Totally bogus crap show. The "vintage" instruments are beat-up, dusty old rubbish that Mr. Slatnick has purchased over the years from Mid-East Mfg., which specializes in importing cheesy tourist-grade junk to sell to naive out of towners. People who can't discern between cheapo tourist garbage and proper instruments are easily wowed by the profusion of "exotic" instruments. No serious musician would ever be fooled by this stuff which barely rises about the status of firewood. The original owner Jerry Halpern, not the friendliest guy, was an honest seller of quality instruments. Give the jungle of dusty cardboard garbage that's on offer since Jerry passed away, he must be spinning in his grave. read more

I feel a tad bit overzealous writing a 2nd review for The Music Inn so soon but I just had to make these thoughts public. The Music Inn open mic is hands down one of the best in the world! So I live on Long Island and it can be pretty daunting at times driving all the way into the city, especially on a Thursday during rush hour, however The Music Inn is totally worth it, and then some!! Sign up starts at 730 (best to line up as early as possible though, say around 630ish) and performances begin at about 8. Last night it ran to about, and every act was incredible. I performed as well and the audience was super supportive and engaging. I saw one person who was there for the first time and they had such a ball that they ended up buying a gong, for like $200+. I love that! He would randomly hit it outside and proclaim loudly "I fricking love this place!" and I found it absolutely hilarious. The best part for me was the impromptu jam happening outside on the covid-era outdoor patio section. I joined in and we jammed for at least an hour, singing and playing everything from blues to rock to jazz. Lately on my daily drives I've been learning how to sing "Devil town" by Daniel Johnston and this was the perfect opportunity to try and perform it. Everyone joined in, we had a lead guitarist, a drummer (playing on a makeshift high hat from an empty plastic chinese food container), and several guitarists keeping rhythm. It was such a magical time! Oh and the cover is only about $5-7, depending if performing or not. If you're looking for some of the most authentic and passionate music in the city, head to Music Inn on Thursday nights at 8pm, you won't regret it! read more

4 stars for the open mic. It seems to be total anarchy there-- which produces good art, but expect less than professional handling of things on the part of the staff. But then they are probably just young kids being exploited, so... read more

Went to the variety show and had a ton of fun. The space is small and the chairs are tightly packed in, but once the show starts, you won't care. The space is really cool with all different types of instruments and old posters on display. It really is a fun experience read more

What a spot. Show up for their open mics. Some fucking crazy good talent is there! I love the vibe. The people. The energy. And all the instruments on sale. read more

Its a five star because of how different it is and the fact that like a NY landmark. Yes, it's not anywhere near as big or as fancy as either Sam Ash or Guitar Center, but it is damn unique and the collection of world instruments is unmatched. They're also super nice even as my kids touch and try everything! read more

Music Inn World Instruments - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - New York, New York

Cool shop, lots of world instruments, like a worldly cave of music. Has a lot of character.

I bought an excellent Kevin Spears Pro Kalimba here. The staff was friendly and accommodating. The selection of world instruments is very good. I love the bells and chimes. There is a nice selection of traditional flutes. read more

Love this place! Disregard complainers. Doesn't have enough ac for you to browse inexpensive used records? Then don't go in. Don't have manners to go into a real music store? Maybe stick to guitar center. Speciality music stores never let you play instruments unless you show you have manners and take instruction on their guidelines. I play high end instruments and Jerry is totally within his rights to not take an instrument down for you if you are horrid. I've been coming here for about 20 years. Jerry has helped me fix just about every string instrument-from koras tamboura. All my world music friend love him. And he charges so much less than the other luthier I use in beacon called Lord of the Strings. And yes-if you are rude he will ask you to leave instead of just not taking down an instrument for you. read more

Neat little music shop, with records and many instruments for sale In the summer, the place is stiflingly hot though. I couldn't stay in there for more than 5 minutes at a time. Good selection of folk instruments, including some weirdo things like a resonator ukulele. Prices are surprisingly not cheap. I guess I expected them to be more of a thrift store. I'd rather support local businesses than buy online, but... y'know. Money's money. read more

Music Inn is a seller of unique musical instruments from around the world. Here you will find instruments that most instrument stores do not carry. Stringed instruments are on the ground floor. The bottom floor is where you find various drums (djembes, steel/wood tongue drums), handpans, kalimbas/mbiras, singing bowls, gongs, and much more. I visited specifically to see tongue drums, of which I found two steel tongue drums, two smaller Hardwood Music and one Timber Drum. I didn't buy anything this time, but I had a lot of fun playing with various instruments. I also spoke with the owner, who was very polite to me. I plan to give this store a visit each time I visit NYC. read more

I happened to be passing by and stopped to take a look since I'm in the market to buy a tabla. Owner was a peddler of overpriced beat up Indian and African Instruments who called me closed minded and insulted my teachers. read more

Beautiful selection of instruments from at the world. Interesting selection of records as well!

