J. Thayer Guitars built for me Odin, the masterpiece electric guitar you can see in the photos…read morehere. It started as an idea on scratch paper. Over time it grew to an ambitious project that culminated with the stunning piece of master craftsmanship that it is today. Completed in December 2012, it embodies everything I dreamed it would and more. More, because when John builds something, he approaches it in a thoughtful, delicate, and intelligent manner, which leads to ideas and features and little refinements that might be lost in something just made to meet requirements. He certainly exceeded all expectations. Odin is not your typical guitar in almost every way, and John was able to innovate in ways haven't been done before. It has a beveled uniquely shaped Korina body, a speedloader floating bridge, Hot Rails and EMG-81 pickups, and an internal wireless transmitter. It has 28 frets and maintains a pure clean sound from the neck pickup. The neck perfectly fits my playing style, and the sustain is great. John worked with myself and an out of state inlay artist to achieve the body inlay. All this was done in the most collaborative fashion, so that it could only end up better than I could imagine, and he was great to work with through the whole process. The guitar has already brought my playing to new levels; as soon as I plug in, it has a very natural feel that lets me focus on the music. I should also say that the price was better than right. I can tell it's a labor of love here. John Thayer is a professional of professionals who will build perfection out of a tree. And if you just need a repair or setup... I think he can manage.

Took in my first Ibanez I've had since 1998 to get completely re-wired with new humbuckers & pots…read more Very nice soldering work and digging all the new tones. Thank you, John!

Mike is amazing. Dude was able to do the best job in the world doing what he loves...teaching…read moreguitar. it shows in his teaching methods. Patient but persistent. I have been his student for over 2 years and have over 75 songs learned from rock to blues, Cream to Joe Bonnamassa, and I am hooked for life. Thank you Yoda.

My son took lessons for a year with a different instructor and only new how to play Happy Birthday…read moreafter that time. We switched to Mike and his ability to connect with his students and has led to my son playing everything from CCR to Joan Jett. I highly recommend him!

Tim Bertsch is extremely experienced in both teaching as well as performance offering his students…read morea multi faceted perspective. He is kind, professional, and adaptive in accommodating various skill levels. The sound academy of music locations are clean, easy to find, safe, and comfortable with safe and accessible parking. The lesson plans are skillfully crafted and heartily comprehensive but most importantly Tim customizes classes that are accessible to each individual's unique requirements. As an instructor he remains present, engaged and patient throughout the duration of your lesson so you receive the highest rate of efficacy on your investment of time and currency. I love watching him perform in his band Jaded Mary as well as solo for his Soul Resonance project and have included some action performance photos.

One of the best teachers I have ever known. Tim is very present and patient and very Positive when…read moreit comes to teaching. He is very confident and can show you almost any song you want to learn just right then and there, very skilled and knowledgable. At 40 I'm learning old time music and Tim Bertsch has really helped me gain confidence in my playing skills.

Arturo was our DJ for our wedding at the space needle. We wanted a bilingual DJ who knew both…read moreEnglish and Spanish since most of my family speaks Spanish as a first language. Arturo was eloquent and ran the wedding perfectly. The music set up and lights were very well done. We had a four hour open bar and we did not experience any issues and everyone had a great time. For anyone considering having Arturo at your wedding as a DJ, you should definitely do it. His rates are reasonable and my husband (military) is a fine detail type planner so he kept us to budget - after discussions with all the various services, Arturo was (a) mature, (b) moderately priced, (c) had his own equipment and set up, and (d) was respectful. The number one issue my husband had when talking to DJ's were that they were (a) young and distasteful in approach and (b) nickel and dimed over every detail. If we have another party in the future we will be contacting Arturo again.

this is the follow up letter i sent to Arturo after he dj'd our event…read more Dear Arturo, I would like to follow up in writing about my experience of your DJ services so that you can know what I am posting on review sites. You showed up to our event un prepared: this included not having your lights that we had agree upon, a missing extension cord and not putting together our playlist. You left to retrieve your lights causing you to be almost 30 minutes late to the event, and on the phone on your way back you requested an extension cord from the facility. Not following clear instructions: I had sent you a play list several weeks in advance was not played. You told my husband that you had intended on formulating it upon arrival. The playlist also requested that no songs with profanity be played, and this was also not followed. There was an overabundance of ABBA played, such that our friends are now calling it the "ABBA party." Unprofessional conduct: The bar tender told me that she had to "cut you off" from the alcohol served at the party. I'm not sure what is typical in your profession, but in my profession any drinking on the job is unacceptable. Additionally, when I tried to speak with you at the end of the evening to express my dissatisfaction, instead of apologizing, you were defensive and argumentative, possibly because of the alcohol, but regardless in appropriate. As someone in the customer service industry, I am particularly aware and sensitive to dealing with clients and going above and beyond to make a client happy. Perhaps this is something for you to think about in the future. I hope you take some lessons from this experience, I know I will. Cherie

Nice little music shop that rents, repairs, and sells new and used instruments. I was surprised at…read moretheir variety of items, considering they are rather 'off the beaten track'. Plus, their prices are better than some around town. Good customer service and knowledge about products.

