Tim was the absolute nicest, most informative, welcoming retail worker I've encountered in recent memory. He answered our novice guitar questions, and then just kept going. Showed me how to adjust string height, then proceeded to explain and demonstrate the different effects from different picks for my daughter. 5/5 stars, this place is great. From here on out, anything guitar-related we get here. read more

Bought 12ax7 pre amp tubes from them, it blew out after a day, I called and explained that they sold me a dud and they acted as if my amp was the problem lol after haggling back and forth and getting them to replace it, low and behold 2 days later it blew out! So they refused to make it right, I went to eurotubes and bought another 12ax7 and over a month later IT STILL WORKS! So I wouldn't recommend buying 12ax7 tubes from them, they buy the cheap low tested ones and then resale them. I looked into it myself from who they buy directly from. read more

Awesome shop run by awesome people. I get paid every Friday and take the long way home looking for something fun to do. Somehow I always seem to wind up going window shopping at Old Town. Every square inch is covered with something cool from one of a kind instruments to the vintage show flyers and music mementos on the walls read more

Great experience with selling my husban's Martin 12 guitar. Very knowledgeable and really knows the market.

Just got my bass back from them, tuned to drop A so they had to make accommodations accordingly. Got a phone call from the gal at 4 and another at 5 that it was finished. Made it to band practice with a new bass fully ready to go. 10/10 would recommend and will recommend to my buds. She even took the time to research my tuning and put together a custom set of strings for me. That's passion of the craft right there, nothing but respect for her. read more

nice people, I bought a used delta blues acoustic slide guitar from the 30s or 40s here they claimed. Beautiful thing for two hundred, still learning to play it and I'll never sell it.. I didn't even know why I bought it - was so attracted. He said you can always trade it back if you don't like it. I also got a beautiful, used fender mim strat. felt great, beautiful tone, it was an obvious yes as my first guitar...... Love browsing their online pedal shop so I can come try it in person! read more

Great shop. The people who work there are very helpful. We helped a college student friend get a used guitar case. He got a very nice case at a great price. read more

I always come here on my stops to Portland to see what used gear they have and to browse their massive pedal selection. I always appreciate places that put an emphasis on locally produced products. Would a music shop that consisted of entirely Portland-made music products be able to sustain itself? Maybe not. Old Town Music comes close by keeping all of the local pedals in a separate area. They have a lot of pedals that would be hard to find without a physical trip to Portland, and for that, I appreciate them. read more

A Portland standby, Old Town Music is everything Portland Music Co. isn't. Not the kind of place to go for a school band or orchestra student's outfit, Old Town is strongly geared toward guitarists' interests first, with smaller areas of bass, keyboard, acoustic instruments, and home studio gear - next to no drum department aside from a smattering of heads, sticks, and occasional accessories. Friendly, reasonably knowledgeable staff, but you won't have a "salesperson" in your face trying to "sell" you - there to answer questions if asked, but if you want to just look around and not be bothered, no problem. Stock changes often, so it's worth checking back from time to time just to see what's good, rather than shopping for something specific. One time they had obviously just bought out someone's stock from a closing backline rental business and had rows of Marshall stacks, Ampeg 8x10 SVT rigs, and more at stupid cheap blowout prices - picked up a good as new Supro 1688T 2x12 amp for a couple hundred bucks instead of the $999 it went for "on sale" everywhere else. Another time, Fender 1952 laps steel, $175. You just never know what you'll find! read more

Old Town Music - Picked up for a song at Old Town, repainted (original finish was long gone), and replaced "fingerboard" - a keeper! - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Rude and unhelpful staff, specifically Matt. After visiting I found out both the owner and manager tested positive for covid, and are continuing to work and refuse to address it or close. I wouldn't waste your time or risk your health by going here. read more

This place has covid and they wont close or address it. Please stay away for your own safety. (Plus the prices are bs and they treat their employees like shit. lets be real if you've been in here the last couple months you know.) read more

stopped in on a whim and walked out with a used Yamaha MODX8 synth, amp, and stand for about half of what the big music chain store gets for a used one of the same model. Great shop. Loving my new keyboard! Thank you read more

Old Town is a great little cavern for a certain kind of musician. The floor is covered in strange, old, (mostly tube) amps, and the walls with guitars. There's always some strange synthesizer lying around and there's a greater selection of wierd effect pedals than any I've found in Portland. The staff is really cool too, and always helpful. It's a great place to get your gear. read more

