Hardt's music is a wonderful area brand. They have a great store, and knowledgeable and helpful…read morestaff. I'd give them 5 stars, but everything they sell is a bit pricey. But you do get what you pay for, and the service provided is excellent.

From the owner: PA rentals, Band and orchestra rentals, guitars, amps, PA gear, sheet music, musical accessories,…read morepercussion and lessons.

Friendly people who understand musicians. i was in bad need of some certain strings and they had…read morejust the right fit.

I stopped in Parrish Music in June intending to browse and nothing more. Instead I walked out with…read morea beautiful new guitar! I got a great deal and was so impressed with the knowledge and friendliness of their staff. By the way check out their new Aria parlor guitars! Amazing sound and quality for under $300! I highly recommend Parrish Music. Tom D.

Barry Clark is one of, if not the largest dealer of Hofner basses in the country. I have bought…read moreseveral Hofner Contemporary model basses from him. Every bass is set up before it leaves their shop, and they make sure that you are satisfied. I've had nothing but good experiences when purchasing online with him. I highly recommend this be your go-to for a Hofner bass!

Oops Barry did it again! I went in a few days ago and picked up a very very very cool thin-body…read moreacoustic-electric Flamenco-style classical guitar. Awesome- and you can see my other review on that day's tremendous - dare I say... say it again, tremendous outcome. Can you say, YES to the question - have you ever made an in-store purchase for something very expensive such as a specialized guitar, and had a discount so deep you thought the salesman made a terrible, job-ending quote? I can say yes and I knew you could too! Today, a week later I bought a bass guitar and another guitars, this time an Ibanez acoustic-electric cutaway dreadnought body (steel string). I won't go into the details of the discount because of the ethics of good business, but jeepers! I have purchased musical instruments mostly in the U.S., but abroad as well, and let me say Barry Clark and his family offer customer service better than any place I have shopped. Sounds hyperbolic, huh? I saved a ton today and I have to admit I'm a little giddy about my purchases today. Man, oh man, no regrets on $1400+ purchase AND that's the discount pricing. No remorse in a situation where I usually come away sulking for a few days. That's another blog. As of today, there's a very nice, well-cared for Taylor hanging in the used area that I have my eye on. Barry's already asking a discounted price but I'm betting that someone with some negotiating skills will get a deep discount also, and practically run from the story thinking they just stole something. See for yourself. Say hello to Barry. Remember, if you don't see what you want just ask. His warehouse is packed full.

Rochester Pro Music is your typical local music store…read more They have a good number of electric, acoustic and bass guitars from common brands like Fender, Ibanez, Les Paul, etc... As well as a good selection of pedals and amps. As would be expected, they also sell PA equipment, drums and mixers, as well as a pretty hefty selection of used gear. The store also has six (I believe) teaching rooms, and a number of guitar and bass teachers. My former guitar teacher is now working there. As expected, they do repairs on musical equipment. There are a couple of reasons I am giving them four stars instead of five: 1)Their pricing isn't too competitive. 2)The owner does not like "random jamming" on the guitars, because they wear on them a bit. While this is a perfectly valid point, every other music shop I've been to will let anybody borrow a cable and pick and play with their guitars whenever they want. Why? Because they'll buy sooner or later. 3)The brother of one of my neighbors bought a Les Paul guitar there, and brought it in for service on something that was under warranty, and they would not honor the warranty. While I certainly don't know the whole situation, it's still something to consider.

Great shop & very friendly employees. They have a good selection of instruments, music, parts,…read moreeverything a musician needs! Awesome products for the value too.

These guys suck!!! Bait and switch. Promise credit for upgraded instruments when you rent from…read morethem. Never have the damn instrument, keep making promises the bastards can't keep. Will never cut you a deal on the instrument you are renting either. Go to leitholds. Better deal and customer service.

The staff is always helpful and they can special order items not in stock. We've bought a violin…read moreand trumpet from Schmitt, and had the trumpet cleaned and maintained.

As a beginner I wasn't sure where to start when it came to cleaning and restringing my bass. Chris…read moreand Noah were very knowledgeable, kind and helpful. My bass was restringed, cleaned, tuned all within a timely manner and they sat through all my questions. I'm lucky to live close by but regardless if I didn't they would still have my business. When I'm ready to purchase a nice new bass this will 100% be the place to get it.

This team strives for excellence and they have such a passion for guiding young minds! Ryan's…read moretalent and ability to instruct is unparalleled ! PRS is terrific! I will definitely be an ongoing customer here.

Cool place. Love the instructors. Guitar, bass, piano, drums and vocal lessons. I take guitar and I…read morestarted as a beginner and I already can play much better than I could if I was trying to teach myself. I would have given up by now if I was teaching myself. They keep me from giving up.

I have to tell you guys and girls about the Cochrane Arts and Music Project. CAMP as their acronym,…read moreprovides a very valuable service to it's community and the world. This is how. Anyone can bring them an idea. Together, with you they brainstorm and develop that idea, into a marketable music or art project. They work mostly with children, and young adults. Offering musical instrument lessons, poetry, songwriting and producing. As well as creative Art, sculpture, crafts, comedy and video projects. They also help people to create ways to market, their creations, using all available marketing mediums. Everything they do is a creative process. They work with you to develop your idea. Here is the good part. Their participants only have to give back to the community, through performances, food drives, elderly help, music therapy, Art exhibits, and general community service. The nature of their business is Arts and Music. CAMP is a Not- for - profit 501 (c) 3 Organization. Which means their services are basically Free to the community and you. They do accept donations, via direct mail, alert pay and pay-pal. Donations help with administrative cost, as well as supplies, utilities and marketing. CAMP helps artist with writers block and stage fright, as well as creativity. Although it is a local organization. Their business model can be replicated. Anyone can call with questions or check out their website.

I needed a Ukelele to play at a local venue, a few beginners lessons. I stupidly bought one from…read moreDave's, along with a tuner. They had a number of Ukes showing on their webpage, but when I got there there was only one in the size I needed. I should have gone with Amazon! I went to one class and discovered that I was having trouble with chords, as I have arthritis in my hands. I played this uke a total of under a half hour. it's exactly as it was when purchased. I got it on Valentine's Day, which is three weeks ago. My mistake was not checking their return policy. I could have returned it for free on Amazon. So much for buying local. The owner told me he could 'buy it back', whatever. I just turned and left. Now I'm out $263.63. Am I wrong to think he could have made one exception?

Dave's is the place to go to get great deals on new and used guitars when the transaction involves…read morea straight buy instead of a trade. The trade values are typically pretty low, but the turnaround pricing is also low. The shop also has unparalleled service and knowledge -- they know what they're doing and they're very professional about it. I wholeheartedly recommend. In fact, it's worth the drive down from the Twin Cities because they're that much better than most of the shops up here.