bought my son his first electric guitar here. Ken was very helpful in choosing something practical and within my budget. ever since my son has been taking lessons and his progress has been amazing. it's been a wonderful experience and my son looks forward to it weekly. we look forward to adding an acoustic guitar to his collection as his love of music grows with the support and encouragement he receives here. read more

I took my ten year old Taylor in for a set up. It was at a point where it was unplayable. After cleaning, adjusting the rods and the saddle, along with new strings, it sounds and plays as good as new. Ken is knowledgeable and easy to work with. Nice selection of guitars and accessories. The fees were very reasonable. I will definitely be a repeat customer. read more

A Sound Choice - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Branford, Connecticut

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Local guitar/stringed instruments store that's been in business for a couple decades. In the past, I've had home lessons from one of their teachers and enjoyed them. Went the other day to get a broken string fixed on my old Silvertone acoustic guitar. Owner Ken told me my strings were old and should all be replaced. I agreed. Since I'm a beginner and have small hands, I'm finding the guitar difficult, which I talked to him about. When I went to pick up my guitar, Ken told me he used a lighter gauge string to help make it easier for me to practice chords, and I'll be darned ... it is easier! THANKS, Ken! read more

A Sound Choice - Old Silvertone beginners guitar. - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Branford, Connecticut

It's a small shop. That said, it has a surprisingly solid guitar selection. Not sure how the prices or service are, I was looking for keyboard/piano at the time. Seems like an average small-scale shop. read more

A Sound Choice - Small shop but good selection of guitars. - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Branford, Connecticut

I've know Ken for about 24 years, he does great and efficient work. I bring my guitars to him for repairs, tune-up's and to purchase strings, harmonica's and various accessories. Sound Choice is my prime choice for anything instrument related. read more

Brought in my bass today for a full setup, had it back in the same afternoon. plays tighter and better than it ever has. Thank you Ken! Will come back in the future for more services for sure! read more

The owner, Ken does brilliant work and knows exactly what he is doing. My Hamer Studio (Les Paul style guitar) that I'd recently bought online wasn't playing to my expectations, so I brought it to A Sound Choice. Within seconds, Ken knew exactly what to do, and set it up to factory specs. Then he handed me my guitar to get my opinion. The work was perfect, but I like my setup a bit higher than factory spec. A minute or two later, it was perfectly dialed in just the way I wanted it. That last step made all the difference. Ken is a real pro, and makes the extra effort to be sure you're pleased with his work. On top of that, he carries a really nice selection of guitars, basses, drums, books and accessories. read more

...just got a full setup on my epi LP-and it feels and sounds great!!...ken turned it around in a day....great work!!!...

Great little guitar shop with a nice owner! They carry some musical instruments and tons of picks, sheet music & other accessories. They do repairs and have music lessons. They also just opened a second location in the Branford center. Check these two locations out! read more

I usually do all of my own guitar work... sometimes, time is not available to do all of the necessary maintenance that higher end instruments require. Took a new G&L Commanche in, to have Ken take a look at a problem I was having with the set up. Left it with him to see if he could do something... sometimes, another eye sees what you might otherwise miss. He called me within 2 days, my guitar was finished, and ready to rock, for that weekend's gigs. There are few professional luthiers that I would trust with my guitars, left and still working, in the area... Ken is a rarity these days. His personal attention to the finer details, and his in depth knowledge, is greatly appreciated. I have since purchased, and sold, many great guitars and amps, through "A Sound Choice"... his service level is second to none... a true professional and artisan. - JJP, Branford, CT read more

This is a quality music store that provides services at all levels of experience and talent. The owner, Kenny, goes the extra mile to make sure you have what you need and can progress. I have been shopping there for years and it continues to be my go to source for everything from strings to music to instruments. read more

A Sound Choice - My Godin LG purchased at sound choice. - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Branford, Connecticut