Old Town Music - the repair bench - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Portland, Oregon

They have one of the largest pedal selections in Portland and the prices on those pedals are the same as anywhere. They also have used pedals and gear which can be fun. The customer service was very average, the guy didn't really seem to care much and kind of mumbled a bit. They had five or six affordable used bass amps. I'll give em another shot in a few months. read more

Quite possibly the most ridiculously awful customer service from a music store I've ever experienced. A month ago I bought a guitar and a volume pedal. I asked the employee for an Ernie Ball volume pedal. She said "sure" and grabbed one for me. Not having ever owned one of these, I didn't realize that she had given me one that was incompatible with my guitars. (It's the one for active pickups. I don't have any guitars with active pickups. You would think maybe she might have noticed this, since I was buying a guitar without active pickups... Or at least asked?) Since it was around Christmas and New Year's, I went out of town. I came home to realize that it was the wrong pedal. No problem: any normal store would swap it. Right? Wrong. Picture this: you run a business and a customer comes in, politely points out that your employee gave him the wrong thing. The item is still in its original packaging with your store's price tag on it. All he wants is the item that he thought he was buying. You decide that you're willing to lose a customer because you ordered one to replace the one you sold? How ridiculous is that? Fixing the problem would have cost them nothing. Literally nothing. They legitimately told me that they would not exchange it. The guy was even like "I don't make the policy, I'm just here to enforce it." Yeah? The policy is stupid. I wasn't trying to get a refund, I wasn't trying to trade it for a bunch of other stuff: I literally just wanted the item that I had tried to purchase in the first place, and these clowns were willing to eternally lose my business rather than suck it up and make their mistake right. All of my future guitar and pedal purchases will be made elsewhere. Merry Christmas. read more

Since moving to Portland in May 2017 I made a point of frequenting this shop about once a week, as I've worked as a guitar tech and cashier at Jim's Guitars for years in San Rafael so I find it interesting to see how these larger stores operate. I'll update this review when I get home tonight to include the specifics of how they ripped me off, and then proceeded to completely screw me while treating me like garbage again and again. The story is almost hard to believe, but the bottom line is that they have a large selection of very high end guitars and amps, the mid-range guitars (MIJ vintage) are almost absent. So if you're in the market to spend well over a grand and don't care that you're being charged upwards of $200 more than it's worth, this place is a great fit for you. You also have to not mind being patronized and treated like you as the customer know nothing, and that the employees have the answers to every thing involving musical equipment (it just always is an answer that means spending more money coincidentally). Just do your research before deciding to go to this music store, as Portland has so many other ones that I've heard are affordable and keen to help the customer instead of belittle them. I've spent around 2k at this shop unfortunately, so I'd love to know why they think that I'm not worth treating with any respect. Oh well! read more

Old Town's Halsey store does it again- went back in and got a Holy Grail reverb and a Vox wah pedal; a can of De-Oxit later,& my 1963 Deliuxe amp sounds brand new, and am happily annoying the neighbors on 11. Now, if Covid would end, we can get back to gigs!! Thank you, Rick- you are AWESOME! Am inspired again! THANK YOU! read more

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I've purchased a few dozen cords in my life but the two most expensive were from here and they were literally the worst cords I've ever purchased and they refused to return them or trade them. read more

Selection of effects pedals is really impressive. Knowledgeable and helpful staff, too, even in COVID times.

Worst place ever. They buy your gear cheap and turn it around 100s of dollars plus they just straight up suck. As if they deserve to exist. Fuck you guys read more

I've sold gear to this place plenty of times. Very transparent and upfront about pricing, trade v. cash, etc. They've even bought stuff from me they didn't really want. Probably because I stop in every few months and try not to be a headache. I could definitely see them being unhelpful and curt to socially unaware, unreasonable, or dense people. Matt's always been courteous. Specifically Matt, and every other staff member I've dealt with. read more

Not sure I would go here again. I went to buy my husband a present for his birthday and the guy at the counter acted like he did not have any time for me. I asked him about a few pedals and he seemed pissed that I did not know what I was looking for. So I deiced to buy a gift card after 20 minutes of waiting I just left the store I don't know a bunch about music gear but that's what I thought costumer service is all about. I deiced to go to Centaur Guitar that was the next place on the list from my husband and I could not say enough good things about that shop. oh well looks like I made my choice. read more

