The former Ken Stanton Music is now a Music & Arts. I was happy to see they are still a well stocked full service music store. My son needed to pick up an acoustic guitar and the staff could not have been more helpful. They had a roomful of choices and expertise on each. Store manager Jon Bon insisted on restringing the floor model for him. He and Billy Darling have been on the staff for decades. Added a hard case and off we went. Great experiences like that you can't get online. read more

The selection in the store is good. But they have some big corporate issues. The phone system gives an open message when the store is closed. Google hours are incorrect. There is no voice mail. Service phone often rings for 20 rings (gave up after then) and never is answered. The people in the store know about these problems, but the corporate office does nothing to fix it. The corporate call center went so far as to tell me they couldn't control the hours on Google. What? Again, less than stellar workers. Also, personnel is not properly trained. ie: I was told I could get a flute repair done in a week, then I found out it was a month...after I flew to the USA with my flute from another country. So, I bought a new flute. I asked the service department to check it over completely as I did not live in the USA and wanted to make sure there were no issues. Note this was a rather expensive silver flute. They gave it to me saying it was perfect. Well, it wasn't! The interior was filthy...used. The f# key leaks. I am flying back to the USA. It took me 12 phone calls including 2 useless calls to the call center before I could speak to someone. I was promised a call back from the call center in 40 minutes. Never called. Bottom line is, good selection, knowledgeable sales people, lousy service and not the brightest in the call center. I think some of the staff is good at some of the stores, but really, they need training. read more

The service was amazing. I bought a trumpet from here and Mike was so helpful and patient. It was a great experience 10/10

I've been using Ken Station music for at least 2 decades now. Growing up we use to rent our violins from them and would buy all of our piano books from them as well. The service is top of the line. If they don't have it, they will order it for you. I've come in with just the name of a particular piece and no composer looking for the sheet music. The staff member went out of his way not only to locate the sheet music but told me what edition was the best and the cheapest. You really can't get better than that! Highly recommend them! The company has 5 locations in Atlanta and I believe this location is their largest. It's about 0.3 miles north of the Big Chicken https://goo.gl/maps/xJMbRgwavRxephbY8 in a shopping plaza called North 41 Plaza https://goo.gl/maps/yGoYbVMSR8rns7dV7 There is also an Office Depot https://goo.gl/maps/iHJ2mCFBTcah3jCR9 North Tool and Equipment https://goo.gl/maps/iBTMTfFeZLkDAHk16 and Value Village Thrift Store https://goo.gl/maps/CJ3LFL1MBwqZ2xSd9 read more

Ordered a guitar and they shipped it promptly. Eric from web sales was very helpful when I contacted him about my order. Great price and service. read more

Yo the staff are amazing and helped me get a new tenor sax mouthpiece. The reeds are cheaper here than on Amazon. I will definitely come here again If I need anything. They have a large selection of instruments and accessories. Would recommend this place if your in need of a new instrument or an accessory. read more

Music & Arts - ESM jazz tenor sax mouthpiece - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Marietta, Georgia

Ken Stanton Music does a really great job at encompassing all of the necessary qualities for a retail musical instrument store. Their prices are very competitive and usually substantially lower than their competitors. I am constantly amazed at this places large selection of musical instruments as well. They had brands of guitars, percussions and drums that I did not know even existed. The most surprising item for musicians that this place had was the stage lighting. What is an amateur musician going to do with stage lighting besides use it during a performance at a frat party or to when they put on a concert for mom and dad in the back yard? Of course, like all other retail musical instrument stores, Ken Stanton offers lessons for a maximum of $25 every 30 minutes; however, Ken Stanton music separates itself from the competition by having access to over 100 teachers in the Atlanta area. Also, the size of this Ken Stanton Music location easily dwarfs all of the other musician retail stores that I have visited in the Metro Atlanta area. My only complaint about Ken Stanton music is their advertising methods on television. Not only do I see the Ken Stanton commercial way too much, but the setup and delivery of the whole commercial resembles a cheesy used car dealer's advertisement. You know the ones.... There is the fat salesman wearing a ridiculous outfit while he talks so fast that you struggle to understand what he is saying and so loud you scramble for the controller to turn down the volume. Then there is a barrage of terrible graphics that look like a terribly drawn cartoon explosion, which give you the unbelievable price that accompanies the unbelievable deal. Mr. Stanton if your reading this, please do something about those commercials, they make your business look cheesy, cheap and desperate. . read more

