Brought some gear back thinking it had malfunctioned. Wrong! I was using it incorrectly. Graciously they helped me and I understood within a minute what I did wrong. Can't say enough good things. read more

great store. really cheap. really recommend. adorable dog. very kind people. goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo read more

Great helpful staff and by far the cleanest consignment shop I've ever been in- everything looks brand new!

Thank god this place is here. I loved Zone and when it closed Sonoma county musicians were left with few choices for their needs. The personal service that Loud and Clear offers is what the industry as a whole needs. Finding the right guitar, amp, and accessories is something that needs a personal touch from someone who understands what you need or what you're after. The atmosphere is great and the deals are always fair. Great place with great people. Highly recommended. read more

To sum it up in one sentence, this is a great and unrecognized music shop in cotati california. For a quick history lesson, Rohnert Parkians and Cotatians may remember this location as Zone Music just a year or two ago. Well the place was cleared and turned into Loud and Clear music store. This place is a typical music store in that they have all your necessary strings, picks, cables, accessories etc. The other great thing they have is a bevy of instruments you will not find at a guitar center or store of the like. They have all sorts of guitars, drum equipment and bass guitars, with some synthesizers and keyboards thrown into the mix. The prices range anywhere from 100 dollars to over 900 dollars (in guitar terms) with all sort of stops in between, so if price is the option, you can find an intstrument that will still allow you to pay the bills next month. The incredibly friendly and funny staff will help you with any questions you have, and will let you plug in and play around with any instrument you want. They even have a seperate room with some sound dulling if you want to hear an acoustic or a specific amp setting better. The store is cozy and generally not too packed so you aren't fighting for control of the soundwaves. They also do instrument repair. I have never gotten anything fixed, but I would trust it in their hands to fix it and give you a fair price. Don't really have any complaints about this place. I've always walked out feeling pretty good with a purchase or even just a visit. If you've been looking for a music store closer to cotati than tall toad or guitar center, I would stop in here for a look. read more

Just called these guys about a gear problem I had and they solved it over the phone with info that other stores' "experts" hadn't come up with. Saved me over $100 (and cost them a sale), but will definitely now make them my go-to place for gear and gear issues. Thanks! read more

Great shop all around. The employees are very friendly and helpful and they have a lot of beautiful instruments. So far I have bought 3 guitars there. read more

Very very nice people! I walked in, first time, and was introduced to everyone in the place, like a family. I was invited in and made to feel welcome. They helped me find the things I needed (a couple of basic items as a music newb) and gave me a few pointers. Great place! read more

Fantastic shop with some seriously great deals on hard to find used gear. Also a great selection of new stuff. Friendly, knowledgeable staff that are all top notch gigging musicians. Great place and people. read more

In this county, when I have a need for any musical equipment, this is the first place I look. Their staff is eager to help out, and very knowledgeable. A lot of their wares are consignment, so you can find some amazing deals on top-notch equipment if your timing is right. I'm about to head back there to pick up a Line 6 Flextone II XL amp, and the deal I got on that is downright obscene. read more

What can you say! These guys were fabulous. I tried what ever I wanted to demo. They went out of there way to make me a great package deal, Kala Uke, Yamaha Amp, Instrument Cord, Strings. One item Concert Size Uke case, they special ordered without any hassle Even saw Frank, the old owner in there. These guys were even doing some kind of charity fund raising by doing restrings. My son has bought several guitars here back the lst 7 years under Franks ownership. read more

I love these guys. Always willing to answer my questions (no matter how stupid they might be) and always able to give sound advice (even if it means talking me out of spending money in their store).... I'm so glad to see them doing well and I hope they stay in Cotati for years to come!!! read more

I was able to find a missing part for my keyboard right here! The staff here are definitely helpful and accommodating. Definitely doesn't hurt to call ahead if you're looking for something specific. My only regret is that I got quite a scare when I came into the store-- their store dog wasn't too friendly. Unless I know for sure that the dog would not be there, I will not be returning. read more

It's a pleasure to do business here, real people who are real friendly. The selection is very large and the prices are budget friendly.

This used to be a cool place, but has gone seriously downhill since Eli left. I wouldn't consign anything with them any more. You can do better. read more

