spot, and only charged me $5. And this was no ordinary repair. They could have sold me new headstock for more $, but instead dug into their box of tools, knowing that I needed the guitar for a gig Saturday, and with a lot of persistence, made it happen. They rang up the charge of $5 under "miscellaneous genius", touché. I'll be coming back. read more

(If you read the one or two negative reviews below, you'll see why you can pretty much discount them and why Mr. Music is a 5-star place.) This is my second review of the place-- I can't help it. The place is funky, fun, and full of helpful, knowledgeable characters-- who would want a music store to be anything else? And what a great selection of stuff, from reeds to Martins. Two visits in the last couple months: 1) to get a ukelele for my daughter. I figured they'd have two or three. Instead they had what seemed like two or three hundred! And the guy at the counter pointed to a guy who knows ukeleles and he took be through them, ranging from like 50 bucks to 500 bucks (or more), and we settled on one for about 90 dollars which my daughter now plays and loves. Great experience. 2) bought a Sampson midi controller for my wife. Tried every which way to make it work. Went into the store and got some suggestions. Put the controller aside for a month. Tried again couldn't make it work. Took it to the store, now about three months after I bought it, and before I could even explain what happened, the counter guy said "Defective?", I said "I think so", and basically he snapped his fingers and someone brought me out a brand new one, no questions asked, no receipts exchanged. And I was on my way. Man, if every store was this cool and efficient, helpful and nice, perhaps the internet would go out of business instead of otherwise. Buy local, and get all your music at Mr. Music. (No, I do not work for the store, nor do I have stock invested in the store, nor, in fact, do I know anyone related to the store!) read more

Mr. Music is definitely the first place I check if I need small gear (pedals, strings, accessories) and they did an excellent job repairing and setting up one of my guitars for cheap. Knowledgeable staff, no pressure for commissions like most other places. Bottom line: check here first before you go to Guitar Center or Daddy's. read more

I walked in today to see if I could get the action of my guitar lowered. I was immediately greeted by a smiling face, and the gentleman was more than happy to help me right on the spot. He promptly checked my guitar over, and kindly told me I didn't really need it lowered -- just that the weather here in Boston (radiators in the winter, open windows in the summer) is what was affecting the action. He pointed me to the humidifiers that would help remedy the situation next winter, and went so far as to tell me not to buy one now, rather to wait it out and see how it felt over the next few months. I so very much appreciate their willingness to give honest advice, rather than attempt to wriggle money out of me for something that wasn't necessary. Thanks, Mr. Music. You guys do rock! read more

I joined Yelp just so that I could write about how great I think this place is. As a novice guitar player, the staff at Mr. Music makes me feel totally comfortable to ask stupid questions and fiddle around on their instruments. They're super friendly, enthusiastic, and helpful. One guy even took the time to teach me how to string my guitar. read more

This place keeps alive the kinds of music stores I used to frequent as a teen growing up in Boston in the 70's and on. You can come in and comfortably try all kinds of stuff without any pressure or distractions. I love the whole feel(nostalgic) of the place, especially around Christmas. As important and useful as the big stores are too, a place like Mr. Music is irreplaceable. This is where I bought my first electric guitar. It was a blond Aria Telecaster copy with an all maple neck. It cost about $80.00 back around 1976-77. Can't replace memories like that! I will always shop here. Note: There is a free 2 hour limit public parking lot across the street behind the row of shops and restaurants adjacent to Blanchard's Liquors. read more

The ONLY PLACE in Boston to see a wide selection of guitars plus find people who know them. Other good places to shop serious guitar are Northern Lights Littleton New Hampshire. Ithaca Guitar, Music Emporium for acoustic. read more

the owners are kind of rude and their selection is small. they have plenty of overpriced fender guitars, or ukuleles if youre into that kinda thing. i'd rather go somewhere that just doesn't suck as bad. read more

This is by far my favorite music store. I've bought three guitars from this shop and have always had a positive experience. They don't hassle you, you can pretty much sit with any guitar you want, plugged into any amp you like and play all day! My last purchase was a Fender Custom Shop Telecaster for an insane price. The guitar was brand new (sold as used) and at least 50% off MSRP. Every time i go to buy a new guitar i shop around, and pretty much every time i end up buying here. read more

this place is amazing ..but the used stuff over there is pretty expensive but its okay its not that over pricy .

Great staff, wide selection of quality instruments. Highly recommend - you will not be disappointed!

Haven't bought anything but have visited twice. They are accessible on eBay as cool-guitars. It's easy to get distracted by all the eye candy when you walk in so having a look online in advance can help you make the most of your visit. They are knowledgable and generous with their time and expertise. There is a lot more used than new inventory, but it is all interesting stuff and looks reasonably priced. Haven't tried negotiating. The only downside is finding parking. read more

They talk a good game and say stuff like, if you go home and find out your guitar needs a tweak, just bring it back in and we'll take care of it. But when you do that ten days after buying it, they treat you like a stranger. O really, who said that? If you want it looked at, you gotta find the guy who said that. The place treats you like a shady used-car dealership. read more

i own a 1977 rickenbacker bass guitar, all thanks to mr. music. it was 2002, i was living in a shitty apartment in lower allston and had just dropped out of college to play music full time and party my face off. really smart, i know, but i still recall this to be one of the best times of my life. i went into mr. music about once a week to drool over instruments i couldn't afford. one afternoon before band practice, i go in and as soon as i round the corner and look into the back of the store where the bass guitars are hanging on the wall, i see it...a cream colored rick with black tuxedo detailing. i know, even from this distance that i need to own this bass. in the back of my mind i am hoping that something is horribly wrong with this instrument, anything to make me NOT want to buy it. (after all, i was living off of a part time retail job at the time, usually liberating ramen from 7-11 for dinner because i was so broke) anyway, the fucking thing was perfect...i must've sat and played it for an hour because i figured this would be the only time i'd ever have with such an incredible instrument. finally having to leave, i hang it back on the wall and try not to get too emotionally attached to it. i believe it was the next day that i received a phone call from my mom informing me that i had been mailed a dividend check from stock that i owned in a telephone company. my grandparents invested $100 into some sort of unknown telephone company in my name when i was born...it ended up being bought by verizon...i ended up with a NINE HUNDRED DOLLAR CHECK. rather than spending this money on rent (which would have been smart) i took it and the two guitars i already had and went down to mr music the next day, in hopes that i had enough to trade in for my beloved rickenbacker. sure enough, i did, or maybe the guy was just being nice...he had cut me deals before. so anyways, if it wasn't for mr. music, i wouldn't own (what i'm assuming is) the greatest bass in the universe. this place gets 18 thumbs up and 600 stars. read more

this place is great because they usually have much more interesting gear than most other stores in town, and because the repair staff will actually tell you when there are cheaper options than the repair you came in asking for. read more