Ever notice so many people post negative reviews but never take the time to post a positive review?…read more Picked up a new Martin Guitar that was on sale - I saved over $500.00. I was just driving by, but being on sale plus the fact that it had all the goodies, all solid wood, solid Sitka Spruce top, solid East Indian Rosewood back and sides, which were separated by a tasteful but not gaudy and over the top, white binding, gold sealed tuners, rosewood fingerboard and bridge and a mahogany neck. Bone nut and saddle. And with the higher end Martins you get a great case. I slapped on a new set of strings and this instrument sings. I have been playing it the last five hours without putting it down. What else sings was the customer service at THIS Guitar Center. They are not all created equal. Orange and New London stand out as the BEST Guitar Centers in all of Connecticut, Rhode Island and Mass. I really would drive by other Guitar Centers to go to either of these. It is the people who make the difference in these stores. I worked with Chuck who was great. As I said I was driving by and he set it aside for me to return to pick it up later in the day. I get it home and next thing you know I am back at Guitar Center in New London buying a new mic and microphone stand. It sounds that good. As I said, see Chuck in Orange. He will treat you right!!

I just bought the Alvarez AG60CE back in January, through Guitar Center, who told me that since I…read moredidn't buy their warranty for this brand new guitar, I had to go to the Alvarez distributor in the country, in St. Louis to have it fixed The problem is, Alvarez is a shitty Guitar, banking on big names like LR Baggs to sell their garbage. The L.R. Baggs electronics were completely shot on this guitar... Even the tuner didn't work. They said they would fix it for me, but I had to pay the $160.01 to ship it to them, first. That's right. Alvarez built me a defective guitar, then made me pay an additional 40% of the price of the guitar to fix their own mistake. If anyone really wants an Alvarez guitar, I highly recommend buying a used one. I wonder how long L.R. Baggs is willing to take a hit in allowing the Alvarez brand to cost them money before pulling out themselves.

This place has turned into my place for drum equipment. A heads-up to Eric, and the rest of the…read moreguys I deal with in the drum area. I'm not the most personalble guy and can come-off as a slight bit antisocial (Just sit me behind a set and I let the drums do the talking, for me!) and the guys handling the drum section know how to interact with people that are even as recluse as me, and that shows an excellence in customer service! Guitar Center, in Southington, should be ashamed, and should take some notes on work ethic from these men.

So I just heard that the 100 year-old Sam Ash chain of stores is closing - and that is what has…read moreprompted this review, I apologize in advance for its length: For over 26 years, my company did business with Sam Ash. Back in the 90's I would walk into the Woodbridge, CT store and be properly and professionally greeted, guided to the salesperson that would help with my purchase and get great advice, information and service from a knowledgeable staff member and most of the time, fellow musician. Who could ask for more? Fast forward to the 2020's and the retail giant is totally unrecognizable - so hearing the news this morning that the chain was closing didn't exactly come as a shock, as I predicted this years ago. The tell-tale signs were everywhere and honestly, I'm surprised it took this long. It doesn't however make this news any less heartbreaking. I say heartbreaking because anytime a brick and mortar establishment closes, every American should stop and tremble. This is the end of another era. Out of tradition or some sort of misplaced loyalty, I've always stopped into Sam Ash to give them yet "Another Chance" to redeem themselves and every time, I left the store empty-handed, disappointed and kicking myself for wasting my time there - again. No greeting at the door. No smiling faces. No staff to help. No knowledgeable staff on hand. So, I stood there and waited and waited. When someone finally decided to acknowledge me, they were useless. Then to add insult to injury, as time went on, they rarely stocked anything I needed. So I just stopped considering them as a supplier. Most of the time, I was there for high-end sound reinforcement for live performances - Large power amps, speakers, sonic maximizers, cabling, wireless mics, mixers, etc. My last visit there about ten years ago. I was shopping for a full-size keyboard to incorporate into my studio. I had specific questions as I'm a guitar player, not a keyboard player, and I got stuck with a salesperson who knew less about keys than I did. So how many time times do professional musicians, engineers, producers and sound people let this scenario play out before we let Jeff Bezos take care of us? And here we are. Towns across America are full of little corner music shops that sell low end everything for the grade school student and beginning musician and that's as it should be, but professionals go to stores like Sam Ash for the performance grade stuff. And when you're dumping two thousand to 12 thousand on a Les Paul or Strat or maybe 5K on a vintage Vibrolux, you want your sales staff to know their stuff. You EXPECT to be treated a certain way. You want to be able to touch, feel, see, hear and play that dream guitar you've been waiting a lifetime to buy. You want to smell that cedar top on that new Classical guitar. Kinda hard to do with an on-line purchase. Imagine buying a new car without the test drive! And THAT is what makes this a sad day in America. It's another sign of the times. Another example of how we've fallen as a Capitalist society. Some people celebrate that I guess. I don't. I'm sad to hear this news. I'm going to miss Sam Ash despite my feelings. I'm going to miss the experience of buying in person. No one wants to see a business fail. This is a part of history we're losing. Someone worked hard to build that business. It was someone's dream. And Sam Ash won't be the last. Guitar Centers is suffering from the exact same issues and collapse of the business model and I say they're next - but will they turn it around? Will their board of directors send out district and regional managers or "secret shoppers" and start fixing the issues before Jeff Bezos takes their dollars too? Will they read reviews like this one and get off their collective asses to turn the Titanic around? Probably not, when you can't find anyone today who really knows what hard work is - how do you fix it? Who's training their staff? There comes a point when the damage is done and it's not salvageable. Goodbye Sam Ash. I take no pleasure in writing this. I'm disgusted. I'm disappointed. I'm sad. I just hope that those in control at the top levels of management of these chain stores, read their reviews and pay attention - take them to heart and make the effort to improve your businesses. I know I'm not the only one who feels this way, it's just that most people won't take the time to write something like this - but I feel better for having said it. Maybe by some miracle, someone will come in and scoop Sam Ash up and right the ship at the last hour. I can dream, can't I? Ron L, Southington , CT

