Music Encounter

I was a bit nervous about taking my guitar to have repaired here due to unfortunately bad…read moreexperience at another location years ago, but I have to tell you from the first conversation with Andrew the guitar wizard I was put to ease. From the moment he answered the phone I knew that I had found the right place. Andrew kept me in the loop through the entire process and he was very nice and helpful. My repair was done in a timely manner and he did a fantastic job! Don't look any further for a repair shop for your beloved guitar, go see Andrew and know that you are in great hands. A job well done!!

This location has been around for a very long time! As a matter of fact, I believe this was the…read morelocation where I purchased my first (acoustic) guitar...and that was a couple of decades ago. Compared to some other locations, I don't think this particular store has a huge footprint, but it seems like there is still a great selection of many types of instruments. We came here to pick up a cord for my nephew since he just got a new amp. So we didn't need a lot of help on this visit, but for the limited interaction we did have, the folks here were super friendly and helpful. I'm guessing the parking lot was a little more busy than usual since it was around the holidays, but there is a devoted lot to the stores in this area and parking was pretty easy.

Rockin' Robbie's - Concord

(78 reviews)

•$$$

First and form most Absolutely amazing customer service! Entire team needs to shout out. I see no…read morenegative qualities at rock and Robbie's Concord. I am a beginner now and learning. I had nothing but ambition. Just like a normal person does when looking into something new, you compare and Contrast all the competitors within the same Business. Rock and Robbie's not only has amazing customer service. They are welcoming. The place is clean. They are very knowledgeable and their pricing is competitive. They are very affordable. Upon when you enter the building you get greeted. The layout of the store is very user friendly. You can see where everything is laid out. If you have any questions, they have gentlemen name Zach at the front, and he is very knowledgeable. Also extremely friendly. Not only I've purchased from that store, but I take a lessons there with an instructor name, Adam. I cannot emphasize enough how good he is at what he does. I've been going there for a couple months, and I went from knowing nothing to playing my own thing and be able to acompany myself with my instrument. Finally, I wanna thank everybody for making me feel so welcome there and if I can recommend this place to anybody definitely shop small. Small businesses really take care of their clientele!

My son's first year joining his school's music program and we chose Rockin' Robbie's to rent his…read moresnare and bell kit. It is a little scary because they don't offer an accidental insurance with the rental but the owner was really nice and took the time to explain their policy to offer some reassurance. She was very straightforward and professional. She also took some time to show my son the contents of the instrument kit, how to handle the equipment properly, and how the setup worked. Without that short overview I'm sure there would have been more accidents. Highly reliable and knowledgeable staff! We'll likely be back again for future instrument rentals.

Mighty Fine Guitars

(27 reviews)

I met Stevie first as a guitar instructor and I ended up buying two well crafted guitars from him;…read morea Corcoran 00 (my favorite of all time), and a Yamamoto OM Paulonia that plays in DADGAD like a dream. His guitar teaching and inventory is awesome. Neither of my guitars are still available, and yet they are my pals for life!

You have mighty fine guitars. My husband always wanted to visit your shop. The Gibson was very…read moresmooth and nice. Ty

RF Guitar Solutions

(4 reviews)

Amazing knowledge and attention to detail on the many guitars hes worked on for me! All of them…read morehave great setups, improved things like the pots, fretwork, restrings, new batteries in the preamps etc are all standard.

Got a new guitar that needs a setup? (Let's face it, they all pretty much do, these days!). Or an…read moreolder one that needs some work? Or any other customization you might want or need? Bob's your guy! He's extremely knowledgeable, meticulous about his work and care of your guitar, and a really professional person to work with. I took a new Strat to him to get it dialed in, and he did a wonderful job for a very reasonable price. Turnaround was quick, too--and it was finished before the date he promised, even. Very glad to have such a skilled luthier nearby, and I highly recommend him!

Chasing Tone Guitars

(40 reviews)

Langley is skilled and additionally a genuinely nice guy as well as being communicative and…read moreprofessional. We are absolutely lucky to have someone local that does such quality work - this is the guy.

I can't say enough good things about my experience with Langley at Chasing Tone. Incredibly…read moregracious with his time. I had some fret buzzing on a higher end acoustic. He made time for me same day. Walked me through all his suggestions to fix the issue and factored those to my playing style. Price was absolutely fair and he had it dialed in and ready for pick up the next day. Beyond fixing the guitar his willingness to let me pick his brain on all things guitar was a value in itself. Having a resource like Langley with a wealth of experience and a willingness to share his knowledge is invaluable for guitar enthusiasts!

