Review of Martin D35 Guitar, Sweetwater, and Dan's Music Center:…read moreI was a bit apprehensive when I decided to buy my first Martin D35 acoustic guitar online. After reading the posted reviews of the various online guitar stores, I settled on Sweetwater (Fort Wayne, IN). When I called, I got Jesse Duquette. Jesse had previously owned 50 guitars and it was comfortable speaking with him. He answered my questions and opened my eyes to other facts and styles I needed to consider with the guitar. Most important is that Jesse indicated that there is a 2-year warranty on the guitar, and that he and members of the Sweetwater team will be there anytime should I have a concern. When the guitar arrived, I had to wait 24 hours for the package to become acclimated to the temperature and humidity before taking out the guitar. When I finally opened the box, pulled out and tuned the guitar, I was absolutely delighted with the mellifluous sound of the Martin D35. The action was low, which I desired, but I had a vibration when I played the 5th (A) string. Jesse suggested I take the guitar to a luthier who could adjust the truss rod and that Sweetwater would reimburse me for the cost. I took my Martin D35 to Dan's Music Center (Warwick, RI) where I was greeted by Dan Ryder the owner and luthier. Dan was about to have a bite to eat but stopped, so he could assist me. Dan took the time to adjust the truss rod which cleared up the buzzing. Dan charged me nothing to fix the issue for I could tell he understood and respected the quality sound that comes with the Martin D35 guitar. In summary, although I had initial trepidation with the online purchase of my guitar, I was extremely happy with the service I received at Sweetwater (Fort Wayne, IN) and at Dan's Music Center (Warwick, RI) - and would recommend both companies without reservation. I also would highly recommend Jesse Duquette (of Sweetwater) and Dan Ryder - the owner and luthier of Dan's Music Center (Warwick, RI). Finally, thanks to Martin & Co for making my beautiful sounding Martin D35 guitar. Len in RI

This place is the "real deal." Dan is a superlative guitar player in his own right, and does…read morefirst-rate repairs and setups. His prices are excellent and he keeps a stock in the store that combines the expected high-volume (!) items with some lesser known gems. There is a nicely-curated selected of used guitar amps there with some superb treasures for those with a good eye. Dan does a great job listening to what you are looking for, guiding you to the "best fit," even if it is something he doesn't stock or sell -- he has the best interest of the customer in mind. I brought Dan a vintage Fender Jazzmaster (late 1960s) that has great sentimental value for me. One of the pickups had stopped working -- it turned out to be a break in the wire deep in the windings. Instead of doing the quick fix (swapping the pickup out for a new one), he arranged to have Lindy Fralin replace just the windings, keeping it as close to the original "vintage" as possible. Not as profitable for Dan as selling me a new pickup, but it was the right thing to do for the guitar. Like I said, this place is the "real deal"!

A mom and pop type place where you can still get a deal…read more They offer guitars, bass, banjos, things I don't know the names of. I was able to walk in and purchase a starter guitar set up and go home happy and ready to learn This store is small enough to care about customer service still! I forgot to mention that they offer lessons. While I was there the owner was instructing a guitar player while an employee taught piano in the back room.

Great prices and a very fine place for music lessons on all instruments. Repairs on all instruments…read moreincluding guitars, woodwind and brass instruments.

Couldn't be more pleased. Phil, the owner or manager, is a great guy and this place is clearly well…read morerun. Classes start and end right on time, gave lots of good information when I initially called, easy billing, reasonably priced. I'm not sure if my daughter is going to turn into a world renowned concert pianist, but she looks forward to class and has a lot of fun with her teacher, Alida. The building and practice rooms are nice and new and clean. Phil clearly cares about keeping students safe and seems to be doing all the right things in regard to COVID. Highly recommend.

Lovely space for a piano recital or other music event in an intimate setting. We've always enjoyed…read morecoming here for recitals, and have also visited the Music Mansion for a few shows put on by Stone Soup Coffeehouse. There is free street parking nearby, and the neighborhood is lovely. the Music Mansion is only s few steps away from Prospect Park where you can see one of the best views in Providence. On our most recent visit, we discovered there is a small backyard with chairs, and we enjoyed sitting there before the performance. This is an over all lovely place and I'm so glad that it is still around.