Music & Arts - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Marietta, Georgia

They lost my octapad!!! Constantly begged for some sort of compensation. Been 14 months and all I got was a used octapad though I paid for a NEW one! read more

These guys are a joke. Tried to buy 2 sax. Blew me off. Didnt believe me Fu read more

I was very excited to rent my sons first instrument. I filled in the information online and everything seemed great. I received a phone call the following business day advising that they ran a credit report for this rental. I AM HOUSE HUNTING and don't need any new inquiries on my report. My issue is that it did not state clearly that that credit would be an issue. I decided not to do business with them due to this. The thing is the payments are more than any other rental service in my area and I chose Ken Stanton. I am very disappointed. read more

Billy Darling assisted me with my purchase of a Fender Stratocaster. When I first entered the music store I could tell that the inventory of musical instruments was vast. I was interested in a Fender brand guitar and was impressed with the variety of available models. I previously researched equipment pricing before making my purchase and found the pricing structure fair. Billy is a professional guitar player when not working at Ken Stanton Music. He has a wealth of knowledge concerning guitars and related equipment. There was no pressure too close a sale. I was very satisfied with my experience at Ken Stanton Music and would recommend them for a music related purchase. ps: Billy adjusted the guitar bridge for my playing without a charge- great service. A free music lesson was included with my purchase. read more

As a beginner musician, it seems like the 3 or 4 major music stores in the area have pretty much the same prices and selection on the things that I look for. The thing that makes Ken Stanton stand out from the others is their staff. I feel much more comfortable talking to the staff here than at some of the other music stores in the area - they seem to be much more "beginner friendly" and less snotty than the other shops. My only issue is that the guitar areas are a little cramped - I always end up bumping into stuff or almost knocking something over, but maybe that's just me... read more

You won't find another local music shop that has the selection of instruments and other goodies, paired with friendly, helpful customer service. I recently bought a used guitar here (Taylor 114 series), and according to the staff, it should have came with a gig bag. However, they didn't have any in stock. The next day, they found the original case that it came in, and informed me they had it. I promptly swung by and got it. That being said, they didn't HAVE to give me the hard shell case, as that series no longer comes with the hard case, but since they went the extra mile to let me know that they had found it and offered it to me without charge was great. Not many places would go that distance anymore. Highly recommended if you are around the big chicken. read more

As a band director in the area there is only one place I trust to send my students. The Band and Orchestra Department at Ken Stanton is absolutely amazing!!! Their road reps are extremely professional and accommodating, especially when dealing with our school systems. Sometimes with scheduled pick ups for repairs, bids, and meetings it is difficult for us to meet up and plan things out but the road reps always work with our schedule to make sure we can have everything prepared for our students. It is really nice having them come by weekly to check on things and do simple repairs. They have a wide range of instruments available for renting and purchasing. All are reasonably priced and quality horns. I approve of every brand they carry. The process for renting instruments is VERY simply and easy to do. I've not had the first complaint from a parent. When it comes to sound equipment they always have what folks are looking for as well as keyboards and other cords, mics, etc. for whatever you need them for. I appreciate their product knowledge and how they work to make sure you get exactly what you need. read more

Great selection- fantastic sale support. They support Cobb County music. No brainer... read more

Basically the partner of Cobb Co school band programs. If you can't find what you need here to get your band on, something is seriously wrong. But also a well-respected dealer in guitars/basses/drums with a pretty good selection -- particularly hard to find stuff. For example, some maple top Fenders and a nice selection of EVH amps greeted me one day. Top notch stuff that not every dealer gets to stock. Copious staff is friendly and well-schooled, if a little hands-on -- I guess they do tend to get a lot of newbies. But I have no real complaints. Prices are OK (that staffing overhead ain't cheap) but nothing out of line, with a few real specials here and there, none of that hype "blow out" come on. The only thing I cannot judge is their instrument repair -- a key component of a full-service music shop. Just have not had a reason to need it. Yet. read more

The people that work here are very friendly , very helpful , they know what they are talking about , the prices are good , the store is clean and organized. Way Better than guitar center Honestly! read more

