The customer service wasn't so great and the main guy "helping" me had a stuck-up attitude and…read morewasn't very respectful to me or my needs. They seem to have a decent selection of brass and woodwind instruments as well, but lack basic or a variety of accessories for them.

We have been going to this shop for many years. The staff are enthusiastic about helping people…read morefind instruments that they love and they are incredibly helpful. We had an issue with one of the instruments we purchased (user error? manufacturing?) and they replaced it to make sure we were satisfied. While you can't expect that every time there's an issue it speaks to their desire to offer great service and to support their customer base. Plus their selection of beautiful instruments seems unmatched in the Portland area.

I was VERY impressed with my visit to Centaur Guitar! Selection is HUGE (much larger than one…read morewould expect when looking at it from the outside), the staff is EXTREMELY knowledgeable, helpful, and friendly, and prices are LOW. They carry a huge variety of electric guitars, acoustic guitars, amplifiers, and accessories. They also offer setup and repair services. They sell both new and used items. Their used items were unanimously in extremely great condition, and did not appear to be used. A few things to note if you visit: *There is a small, private parking lot *The entrance on the building that is on the same side of the gate as the parking lot is not actually for Centaur Guitar, it is for an amplifier repair service that shares the building. *The entrance for Centaur Guitar is on the street side of the building, past the parking lot gate. *To enter, one must ring the doorbell, and an employee will open the door to let you in *There are no centaurs available for sale

What a great place! I start my guitar class tonight and I completely spaced on procuring a guitar…read moreuntil today. I forgot the name of the kind person who helped me. They took the time to go over several guitars with me so that I walked out with something that was usable, nice sounding and not intimidating. I can't wait to use my new guitar tonight.

Tim was the absolute nicest, most informative, welcoming retail worker I've encountered in recent…read morememory. He answered our novice guitar questions, and then just kept going. Showed me how to adjust string height, then proceeded to explain and demonstrate the different effects from different picks for my daughter. 5/5 stars, this place is great. From here on out, anything guitar-related we get here.

Bought 12ax7 pre amp tubes from them, it blew out after a day, I called and explained that they…read moresold me a dud and they acted as if my amp was the problem lol after haggling back and forth and getting them to replace it, low and behold 2 days later it blew out! So they refused to make it right, I went to eurotubes and bought another 12ax7 and over a month later IT STILL WORKS! So I wouldn't recommend buying 12ax7 tubes from them, they buy the cheap low tested ones and then resale them. I looked into it myself from who they buy directly from.

This is a review about the in-store experience, not any transactions or trades…read more We stopped in one September afternoon while we were wandering around the Alberta Arts District and wow - what a selection of guitars. My partner has been playing for nearly 25 years, and really enjoyed getting to try out different instruments. I have less interest in guitars, but even I loved walking around to see every shape and style, plus ukuleles. The shop is pretty huge, you feel like it just keeps going. The store is laid back and gives you a lot of space to try things out. Another customer was there and was chatting up everybody, telling stories about his time in bands and how his guitar teacher was Tom Morello. The store employee was very chill and welcoming, and chatted with us as well.

I had to downsize, which included finding someone to take my old folk guitar, to hopefully benefit…read morea new owner. They paid me $50.

My old bass amp died, and I've been wanting to upgrade for a while. this place if jam=packed with…read moreinstruments and musical gear, new and used. The staff is knowledgeable, friendly, and gave me time to try a few amps, Plus the price on what i bought was the same as the big national chain. And the new amp sounds so much better than the old--bigger speaker, more watts.

Fantastic service from the repairs staff. They listened to what I needed and gave me options along…read morewith costs to consider. The work was solid and turn around time was reasonable. Prices are very fair. Highly recommend!

I've had a half dozen guitars rewired and set up by Sam and Roy at Portland Fret Works - Teles,…read more335s, Martins. I'll be bringing in a Taylor this week. There are no better guitar techs in Portland. I'll be a customer for life. - Mike Rodrigues, Portland

I brought in a couple of guitars, one for a setup and pickup swap and one for a SS refret. Very…read morehappy with how both turned out! My 80's Charvel plays better than I could've hoped for. I can't recommend PFW enough, I definitely got my moneys worth

MusicWerks has made a huge impact on my life. Their friendly, talented teachers are knowledgable…read moreand really great with children. Watching these kids grow from beginners to amazing musicians is a real treat! The flexibility and understanding that MusicWerks has about family life is the key difference between this music school and any other. I highly recommend them.

We love MusicWerks! My daughter has been studying piano and voice at this studio for 4 years. She…read morehas had two different teachers during this time - both excellent. Through MusicWerks she has also had the opportunity to participate in a juried music festival, rock camp, and a variety of group classes. The studio is well organized, professional, and family-friendly, There are a variety of teachers, and Robyn. the owner, will talk with you to determine who might best suit your child's needs. I feel like Robyn has provided me with a lot of parental support, and has always been there to address my questions and concerns. The recitals are really lovely as well. It's wonderful to see the full range of students - from preschool through high school - showcasing their talent in a fun, relaxed environment. I highly recommend MusicWerks. It's a great studio for kids of all ages.

Went to our kid's School of Rock concert at Hawthorne Theatre and honestly it was one of those…read moreparenting moments you do not forget. Seeing your child walk onto a real stage, under real lights, with a full band and an audience cheering them on hits you right in the heart. This was not just kids playing songs. It was confidence. Growth. Courage. You could see how much work they put in and how supported they felt by their instructors and by each other. Watching them perform, handle the crowd, recover from little mistakes, and finish strong was incredibly moving as a parent. School of Rock is a truly great program. It teaches music, but more than that it teaches teamwork, discipline, and how to show up when it matters. You can tell these kids are learning life skills along with guitar riffs and drum fills. Hawthorne Theatre was the perfect venue for this experience. It feels real and authentic, not polished or sterile. Being close to the stage made everything feel personal and immersive. The sound was solid, the flow of the event was smooth, and the whole space felt welcoming to families while still giving the kids a true concert experience. There is something powerful about watching your child perform in a real venue and realizing how much they have grown. We left feeling proud, emotional, and grateful for programs like this that give kids a place to shine. Highly recommend School of Rock and Hawthorne Theatre. This was more than a concert. It was a memory we will carry for a long time.

Nice, friendly people! Very good teachers. It's very nice place for kids. I recommend this placeread more

On the recommendation of a friend and true professional musician, I recently had a prize bass…read moreconverted to fretless. Per my request, they used thin maple fake fret fillers, sanded perfectly flat and added a varnish covering. The work was flawless and spectacular. I even went with their recommended flat wound strings. Likewise, I brought them my jazz guitar for repairs, as well. Their work was better than the (not cheap!) guitar came from the factory (the intonation and action were both better.) The work isn't super fast, but with a small shop that is to be expected. Pricing was quite fair. Big thank you to the whole team. I am a very happy customer.

Always appreciate what these guys do for my guitars. I trust them with confidence new or vintage…read morethey are experts.