When I came in, The store owner was asking another customer who was checking out if he played music or sang. I watched him help this person find an instrument to play around with, even though they had already checked out. I asked if i could help myself to trying some acoustic guitars and found one I liked right away. He gave me what I think is a good deal on it plus some other items. This is a man who loves music and helping people find their voice and talent. Even though I might've been able to find something online cheaper, it felt good to spend money at a place with such local flavor and character. read more

Fabulous! Jeff knows all! Really cool shop, and the guys working there are extremely knowledgeable. I just acquired a 50+ year old balalaika (a Russian stringed instrument). Tried multiple places -- Guitar Center, Sam Ash, a ukelele shop -- nobody had ever heard of it, and couldn't help me. Went here -- he tuned it up, played it, and even found me a case to carry it! $50 later, I am up and running. This is the place to go for all/any of your musical needs -- but especially, the specialty stuff when you need an expert! read more

Bought some percussion here as a kid back in the early 1980s. This shop is "old NY" kinda like what Seinfeld portrayed through the Soup Nazi. Those posting reviews about being treated rudely at the shop makes me smile in a very nostalgic kinda way. No instruments for you! Hope they never change! read more

Super nice folks welcomed us into their store. Very interesting and unusual assorted instruments. Coolest place in the Village when we were there! Come in with an open mind and leave with a smile! Peace! read more

Music Inn World Instruments - Downstairs of MI - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - New York, New York

When I first walked in, I was in shock how many instruments there was from all around the world. This place is two floors with really awesome pieces! If you're in the village, love music, play an instrument and listening to records, This place is a must see! The owner is knowledgeable and quite the character, he makes handmade instruments and you can walk in and jam out with him for fun :) read more

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THE place to go for literally any obscure, niche, unique instruments and tools as well as sheet music and books. The whole space is extremely welcoming as are the employees who are passionate about music. If you have any interest in music, stop by and you'll always find or learn something cool. read more

Wow, a musicians dream! A small two level shop, crammed to the brim with instruments. Instruments from around the world, with brands and makers that are near impossible to find. The two gentlemen working here were truly that; gentlemen. They took time out to answer all my questions and show me every instrument I was inquiring about. I was even allowed to play them. They had sitars by sitar makers that are nearly impossible to get your hands on. Yes, they are a bit pricey but I guess you pay for what you want. The older man was very knowledgeable and practically played every instrument he had there. He also showed me his own electric sitar that he made himself. So cool! Definitely a must see shop while in NYC! read more

This music store has a wide selection of musical instruments from around the world, such as sitars, balalaikas, ouds, pipias, kotos, samisens, Celtic harps, lutes, zithers, autoharps, shengs, bongos, thumb pianos, congas, tablas, harmoniums, mandolins, bouzoukis, bagpipes, and concertinas, as well as all strings, woodwinds, brasses, and percussions. It also sells records of all musical genres, such as pop/rock, jazz, country, folk, and classical. read more

I love this place! The owner is named Jeff - he is the real-deal old school blast from the past chill village shopkeeper that one only hears about as legends. Extremely knowledgeable about music, musicians and a RANGE of instruments. I own a beautiful KALA Ukulele from here and it is one of my favorite things in the world. The owner allows patrons to explore, handle, play and ask tons of questions about any and every instrument in this amazing shop. Definitely a true gem for ANY newbie and seasoned musician in NYC. So happy this place exists. read more

The last of classic New York. Support this store! They host awesome comedy and music shows here also. The guys who run the store are hilarious and helpful. Amazing community of artists around this place. Buy their records and shop here and not guitar center- duh! read more