Highly recommend Ken Stanton Music. Recently dealt with Eric W. to pre-order an unreleased guitar. The manufacturer had multiple delays and Eric was super communicative and helpful throughout the process. The guitar is still not available from the big box stores, but I was able to pick mine up from KSM yesterday, one of the many benefits of dealing with a local shop. Very pleased with the customer service and look forward to giving them my business going forward. read more

Probably should have written this a while ago. Back in June 2019, I bought a Taylor 414 CE-R (V Class) from Ken Stanton over the internet. I live in CA. Zack Stanton took care of everything. And gave me a great price. Should you buy a guitar over the internet? I think it is GREAT because no one else touches that guitar but you. I ask for one straight from the factory and it comes in the factory packing and everything. And when you are buying a higher quality instrument like a Taylor, you have confidence in their quality control. Besides, you have that Taylor warranty. Anyways, KEN STANTON Music takes care of you the right way. GREAT JOB! I RECOMMEND! read more

Best music store in Atlanta! Great selection, great prices (frequent sales) and an EXTREMELY knowledgeable staff. I've bought 2 beautiful guitars there and take lessons from an accomplished, multi-album production, guitar teacher. Complete kid-in-a-candy-store experience! read more

Was excited to find a music store near me as I was recently in a car wreck and the walk was refreshing. My daughter needed to rent a clarinet for band (middle school). What I thought to be an easy process was not at all of the sort. The manager wanted to d a credit check even though we did not know the brand or price of the leased instrument. The manager must have not ran a credit check in sometime as he had to look over the credit app to see if I signed permission for the credit check. Anyway, it didn't work because apparently my address did not match my identification and then I was to bring back a copy of my lease. I asked all this for a lease instrument that we do not have a pricing or brand name new or used to run a credit check for. Don't let people just run your credit; it does impact it. So, just to be sure I wasn't overreacting; I called around to see if that were customary and I got several no's. I felt some type of way and well I just caution that type of customer service and that is the reason for this review. Be well read more

When shopping, I typically do a ton of research and buy online because I can always always find great deals. With instruments however, this is not always so easy because of vast personal preference of feel, tone etc. I also don't believe in wasting a salespersons time, shopping in the store and then buying online to save a little since it's it fair to the Rep or the business. I usually shop at Guitar Center and Sam Ash, but decided to stop by Ken Stanton last week and I was pleasantly surprised. The store is small, but they have a lot of gear and it felt more like a locally owned family business where they actually care and help vs the big box retailers. All of their guitars are nice quality and most are in tune and set up ready to play. I can't tell you how many times I've picked up a guitar at Guitar Center and couldn't tell you what I thought about the instrument because it was so poorly set up that it was barely playable. I also don't like testing amps in the middle of a store where everyone has to hear you an you have to test the amp at the lowest settings and really have no clue what the amp sounds like when it's cranked up. Same with drum kits. I've been to 4 Guitar Centers in 3 different states looking for a Roland or Yamaha electronic drum kit and no 2 stores had the same kits set up, so it was extremely difficult to compare them side by side or even find what I was looking for. They sell them. You just can't see or test them. Anyway, I'm just not a fan of GC for all these reasons. One step into Ken Stanton and I was greeted by 2 friendly staff members. Told them I was looking for a drum kit and amp for my son. Surprisingly, they had the Roland and Yamaha sets I was comparing set up side by side, amped, ready to play and had the lowest price tag I had seen in weeks of internet searches. Played both sets for an hour or more while the knowledgeable Rep walked me through all the features without any sales pitch. Sold. I also picked up a double kick pedal and throne for a great price. Then I went to the amp room. OMG. Its a room with a door so I can crank them up and actually test them! OMG again, the $800 guitar with the Floyd Rose I grabbed was set up, in tune and actually playable. NO WAY! Really! A second knowledgeable Rep from guitars came in and walked me through several amps with the features I was looking for, gave me a cord, plugged me in and starting showing me all the features of each amp while I played. After testing 3 or 4 amps, he said I'll close the door and you can spend as much time as you need messing around with the gear and I'll be right outside if you need help. An hr later I heard what I needed at the volumes I wanted to hear them before purchase. 3 hrs later, I'm out the door with my drum kit and amp. Got very fair prices on both. For kicks, the Rep threw in a pair of drum sticks and I'm out the door under budget with no buyers remorse. Everything from the selection of products, to the knowledgeable and friendly reps, to fair prices met or exceeded my expectations. Really happy with the entire experience. For that alone, I will support this business even at a slight premium. read more