The Music Mansion is, in my opinion, one of the best places in Rhode Island to listen to a…read moreclassical performance. It's a beautiful old historic home that was transitioned into a nonprofit music venue featuring intimate community based performances. The space seats 100 people at most, and you are surrounded with somewhat stern portraits of the family that used to own the home as well as incredible pieces of artwork and a magnificent chandelier hanging above the Steinway piano. I went to hear a friend play several pieces with a violinist and the acoustics are just perfect. There is only one bathroom and it is difficult getting in the front door if you don't have great mobility, and the parking is difficult on a steep and winding hill. But once you get into the space it's a beautiful experience.

I took drum lessons from Tom, the owner of Oasis, for a number of years. I've purchased over a…read moredozen instruments from Oasis, and absolutely love the store. Everyone there is friendly - Tom becomes good friends with his customers, and has a strong base of regulars because they've learned that Oasis is the best place to shop for music instruments. The selection is small, but the prices are always competitive, and Tom is the most honest business person in the state. I can't recommend drum lessons from Oasis highly enough - he is great with kids, and adult, and has a true love of music. It's a fun shop, and really one of the hidden gems of the Rhode Island music scene. A MUST for any music lover.

Cool little shop. Tom is a cool guy and always welcoming to his customers. The selection is…read morelimited, because it's a tiny store, but the great customer service makes up for it. I bought a drum set there when I was younger, a guitar or two, and even took a couple of lessons. Check it out.

My piano had settled (poorly) after the big move & was shockingly out of tune. Also, two sticky…read morekeys! It was time to schedule a piano tuning. I chatted on the phone with Elena to schedule a time for one of their tuners to come by my apartment. She was very helpful & pleasant, finding a time that worked for both of us. She followed up twice before the appointment - once to confirm, & another time to clarify on the parking situation after the big snow storm. Mike, the tuner, arrived exactly on time. He saw my spinet piano & let out a big sigh, informing me that this may be more difficult than we anticipated. We discussed my goals - I was hoping to return to standard tuning. He got to work on my stubborn, old piano, doing his very best to gentle tweak it back to normal. He did a wonderful job, considering the state of my piano. He honestly reported to me that he couldn't get to fine-tuning it yet, so he didn't charge me full price. I was so grateful for his effort & honesty. I will definitely be returning to Avery for all my piano needs, whether coordinating another tune with Mike or purchasing a new piano.

Traveled all the way up to their location from Atlanta, GA, to purchase a like new 2021 Yamaha U3…read more The whole process was super easy, and they even were able to get our piano shipped(extra cost) to our door within a reasonable amount of time(less than a month). If we were ever in the need of a secondary piano, and they had what we needed we would for sure use them again.

I purchased a cello from Michael (Mike) Lyons Violins last fall to upgrade from the beginner…read morestudent cello I had for several years. The new cello projects the sound well and has a warm tone. The price was reasonable and less than an instrument of similar quatlity in the Boston area. I have taken the instrument back a few times for some minor adjustments; I always learn something from Mike about the cello and how to better take care of it. The service is outstanding. He has a unique inventory of violins and cellos and it is more likely you will get the instrument that is best for you. He has a good selection of bows; I upgraded to a new wooden bow a few months ago and love the sound it produces Mike's shop is cool to visit, even if you are just looking. It is a 90 minute drive each way for me, but it is definitely worth the trip. I highly reccomment Michael Lyons Violins.

The service I received at Michael Lyons beautiful violin studio was excellent. As a brand new…read moreviolin student and first time violin shopper, I got the feeling I was becoming a part of a music community by starting here. Michael took plenty of time to show me and tell me all about his custom violins, and he answered all my questions. I love my violin and I'll go back to him when I am ready for a new one.

Mr. McCarten thoroughly explained the work he thought my 101 year-old violin needed in advance -…read morewith itemized estimates -and took time to answer my (many) questions. He showed me where well-priced changes to my current equipment would be a worthy investment. I left confident in my choice to trust McCarten with the work, and had my instrument back within the same work week. Thank you for fair pricing, quality rehab of my unique instrument, and some education in the process.

Went there for a quick fix, they were very nice and helpful. Gave me a free tone up for my violin…read more I was charged very responsibly