I was searching for a guitar guy to re-fret my Ibanez JS1200. If you have a guitar that needs…read morework, this is the guy to use! His attention to detail is unmatched in this current business strategy. High communication during the re-fret process, with clear descriptions and many photos. I will trust all my guitars with Robert. I've been playing that guitar for a while now (JS1200 from 2006, autographed and drawn on by Joe Satriani; I asked him to draw something on the front of the headstock and autograph the back of the headstock; whom I met pre-show in Dallas) and I wore the frets out! I had the neck truss turned, the bridge raised, just to make it playable. I got it back from Robert and the neck was arrow straight, the bridge reset and the frets! The frets were smooth and the edges/ends were rounded and very easy to play. The fret work is amazing. They are such a great clean job that I find myself playing this JS1200 more than my other guitars, again! Like an old friend coming home. Robert also did above that which was asked, he oiled the scratchy pots and cleaned the board and body. The care taken to repackage it for shipping is something others need to learn from. He was aware that the sharpie wasn't the best for drawing on the headstock, and he took great care not to touch either the autograph or the drawing. This was a couple months ago, and I wanted to play the guitar for a while to get a feel for it. The cost was very fair. I will send my guitars to Robert every time!

He is the best at what he does, nothing is ever left until it is the best he can do! He works with…read moreall his clients to make sure they are happy! I know because I get to see him in person all the time. And his perfectionism is true gift when it comes to making an instrument work well for its owner. He knows how much it means to his customers to be taken care of their baby! The vehicles to your dreams.

Well stocked, kind, and helpful. Why go anywhere else? Besides Ted Brown has been in Seattle for a…read morelong time, maybe 40 years +. I like to support the classic Seattle stores. Ok, so you could say like Nordstrom, Starbucks, and Amazon? No. Once a store has achieved world domination I give up on it. The rest of the world supports Amazon so why should I? But I do like to stick with the smaller stores like Ted Brown that have managed to hang on for decades.

Sad that I absolutely dread walking into this store these days. It used to be an extremely happy…read moreplace for me. Now I get looked at like I'm trash, not spoken to and completely ignored by employees of this company. I have walked in with $5k budget to buy tour gear with and left to make a Sweetwater music order in the parking lot. Music stores are dying and this one deserves it. If all the other string music stores act the same way I get why Sweetwater is so popular. Just a terrible music shop with really bad employees and mid level gear you're not missing anything.

I recently found one of my old brass instruments, the trumpet in storage and recognized the valves…read morewere stuck after a decade of sitting, never been professionally cleaned ever, just needed a good service and Seattle Sound Repair came through. 1. I called ahead to ask if I can bring in my trumpet for an estimate for services. 2. I got there, got an estimate for services. I was also informed that I would be notified if the cost would be greater. 3. I did get a phone call that the trumpet for the most part was done but there were other issues (which I knew existed when I first had it over two decades ago) which could be resolved but it'd cost extra. I agreed to it. I figured if I'm going to get it serviced, I should just pay to get it serviced in full and the right way. The communications were timely and transparent. Looking around the place reminds you of a music store Mr. Rogers would have visited. I'm happy there is a brick-and-mortar shop that still performs this craft of repairing instruments. Also, out of all the years I've played this old Yamaha trumpet, it never played so great as it does now. It pays to have a professional service. Of note, best time to go here is in the morning if you drive because there's a good chance you'll find free 2 hour parking.

Marie does great work, in timely fashion, and charges a very fair rate…read more This is the only shop in town that I trust with my horn.

Incredibly knowledgeable and friendly staff, highly recommend! I'm so appreciative they were able…read moreto accommodate me by bringing a chair and instruments up to the main landing since I can't do stairs. Dusty Strings is a legendary gem.

The world needs more guitar shops like this. Damn fine selection of Acoustic Guitars, Electrics,…read moreBasses, Harps, with a curated selection of amps and fx. Also probably one of the best Ukulele selections you'll find; not the cheap toys...real ones made in Hawaii and even some Japanese models that I've only ever seen in Tokyo. There's accessories and instructional books too. I did really want to see a few lap steels but I can't fault them for that...they did have a selection of finger picks and tone bars at least! Worth popping in even as a visiting tourist like me.

Good people with great knowledge and willing to work with you on pricing, buying, selling and…read moretrading.

Go here!!!! Very very helpful and friendly staff. They…read moregenuinely wanted to help me get the best deal and did not try to upsell me on anything, which was a relief. They weren't condescending to me as a beginner either, and gave me the information I needed. Great atmosphere, super chill and laidback. Incredible prices too. I got a fender amp for half the price of what it would be at other shops.

Last-minute invitation to join a friend resulted in one of my most memorable experiences for 2026…read more They are celebrating their 10th year as a sound temple. It was confusing because the address indicates a restaurant so you have to walk to the back of the restaurant and look for a gate that takes you into an enclosed garden-like area with prayer flags and lights. Inside t space was very comfortable: the temperature was comfortable with more than a dozen mats neatly laid out and prepared for guests. We were invited to be cleared with Rosewater spritz and feather energy. It was very intentionally and thoroughly done like an initiation into the space. It helped us feel like we had arrived and could be very present to ourselves in the space. When everyone had arrived we were oriented to the kinds of sounds we might experience as well as the state of mind, everything from moving into it transported space to falling asleep as, she pointed out, it is sometimes the thing we need the most. We were not rushed, we were invited to write our intentions. When she began, Karen was very skillful at making the Crystal bowls sing. For an hour we were transporte. It was an extraordinary experience...so said all of us. Several asked about alternative sessions including private sessions and private events. It will be a joy to return.

I thoroughly enjoyed the Sound Healing Level 1 class that Irene and Karen taught. The class was…read morelike moving through a beautiful ritual, with intention, ease and beauty. Both teachers conveyed the information in both a practical manner and an embodied example. If you are looking for a deeper experience and understanding of vocal toning and sound healing, I highly recommend!

Helpful, knowledgeable, good selection. It's been in Seattle for over 40 years for a reason.read more

Rosewood has an incredible classical guitar selection. It's great that such a specialized store…read morelike this exists in the neighborhood.

Only five stars available here. I'd give them 10 stars if that was possible. Lovely people! Clean…read morebright shop, extraordinarily helpful and with a level of knowledge that I've not seen anywhere! I had bought a violin with the intent of relearning the instrument after nearly 60 years of absence of playing. The "well regarded" violin shop in my little town raved about at local teacher, who was said to be an expert in helping former players. Seemed all she wanted to do was sell me an expensive "custom made" chin rest - it wasn't "custom made' and an expensive shoulder rest while suggesting that the violin I had wans't all that good and that I should buy one from her. After three visits and $300 without any lessions, and a violin that hurt to put on my shoulder - wonder if this was her way of shaking my confidence in my instrument and buying one from her? Anyway. I gave up! Enter discovering Olson's. In 20 minutes and a little fine turning I've got a new shoulder rest and chin rest for about 1/4 of what I spent at "Brand X" and a violin that I can now nearly effortlessly hold on my shoulder. I drove a 50 mile round trip for a first visit. WELL worth the time ! Like I said - 10 stars!! Laurence Lance

Went here to get a violin for my 5 year old. They were so helpful and it was very reasonable for…read morethe rental.