Been doing business with these folks for over a decade. Honest, decent, and priced for good value. Best retail music store in Atlanta by far. Compare their selection of Fenders and Gibson's with other stores and you will see they have better buyers (they handpick the good ones and you know how quality can vary). In addition they do a nice setup on all their instruments before they hang them on the wall. They have very competitive pricing as well, they don't try to push product on you. read more

Excellent store! I had no idea about what to look for when purchasing a ukulele, but was given a great demo and thorough explanation. Very professional! read more

My opinion of music stores is fairly low. The stores are dirty, impossible to find things in and the people working the store have no clue what they are talking about..Ken Stanton seems different. The stores are clean, well stocked and the staff working in the stores are musicians with years of experience. In addition the pricing as marked in the store is as good or better than on-line. You dont have to haggle to get a decent deal or asks for discounts. I walked in with a price listing from on-line searches and every item was on-par with the best deals I could get it on line. I will definitely be back and this will be my "home" music store for the future. read more

Since moving to the greater Atlanta area, this store is my go to for any musical instrument need. The staff are always helpful, and since most of them are musicians, I find their recommendations spot on. I bought a guitar from them, and most recently an amplifier, and both times I was satisfied with my purchases. If you are looking for an instrument store that can help you find what you need without any pretense- reviewing the products as they are with their good and not so good qualities, I would recommend the Marietta location of Ken Stanton music. read more

I have always believed that you could not find a better music store in all of the Atlanta area, then Ken Stanton. Therefore, over recent years my band mates and I have purchased literally tens of thousands of dollars worth of gear from them. But recently, we went to Ken Stanton for assistance with a defective mixing board that we had recently purchased. Almost immediately, we were treated badly by the staff member. Given my wonderful experience in the past, I was shocked at the way the staff member treated us. It is now clear to me that at Ken Stanton, you are treated as an honored customer only so long as you are buying something. Seeking help with a broken mixer, (a service they openly state that they provide) you are a bad customer. As a musician, we are all well aware that a great music store will value you as a customer whether you are buying a $2500 guitar, or seeking help with a fried mixer. And that is NOT Ken Stanton. I will never shop in Kenny Stanton's Stores again. If you are a person who expects to be honored as a customer regardless of your reason for entering the store, I would strongly recommend that you shop elsewhere, even if it means having to go to Guitar Center. read more

After experiencing another local instrument store in regards to service, product selection and price, there is no comparison that this store is superior. Will make all of my purchases here from now on. Thank you for your great service. read more

My child joined the middle school band so I asked around for a good place for an instrument, either to rent or purchase. A professional musician friend recommended Ken Stanton and another place, and I looked up Yelp reviews and saw there were more positive ones for KS. So we went to check it out on Sunday afternoon and it was predictably busy with other middle school students' parents. I asked for help and got some immediately. The rental agreement read like an auto lease with all monthly payments which can be applied to a purchase, if we wanted to buy it. It was pretty straight-forward and since buying it outright would have cost $1500 - $2000, I opted for a rental. After a credit check, the process went quickly. We were out of the store in 45 minutes with a shiny new alto sax and all necessary accessories and accoutrements. Straight-forward rental agreement, many options for instruments (brands and quality), lots of employees to assist the clueless parents.... They made it pretty painless and efficient. read more

This is an exceptional company. Try to NOT get help when you enter the location!!! It won't happen. Their attention to the customer's needs are above and beyond any other store of this kind. They treat everyone with respect and it is a pleasure to do business with them. For professional musicians...trust me, this is where you want to do business!!! read more

Just like Joni said, this place is cramped, but they have a good selection, and the thing I love about this place is that the amps are sectioned off and enclosed, so if you want to shop for music books, you dont have to hear Stairway for the 100th time when you walk in, but they do have a good selection of amps. read more

This is by far the best music store. Very helpful and friendly staff and their prices can not be beat. If you are considering buying from anywhere else including online, then you should seriously consider paying a visit here as you will be amazed at what Ken Stanton can offer. read more