Went in and was over charged for a item ticketed as one price. All the items were ticketed the…read moresame. The counter person knew without looking that the item saxophone reeds were more than advertised. They were an additional $6. No explanation or offer to honor the price on the item.

Jim at middlesex music was amazing!!! I came here yesterday…read moreto get a music book for my 5th grader. Jim knew I was going to need to rent a snare drum kit for him but I was unsure of it so I left without it . he jokingly said see you tomorrow. well guess what he was right! I went back today to get the snare drum kit that my son conveniently forgot to tell me I needed . Jim set me up with everything I needed we had a quick laugh and I was on my way . Thank you for the awesome customer service

I bought my current cello from Kevin; it's wonderful. He takes great care of his instruments and…read morehis customers. Because he builds instruments he understands them. He is an artist, and he's right here in New Haven! No need to travel to get the best instruments and service.

I had the pleasure of utilizing K h Chapin Fine violins shop service. Renting a decent cello, I had…read morevisited the shop and was very impressed. Although the name is Violin shop, he is currently making and repairing cellos as well! Aside from its coziness, Kevin's shop offers a unique experience. Personalized set up of rental instrument was almost a shock as rental price is very competitive. I was renting from a big company before but have decides to rent from this shop for acute set up and customer service. I do not regret. Should you are a beginner music student like me, please consider this shop! Kevin will walk you through what instrument to look for as well as personalized set up of your instrument.

Bob did a great job on my 1968 les paul. oh…read moreyeah............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Brought my guitar in for a much needed re-string and tune up. Bob was professional, informative,…read moreand high knowledgable. Hard to fine quality technicians these days and bob is definitely a quality craftsman. I highly recommend bringing your beloved guitars to Bob and have the confidence knowing that your electric twanger is in great hands.

I was having a hard time finding someone good to restring my guitar. John does an excellent job…read moreand he has been very helpful with other issues I have had with my guitar. I really appreciate having this small family owned shop to go to that is really available to help and takes his time to meet your needs. I like supporting a small business in our community as well, this shop offers the service that is lost in the bigger corporate stores. Thanks John. Mark S.

I'm an almost 60 yrs old beginner and went in to purchase a couple of medium picks, and John spent…read moreas much time as I needed. I took a walk around and was looking at some amps and john asked what if anything I was interested in. I really didn't have a clue but John spent as much time as I needed. He took out a Les Paul and gave me a demonstration of the lowest cost amp he had and said this will get you by until I am ready for somethimg better. I love the amp, (I'll keep it forever. First amp right?) John was an incredible help to a complete newbie and now I can't wait until I need something else. The days are dwindling when you can walk in to a store and speak to the owner and receive that kind of support and caring. Please go and receive it. Bring your children so it will not be lost. Ron F.

Tom was so prompt getting back to me right away and recommending Greg Cole to do the timing as I…read morethought I needed a big repair done from a recent move before I had the piano tuned. Greg was also prompt-fit me right into his schedule and even showed up early at my request. He quickly and easily fixed what I feared would be a big job and then expertly tuned the piano back to perfect pitch!

The best. Tom is not only an excellent tuner - highly skilled, precise, thorough, and efficient -…read morebut also deeply knowledgeable about piano mechanics, construction, and history. I greatly enjoyed our conversation as he set to work. He completed his standard twice-over tuning in good time. Our piano sounds better than ever.

bought my son his first electric guitar here. Ken was very helpful in choosing something practical…read moreand 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.

I took my ten year old Taylor in for a set up. It was at a point where it was unplayable. After…read morecleaning, 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.