Jordan Music Services

(22 reviews)

•$$$

I have never met anyone like Mr. Jordan -- he is truly a gem . Not only is he incredibly…read moreknowledgeable about music and instruments, but he is also a gifted artist and a genuinely kind human being who treats everyone with respect and integrity. He is someone you can completely trust. His shop is fascinating, but what truly makes it magical is the passion he pours into his work. Whether he's crafting instruments, carefully helping you choose the perfect one, repairing a beloved piece, or patiently answering a thousand questions from an 8-year-old, his dedication and love for music shine through. Places like this are rare. We came to pick up a violin for my daughter, and thanks to this wonderful experience, she continues to love playing. A poor instrument can discourage a child from learning, but a good instrument can inspire confidence and a lifelong passion for music. I feel so grateful for the opportunity to support his business, and I truly hope more musicians will visit to see his amazing work and show their support. Don't order your instrument from Amazon -- go see Mr. Jordan first. You won't regret it!

I went to see John for to get some new strings for my banjo. While I was there he was also able to…read morereplace one of the tuner buttons that had cracked. Very nice guy and good experience!

Music Exchange

(69 reviews)

We got our first piano recently from the Walnut Creek Music Exchange. Before we made this purchase,…read morewe visited a few piano shops and explored online listings. We ended up going with Walnut Creek Music Exchange for a number of reasons. First of all, their price is highly competitive. We purchased a used piano. The price offered was very good for a super well maintained used piano (they certified it before putting it on the floor). They also have a 10 year trade up program that we may apply every dollar that we spent on this piano to trade up for a different piano within the next 10 years, as long as the second piano is at least 2 times the price of the first piano. Their moving cost is super affordable, about 25% the price compared to other piano moving companies. Secondly, customer service is excellent. Store manager Carson blocked out one hour to spend with our family and patiently explained each piano to us. He even played songs on a few pianos that we were interested in so we could hear difference of the sounds from each piano brand. Lastly, their professionalism is unbeatable. The piano came within 2 days after purchase, tuned! They also gave us a free voucher to have the piano tuned again whenever we like within one year! We highly recommend Music Exchange Walnut Creek!

Disclaimer: I am musically challenged and know NOTHING about pianos! All I know is they play pretty…read moremusic and cost a lot of money, but we sold our daughter's piano before moving to California so we "had" to buy a new one. We walked into Music Exchange to look at their used upright pianos. We were immediately blown away by their large selection of new and used grand and baby grand pianos, upright pianos, and digital pianos. Of course some pianos costed upwards of $45,000 but others were very affordable between $1,000 - $5,000. Salesman Buddy showed us several affordable options and he truthfully told us the one we fell in love with was badly out of tune and offered to have it tuned for free before we made a final decision. As I was writing down my contact information for him, my husband and daughter fell out of love with the old piano and in love with a brand new digital piano which was priced $ 3,000 below retail price!!! No, Buddy didn't tell me this price difference we knew it as it was the new version of the old digital we just sold and did our homework lol The piano was delivered with white glove service to our house in less than 24 hours after purchase and now my house is filled with beautiful music again.

Lamorinda Music

(70 reviews)

I met a new friend here. We've been traveling around the same circles for a while but never met…read more She mentioned on FB that she was having her Ukulele tuned up here and we decided to meet. It was my first time in this shop. Wow, what a great little music store. They've got a ton of Ukuleles and other instruments as well. I brought my Ukulele because my E peg was buzzing when I play it. He had my ukulele fixed in less than two minutes and didn't even charge me! Now that's what I call GREAT customer service! I will be returning for my future musical needs. I'm eyeing a banjolele that I spotted while my friend finished up her transaction. I do recommend this shop, they are friendly, give good custom service that you just can't get at the big box music store.

Lamorinda Music in Lafayette, California Lamorinda Music is…read moretruly one of the most amazing places in Lafayette. We've been going there and using their services for years, and it's always a wonderful experience!Their selection of musical instruments is fantastic, and the staff is not only knowledgeable but also incredibly kind and welcoming. You can tell they genuinely love what they do.Currently, my son is taking guitar lessons with Mark, an exceptional teacher. He's patient, dedicated, and especially understanding with children on the spectrum. We're so grateful for the supportive and encouraging environment they provide.Thank you, Lamorinda Music, for being a place where music thrives and families feel at home

Wanderkauven Guitars

(11 reviews)

Brought in a headless Ibanez electric to have the volume and tone controls fixed to remove the…read morestatic sound. Marcello not only replaced the mini pots with full size normal pots (no easy accomplishment on this guitar) but changed out the capacitor also. This was not a normal guitar wiring job. The wiring on this guitar is complex and a lot of electric components are inside the small little guitar body cavity. Marcello made it all fit perfectly. Now with quality components it is better than when I left it off. Not just repaired but improved. On top of that he cleaned up the frets and improved the action. A plus for sure. I would not have a problem leaving any my other guitars for repairs as the guitar will be in good hands. Thanks Marcello.