Bait and switch or just get you in the store. They advertised on their website a used Fender Special Edition Deluxe Ash Jazz Bass at their Marietta location in excellent playing condition in their clearance section for $105. ( URL kenstanton.com/used-special-edition-fender-jazz-bass-ash-body-p/usdfenjazzbass.htrm), I went to the Marietta store and sales person didn't know anything about it, another worker there said if they had it at that price he would have bought it. I showed them the print out I did of the guitar with the pictures of it from their clearance section. They looked it up on their website and he said it had a Squire SKU number, not Fender MIM as the heads stock photo showed. (Squire does not make a Special Edition Deluxe Ash Jazz Bass anyway). He said thew Squire was suppose to be for $145, not $105, and it was at a different store location, not Marietta like the add said. Then they told me the Squire was a candy red one they sold yesterday at another store, not ASH. They had neither a Squire or MIM for either of the prices at that store as advertized. Last night I almost paid for it on line, glad I didn't, who knows what kind of additional problems that would have caused. So their advertisement had 4 inconsistencies and actually nothing correct about it at all. Wrong store, wrong price, wrong guitar, wrong SKU, they didn't remove it from their web site when they sold what ever it was they sold. When I got home and googled the URL (kenstanton.com/used-special-edition-fender-jazz-bass-ash-body-p/usdfenjazzbass.htrm) I had for the original posting from this morning before I went there, it was now gone, and again the same thing you always hear from situations like this, "I'm sorry" but that doesn't help with the situation and the 1/2 hour one way drive I drove to get what they advertised. Never again. read more

I had an excellent experience here, my first with Ken Stanton Music. It's nice to find a Music Store that doesn't just sell guitars and drums. I had called the Woodstock store looking for a YAS-62III alto sax which they did not have in stock, but they informed me that the Marietta store had two. When I called the Marietta store to verify, Emily said she'd polish up the display model and have it ready for me to try. Over the course of nearly two hours I played the two 62s multiple times as well as three other horns, and they just weren't working for me. At Emily's suggestion we tried some different reeds, then a different mouthpiece, and I stumbled on the combination that made the 62 "pop" like I was looking for. Meanwhile the repair shop fixed my old YAS-23 for next to nothing, and they suggested I'd get a lot more for it selling it privately when school starts up in the fall rather than trading it in. Everyone I dealt with at both stores was pleasant and knowledgeable. I'll definitely be back for my future music needs. read more

We went there last moment to repair our daughter's flute and David from repairs department helped us so much. He was great, he didn't just repair the flute but also taught my daughter how to handle the flute properly. She is still new to this instrument. I wish we bought this flute from them, event though we didn't they are great. Thank you David read more

I've bought 4 guitars over the past 15 years or so from Billy Darling, their devoted guru. Even when it has been a lapse of years since I've been in there, he remembers me and asks about my family. He respects the times I'm there to just play and not purchase. I give this place 5 stars for guitars. read more

Let's see if this will review remain -- Lessons -- the instructors are great, however, Ken Stanton's Lesson policy is absolutely atrocious and not family friendly at all !!!! I have been in many lesson programs before, and by far this is the worst. If it weren't for the fact the instructors weren't so great and since my kids already have formed an attachment, we would be long gone..... still looking elsewhere though unless some changes are made. read more

We went there to get a string fixed on our Spamjo. Billy was great had it fixed and tuned in no time and at a reasonable price.

I have visited two Ken Stanton Music Stores one on Dallas Hwy and the other in Marietta, ga over a two day period and have waited a total of 2 1/2 hours just to rent my son a percussion set for school. I am extremely unhappy with the wait and lack of staffing for band equipment rentals! read more

I had my daughter's clarinet that needed repair quickly as she had a concert at the end of the week. Christine in the repair shop told us she would be glad to do the minor repair we asked for while we waited but also walked us through all of our options since the clarinet really needed more work. I wasn't surprised since it was my sister's instrument she had used in high school many years before. She had the quick repair done for us in no time, gave us a loaner for my daughter to use in case hers still didn't play well, and let us know what we needed to do to get our clarinet in great shape for her to continue playing. I can't say enough about the helpful and knowledgeable service she provided. We brought our clarinet back the next day, had it fully repaired, and now my daughter is so happy with how much better it looks and plays. I can't say enough about the professional advice and service we received. We will definitely be back for all of our repair needs! read more