There are other music stores in Sonoma County, but Loud and Clear is my first choice when I am looking for a specific item, and a good value. I used to patronize Zone for the same reasons. They have carried on the Zone tradition of providing exceptional customer service. Now, they have an even greater inventory. I have purchased an amplifier, a guitar and accessories since L&C took over Zone. I am hoping they will get in some new L&C t-shirts so I can wear one at the jams I play at each week (one with the dog on it). Happy New Years to Neville (who I knew from the Petaluma Music Center/Starz store in Petaluma), Randy (who I knew from Cook Jr. High & S.R.H.S) and every else staffing the store. I hope you have a very successful year-economy be darned! Really-check out the price for an item through a music friend type catalog, & then check the inventory & price at Loud & Clear. You will be pleasantly surprised how competitive Loud & Clear is for price and selection. Sensible return policies. Now with inter net sales including local sales tax-keep your $$$$$$ at local private shops vs big box chain stores or out of state inter net sources. You really get the personal attention and positive shopping experience at L&C. Even if you don't end up buying anything, it is still always worth a trip to just stop in and chat with who ever is working the counter. These guys know their stuff! Oh, did I mention I am a big fan of Loud and Clear???? I hope they can get the back yard stage area up and running again, with possibilities for the Sonoma County Blues Society to run their youth blues jam there like it was done when Zone was open. Blues Society, youth jam, Loud and Clear-a very good mix for the younger up and coming musicians getting an opportunity to play with experienced players in a live venue, and a chance to pick up affordable music equipment to help get their music careers off; along with a great source for advice on playing & picking out equipment. Now L&C is offering the music classes that put players together resulting in forming a band that gets to play in a live club setting. Loud and Clear is all things music for Sonoma County. read more

Very friendly people working there. Thank you! They sell clarinet reeds, too, which saved me from having to drive all the way to Petaluma.

Very friendly and knowledgeable staff. Good assorment of instruments and they carry some local stuff too.

Loud and Clear is terrific! One gets personal service/attention. They have all one needs in their location. Neville is fantastic, knowledgeable, fun, and extremely helpful! I'd definitely go back! A++! read more

Love this place! I needed a new mic stand ASAP, and they had them at very reasonable prices. Then I needed a new suspension rig for the new mic stand (second trip), and they had that, too. All of the employees I spoke with knew what they were talking about, which is great. They also have a full selection of cables, for emergencies. Heck, I'd go here for non-emergencies, just to support a local outfit. Five stars for the selection and service I received. A hypothetical sixth star for the Star Trek: The Next Generation character cardboard stand-ups that decorate the store. ;-) read more

Loud and Clear is the epitome of all good things Cotati. Bought my first guitar there and it's still one of my prized possessions. Aside from being a customer though... I did a few stories on Neville in my journalism days and they are honestly a perfect example of what a local business should be. Charitable (restring your thing!) talented (LoudTV) educational and entertaining (Bandcamp). I hope to drive through good ol' Cotati and see Loud and Clear for years to come. read more

This store is full of great new and used equipment. The employees are helpful and knowledgeable. This is a great music store.

I've been looking for a good Les Paul for years. I've bought several but none worked out for various reasons and I end up selling them, usually at a loss. I found a '91 Les Paul Classic at L&C and it felt good in my hands so I bought it. I took it home without expecting much, and figured that I'd end up selling it just like the others. I was thinking that maybe Les Pauls are just not for me and that I should stick to my strats.. Well, the LP Classic sounds as good through my amps as it felt in the store. The honeymoon period is over now but I'm still in love with this guitar. It's the best playing and sounding LP I've ever had and less than half the cost of ones that I've had that weren't that great. Neville and the gang are always fun to see and I love spending my money locally, not at Guitar Center. read more

Loud &C Clear is by far my favorite music store in the country. Not only they have a great selection of instruments but they are honest, fair and very helpful when helping you choose what is best for you and your budget. I have been visiting this music store for a while and I have always been treated las if I were a rockstar. LOUD AND CLEAR ROCKS read more

They are an amazing music store! They have helped my husband countless times find amazing petals and guitars!

I just visited this store for the first time after searching at guitar center for the product I needed (an orange rockerverb 50 guitar amplifier). I was given a recommendation to visit Loud and Clear, and was very happy for the tip! I found the head I needed, and was treated to great customer service. I am very willing to make the drive up to Cotati now for all my music-related needs. read more

These guys helped me out with a music and sound issue that had nothing to do with their business. They totally love what they do and are a pleasure to work with. I would go to them with any music-related need and they will refer you if they can't help you. read more

