I recently found myself in need of a speaker and microphone set up for an event in Halifax and…read moreended up at Long & McQuade for help. It was such an easy, painless procedure that if I ever find myself in need of such items again I'll definitely return to them. I rented a Bose system that was a stand alone speaker that worked perfectly for an art gallery space filled with around 100 people. It came with super easy operating instructions, an adapter for a computer or iPod, and a microphone, all for $30. The entire rental took me about 10 minutes and I was able to drop the items off the next day. It could not have been easier. They also sell musical items and offer lessons on various instruments. It's definitely a place worth checking out if you need anything musically related!

The last time I was at Long and Macquade, the rep was much more pleasant and accommodating with…read morehelping me adjust the neck of my acoustic guitar. Charging $100 to change strings and make a quick adjustment on the neck as well as it taking up to five business days is ridiculous. It takes less than 5 to 10 minutes to change strings on a guitar. I will not be bringing my instrument there any longer. At least at the Halifax location. I'm in sales and they can do better.

Ken is just great. He's down back by the rentals nearly every day but he's knowledgeable about…read morenearly everything in the store. If there's something he can't answer, he's quick to find someone who can. The staff here are friendly, funny, and passionate about music, which is exactly what you want whether you're living out your rock god dreams through your six year old's ukulele classes or whether you're an actual rock god. Many of the staff are active in the city's music scene so it's also a great place to go if you're looking for news on up-and-coming acts. The music lessons are upstairs and all the teachers are talented and enthusiastic. Lessons aren't cheap, but neither is hockey gear and trust me, your kid is going to wish he played guitar over hockey when he's in his dorm freshman year.

I don't know much about musical equipment or the technology involved in putting on live shows which…read morecould easily become a problem when planning parties involving a band. Luckily for me, Long & McQuade exists to make sure people like me don't HAVE to know much about it. A quick visit to chat with their experts wherein I proved my ignorance multiple times resulted in me walking out with a bag full of cords and machinery that prepped me for just about any situation that could arise before a night of great local talent. Sure, I walked out with more than I needed, but it didn't matter since my total was only $5 for the 24-hour rental. No really. Five dollars. Cheap, professional expertise? Yes please. The only downside is the death-by-paperwork that you experience in setting up your account. It seemed a little silly to have to provide three references with mailing addresses for a $5 rental but at least you only have to do it once! Good to know since I'll definitely be back!

Going into the Halifax Folklore Centre is almost always a painful experience. But I say that with…read moreas much love as I can muster. Without fail, every time that I enter this lovely shop I find a guitar that I just *yearn* to own. Usually, it's some sort of vintage Gibson J-45. So I'll ask if I can play it, carefully keeping my eyes away from the price tag. I play it for a little bit, fall in love, and then look at the price tag. Cue sad face. Honestly, though, this is my favourite musical instrument shop in town. As someone who plays primarily acoustic stringed instruments, there's no better place in the city. The staff is friendly and very knowledgeable and the guitars, mandolins, banjos... they're all gorgeous. I've also taken my guitars in for some repairs and pickup installations and I've always been extremely pleased with the work done by these fine people. If I had one complaint about the Folklore Centre, it's that I always seem to notice a quality gap in the guitars. In one section, there seems to be a bunch of lower-end (but decent) guitars. In the other section, you have the gorgeous vintage guitars with price tags more effective than tear gas. I haven't seen much that bridges that gap. But if you're new to the city and looking for a good guitar shop, head on over. They'll take good care of you.

Good tuneup on my blueridge. Quick turn around!…read more Just keep in mind Thursdays don't work. Thanks guys

Great local business that gave me excellent advice while…read moreChoosing a guitar etc. For my son for Christmas. Knowledgeable and friendly. Very happy with my experience shopping here, and happy to support a small business instead of a bigger chain.

Fantasie Music Instruments is a wonderful store to visit if you're looking to rent or buy a new…read morestring instrument, want to take a lesson (they offer $10 trial lessons), or enjoy cool workshops. They have very reasonable rental prices, and the staff is always friendly and helpful!

