Really like the guys who work here! Some are kids who love music and some of those kids really understand musicians! And their instruments! I recently brought in my luthier made uke and they were able to diagnose why the A string kept coming off. I love going in there and browsing all the books- if they don't have something, they honestly try to get it for you and they have been super patient with me when my accident prevented me from picking up my uke. Had a loooong talk with one of the guys about the great music of the late sixties and seventies and never felt once that i was being rushed away. When music is part of your soul, you can talk about it all day long. Great guys, great service! read more

Thank you Sam for doing a great job changing the strings on my Gretch guitar today! You have a great personality. R read more

Carl was so informative and friendly! Blessed to have found this business. We will be back again very soon!

I'm an OK musician but these people are the just THEE best in the business and know far more than me! Jimmy gives the best guitar and bass lessons. Karl, Dennis, and Samuel have helped me with my guitar, bass, and violin as well as with my board and speakers. I will continue to come here for all of my musical needs. They are the best around. Not only knowledgeable but trustworthy. Run, don't walk here. read more

Music & Arts - My new acoustic - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Riverside, California

I chose to come to this store because I thought I was doing the right thing trying to support a local business that was acquired by music and arts with the hope I was still supporting local business values. When I arrived, I was greeted by a cashier, Karl M. I saw the electric guitar amp I was interested in since I was (and still am now) in the market for a trustworthy amplifier that will work well with my effects pedals and guitar. I asked Karl about the return policy. he said as long as the amplifier is returned within 30 days, I would encounter no problems. Upon returning the amplifier the next day since it gave too much feedback with my pedal board setup, he informed me that I would get a check in the mail in 10 days since music and arts cannot give cash returns on any items over $50. He neglected to offer this information upon purchase. I emailed corporate, did not receive a response, called corporate customer service and opted for the callback feature (they never returned my call), called again the week after and stayed on hold for about 3 hours, and emailed corporate again. I have not received a response. After speaking to the manager at this store, he told me it would be 5-6 weeks for me to receive my check in the mail. I informed him of my severe dissatisfaction. I asked him who to speak to regarding my issue with the blatant misinformation I had received. he could only direct me back to corporate. As a former guitar center employee, I am absolutely aghast with the mishandling of information from this store. I cannot get in contact with corporate, the store said they cannot help, and I am still short $369.74 that would have gone to my amplifier budget. Keep looking on reverb, sweetwater, or on offerup. Guitar Center/Music and Arts does not care about their consumers. read more

Extremely disappointing and stressful experience. I rented an instrument from the Music & Arts Riverside Plaza location and properly returned it. Months later, I was contacted and told it was never returned. I spoke directly with store management at the time, who acknowledged it was likely an internal inventory error and assured me it would be handled. Fast forward to now, and I discover--without warning--that Music & Arts has reported over $1,800 in collections to my credit. This is a false debt, caused by poor record keeping and a complete failure to correct an acknowledged mistake. Despite repeated attempts to resolve this professionally at the corporate and executive level, I have received no response. Meanwhile, the inaccurate reporting has caused real financial harm and unnecessary stress. If you rent from this location, beware: if they lose track of inventory, you may pay the price years later. Accountability and customer service are severely lacking. read more

Great customer service. They help me find everything I needed for a bass guitar, very helpful.

Great place with great people. Jimmy is an awesome guitarist and my son really enjoys his lessons with Jimmy.

this company are a bunch of con artist... story is to long to tell horrible customer service and they stole money from me. They admit to it on the phone but say there's nothing they can do but do a claim even though they see the way my money was stolen. Please do business elsewhere. Don't believe me call their customer service line and see how long it takes just to get a hold of someone. read more

I am in the same position as most of the posters on Yelp who have to deal with lesson refund issues. I have 11 lessons on the books and cancelled my kids lessons but they ended up billing me anyway for another month. I cannot in good conscience recommend this place for music lessons because of what appears to be predatory practices on behalf of the corporate office. The staff that work the front and the staff that actually teach lessons are amazing. It's the predatory practices that are overboard read more

Love the wonderful music instructors! Recently had a recital showcasing wonderful young musicians.

