I'd been stopping in to MSM for years and was just waiting to find the right amp when one day I…read morestop in and there is this fantastic little Acoustic amp w inputs for guitar and mic. Great price. While I'm testing the amp I look up and see an Explorer w upgraded EMG pickups. John let me try it and wow...it's a growler and loud. No case for it but John made up for it w a few extras. Thanks, John!

We were looking for a guitar for my 7 year old grandson. We were thinking of getting a half size…read moreguitar. I called & they told me they had one & that it was used & also gave me the price. We went down to look at it. After seeing him with the guitar, my son (who plays guitar well) thought the guitar might be a little too small. We asked what the guy helping us thought. He honestly told us he thought a three quarter guitar would be a better choice. He did not have any but sent us to a nearby shop he said might have one. That is great customer service.

If you're rusty and aren't exactly sure what you need, don't go here until you figure it out…read more Marsh is a decent store with obvious professionals, but they aren't so stellar on the retail customer service. Reeds. I needed reeds for my saxophone. I stopped by Marsh hoping to restock. Typically, I buy several boxes at a time, a relatively expensive venture. No typical purchase this time, though. For some reason the store was diverting customers for the retail side through the repair shop. With instruments in various stages of repair, and sheet music crowding the small aisle, navigating to the retail side is a bit confusing to a first-time customer like me. So, I waited for one of the two repair shop employees to wave me past. While I waited, I overheard one of them explaining to another customer the best repair technique to use for his trumpet and why the option the customer wanted wouldn't work. I was impressed enough with how well he explained it, that I may keep Marsh in mind for an upcoming repair. The retail side? Totally different. Because I buy so many boxes of reeds at a time, it'd been a while. I was a bit rusty on the brands available, and I noticed they didn't carry the one I wanted. The gentleman available to help -- didn't. I could have dealt with his rote indifference in the questions he asked, except when he started to laugh. Wow. Nothing like laughing at a customer who's expecting you to be a bit more forthcoming with information. Total turnoff. I ended up buying only one box of whatever brand he mentioned just so I could get out before I lost my temper. Admittedly, the question I led with was similar to going into a bookstore and asking for the "book with the soft cover and having a picture of some sort" on the cover. Total doofus move. But still, the condescension in his voice from then on, was unnecessary. Customer service on the retail side: 1 star. Because I was partly to blame for not being prepared, I'll give it 2 stars. Repair side: 4 stars.

What can I say about Marsh...Hm…read more Since I have never actually utilized their retail function as a store, I will say that this review is for the repair work that they have done on my instruments. First time going I had an issue with a clarinet. No note could be produced except for G (for those of you who don't know, to make that note, all you have to do is blow air into the horn. No fingerings or anything special like that). Took the instrument to Marsh expecting to have to pay money out the wazoo to have the clarinet repaired. Guy took one look at the instrument and adjusted a screw. Suddenly, it worked again as if it was never "broken." Since it was such a small thing, there was no charge, which I thought was really awesome. For the second visit, we brought in an old C Melody saxophone that could be dated to just about one hundred years. I had tried to produce notes on it before with little success. Nothing could be done about the aesthetics, but after the guys at Marsh were through with it, they had the instrument working again properly, all notes produced and everything. They even threw in a new mouthpiece and reeds so it could be fiddled with (that is, in the right hands). Last week, we brought a used (but new to me) Yamaha tenor sax in just to see if there was anything that needed to be done. A couple of the pads were replaced, but for the sake of making the instrument "easier to play." Most other places I have gone to would have claimed that if all notes could come out, then nothing needed to be done. They gave up some lacquer polish, and the instrument sounds great. I am always proud of the work that Marsh does. I have been told for years that it's the place to go. So if you're looking for a woodwind repair shop, look no further than this fantastic shop.

I decided to upgrade the NS Wav violin I bought from EVS a few years back. (Mostly for the same…read morereason everybody who moves on from the NS Wav does so: because its shoulder rest system just basically doesn't work.) I ordered a 3Dvarius online, but I didn't like the tone so I sent it back, which all went fine. But that led me to realize that the only practical way to pick out an instrument I liked was to go to the shop in person. That's a bit of a production since it's in North Carolina and I'm in California, but hey, that's why they have airplanes. So I went, and I spent pretty much an entire day playing every 4-string they carry. (Sadly, I'm too set in my ways to handle 5-strings.) They were incredibly welcoming and helpful and knowledgeable and informative, and if they were annoyed by my playing the same thing over and over at fairly high volume, they didn't show it. I eventually picked out a Cantini Canaletto (see pic), which they customized with Wittner geared pegs in time for me to catch my flight home. This was an altogether satisfying experience. I have nothing but good things to say about EVS, and I highly recommend them to anyone who's looking for an electric violin.

What can I say? I purchased a 3dvarius new violin for $2300 and it arrived with prior damage on it…read more The area by the nut had been clearly repaired with some kind of putty. There is a long scratch on the back that was coloured in with a wood pencil. And, worst of all--the chinrest's metal prong was dislodged on one side and the metal prongs scratched and bent, making it impossible to even place it on my shoulder to try the violin, since the chinrest is only attached on one side, and the other side is out of whack and it's all wobbly. So disappointing. I call the shop and they tell me it's shipping damage and can I wait for them to contact Fed Ex to get a claim filed and they'll call France to see if the damage can be repaired. Hello? You shipped me a used and repaired and damaged violin, that I cannot play. How about, we're very sorry. Here's your prepaid shipping label to ship it back, and refund my $2300. I bought a Yamaha violin from them a couple years back and everything went great. The case I purchased for it is difficult to open and close so that was not great but it's a pretty purple. I use it for a violin that mostly stays home, not the electric. What has happened to our beloved EVS? I'd hesitate to purchase here now. When I asked them: what happened, they said, well yes, we know about the scratch on the back of the violin and we know that we used epoxy on the nut area to get rid of a buzz, but we figured if you liked the violin, we could always offer you 5% off if you noticed the damage. Huh? This one is going back and I hope I get my $2300 back or I'm going to be very upset. Update: I did get my $2300 back on my credit card after I shipped it back with a prepaid Fed Ex label they sent me after much going back and forth. I hope this company is able to maintain it's self. I did like my first purchase (the Yamaha violin, which I still play on regularly).

