Amazing assortment of high end amps and guitars. But, a very cold and unwelcoming environment…read more Every guitar has a tag saying "Do not touch without assistance". Multiple signs on the wall insisting that customers wash their hands before touching anything. There are a few instruments that I would have liked to check out. But I don't feel welcome to even strum them without my credit card out. No one spoke to me during my visit. I was the only customer. I did overhear another customer being told as I left that they would charge $50 plus the price of a set of string to re-string her nylon string guitar. What a bargain! They must like some folks. But, clearly I didn't make the cut.

My daughter-in-law and I went in there on the afternoon of Christmas Eve to get some last-minute…read moregifts. Not only were they open, but the staff were friendly and helpful.

I called and left messages and never got a return call. Had…read moreto find someone else to work on my guitar.

Truly the best experience I've ever had with a luthier. Very honest and knows his worth. I took my…read moreTaylor Big Baby here for a setup and string change and he ended up charging me less than what he originally quoted me, knowing full well I was willing to pay the full amount, because it didn't take as long as he thought. The honestly alone is worthy of commendation, but his work is absolutely fantastic. You could not ask for a better person to work on your guitar. Disregard ANY big name store you've thought of bringing your guitar to and take it to Mr. Landis. He is an absolute gem and he will transform your playing experience from a couple hours of work. Thank you Sam!

Jimmy is the best guitar and amp guy around! Sound nice, knowledgeable and great priced! Definitely…read morerecommend!!!

Best in the biz. Not only does he build his own gear but he also services all kinds of stuff…read more First I got there right before he closed but he still made the time to help unload and wheel in One amp while I got the other. Next he took the time to explain a few things that it could be and said I would get a call by end of next day. Next day and POW!! Like clockwork says he has to order a few parts but they should come in in a couple of days. Three days later I get the call that he upgraded my amp as the stuff that as from factory wasn't really built for the abuse I was giving them. Next day I get a call but I was on tour so he coordinated a time with my wife and she picked up my amps with no problems at all. I will forever take my amps to Sommertone. Amps: Marshall AS100D Acoustic amplifier. Wrong: High end gone when I play through just amps. Diagnosis: Blown tweeters. Fix: Upgraded tweeters that can take the abuse I give then touring full time in a louder Acoustic Prog Band.

DO NOT take your instrument here for setups…read more I visited Musicians Woodshed last week and initially spoke with one of the guitar techs, Jett Boyd, who was polite and professional. We discussed my bass guitar and the possibility that some frets might need adjustment. When I returned the following week after noticing some fret buzz, I spoke with Miles Manglos. I explained that I prefer a very straight neck with low action and that I was not interested in adding more relief to the neck. Because of that, the logical solution would have been to address the fret work. Instead, he suggested doing a setup that would involve adding relief and raising the action--the exact opposite of what I had just explained I wanted. When I asked whether that meant adding neck relief and how that would affect the current setup, he couldn't clearly explain it. I also mentioned that at a different shop in another city, a tech had previously performed a setup even though I specifically asked him not to and only wanted the jack repaired. I brought this up simply to explain why I was trying to be very clear about the work I wanted done. Instead of addressing the issue professionally, Miles abruptly declined to work on the instrument and told me to leave. He was dismissive and repeatedly said he didn't understand what I was saying. A competent guitar tech or luthier should be able to translate what a musician is describing and communicate clearly about the work being recommended. If a shop cannot or does not want to perform a certain service, that's fine--but it should be handled respectfully and professionally. Unfortunately, this interaction came across as pretentious and unhelpful, and it left a very negative impression of the shop.

Miles and Alex were awesome to talk with. Super friendly and knowledgeable. I will definitely be…read moreback.

Brian did a great job with my guitar tune up! I have a Les Paul Special, Double Cut Away. He did a…read moreset and cleaned up the switches. Plays like a charm now. Hit him up for all your guitar needs!

Brian repaired and restrung an old acoustic guitar that'd be sitting in my closet for a few years…read more He did a good job (the crack is barely visible and the itonation was great). Very satisfied, especially for the price. Would definitely go back.

