WOULD NOT RECOMMEND.. terrible customer service. not a friendly environment at all. the owner or employees do not greet you as you come in, and the owner almost seems like he's upset that you even came in at all--he is not polite and to make it even worse, he will stare you down the whole time you are looking around the store. I took my guitar in for general repairs and the whole experience was very unprofessional. They did not give me an estimate for the repairs until I had asked and by then they had already taken my instrument to the back. I was told I would get a call later telling me when it would be ready...I never received one which was very inconvenient especially since I don't even live in Salinas. So I had to call back the next day and it still wasn't ready and I could not even get an estimated time in which it would be completed. I will definitely make a longer trip and pay a little bit more to go somewhere that actually appreciates and treats paying customers with professionalism and that doesn't make their customers seem like a chore. Don't let the pictures fool you, there is not much to this shop, and frankly it isn't worth visiting. read more

I've been coming to Wise Music for decades where I've (mostly) bought and sold gear. As you see by my rating, I'm a big fan of Wise Music for the following reasons: - Great selection of new and used gear - and pricing is competitive with anything you'll find online or in the bay area. - Nice atmosphere--I'm never pressured by anyone to buy and they're always open to letting me play anything in the store. - They take care of the instruments on the floor--when I go in to try, I usually pull out a guitar tuner app on my phone but their instruments are consistently tuned up, I rarely have to fix tuning. As well, before putting them out on the floor, they go through the guitars and basses to make sure that they completely setup to play as good as possible. - Friends of mine shop at Wise as well, and have the same good experience as I've had through the years. All to say, Wise Music is a great store, easy to find with plenty of parking. If you live on the Monterey Peninsula, there's no reason to drive to Gilroy or San Jose to get a better deal. read more

I too am glad that Wise Music is located in Salinas. Even if there were another music store in the area they couldn't compare. That because of how Peter conducts his business the old school way your handshake is your contract. Well, almost! BTW I have never been intimidated by the other employees. I'm also delighted to say that he is quite helpful to our Hispanic community. After all, music is universal. To sum it up: Knowledgeable ...Low prices, not cheep stuff. ...Helpful to say the least....If they don't have it they'll get it.... And no I wasn't payed to say these things... Besides you can meet some very interesting musicians there. aceuke read more

They were my first music store way back in the early nineties. I've since toured all over and have visited many music stores in as many towns as I could, but there's something about the way they go the extra mile to work with you and get you taken care of here that I've found to quite uncommon. For instance, Pete the owner sold me a vintage Fender Bassman and said if there was anything wrong to bring it back. I did just that, and they replaced a tube and a speaker on the house. I would certainly go out of my way to support them now during this pandemic, and I would also suggest that anyone else do the same! read more

Frank at Wise Music has repaired a handful of guitars that I have taken in. He's very friendly, professional and generous with his time. Frank does very good work and takes the time to explain the repair process. I took a guitar in today and although it was a simple job for him (cleaning guitar pots and fixing a switch), Frank went out his way to get the job done. He always treats my guitars with respect. Overall, I really like the staff and will continue to take my gear to Wise Music. Thanks again Frank! Happy Holidays to all of you at Wise Music! read more

I took my sons bass in to be completed by Frank. It ended up needing way more than a standard set up. Frank shimmed the neck, leveled the frets, did the intonation, figured out the wonky electronics, and a bunch of other things to get it right. It was a very fast turnaround, and he didn't charge me for all of the extra things he did even when I offered to pay. Super good guy, good tech, and the rest of the shop is good too. They have a great selection of gear, and it's a better experience than you get from Guitar Center. Recommended! read more

Crash course science and technology I damaged the ebony fretboard on my beautiful Jackson RR-MG electric guitar and felt inspiration lost never to rise against time, yep...forever defunct. Contact and a short while later my favorite instrument was in the hands of a skilled craftsman and quickly returned completely restored to an unbelievable professional degree thanks to Frank and staff at Wise Music! Thank you again. D. Pieri, Xotic Pane read more

I have been dealing with Wise Music shop for over 18 years. I can say with years of experience dealing with them, that there Customer Service Staff, and Repair shop Tec.(which is a guitar Luther), has always been Second to None. I can say this from experience and honesty. (F.Y.I.) YOU will know what I'm talking about as soon as you hit the front door. This! is why I give them 5 *'s signed: A Carmel Valley resident read more

I took my 1970 guild D40 to Frank (the guitar tech) to put in a pickup. The bridge had pulled away from the body. Frank built a new bridge, straightened and repaired the top, built a new nut, and put in a fantastic pickup, and adjusted the action perfectly. It now sounds better than my Taylor. Great job! I gigged with it last night and it performed perfectly. So glad to have it back in the stable! Thanks. read more

I have been doing business the past two years with Wise. I find the staff to be knowledgeable, helpful, and friendly. The store has everything one could want in instruments and sheet music. There repair department has worked on of my sons guitars and my accordion. The owner Pete is always there to assist. Best company I ever did business with. John from Marina, California read more

Took my son's banjo in to get the string repaired they found a component that was missing they repaired that. It was done in a timely manner. Service was great!I would highly recommend. What's different about them is that they take their time to help the customer and explain things rather than the big Corporate Offices like Guitar Center read more

Outstanding customer service, friendly, and well knowledgeable team. I took my guitar in for guitar intonation and to fix some feet buzz they had it fixed in no time. My guitar sounds so much better. I would absolutely recommend this store they know exactly what they're doing. read more

Love having a music store just minutes from home. Always friendly and fair pricing, but the service is exceptional. Brought my ukulele in for me strings and got a full reconditioning and a whole bunch of tips along with it. Nothing like local support. Highly recommend. read more

Wise music takes care of you. More than any other music store in Monterey peninsula. Kenneth and Pete are super nice- Jerry is super knowledgeable and Charles hooks it up with speedy yet efficient restring set up! Will be back soon! read more

I stopped by Wise music and to get some issues fixed with my guitar, and they were awesome not only are they all friendly but they were able to fix my guitar right then and there best music store in Monterey county, thanks guys read more

I went in today to get my guitar strings changed and they showed me how to change the strings. They also showed me some little tricks in changing the strings. Now I can change them myself! read more

Yes, I would recommend this music store. I found their staff knowledgeable about their business, helpful, and friendly. I will, definitely, be returning to their store when I'm able to. read more

Shout out to Frank for fixing my electric guitar wiring and upgrading electronics while I waited. Superb job. Thanks also to Charles. Store is a great asset to our community. read more

Went in today to get an amp Super friendly and helpful staff I've been to other music stores before and their kinda rude. Not here that's why I only go in to wise music read more