Definitely worth the stop! This is a great local shop with awesome owner! I really hate going into the big chain music stores, you tend get people who are 1) waiting for their career as a musician to take off and could care less about you, 2) wanting to push stuff at you that you don't really need, 3) condescending and belittling if you aren't a wannabe professional musician like they are. So I am always on the lookout for real music shops like this- run by people who care about more than the sale and are interested in long term growth of their customers. Ken was amazingly helpful, walked us through the selection of an instrument for our 8 year old beginner, recommended some books, and tuned the instrument for us before we left. I'll be coming back for anything else I need in the future! read more

Kenny (the Owner) is a great guy (I've been using him for years!), and very knowledgeable. Also, don't be fooled by the size of the store - he can get anything for you in a few days. His repair work on guitars is outstanding, and he likes to talk techie with you, which all musicians enjoy! read more

I brought an instrument to this store to be set up. The instrument was already in good shape, but I noticed the intonation was off a tad. When I came back, to pick up the instrument, the guy rang me out while he was on the phone, so I had no chance to ask him what he did. Cost me 50 dollars. When I got home, I noticed that all he did was change my strings. I felt cheated. I will never bring my instruments to a store again. I recommend finding someone that works out of their home, will work on the instrument in front of you, and price their service fairly. read more

Sound choice is a wonderful guitar shop.....when they're open. I have had nothing but good experiences there. I have purchased several items there and found the prices reasonable, the location convenient, and the staff helpful and friendly. However, I have recently been attempting to return for several more items but was unsuccessful in doing so. The posted closing times for the days I attempted to go was 7 p.m. But, the first day I arrived at 6:30 and the store had closed early with no notice of doing so. I decided to come back the next day at 4:30 and noticed a sign saying an attendant would return at 5:10. I waited on my car until 5:30 until leaving out of frustration. Several other customers attempted to enter the store and also left out of annoyance. I was hoping for a better experience and customer service from a small town store. But, I will now be happily shopping at a conglomerate like Guitar Center where I at least know the store will be open when I show up. read more

Here's a place where you know who works on your instrument and it's done right with a quick turnaround time. Ken is a master artisan who'll dazzle you with his knowledge of guitars. I brought in a double-neck guitar that I was unable to play and he turned the 12-string neck into a nicely playable instrument. And he finished a day early! It feels good supporting local businesses, especially when their service is excellent. I'm happy that I found this place and I wouldn't hesitate to come back. read more

Good shop. Packed floor to ceiling with sticks and accessories. Very roots. Nobody there is going to feed you any bull or convince you that you are going to be a rock star overnight by spending more. Good quality stuff from a variety of known and obscure makers. Everything I tried seemd tested and tempered. Highly reccomend. Very glad this guy is between work and home. I'll be going back for a tweed combo amp and might have him install a lipstick pickup soon. Beware though: I ONLY went in to buy some damn strings and found a beautiful resonator guitar at an amazing price. The owner, who always seems to be in the shop, gave me the rundown on the obscure little company that built it and lots of great advice about the instrument itself. I came back three times to try it out before buying He was always pleased to see me, remembered my name, and never gave me a lick of guilt when I left without a purchase. (I spent hours trying to find a better deal online... didn't happen.) When I DID buy the guitar, on the way out the door he filled the included gig bag with picks and other goodies. read more

I thought the previous ratings I've read were a little hyperbolic at first, but I just picked up a repaired guitar and electric bass from Ken Johnson at Sound Choice, and I got some real quality work done at a very good price with almost instantaneous (same day) turnaround (and I didn't even ask). I'm not saying everybody can get his guitar repaired at such lightning speed, but it seems to me you have a way better than even chance of being very pleased with your experience at this store. While speaking with the owner, I got a good education as to the latest in the guitar business and certainly saw some very nice instruments there that I wasn't familiar with (and I've been playing for a half century). Whether he has what you're looking for or not, he is a very knowledgeable source of advice and a very pleasant man to speak with. Can't go wrong. It's a nice place, too--especially if you like a lot of guitars. read more