Just really, the best music/guitar store for acoustic instruments in town. Right up there with the best in the country. Perfect staff.

I am just so impressed with this store... I feel welcomed at every visit. Aside from the killer guitars and top notch consignments, I eagerly try out several guitars at every visit, and every single guitar is ready to play, perfectly in tune,with decent strings letting me truly evaluate each guitar. Funny thing is, at this time in my life, I have no means to purchase, and this is never a factor at Dusty Strings. There have been several times where I have been looking for a specific string or cleaner, and I was humbly guided to a competitor, just to simply meet my needs. Been to a zillion music stores across the country, And have spent a small fortune on guitars. This IS the way its done. Seems like every employee just loves what I Love. Music!!! And Duty Strings has it in Spades read more

These folks could run seminars for customer service. Thanks for all your problem solving to try and arrange for a way to get those of us less able into a 100 year old building and also for having workshops that are affordable. I still remain loyal to the businesses in Hamsterland but you all are amazing 5 stars One Happy Uker from Bellingham read more

Nice underground location. Warm, mellow atmosphere. Beautiful, varied selection of instruments. Helpful, knowledgeable blokes.

I think that this is a great store. I loved the large selection of instruments, with lots of guitars, harps, dulcimers, mandolins, ukuleles, etc. The store also offers lessons and jam sessions, of which I both went to with my ukulele. The staff was very helpful, and you were able to play any instrument you wanted to, even the harps. This was an overall amazing store. I would recommend this store to someone looking to buy an instrument, with lots of time to look around. read more

Took a 1966 Martin D35 to them to have the piping on the edge of the body re-attached. When I picked it up it had glue dripped down the back across the rosewood. They rubbed it out but it left a mark that was visible for several years. This was in 2000 or so. Not sure who did it but they didn't even offer to waive the charge. I should have refused to pay but didn't. Not happy. Just sayin. The mark isn't visible anymore but I have never been back in their shop. Still makes me mad. read more

If you are looking for a high end acoustic instrument, their selection really can't be beat. However, be warned... Most musical instrument shops discount their stuff. Its kind of like buying a car. There's sticker price, and there's what you actually pay. Dusty Strings charges full retail for everything they sell. I bought a harmonica from another retailer in town, and realized I bought the wrong key. Dusty Strings was close to my work, so I bought the correct key from them. The other place charged me $28. Dusty Strings charged me $48. They have a great selection, but they absolutely refuse to offer the discounts that anyone else does. It really is a great shop, but if price is a consideration, I would recommend going somewhere else. And, not only am I a customer, but back in the '90's, I worked there. I had hoped their policies had changed, but apparently not. Buy their guitars, but if you want picks, strings, harmonicas, or any other accessory, go somewhere else. They are great for specialty items that no one else has (which you will also pay FULL retail for), but not for anything you can find somewhere else for half the price. read more

I made an appointment two weeks ago to get some repair work (a new nut, etc) on my guitar, and got it done today. The luthier/repair person took a lot of time to make sure he understood exactly what I wanted.....about string spacings etc. He did the job in less than two hours, an excellent job, and then took more time to explain what he'd done. He obviously loves his work and is proud of it. With good reason. The repairs and adjustments he made have my guitar sounding like a whole new (and much more beautiful) instrument. While I was waiting, I asked if I could try some of the guitars on the wall. The store clerk warmly invited me to play anything I wanted to. I guess I must have played about 15 different instruments, some worth many thousands of dollars. Nobody bothered me. One salesperson suggested a couple of his favorites, but with that exception I just took down the ones that appealed to me and put them back when I was finished. There are some magnificent instruments in that store. I will be back any chance I get. In fact, two of the guys I talked to said exactly that as I was leaving: "Come back and see us sometime." It felt like they meant me as a person, not just as a customer. read more

I haven't bought an instrument here, but the quality of the guitars for sale is clearly amazing and the variety of instruments is really impressive. Plus, there are a lot of locally made instruments that are unique and cool. The aspect of Dusty Strings I know better is the class offering. I've taken Irish music and the little group is so nice, helpful, fun and relaxed. It's open to high and low levels and, as a weaker link, I feel welcomed without slowing down the class. When I'm ready to upgrade my banjo I will absolutely come here. read more