Once again, Mr. Castleman came through for us. I totally forgot (my bad) to come back and write a…read moresecond review in march, after he fixed my daughter's cello. What a great job he did! Not only did the major stuff get fixed, but also every nick and scratch was filled, smoothed and removed. The cello looks a lot better now. Also, he saved us some money by working on repairing existing pieces, instead of just replacing the bow. He did advise us on better handling of the bow to avoid future problem, and also that the bow fix could be just a temp thing, and might still fail. That was back at end of March. The bow is still being abused daily here! =) Once again, thanks for the artisan-ship, for the professionalism and for the time you took talking to my daughter and I. We always learn something valuable from you! =)

I have had nothing but good experiences with Village Music, let me count the ways:…read more 1) Alan was able to repair my sweetheart's 50-year-old 12-string guitar, which was not an expensive one to begin with, and which other shopkeeps had told me was basically "not worth repairing." It was given to him by his mother and had a lot of sentimental value, and Alan did a splendid job of repairing it. We got him a nice case there, as well. 2) I bought my ukulele there, along with a few books to get started playing (I have never played an instrument before), and Debby patiently showed me every ukulele I asked about, and gave me some great tips for playing, as well. 3) When I decided that I needed a hard case instead of the soft one that I initially bought, Debby gave me full credit on the soft that I returned when she sold me the new one. 4) The store has a ukulele jam every Saturday morning at 11, and Debby sends out new ukulele tabs (and sometimes reworked ones, to make them easier or better) in e-mails to every who's signed up for it. The jams are fun and informative, and Debby is good at helping us newbies figure out easier ways of playing troublesome chords. Today we worked a bit on strumming techniques. Debby puts lots of time and effort into these jams, and doesn't charge a cent for them. Sometimes I'm frustrated because I can't keep up with the more complicated tunes, but she varies the selections so that there are easier ones, too, and I always come away with something valuable that I've learned. 5) When my sweetie wanted a new acoustic guitar that would be easier on his fingertips (so he could keep up with my practicing!), he wound up shopping for it at a much larger store with a better in-store selection for him to try out. But it came from the factory with poor-quality strings, and when we took it in to Valley Music to have it restrung, they did it on the spot, and never said a disparaging word about either the guitar quality or about our not having bought it at their store. In short, we feel downright blessed to have such a good store right here where we live!

Looked around for a music shop to repair my banjo and everybody was booked up. One place…read morerecommended Alan at Village Music, who said he was able to work on it. Dropped it off at his place and picked it up a week later. Sounds good now and was not expensive. It looks like the music store has moved from its original location, don't know the details but whatever works.

I am delighted that I found the Sesame Street Music Studio about three months ago…read more Once I connected with the owner, Christine Kastanopolous, I knew she was the perfect piano teacher for me. I am going to go all the way out and say that I think she is the perfect piano teacher for anyone young or old, novice or expert. Chris' education and teaching background is beyond impressive. Trained at the prestigious Boston Conservatory, holds educational degrees and national certifications, has decades of experience teaching music and music theory. Yup, she is amazing. For me though, while her credentials elevate her to "heads above" others that I researched, it is only a part of what's important. I take hour long, one on one, private lessons each week at Chris' beautiful studio in Silverdale. Chris seems to truly be in her element when teaching. She consistantly allows me to be serious and steady, yet to go at a pace comfortable for me (while gently nudging me foward) and encouraging me to laugh along the way. It's magical. Although I am an older adult, and complete beginner, Chris has been providing me with piano education and lessons in a way that matches my level and has already proven to me that it is super cool to learn to read music and play piano. I highly recommend that if you are in the Kitsap County area, and want to start, brush up, or get your piano playing groove back, check out Sesame Street Music Studio. I bet you too will find Chis to be warm, knowledgeable, professional, skilled, and a whole lot of fun. I am a total novice at everything to do with music (except dance) but am getting better and better each day. Thank you, Chris!

We met for the initial meeting. My 6 year old was being an energetic six year old. The thing that…read morereally got me upset was the teacher grabbing her forcefully by the arm pulling my 6 year old up to her face to yell at her. We immediately left. This really bothered us that in the initial meeting she would put her hands on my child and yell at her. I absolutely do not recommend this teacher for kids.

Had an amazing experience. Owner is super helpful and knowledgeable. I was looking to buy some…read moregear. He walked me through all of my options and explained the advantages/disadvantages - helping make the purchase that was right for me. Price was right. Service was on point.

Dishonest! The owner blatantly overcharged me for the items I purchased. I returned to have him…read morecorrect his "mistake" and he again short-changed me at which time I realized his initial "mistake" was no mistake at all. I hope the few bucks he made were worth cutting his own throat on having a paying repeat customer. It is unfortunate that this was my experience while trying to support buying local and Mom-and-Pop shops.