Marcelo did a great job setting up my acoustic that came with a buzz. Plays so well. He definitely…read morewas thoughtful about the setup, given I mentioned my carpal tunnel and he was able to lower the action for me. Really kind and skilled. Would def recommend!

Danville Music

(126 reviews)

Our so take lessons here. He's always excited to go and the energy is always positive .read more

After talking at length with a sales person on the phone, my blind music partner and I were assured…read morethat the guitar and amplifier we inquired about was in stock. I did not mention that we travel with her Guide Dog (Ferguson) from Guide Dogs For The Blind in San Raphael. We arrived, having traveled an hour from El Cerrito, fully prepared to spend ~$4000, and see if they could order another $4000 worth of gear. While attempting to seat my Blind partner with her pup, a short, young, bespeckled man rushed over and said "No dogs allowed in here." I quickly informed of the "Guide Dog" status, to which he replied "Doesn't matter- you can't have a dog in here". I gently informed him of the law, via ADA, and he repeated, "Doesn't matter, you cant have him in here". At that point, the man behind the counter shouted, over a few customers' heads, that he had allergies and we need to get the dog out. I told him we'll be leaving, but that he should familiarize himself with possible exemptions of ADA rules. My feeling is, that if we had been treated more politely and professionally, we would have been happy to return later, when he was not present, to consummate a win-win deal with a different sales person. Seriously rude treatment from both staff members. This is not a misinterpretation of the exchange; these guys were crude. I am neither vindictive nor litigious by nature, nor is my Blind partner. But in this case, she is seriously considering action.

Seven Bridges Moving

4.9

(95 reviews)

Seven Bridges Moving sent me Tyler.and Frank, and let me tell you about this experience…read more.. . ..Tyler and Frank are two of the best persons and movers I've ever dealt with in my life. They help me move a lot of my smaller items, organize my things, they were timely, friendly, and very professional. They made my moving experience so painless, and I was on my last leg, very exhausted. They were kind to my dog, they helped in every way a person moving needs help. And I am very appreciative because their attitudes were amazing, none of my items were broken, everything was transported without any nicks, chips, or anything breaking at all. Everything was intact. I moved from Pleasant Hill California to Merced california. I will definitely do business again with them when I move. I very much recommend seven britches moving because not only are they very reasonably priced, their movers actually take the time and take care of your things, do the best of their ability, that everything arrives intact. This was probably the best experience I've ever had moving. I can't believe moving could be this easy! thank you frank, thank you tyler. And thank you Seven Bridges Moving! Can't wait to do business with you guys again!

This was our first time using movers ever so I reached out to a couple moving companies. Seven…read morebridges moving was very responsive and I believe their prices are very competitive. We were only moving furniture locally (about 20 mins from point A to point B), but we didn't want to deal with moving our furniture they were very fast and efficient! Everything was packed nicely to protect the furniture. They laid out carpet mat things to protect the floors. Would definitely use them again!

Encore Piano Moving

4.5

(112 reviews)

Great company and we scheduled on very short notice. Wonderful price. Very professional.read more

The Consulate General of the Republic of Korea gifted us a beautiful black Yamaha piano in perfect…read morecondition. Since he is moving back to Korea, he hired Encore Piano movers to deliver the piano to our home. Their moving price was $430 and other comparable movers provided an estimate for $600. Since their price was competitively better, the Consulate went with this company. Encore Piano movers texted me that they were 30-40 minutes at 6:58am. I was in the back room breastfeeding babies and my husband was working from home, so we both had our hands full, but we were prepared for their arrival and to let them know where to place the piano. Just looking at the piano from standing in front of it, everything looked perfect. My husband briefly looked around standing up and walking around the piano, and didn't see any damages. He never thought of crouching down to look at the piano closely like an investigator (ie back and bottom corners of the piano). Well, the next day, I had help with the babies and cleaned the piano, and found several scratches and dents (even broken wood in the back upper corner!). One would never see this unless you looked closely. I am livid. I hired professional Yamaha piano cleaners and they can't believe how this perfectly maintained piano arrived to our home with dings and scratches everywhere. My husband and I called the company and texted the same number that had texted us, and no one responded. Extremely disappointed!

In Tune Piano Service