I moved up to Sebastopol 2 years ago. I love all things guitar - Acoustic, electric, amps, effects, talking & talking & talking about same. I've learned after 45 years that it's polite to be aware of customers going in out of a store while I'm rattling away about the '59 MAPLE NECK STRAT!' that got away (& the 1960 330 Gibson ). Having a massive story of woe is not an obligatory part of the guitar ownership process - I believe that getting through that part of the process with 35%(?) of new customers is an integral part of working at a guitar store. You'll receive a knowing, empathetic look of understanding and, if the store isn't jammed, a return story. It's musician therapy and is part of the getting acquainted to a new store process. Musicians, by and large, are loyal to 'their store.' Prior to moving to Sebastopol I had 'my store'. I bought nearly everything guitar related from that store for 30 years (I am old). I know music stores, when I travel I make time to visit cool stores in various towns. There are soulless music stores (yep, that one), very polite stores in very, very tony towns with fabulous guitars with $2000 entry level price tags, a couple of GIGANTIC online stores with hard working people picking up the phones (I'm fighting off a powerful urge to editorialize about one of those companies), guitar stores owned by fabulously wealthy people who love instruments and just want a store for fun...They really do exist. Of course the famous old stores in LA, Manhattan, Staton Island, Chicago, Nashville...There's a lot of cool stores, we have one as well. I bumbled my way into Loud & Clear Music in Cotati few months ago when I was taken to a very cool, 100% community oriented event - My girlfriend took me to an event that was sponsored by Loud & Clear to benefit the, Dog Wood Animal Project. Head over & see the these great dogs & cats, get your heart stolen, make a $10 donation to a really worthy local cause and get your guitar restrung on the spot with a nice, minty fresh set of D'addario strings. How hometown is that? My sweetheart spent 90 minutes with these terrific dogs and cats, I spent 15 minutes with the adorable dogs & cats and went inside the store and spent 90 minutes with adorable consignment Les Paul's, 330's, Jazzmasters, Strats, Tele's, Boogie amps, Roland amps, Fender, Marshall, Hughes & Kettner, P-Basses, Gretsch, et al. Among of the more miserable experiences in life is going into a guitar/music store for the first time and feeling like an idiot because you're out of your element - I know a surgeon who would not return to a store in Sonoma County as he was made to feel dense about asking about guitar lessons for his daughter. He's a very humble guy who knows that he loves The Beatles. He knows how to perform surgery but knows squat about Rickenbacker's, Gretsch or Hofner's. I'm delighted that he's adept at his chosen discipline. Prior to moving to Sebastopol I used the same tech guy for 22 years...L & C have set and &/or repaired 3 guitars for me and are in the process of doing surgery on another one. Everything has been spot on. Really, no ____. Prior to the doggie event, which I understand they do a lot of every year, I'd never heard of the place before. I called a couple of local musician friends, working musicians, who knew about Loud & Clear and were surprised that I didn't. Actually a number of players outside of Sonoma County that are hip Loud and Clear. As I mentioned, when I travel for whatever reason I'll check to see if there are any cool, old school or famous music stores and pay a visit. Loud and Clear falls into cool, old school category, they've had all the gear I've needed, strings to cases to pedals to repairs. When I like something I make noise about it...They're my hometown store now, I feel bad for them. read more

My one cavil is that the guitar cases were a little on the pricey side. My husband thought the sales person was kind of loud. But they have a fabulous selection of used instruments and they seemed reasonable to me. (Though I haven't bought a guitar in years.) We were celebrating my husband's new job, and had gone down there intending to buy a Martin he had seen there before. After he tried out several guitars, he ended up selecting a Takamine he liked better than the Martin he had been dreaming about. And I had been going to buy a cheap six string to get back into playing and he talked me up to an Ovation. No one minded our trying almost every acoustic in the place, and no one tried to pressure us into buying anything. We had a lovely time, and both guitars together cost about what we would have paid for the Martin alone. (Both of us are amazed that he ended up with a Takamine instead of a Martin, but he played both of them several times and really did like the Takamine better. Even from the same company, no two guitars are exactly the same. And no two players want exactly the same thing from a guitar.) read more

Good store. Good gear, nice people. Go there and buy stuff- you won't regret it. After having negative experiences at other music stores in the area, it is really nice to know that there is a cool local music place I can go to. Awesome store. read more

friendly staff that is always willing and ready to help! be on the lookout for their local events they host... get your guitars restringed for good prices, or come by when they host a showcase of birds to support nature reserves... this is the local music store for the people read more

The very best thing about this company is the PEOPLE! I have seldom enjoyed such excellent help for a tiny task. Yes it is a nice store, and full of awesome gear and supplies, but the guys are the best part! Pleasant, personal and professional! read more

I went in here not sure what to expect. What I found was the best selection of used guitar gear I have ever seen in the Bay Area. From your typical (JCM 800s, Boogies, Fenders) to your obscure (Rack preamps/poweramps, MIJ Boss Pedals) they have just about everything a guitar nerd would want. And awesome star trek themed stuff. And friendly staff. And it is all priced very reasonably. read more

As we all know - a few years back there were loads of cool music shops around the area, then the economy tanked, small independent's couldn't compete with online vendors and suddenly almost all of the stores disappeared. This even included our beloved Zone Music, a local hang out for years. It's wonderful to see Loud and Clear rising like a proverbial Phoenix from what had been Zone!!! -- Along with this, they're friendly, helpful, knowledgeable and every time I go in, their inventory has gotten better, they've knocked out a wall and expanded a bit more and just gotten better and better. Add to this their community events like Rock Band Camp, flea markets and the ever popular humane society "string-a-thons" - add to this Clifford the Dachshund, and what do you have - A GREAT community supporting - fun to be at - well stocked - music store!!! - Thanks for being there - and best wishes for continued success! read more