This is hands-down the place to go if you need anything drum-related. These gentlemen spent more…read morethan an hour repairing or replacing my ten-year old's drum set. They patiently and with kindness spent time with my son explaining what they needed to do, and why. They did not try to upsell me. The price is right, and the service spectacular. This is a true Austin treasure. We will be back.

Maybe it was just a bad day. I was visiting family in Austin…read morethis past week, and mid-day on a Wednesday a group of us stopped into Tommy's. There were four adults and my 12‑year‑old daughter, all musicians--I'm the only drummer. We had just come from South Austin Music, which had been a great experience. Unfortunately, this visit was the complete opposite. When we first walked in, we were greeted by a friendly staff member who told us to let him know if we had any questions or needed help. I asked whether there was any used gear, and he mentioned a few used pedals and a used kit upstairs. He then stepped away--presumably to eat lunch (a food delivery person came into the store at the same time we did)--and the other staff member was left behind the counter. I took a quick look around the upstairs area, which had an impressive cymbal selection, a handful of snare drums, and a couple of nice Gretsch Renown kits. I paused to look more closely at a raw copper snare that really caught my eye and made a brief comment to the person behind the counter. His response was a single word. I tried to engage a bit more, but he clearly wasn't interested in conversation. At that point, I was ready to leave. I was genuinely in the market for a used ride or a snare and had money to spend. I assumed that being in Austin there would be plenty of options, but that wasn't really the case. That's fair--used gear takes effort to manage, and many shops focus primarily on new inventory. As we were preparing to go, my wife asked if I wanted a t‑shirt. I took a look and agreed it was a cool design. She went to the counter and the staff member helped her with the purchase, but again, there was no engagement. I made one more attempt to start a conversation, but there was no response--no smile, no eye contact, no expression at all. Maybe we were annoying him. Maybe we interrupted his lunch. I honestly don't know. What I do know is that it was a disappointing experience. South Austin Music had such a great atmosphere--fun, welcoming, and warm. My local music shop in Maryland (not a chain), where my daughter takes guitar lessons, has that same vibe. This drum shop, by comparison, felt cold and purely transactional. I left feeling bummed out and awkward enough that I apologized to my family for the experience.

I've been taking lessons with Chris Bennett and David Spann at Austin School of Music for about 13…read moreyears, and I have to say this school has been one of the most important places in my life, not only as a musician, but as a person. The atmosphere, quality of education, and opportunities that can be found here are unparalleled! If you're looking to learn an instrument in Austin, there's really no other place to go if you ask me :)

I have been taking drum lessons from Chris Bennett since 2013 at North Austin School of Music!…read moreChris is a great teacher, friend and advisor! I formed my own Classic Rock band and we play around the Hill Country! Chris Bennett and ASM are the Best!

Truthfully, I can't comment on Mark's work, but I want to express frustration that he had me pay…read more$75+tax before he would tell me that repairing the bridge on my acoustic guitar was going to be ~$800. I paid the fee because I would've been able to put it towards the overall repair cost and given how minimal the repair appeared to be, I never would have guessed an $800 quote. On top of this, it took him give or take 15 minutes to assess the damage and recommended via email after I had left the shop that I just replace my guitar with a used model for ~$400. I understand his advice I just wish he had been kind enough to know he was about to make me pay him $80 without having to do any work on the guitar. His tone supported that he knew it was unlikely I would move forward with the repair. Overall this just felt like a bait and switch, with me paying $80 for nothing. I recommend trying to find a quote elsewhere before going here just so you can ballpark if spending $80 is worthwhile.

I urge you not to buy guitars from the swindler. He sold me an instrument that was unplayable in an…read morearea and when I didn't feel comfortable owning his guitar that he advertises on his website is playable upon shipping. He's more than happy to charge you a 20% restocking fee, not just for the value of the guitar as well as as the shipping costs if he's willing to cut those corners to make a dollar what is he giving you as an instrument?