The transaction was simple: I sold an old guitar and bought a new one. Everyone there was helpful and friendly from the minute I entered. They did not make fun of my inept playing while I "tried out" (ie. play the 4 chords I know) the guitars they suggested. Perhaps because my playing was so terrible, they did not attempt to sell me super-beautiful, carefully crafted, and expensive instruments that musicians at my playing level do not really deserve to play (at least, not yet). Because of my previously mentioned ignorant beginner perspective, I'm not one to judge whether the people who work there were "knowledgeable," but they seemed like guitar devotees, and caring scores big points for me. Unlike car mechanics, they were able to translate their expertise into a language I could almost understand...a language I aspire to understand considerably better than I do now. Then again, they were talking about stuff that goes over my head like nuclear physics and cryptic early '90s East Coast rap lyrics. We'll see. Anyway, Old Town Music. Four enthusiastic stars! The only thing that could have improved this rating is if they would've thrown in a quick complimentary guitar lesson with my purchase, but it was a little too busy for the Old Town Music staff to swing that. I am now at home enjoying my instrument tremendously, practicing loudly and badly in the privacy of my own home, where I belong. I look forward to the day when I will be good enough to enter Old Town Music as an actual musician. read more

Old Town Music was recommended by my guitar teacher, and since I was looking for a used electric guitar, I decided to take a chance and go down there. I was pleasantly surprised! The selection was very nice, and the guys in the shop were friendly and helpful. Hank, in particular, helped me out and was patient with a fairly new guitarist trying out a number of different guitars in the store. Yeah, it's in Old Town, which means you have to put up with some crazies (which I did when I was there), but hey, its Portland! Strongly recommended and will be back for more! read more

Looking to trade in my old, short scale bass for a regular size. Great funky, homey setting, lots of stuff, fair prices and very nice music guys working there. A little tricky to get to, after leaving it took me a couple minutes to find my car. read more

I have a penchant for buying $4 dollar harmonicas that I can't play, fingerpicks when I don't own a banjo, and components for my own partially developed weird guitar modifications. When I want anything that has to do with guitars at a reasonable price and I know nothing about it, I go to Old Town Music. The staff is knowledgeable and the walls make my wallet yearn to be full of Benjamins. Sure, I've seen better prices online, but for a little bit more (and not as much as other music stores down the street, ahem), I get an eyeful of stringed and amped goodness and an earful of info. I've looked for other places in downtown that sell used parts and components, but I have been sorely disappointed. And so, I keep coming back, and I will continue to do so as long as I have my tinkering affliction and my affection for tones. read more

They have moved to a new location -- no longer in Old Town! -- but still a superb music store. Other reviews have mentioned the friendly service. It certainly is. And good service is very unusual for a music store. At many stores, the employees drip with attitude. Here at Old Town, they actually want to help you, rather than impress you with how cool they are! What a refreshing change. The selection also is good, and so are the prices. Just a fine place for guitars, drums, strings, harmonicas, amps, parts, repairs, etc. You can even stop in just to look around. No pressure or hustle. read more

This place is really cool!!! The staff were super nice too which is refreshing because I've had my fair share of sexist, up themselves shop employees or the dudes at guitar center that try and hit on you when you're just like "just lemme try out the damn pedal already" ANYWAY I tried out this adorable little sea foam Danelectro, sounded perfect, and experimented with a variety of pedals including this wicked, dirty, and crunchy fuzz pedal that I was SUPER close to purchasing on the spot buuut I held back. Stupid adult responsibility. The ONLY drawback was the lack of sound proofing in the practice rooms, which can be expensive so i get it but still kinda difficult to focus on what you're doing when the kid in the next room is noodling away on a brand new SG, trying to be the next Jimmy Paige. ANYWAY, check this place out. Decent prices, decent stock of equipment. A++ read more

I am your typical parent roadie and this store is excellent. We dropped in after a visit to Lewis and Clark and spent an hour in the store watching and listening. My son was checking out pedals, but the store was busy. From what I could tell, the staff did the right thing by everyone, didn't try to upsell them or do any of the other things that can happen at a guitar center type of operation. This is a great store for the serious player or anyone wishing to get some questions answered. step around the panhandlers and grab a doughnut at Voodoo. It will be worth the experience. read more