Top-notch luthier John Montgomery and his staff are professional and helpful. Great selection of…read morestringed instruments and accessories on hand. The store has many interesting musical artifacts, books and sheet music. I recently purchased a bench made violin from JM after a long grueling process of trial and error trying to find the perfect instrument. John made a recommendation and it turned out to be the perfect fit for me. Great quality does not come cheaply but it was worth every penny and was superior in sound and performance to others in the same price range. I was able to find outstanding service, quality and value. I'd like to recognize Freda for always being friendly and responsive. Thanks Y'all!

John Montgomery is an excellent Luthier and we are very fortunate to have someone as knowledgeable…read moreas Mr. Montgomery as a resource here in North Carolina. However, because Mr. Montgomery has such a superb reputation, he has a tendency to charge much much more than Luthiers for comparable work in other markets. Our family has had several violins worked on by top notch luthiers in major markets such as Chicago, LA, and New York. The costs for repair done by Mr. Montgomery is nearly twice what you would expect to pay if you went to a comparable luthier in another location. I suppose it would be a case of supply and demand. We have attempted to sell 2 violins on consignment through Mr. Montgomery. Not only did he inform us that we would need to sink 1500 into a $7500 violin in order to make it "marketable", after having the violin in the shop for over 5 years now, there has been no sale. So at this point, we have to pay 1500 to get the violin back or continue to let it continue to age with absolutely no communication or status updates from Mr. Montgomery. If you need to purchase an instrument, you will be able to find excellent "high-end" instruments and accessories. However, if you are looking for repairs and/or to sell your instrument, you would be better off either selling at auction or taking it to a luthier in a different market who will not take advantage of the seller in terms of repairs and sales commission.

Absolutely fabulous music store. They have the best high end gear and outstanding customer service.read more

I bought a very nice Gretsch guitar from Dave at Indoor Storm through ebay. It was a good price,…read morethe action on the guitar is excellent, and it sounds beautiful. I got it for a great price, and when it came it had some minor damage around the bottom strap nut. Dave took a look at some pictures I took, and refunded me $100! Excellent service, and very friendly. I would most certainly buy more instruments from Dave at Indoor Storm. Sincerely, Ira Carmel.

Came looking for specific items from the pawnshop at a specific price point. While at first they…read moreseemed kind of cold, Rhonda (the sales associate) and the manager definitely worked with me such that I got a good deal for what I purchased and the pawn shop was also able to make money as well. Great customer service and would want to stop by again when I make my way through Durham. Other pawnshops I visited in the area didn't have very many items for sale.

I have been dealing with the chain for thirty or more years since they opened. They have a great…read moreowner and they do a great job with the accepting of the Hillsboro Road store in Durham, NC. I feel they have terrible customer service, a terrible disposition and terrible attitudes. This store does a bad job of pleasing the customer and they do not seem to care. I've had several bad experiences at this store and the worst being today. I am sure that the owner does not know what is going on there. He is not known for doing business in the manor they do it over there. I recommend going to one of his other locations where I feel that you will be better served. He has several more stores that have done an excellent job for me.

This appears to be more of a lesson studio and setup/repair shop than an instrument dealer…read more Lessons seem to be performed right in the main shop as one young lady was struggling to make chord changes while the instructor was giving her positive encouragement. The gentleman giving the lesson appeared to be both patient and kind, a necessity with beginner students. He told us to let him know if we needed anything, we acknowledged/thanked him and quickly browsed the shop to see what might be of interest. While there's a Gibson Acoustic, an aging Ovation 12 string Acoustic and a somewhat damaged Carvin bass on display, most of the guitars seem to be of "Beginner" quality. For instance, maybe I didn't look in the right place, but I did not see any Fender guitars that weren't squire's, nor did I see any Gibson electrics. I did see an Epiphone, a Hondo, a couple Jasmine's and so on. There are also several other stringed instruments, violins, upright basses and the like. Some were repaired and on display, and others were in various stages of repair. All in all, the shop seems to be geared toward the beginning and budding musicians looking for entry level instruments and someone to teach them how to play. Absolutely nothing wrong with that model. I do hope to stop in again the next time I'm in Pittsboro.

It's a small shop and appears to be for lessons and lower end guitars primarily, but Tony Sullivan…read moreis an exceptional luthier and works on all string instruments. He has done amazing work for me on several electrics, a world class nylon string that I really goofed up which he brought back to life, and even my banjo. He is one of the most knowledgable and talented luthiers I've ever met, and his rates are very fair and the turnaround time is always reasonable. First Rate!

I was in town for a conference and dropped off a very old and poorly cared for trombone for…read morecleaning. They did a great job, kindly solved some unexpected problems, and knocked out dents I didn't expect them to all in a couple of days. Now my instrument is sounding WAY better. Thank you for the excellent work!

Great service, better than hoped for repair job, and half what I figured it would cost. What more…read morecan you ask for?