I love music shops, and have visited -- and bought gear from -- many stores over the 50+ years I've been a musician. The disturbing trend, of course, is the "music superstore," with a warehouse full of instruments sold in big-box fashion by refugees from Costco, who wouldn't know a trumpet from a trombone. Nazareth Music Store is a refreshing example of the stores I loved in my younger days: the people at this shop know the instruments they sell, and want to make sure you love the instrument you buy. And they're FAMILY. I called Dot on a Friday, to see if the shop had a specific guitar model xxx in stock. Without having to consult a computer inventory, she immediately said no, but she could get one in a day. She talked about what a nice model I had asked about, then asked if I had ever considered model yyy instead? Dot then discussed the subtle differences in tone, volume and materials between the two, and suggested that I stop by to try them out before deciding. I said thanks, and that I'd try to get there the following week. Something in the knowledgeable way she talked definitely made me want to stop by sooner rather than later. The following Monday I made the 90-minute drive to Nazareth. Dot was in the front, and actually RECOGNIZED MY VOICE. Holy cow. After some brief chit chat about my guitar experience and needs, Dot led me way back to the guitar room (this store is waaay bigger than it looks from the street). She had me put on an apron to protect the instrument, then handed me the model she liked. My second holy cow in less than 10 minutes: I loved her selection! SOLD! Dot and I talked about guitars for a few minutes, I added a humidifier and t-shirt to my guitar, then we meandered back to the cash register area for the bad news. GOOD NEWS: a really GREAT price! (Full disclosure - Dot had told me the price when I first called her the Friday before. But it's still a great price, and considerably less than another local store had quoted me) Since I had purchased a Martin guitar, and since Nazareth is the home of the world-famous Martin Guitar Factory, Dot had suggested that I make an appointment with them for a professional setup. When I arrived at Martin, the technicians asked me where I had purchased my guitar. I mentioned the name of the store, and one of them spoke glowingly about Dot's knowledge of guitars. So there you have it: I love the store, and so does at least one professional from Martin. And you will too (unless you actually like those box-box stores....) read more

Nazareth Music Center is in a class by itself. I brought my clarinet in to be serviced at the end of last week, as I struggled to play in a recent performance and wasn't sure what was going on with my instrument. Scott took a quick look and didn't see anything glaring besides a small missing cork, but said he'd examine it to be sure. We had a really nice conversation during the visit about everything from synthetic reeds to pianos and piano tuners, as both my husband and I had lots of questions (both being musical and having recently relocated to the Lehigh Valley). My clarinet was ready just a few days later, and when I picked it up, it was sparkling clean and had a new cork pad installed to replace the lost one. In addition, my mouthpiece had a mouthpiece saver applied (which i desperately need as i tend to bite way too hard) and a synthetic reed included for me to try. To my surprise, there was no charge for the service or any of the bonus items! What an all-around wonderful experience. I will definitely be back for all my accessories and repair needs going forward, and will highly recommend Nazareth Music Center to all my musical friends. Thank you so much! read more

Nazareth Music Center - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Nazareth, Pennsylvania

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So so happy we decided to first rent, then purchase our instruments (flute and clarinet) here. They are very welcoming, knowledgeable and patient with my very inquisitive kids. It's a pleasure dealing with this business, I highly recommend. I look forward to having our instruments cleaned (and repaired if necessary) by these good people. read more

Very pleased with service and communications. I bought several vintage saxophones and the tech did a great work and honest. I'll continue to have my vintage saxophones serviced at Nazareth Music Center, Thanks Nazareth Music Center...!!! read more

They ordered a hard - shell case for my Martin 018 for me. It arrived in 2 weeks and was more than I could have asked for. I am extremely happy with their part in this whole process and would highly recommend them. read more

This is a really wonderful place! Their inventory is amazing and their staff is super! If you need repairs on any instrument this the right place to go. Their prices for instruments, lessons and repairs are EXTREMELY fair. Anyone within 100 miles of Nazareth, Pennsylvania would be foolish to buy from an online seller. Consider stopping in at the Nazareth Music Center and trying more instruments and mouthpieces than you have ever seen. This place has been family-owned since 1960. Support local businesses! read more

Friendly and cozy musical instrument store, specializing in school band instruments. It's been around for years (according to the owner) and has grown rather large, so don't let the modest store front fool you. Found a beginning "percussion set" for my nephew with no fuss -- the only place around Bethlehem where I could find one. Offers both purchase and lease option for most instruments. Nice! read more

Stopped here after my visit to the Martin Factory. Great selection of Martin guitars, and the employees are very knowledgable. Dot spent time pull out any guitar I wanted to try and it was really hard leaving without one. Their prices are phenomenal and hard to beat. Their hands on service can be a little awkward at first as they sit with you while you play the instrument (the store is really tiny). Their love for Martin guitars is evident. read more

Good place for lessons and a good place to buy some nice Martin Guitars. I've purchased drum brushes here and they lasted a little while, but nothing bad enough to make me shy away from the place read more

I came here after touring the Martin factory, to look over some Martins. They're a little fussy about allowing access to their instruments, their prices are really good. They beat out Elderly Instruments, Mandolin Bros., and all the big chains by significant margins. They don't service instruments, however. You would need to go elsewhere for set up or warranty work. read more

Extremely helpful staff. We do not take lessons there but stop by when we need to buy something. They are very knowledgable. Thanks for taking the time to look for just what we needed. read more

They will never be able to tell you how good it is until you go in. I've been here a handful of times and thankfully found out about it on the inter webs looking for the best place to buy a Martin guitar. This is it- hands down. They take such good care of their instruments. First and foremost, let me state Peter is SO helpful. He gave us aprons to try guitars and I said to myself after my first visit: I will buy my Martin there. Well, I have geared everyone towards there. I've calculated about a 40 percent discount off of factory pricing which is unreal. This is guitar country and this is the place. Peter also referred me to another 11/10 worthy experience with Frank Finnochio who was also fantastic (review to come). My mom bought her guitar there in November 2015 and it was the only place within miles that had the wide variety of small bodied Martin guitars. Peter really knows his stuff and is extremely helpful and polite. My mom is very happy with her purchase and I would stack this place up against any guitar store I've been to in the U.S. to date. read more

Nazareth Music Center - You know when it just feels right. This place is the best ! - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Nazareth, Pennsylvania

This music shop is much more about taking your money than taking care of you. Rented an instrument with the verbal promise that I could return it and switch to another instrument at any time AND if I chose to purchase that or a different instrument, I could use a considerable portion of that rental fee towards the purchase of a new instrument. Read the contract and it seemed to agree. After renting an instrument for 3 years, my son wanted to try something new, so we went into the store, confident we could purchase a new instrument with the $1200+ we had accumulated renting the old one and were flat out refused. We pulled out our contract and they smugly showed us how it had been worded to imply we could purchase a different instrument, without actually confirming we could do that. They have now pocketed our $1200 and we are back at square one, trying desperately to save up for an instrument we cannot afford. To take advantage of students and parents who are trying to find an affordable way to explore music is deplorable. Every music store in the Lehigh Valley offers good instruments for rental, most have better hours, friendlier staff and lower rental fees, we went to Nazareth Music because their rental policy seemed to keep the needs and limitations of the average family in mind. What they have really done, however, is taken full advantage of the average family and kicked us to the curb. Shame on you!!! read more