The range of equipment is incredible, and I think you'd truly be hard pressed to leave here without something you want or need (same thing, right?). The guitar pedal selection is out of this world, and the staff are outstanding. No elitist views, no snobbery. There is so much knowledge here that no amount of reading of reviews can replace just turning up and asking for some recommendations. read more

I think this is a nice store - and COULD be a very nice store.. BUT, I was VERY put-off by the lukewarm, sarcastic and belittling reception I received from the 30/40-something guy (not going to name names) wiry, with short-cropped salt and pepper hair who "served" me when I came to sell some equipment the other day.. From when I first walked in the door, I was just given a stare and when I politely said I had some things to sell, I was flatly and "aloofly" told (by 30/40-something, wiry, short-cropped salt and pepper hair guy) that there were 2 buyers (I wish I had gotten the second one).. From the get-go, 30/40-something, wiry, short-cropped salt and pepper hair guy was snide about the equipment I politely showed him; poking fun at remarks I made about the niceness of the things I brought in with sarcastic counter "put-downs".. At one point, he dropped one of the items I brought in on the floor and I jokingly said "you own it now"; he came back with flip, sarcastic, remarks about giving me LESS money - not in a humorous manner.. I have a very good sense of humour; he was just snide and nasty.. I would not want to bring things in to sell again, based on this experience and probably won't, unless I get another person.. I have a lot of other stuff to sell, but, based on this experience, would not bring things in to "Old Town Music" because of this particular staff member.. Hopefully, the owner(s) and management will address this problem; 30/40-something, wiry, salt and pepper hair guy desperately needs some hospitality training and should lose the "affected, despise-the-world, artist" attitude.. Thank You.. read more

Lots of selection, very customer-friendly. In case you don't know, life is hard as a bassist. It's a guitarist's world. We couldn't even find the basses on our first tour through the store. My GF asked the nearest employee, who appeared to be the guitar tech and was busy on some restoration project. But he jumped right up and happily led us to the bass section. He even commiserated with me on my first-world problems. read more

Vintage audio electronics, guitars, and amplifiers. I could spend entire paychecks here if I had a job. But my favorite part is chatting with the veteran musicians and rockers that work or patronize this store for stories and advice about my own musings and rockings. read more

By far my favorite instrument store in Portland yet. Why? Because they have a great range of products from $200 Yamaha guitars to vintage Martins and Fenders. Better yet, the staff is super chill and helpful. You can play all of the instruments without staff giving you a hard time, and they don't hound you or try to make you buy stuff. When it comes time to get an expensive guitar, it'll likely be with these guys. Until then, I'll enjoy coming in on rainy weekend days. read more

One of my all-time favorite music shops and it's right here in Portland. I picked up a cool Hofner Beatle Bass at Old Town Music today (you never know what you'll find at OTM) at a great price. Thanks guys! read more

I fell on some hard times and had to sell my beloved Les Paul. It was hard to see her go, but I was dealt with fairly and expediently. I will return one day when I am done with Medical School and spend money here. I remember feeling bummed that I had to sell, but the owner was like " Well, we will fix her up and someone will get to play it" which was encouraging. Good people. read more

Really cool shop. You will always find unique gear in there. Tons of pedals. The staff is always friendly. read more

I called ahead to make sure they had what I needed and showed up with $300 cash in my pocket to pick it up. I walked in the door and they treated me like a thief immediately asking to look through my bag. I e-mailed them about it and they never got back to me. I wanted to support a local business but I will never return to this awful store. Skip this place. Go to Trade Up Music instead. read more

My husband is a musician so for fun we go to music stores... for hours. When in Portland recently we "Yelped" some new places to check out. We usually end up at Guitar Center they have all of the same stuff, so it can get pretty mundane. Old town had a plethora of used music gear, needless to say we did not walk out empty handed. Found a wood cased Mesa Boogie with a wicker front and a Warmoth guitar, that my husband said is one of his favorite guitars now. The prices were way more than fair and the guy helping us was great. He was knowledgeable and very helpful. We will be back from more, just have to save up for the next visit. read more

Essentially, I agree with all that has been said by the other posters; Old Town Music is a great place with vintage swag and a great selection. Service has never been a problem; you get the feeling that the employees like working there and love the products. Consistently good service. Prices are good - respectable for the gear carried here. They will continue to get my business. read more