My son decided he wanted to learn guitar, so I got him a Squire Telecaster as a starter guitar. Two…read moremonths later, the jack came loose. I decided to give Grumpy's a try. Kevin greeted us at the door. (He keeps the door locked during business hours due to some issues he had.) He took a look at the problem and fixed it on the spot, no charge. After we left, my son and I both had the same reaction: He's not grumpy at all. A few months later, the neck pickup on the same guitar wasn't working. We left it overnight at Grumpy's and Kevin replaced the selector switch with a higher quality one than what was originally in there. I'll soon be taking into Grumpy's a Les Paul of mine that has an issue with the bone nut that needs addressing. I have no reservations in recommending Grumpy's for guitar repair.

I love this store and prefer to shop at small business over the big corps…read more Kevin is extremely knowledgeable and goes the extra mile for his customers. Thank you!

This is a GREAT guitar store! Very friendly and helpful guys named Scott and Paul…read more The selection in this little shop is HUGE. Guitars, basses, amps, pedals. LOTS of stuff to fit any budget. They do a set up on the instruments when they get them in. Want to look at something they tune it up first. Everything is CLEAN. This is a hidden treasure. I'd say it's the best guitar shop in Albuquerque.

Was in town for a few days and decided to hit the local guitar shop circuit. I didn't end up…read morepurchasing anything, but the staff/ownership were super helpful and friendly. There's nothing worse than the "too cool for school" attitudes you can get from other shops so I definitely appreciated the experience at Backroads. Along with the pleasant vibe were a plethora of fantastic guitars! Highly recommend a visit!

Excellent rental instruments and exceptional customer service. We've rented violins, violas and a…read morecello for our kids and have been pleased with all.

Marco rehabbed and rehaired a fine antique bow for me that needed a sliver of wood added to the…read morestick because it was dented from many years of orchestral performance. Marco discussed with me how he would do this, and I showed him all the issues I would like to have corrected. He completed the work within the time frame he quoted and shipped the bow to my home in Durango CO. I am highly impressed with his craftmanship. The bow is now in like new condition and is a joy to play on each of my fine violins. I feel lucky to have entrusted my bow to Marco and highly recommend Robertson and Sons for any services a serious string player requires. David Adolphson, Sep 15, 2025

Mark Guttierez is a very patient, kind, and intelligent piano instructor and a really brilliant…read moremusician in his own right. Was wonderful with my niece who was in a super-difficult phase of her childhood and I credit him with her continuing appreciation for really cool music. If I were to take piano lessons again as an adult, I'd definitely go to Mark because he has such a deep love and understanding of music, I think he'd know how to adapt his teaching methods to any level of ability and maturity, and he's just so smart.

I have been taking piano lessons from Mark for several years. He is a really great teacher.What do…read moreyou want to play, to learn? He will try to help me learn what I want to learn. He does not sugar coat. It takes practice and discipline. I am one of probably a dozen or more students over the age of 50. He has an incredible knowledge of music history , theory etc. He makes lessons interesting.He pushes his students to strive for excellence. He gives 110% in his lessons.If you have an interest in learning the piano or have not played for years. This man is a real good teacher. He makes piano playing fun.

Yes! The first review of a piano tuner on Yelp Albuquerque. I win…read more Surprising as it may seem, judging by his last name alone, Tim is neither Native American nor New Age hippie, but rather a sprightly, well-connected piano whisperer who drives yesteryear luxury vehicles. Apparently he has street cred, at least from the classically-trained lot, because he regularly performs handjobs for both small and large pianists. I'm really sorry about that. I just had to. I do apologize. Tim is a pro, it was obvious the moment he walked into our home at the scheduled time. After spending a moment remarking on the pristine condition of our 1960's era Yamaha, he got to work, and the performance was one to behold. Piano tuners- good ones, anyway- enjoy careers that largely no longer exist in our society. If only for an hour or two, they have the unique pleasure of getting acquainted with these extraordinary instruments in delightful fashion; Tim spends half of the time playing with the keys, often pounding out little ditties, and he's really talented. Slowly, while he works, you can actually hear the piano getting its voice back. It's a gorgeous ritual, and he gets to do this every single day. He's good. Very friendly and sweet. Need a tuneup? Call him.

Tim is the best. Very knowledgeable and loves what he does! He will listen to you and understand…read morewhat you care most about and he does an amazing job. So glad I found him!!

Do not take your instrument to this guy. He does not know what he is doing. Damaged my pristine…read moreacoustic. Did not do the work I wanted him to do and did things I did not tell him to do. I had to have his shoddy work repaired by a real luthier who said he would have gladly spent a few days in jail for assaulting this guy if he had done to his guitar what he did to mine. I am having to send my guitar back to the factory to have the damaged he did repaired. Avoid this guy at all costs.

went in there with 2 fret jobs total refret also I had some extra work taken care of that he spot…read moreout with no charge i payed it anyway , nice guy no ego plus he has some really nice guitars that he builds im sold so today I brought in some more work good price ,good time frame also he gave me parts at his cost . I will always go there now

banjo bobs is like NO OTHER!!! when you walk in you can smell that beautiful banjo wood and it's…read morejust heavenly. banjo bob has a beautiful selection of high quality, unique and ornate instruments. he does repairs and gives lessons. now i have to admit, i don't play the banjo. i play the fiddle and the accordion. i even worked in an accordion repair shop for a couple few years. i have a HUGE appreciation of fine craftsmanship and a business owner who lives his work. that's bob. he was gracious enough to tell my friend and i about his banjos and he even indulged us with a banjo song. did i think about learning another instrument after i walked out? i'd be lying if i said i didn't. i even tried to buy bob a beer at the brew pub next door. if you play the banjo or are interested in playing the banjo this is absolutely the place to go.

Stopped in while strolling through Old Town... where I always like to stop at the little chapel…read moretucked down a lane. I was drawn to the guitar shop and had a lovely visit with it's owner, Brad Andersen. He builds custom guitars with amazing woods and finishes. He had just completed a custom guitar with a cross cut out that was amazing. Another guitar that was in process has inlaid turquoise that was really beautiful. He also carries ukuleles and some non-custom guitars. HIghly recommend - not just for the amazing guitars, but also for the ambiance and friendliness. This is Old Town and New Mexico's finest.