Music Inn is a claustrophobic hovel filled with exotic instruments. I wouldn't come here for the joy of browing, but if you've gotta have just the right used balalaika and you've looked everywhere else, Music Inn might have what you need. If you enjoy banging your head on zithers, you're gonna go wild for this store where strange music-making gizmos from foreign lands dangle from the ceiling and form massive piles on the floor. read more

Music Inn World Instruments - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - New York, New York

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O.K. So It is going to be hard to explain to someone who has not been here how visceral an experience it was walking into this store, but I will certainly try. If you are at all interested in other culture's music or in rare and unique instruments, look no further my friends. I have kind of a sick obsession with unique and foreign instruments. If there is an instrument that sounds cool and looks odd I just must have it. Anyway, I had been looking to buy a sitar for ages, afraid of buying some piece of garbage off the net, and convinced I would never find a store in the U.S. that sold them, I had almost given up. That was, until I stumbled into the Music Inn. Everywhere you look there are instruments covering almost the entire store. The walls, floors, and ceiling are cluttered with endless kinds of instruments. The instant I walked in and saw several sitars hanging from the ceiling, I was in love. I stop here every single time I'm in New York. The older man that owns it seems to be an old hippie and he's quite knowledgeable and seemingly able to play any of the instruments in the place. This is the best music store I have ever been in as far as world instrument retailers go. I only hope one of you take the time to visit it and maybe you will have a heavenly moment as I did. read more

Extremely obnoxious and racist owner. I went in for a repair and after I decided not to go through with renting an instrument from him because he was overcharging, he said: "I don't know about how things work where you're from, but this is my shop in Manhattan and I have to pay rent. Take your instrument and go." I'm from NYC. read more

There's really not much to say about this spot. As I walked in, I was greeted by the owner and his two buddies who appeared stoned out of their mind. I was searching for the vinyl section which is down a metal staircase that might be the most dangerous known to man. Once you're in the dungeon of records, the experience only gets odder. For some reason they have a huge Christian/Gospel section, none of which is in any semblance of good condition. There appears to be a lot of funk/R+B as well, but these albums have seen way better days. I didn't even bother asking the price of any of the albums because I doubt any of them would have played on my turntable once I got them home. Other reviews here mentions the instruments hanging from the ceiling, which if you're tall may pose an issue. Also, walking into the basement will pose an issue. As a matter of fact there's foam so you don't bump your head. This place has to be seen to be believed. It was both heinous and amazing. Mostly heinous. read more

Wow, this shop is a true New York experience! Packed floor to ceiling with instruments of all different kinds. I went in looking for a Kalimba--they had a number of different kinds in varying prices and styles. The owner helped me find the one for me and even showed me how to tune it. He said he's been open in that location for 50 years, so you get the benefit of supporting a small, local business and being a part of New York history. read more

Music Inn World Instruments - A wall of guitars in the back of the shop. - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - New York, New York

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Pretty cool spot - old world New York spot you stumble into. Walked in because a group of musicians were outside and there was a small intimate free live performance in the basement. This was a Friday night. read more

Music Inn World Instruments makes me want to learn how to play a musical instrument... This place has all these cool instruments hanging up off the ceiling, on the shelves, and on the floor. And even though I don't have a clue how to play any of them, or even what they are called... I was a fucking rock star!!! So, if you are walking around this area and have some time spare, go into this place, have some fun... you won't be sorry. read more

Just dido on the staff and owner. I also don't give reviews often because I'm neither overly impressed or appalled. But this place. Overpriced junk, less than welcoming staff read more

At first glance the place seems like an Oasis of musical intrigue, then you realize the staff's stoned & busy hanging-out in front of the store doing nothing and you're left to your own devices to scour through what appears to be piles of junk which happen to be piles of miss-treated musical artifacts with prices set higher than the any concern for the instruments' well being. Don't bother going down stairs, just dusty piles of used & unrelated books and "garage-sale" quality records. The guys got great software, don't get me wrong, but the only thing higher than the prices are the piles of dust-bunnies. But Hey, Seriously it's not a bad place. They just need to remember it's a business & not a garage. Support Local Business !!! read more

Jeff is quite knowledgeable of the musical instruments and its origins. He offers me a nice discount on an Oud. read more

Music Inn World Instruments - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - New York, New York

Wow super rude! I came in looking for a Chinese zither, guzheng or guqin. They had no idea what kinda stuff they had and when I asked to test one of them they asked me if I was a "serious customer" or I just wanted to "play around". Well, that's a sure way to lose a sale! read more