Easy process to rent an instrument. Not too pricey either. Didn't love that it had to be ordered but it worked out just fine.

So much knowledge! You can ask pretty much all of the accomplished musicians in that place any question, and they will know the answer. Be sure to go to Jimmy for lessons. He is completely epic.. read more

My son has had clarinet lessons for last six months. The teacher has cancelled too many lessons and refund process has been a nightmare. The store has no control over what the regional office does. Lost connection between the store and regional manager. Still havent been refunded after so many calls. read more

I had my moms guitar fixed the back of it was separating and they fixed it for very reasonable price great people who work there make you feel welcome read more

I was so looking forward to building a relationship with this company and spending money both in the front end of the store and with the music teachers in the back. However, it proved way too difficult to do! Yes, spending my money there was made difficult. My wife purchased what she thought was a month of lessons for me that came with a free basic guitar. When I went in to redeem it, the first employee told me the manager wasn't available and that she would call me the following day. However, after no calls for two days I went back into the store. Upon arriving at the store I spoke with manager who did not offer an apology for not calling me back even though she go the message. I setup my lessons, and was given my guitar that came as a promotional item. I advised them, that I would rather put the money towards a new guitar since I already had a beginner guitar. They told me they couldn't do that since the guitar had no value. Even though the receipt had a value of $149.00. So, I advised them I would be buying another guitar at another store since they were unwilling to work with me. I started my lessons which I was super excited about! I had the first one and it was great! I started the 2nd lesson and I was advised that I had to pay for the month because the fee my wife paid was only the registration fee and did not include any lessons. ????? After the lesson I went to speak with the manager and she told me I was wrong, my wife was wrong and that she never said any of those things when my wife bought the package. I was very reasonable with them and tried to work on a solution with them but they were unwilling to budge or even offer any customer service or try to find a solution. So, I left the store and will never be back! Their arrogance about how right they were and how wrong I was, was absolutely terrible! No customer service! read more

Wonderful honest guys. My partner has Alzheimer's and they kindly assisted us as he was having a bit of a meltdown. They also held on to his phone as he left it when we left the building. I called and they were so kind and secured the phone for me. Such a great place to get what ever you may need for your instruments. In the past they took care of the guitars when he was able to still play. read more

Went in for my first guitar ever. The guy there was incredibly nice and helpful. Got me a good deal on a Ibanez and Im loving it. Definitely coming back here for any other musical needs. read more

I really like supporting local businesses here in Riverside but the lack of parking once they moved from Magnolia to their new location in the Riverside Plaza soured my shopping experience. They seem to cater to members of the local school music programs with their lack of inventory for guitarists and bassists. Just my thoughts read more

very helpful...helped my kids get their first band instruments (flute and saxophone). Very nice...didn't oversell...very knowledgable! read more

Music & Arts - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Riverside, California

As a Christmas gift I paid for my granddaughter to take Bass lessons for several months. Unfortunately I enrolled in auto payment. I properly notified this business timely I needed to cancel the lessons and payment as my granddaughter was leaving for college. I was still charged for the following month, I went into the store and was assured my money would be refunded, after several other attempts I was not notified or contacted in any manner. The instructor was good and my granddaughter learned the fundamentals of playing Bass, but due to their shady business practices I do not recommend this business for music lessons. read more

BUYER BEWARE!! If you are looking for music lessons do not, DONOT!! let them start auto payments. I stopped my lessons for my grandson in March. Two weeks later they billed me for April. Went back to the store and they confirmed that I stopped the lessons. Then I get billed in May. Another $135. Now they owe me $270. I informed my bank to not let this automated payment go through again and they did. So in June I get a letter from a collection agency! They owe me money and now they want June's payment. It's not the folks working at the store. It's management. And no one seems to be able to help. This has been a nightmare. Please do yourself a favor and stay clear of this poor excuse on an established business. read more