One of the best service in Seattle! Very professional! They really care about you and their business. Special thanks to Dan (general manager). Hope to have a deal with you again ! read more

I have to agree, each time I was struck by the arrogance and attitude of the sales people. It's astounding, I took my guitar in there to be fixed and the condescending attitude was unbearable. These guys don't know the basics of guitar setup or service. I've been in the industry for 15 years, I've owned a chain of successful guitar stores and I normally say support the little guys but these guys are horrible. Go up the road to American music, I've been treated with respect there. read more

The sales staff was friendly but the luthier was a jerk. He acted very condescending and abrupt. I mentioned it to the sales girl and she said that she's heard that before. I'm not going back. Fixed my uke but the luthier left me feeling... uh not good. read more

After reading online that I should put high quality strings on my new ukulele, I took it to Dusty Strings. At my request they did a quick review of my ukulele for me, goods and bads, quickly put Aquila strings on it at a reasonable price, and my uke sounds much better now when I'm practicing. I'd recommend this to anybody with a new ukulele. Thank you! read more

They lied to me. I've always liked the store and those that work there. I called ahead for a particular instrument which they said was there so I drove a fifty mile round trip to discover that it was sold just minutes ago and the second best choice had no suitable case in the store. But, we'll gladly order it for you!" I'll buy on line thank you read more

Dusty Strings is all about Dusty Strings and not about the customer. I made a purchase/trade deal with them over the phone only to find out after driving 200 miles that there was no deal at all. I left the place $800 more poor than I thought that I was when I entered. Normally, no big deal but I expected some flexibility given thatI spent $8,000 at the place within the last 12 months. My recent experience was my last as a return customer. read more

I'm not sure why people say this place is hard to find? Its right there on Fremont Ave, you walk in, go down the stairs and voila - its right there. I went in to get a strap button put on and a truss adjustment for my Martin. Staff was very nice, took care of it while I waited, which was quick! I wish I would have known about this store when I bought my Martin, they have good selection. Will definitely go back. read more

I can't believe that my husband and I JUST discovered this little gem of a shop, after 2 years of living in Seattle. It reminds us of Elderly Instruments in Lansing, MI, and the staff and environment are very welcoming indeed. My husband has been searching for a vintage Martin for some time, so he thoroughly enjoyed the selection and the freedom to try out a few. I was in awe of the beautiful harp and dulcimer collections, and two very kind employees offered some helpful tips while playing around with both instruments. Absolutely opposite experience from the last couple of reviews, but maybe the staff had a serious customer service meeting within the past month. Anyway, I will definitely be back to take a class or two, and I encourage any string lover to check it out! read more

They are so friendly and helpful. I've purchased two ukuleles from them and each experience was great. I've also taken classes and workshops and they are very useful. read more

I got a really nice 12-string guitar for my birthday. Alas, it was almost work to play it. I took it in to DS and they assured me they could make it better. Man...did they ever. The playability was simply transformed and--I don't know how it could but it did--the tone, sustain and "depth" of the guitar changed too. It is now the best sounding 12-string I have ever heard. (Now if only I was a better player....) Anyway, I've been going in to Dustry Strings for years now and have never felt anything other than welcome. With this experience, I won't dream of taking any of my other guitars to another shop. Couldn't recommend them more highly. read more

I took my guitar in for setup and service and they were very rude to me, The luthier who works in the repair shop does not know much about guitars, I've been in this business for 15 years and he was rude and condacending but worst of all he didn't know what he was talking about. I'll never go back. read more

Best guitar store in Seattle. All stringed instruments for that matter. Staff is amazing.

Awesome place and really nice people working here. I'm a musician and a total folksy art freak and this place is right up my alley. 'Ive done a lot travelling and everywhere I go I always check out music stores.. and originally being from the South, this place has the same kind of charm and uniqueness to it as some of the little specialty shops in Mississippi and even Chicago... of course with a total Seattle feel. read more

Came here with my husband to shop for a ukulele for my birthday present. Was assisted by no less than 4 staff, all very friendly, knowledgable and accommodating. Got the information I needed without high pressure sales, and left with a beautiful new uke to call my own! read more