I was incredibly surprised with the customer service I received. I bought my boyfriend a guitar…read morelast Christmas and I will continue to do business at this location. I knew nothing about purchasing a guitar and the salesman helped me determine one that would suit his needs. He gave me great advise and a lot of education. When I left there with my guitar, I really felt as if I made a great choice!! I will continue to shop at Musicstop for my music purchasing needs.

Very poor service when leaving an instrument for repair…read more When I contacted them about it after to speak to a Manger, I still havnt heard anything and that was 2 weeks ago. Major issue was that my daughter needed her rented flute repaired. The sales guy first told us nothing was wrong when her music teacher told her to get it looked at, then scoffed when we wanted it done. He was very condescending, and then gave us a loaner instrument and told us had to pay a fee for protection on it. We aren't allowed to use the insurance we already have, must be a new one. Seems kinda ridiculous. I'd give lower than one if possible, won't deal with here again.

This is one of three Long & McQuade locations in Halifax Metro…read more Coming from Halifax it is on the right hand side of Bedford Highway. Unfortunately there is little parking available -- on weekends it can be difficult to find a spot unless you are willing to wait or circle around for a few minutes. The entrances to the store are not very well signed -- the entrance at the very left is to the lessons facility whereas the entrance at the centre-right is to the store itself. The store is surprisingly small. When you enter it has acoustic guitar, keyboard, piano, and sheet music sections on the left, an electric guitar section straight ahead, and drum and wind instrument sections on the right. You can use the Long & McQuade website at http://www.long-mcquade.com to search for in-store stock. Unfortunately this feature requires two extra clicks from the product page. The employees are very friendly and seem knowledgeable but they make a bit too little effort to ask customers whether they need assistance. I usually complain that employees in many stores are too obnoxious but at Long & McQuade in Bedford it can be the opposite, you can easily spend 15 minutes there and nobody will ask you whether they can help you.

Halifax's only source for Yamaha pianos and service! (Learned this after hours of trekking around…read morethe city) I came here in pursuit of a replacement pedal for my Yamaha C5, (which was damaged when I moved back to Halifax- still on the mover's case for that one!). Anyhoo, Dr. Piano did not have the part in stock, which is to be expected, since most piano stores don't have the exact pieces directly in store. What was unexpected was how quick the staff was to call up the manufacturer and have the piece delivered- didn't take long at all Then when the part did arrive, they sent a techie to come and install the part properly. The sound is perfect, just like before my piano got damaged. Very satisfied with the quality of service here- this piano store struck a perfect note with me!

EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT...did I mention excellent? If there is any piano service you require, don't…read morehesitate to contact Dr. Piano. The whole team is "top notch" friendly, knowledgeable, efficient and very professional. They will go above and beyond to help you in any fashion! You will not be treated like "a person who walks into a shop." Thanks Dr. Piano for being such an amazing crew!

This place is a surprisingly tasteful little shop located on the ever popular Quinpool strip. I ran…read morein today on a whim when I was heading to the Natural History Museum with friends. I didn't spend much time, but the store had good vibes and lovely floors so I was sold. The place is a long rectangular shape with fresh hardwood floors. Off to the left, there is a little nook with a flat screen TV and a small leather couch. Smack down in the middle of the store is a foosball table, surrounded by tons of fancy wooden boards and flashy skate clothing. There were fedoras aplenty, lined up fashionably along one of the walls. The dude working was on the phone and didn't give me the nod, but I was in a peek and dash mood, so didn't quite care. This place seems to have loads of gear at a high price point. If you're in the business of breaking boards regularly, you probably don't want to drop serious dime, so maybe head somewhere else. The hours here are a bit odd; perhaps indicative of a skater lifestyle (sleeping in late? - hmmm). This shop has a nice layout and is in a convenient location. If you're a boarder babe, this may be a grand place for you to suss out.

We were on the hunt today for a skateboard. First stop was here at Pro Skate Uptown…read more Now, if you do not know much about all the different skateboards, then I suggest to go to the other shop downtown. Although this shop carries different boards than the shop downtown, the young guy working there, never moved from in front of the computer to help us. His answer to everything was , it all the same. Well, to me it is not , and out the door we went. If I am about to drop $200 or more for a board, get off your ass and assist us.