Every experience I have had here has been awesome. It's a great location. Sales reps are super friendly and accommodating. Shout out to Ray and the very nice young blonde lady that assisted me. read more

Do not allow them to EZPay your account for lessons!! We agreed to ten lessons and because of their billing we have been billed double and no one can seem to refund us or cancel EZPay! Beyond frustrated when they double billed, said they would issue a check, then continued billing for lessons. Never received the check either!!! read more

Love their knowledge, service and craftsmenship when dealing with my needs. Awesome selection of guitars! read more

They have the worst customer service. I am renting an instrument from them and it's the worst experience ever. They charged my card I have on file Bc I couldn't come in to pay the bill till the next day it was due Bc I had work and they were closed by the time I got off that day. Then I told them I didn't want that card charged and to get it put back on has been a nightmare. read more

I recently went to Music & Arts Center to have some repairs made on my roommate's viola and have the strings changed. I'm very happy with the customer service I received. The individual I spoke with told me that even though they would be able to restring the instrument for me, I would be better able to have everything done elsewhere. He referred me to a shop up the street that was better able to help me with what I was looking for. I really appreciate that the employee prioritized what I needed more than simply getting more business for the store. This means that next time I need something this store can offer, I'll be headed over knowing I'm going to get honest and helpful advice!! read more

Staff at this location was very helpful and polite but i was redirected to their 1-888-731-5396 customer service hotline to further assist me with my issue and there is where the problem started. They were very rude didn't want to listen to what i had to say and just kept rereading the same email over and over to me. She told me that due to my family being ill and me not being able to make it in to return my sons instrument was my problem and i should have figure out how to get it return and they charge me a $76.00 late fee, so because i took the safety of not infecting there staff i paid for it literally. Also through this whole covid i kept with emailing and calling them. read more

I brought an old Gibson amp into the shop for repair, and the staff here took great care of me. I didn't personally meet Sam, the repair guy, but he texted me for clarification about the repairs, and what I was looking to do with the amp. When he was finished with it he sent me a picture and the invoice. He was quick, thorough, and I got exactly what I wanted, and quickly at that. There's not many shops that can repair tube amps these days, and this is the second one I've taken to Sam (it was Music Mike's before). Highly recommend this store. read more

So I went to buy some guitar strings for a guitar my daughter received as a gift. I had no idea what I was looking for. Felipe helped me get some strings at a very reasonable price. He got the guitar stringed up since I had no clue what to do. He shared with me his passion for drumming and I shared I played latin percussion. I had my 12 year old daughter with me and he encouraged her to respect her instrument and to learn how to play it. Music and Arts will be my stop for all my music needs. I'm glad I passed on the big box store. Had a great 1 on 1 experience that a smaller store provides. Thanks Felipe! read more

This store was Music Mike's. Music Mike retired and sold the store to Music and Arts, a trusted company he was already contracted with for instrument rentals. Now that it has changed over, the management and store are absolutely amazing. The vibe there has gone from stale and not quite as friendly to upbeat and awesome. Also, the instrument rentals are a way better deal. They have some amazing teachers and the store is so clean and organized now. The manager, Steve, is the absolute awesomest dude in the business. I'm a little biased because I love him, but it's still the truth! read more

Staff was great picked up an amp and misc stuff, good prices. Parking is not the best but that's expected from a big shopping center. Will definitely be returning for repairs or new gear. read more

The employees are super friendly and are just fellow music lovers. Sam the tech man is the MAN! He knows what he's doing and will get your amp or whatever back to you at a reasonable turn around. GIVE THIS SHOP your business people. Keep these small shops alive. It's real support to the everyday musician. read more

Music @ arts center in riverside is the best music store I've visited in a long time . It is a safe and family friendly environment with great employees and great service . Samantha , ray ,Carl and Samuel are especially awesome and very helpful . Highly recommend 10/10 read more