Place has a vibe of its own located in southern manhattan. I've been lookin to buy a djembe forever and on my b-day I decided to go into the city to purchase one. Little research led me to this privately owned music shop with bunch of percussion instruments from around the globe. I was down stairs playing one of the djembes when a man with long white hair/beard asked me if I wanted to buy it. The price tag was a little too high for what I could comfortably spend, and he said, "you play with real soul... you've got great hands. I rather you take it than someone else that will not appreciate it as much." Right there and then he quoted a price for me that was just unreal. I knew he was being genuine and I appreciatively took the deal right there and then. The drum is from Ghana Africa and I could not be happier with the purchase and service I received!! read more

Nice employees, neat little store. A little hit and miss like a thrift shop i suppose. Found nothing in my pricerange, but neat to look around nevertheless read more

A great shop for instruments from around the world, and my favorite place to buy nev-r-drop picks. Knowledgeable staff, great vibe. Can't recommend it highly enough. read more

Horrible customer service. They have trash all over the floor, extremely hazardous. Worthless vinyl. Save yourself the disappointment.

It took me about a year to actually get here, but it was totally worth it. A wide array of used instruments from around the world, in a range of conditions and prices. Depending on what you're looking for, you might find a deal, or you might find some instruments that you could get direct from an artist in another country for half the price, but that's what you get for the convenience of browsing and trying out everything in the village. Staff are pretty chill, and the owner is an older man who is both laid back and super knowledgable about everything that comes in the door. I stopped in because I was looking for a bağlama saz, and there was a good quality one (missing one or two strings, with the lowest in need of replacing) available for me to play right away. I wound up stopping back in the evening, enamored with the saz I'd looked at, and the owner threw in a case (they literally had a saz case, I was so happy), a set of new strings and a couple of plectrums, and knocked $50 off the price since I was interested in it. They also do events, like an open mic night weekly, but each time I've dropped in someone has been jamming someplace. If you're looking to be waited on immediately, this is not the place to go, but asking for help directly is the way to go--and sitting around and enjoying the sounds is half of the fun. read more

I want to preface this review by saying I rarely give out bad reviews for any places. There are a variety of reasons why someone might receive service that garners a one star review. Today, I give a one star rating, not only because of abysmal service of one of the oldest employees at the establishment (the man with white hair and a beard), but also because of the morally questionable business practices of the establishment. I saw ethnic instruments and supplements in the most disrespected, battered conditions, being priced absurdly high for the quality of the goods. Additionally, many goods are not priced, with multiple staff naming completely different prices for the same goods. Any experienced, traditionally trained player would have enough experience with how these goods are priced to know what is near a market price of the good. They would find these prices unacceptable for both the pricing and abysmal quality of many of the goods. For example, I found sheet music that is priced, even as an import item, around $5-7. The staff with white hair and a beard, who enjoyed displaying some knowledge of Indian and Japanese instruments, said that these books are at least $25 per piece. These books are the same books sold by Chords Canada at around $6.50, despite import fees. No traditional player would find this a reasonable price. What *alarms* me the most about this, is that beginner players will fall for these prices. They will be taken advantage of, being sold damaged and sub par quality goods at prices higher than the same products *new*. This is the most disrespectful form of cultural appropriation I have seen in a while. This is dishonest business practice that does a disservice to traditional music of different ethnicities. I don't think this is the fault of the younger employees at the Music Inn. They are people who love music who are probably drawn to the diversity of instruments, and the free improvisations that go on at the ground floor. The problem are the employees in charge, who set the standard of disrespectful, capitalistic appropriation that makes these instruments into disrespected goods sold to rip off an unaware customer interested in world music. Looking at the high number of one star ratings and an unusually low 3 star average rating of this establishment, my experience is not a unique one. I enjoyed looking around and decided to leave when I realized that the pricing of these goods are done in a predatory manner that takes advantage of people who don't know better. That's what disturbs me the most - the very people interested in ethnic music traditions, that should be welcomed, may come to the Music Inn and be preyed upon as an easy customer to sell borderline counterfeit goods to. New York City is full of musicians of traditional world music of various traditions who have integrity, unlike the older staff in power at the Music Inn. I highly encourage all who are interested in picking up a world instrument to do a Google search to find an instructor for that instrument, who would know how to get a good instrument at market price. read more