If you're rusty and aren't exactly sure what you need, don't go here until you figure it out…read more Marsh is a decent store with obvious professionals, but they aren't so stellar on the retail customer service. Reeds. I needed reeds for my saxophone. I stopped by Marsh hoping to restock. Typically, I buy several boxes at a time, a relatively expensive venture. No typical purchase this time, though. For some reason the store was diverting customers for the retail side through the repair shop. With instruments in various stages of repair, and sheet music crowding the small aisle, navigating to the retail side is a bit confusing to a first-time customer like me. So, I waited for one of the two repair shop employees to wave me past. While I waited, I overheard one of them explaining to another customer the best repair technique to use for his trumpet and why the option the customer wanted wouldn't work. I was impressed enough with how well he explained it, that I may keep Marsh in mind for an upcoming repair. The retail side? Totally different. Because I buy so many boxes of reeds at a time, it'd been a while. I was a bit rusty on the brands available, and I noticed they didn't carry the one I wanted. The gentleman available to help -- didn't. I could have dealt with his rote indifference in the questions he asked, except when he started to laugh. Wow. Nothing like laughing at a customer who's expecting you to be a bit more forthcoming with information. Total turnoff. I ended up buying only one box of whatever brand he mentioned just so I could get out before I lost my temper. Admittedly, the question I led with was similar to going into a bookstore and asking for the "book with the soft cover and having a picture of some sort" on the cover. Total doofus move. But still, the condescension in his voice from then on, was unnecessary. Customer service on the retail side: 1 star. Because I was partly to blame for not being prepared, I'll give it 2 stars. Repair side: 4 stars.

What can I say about Marsh...Hm…read more Since I have never actually utilized their retail function as a store, I will say that this review is for the repair work that they have done on my instruments. First time going I had an issue with a clarinet. No note could be produced except for G (for those of you who don't know, to make that note, all you have to do is blow air into the horn. No fingerings or anything special like that). Took the instrument to Marsh expecting to have to pay money out the wazoo to have the clarinet repaired. Guy took one look at the instrument and adjusted a screw. Suddenly, it worked again as if it was never "broken." Since it was such a small thing, there was no charge, which I thought was really awesome. For the second visit, we brought in an old C Melody saxophone that could be dated to just about one hundred years. I had tried to produce notes on it before with little success. Nothing could be done about the aesthetics, but after the guys at Marsh were through with it, they had the instrument working again properly, all notes produced and everything. They even threw in a new mouthpiece and reeds so it could be fiddled with (that is, in the right hands). Last week, we brought a used (but new to me) Yamaha tenor sax in just to see if there was anything that needed to be done. A couple of the pads were replaced, but for the sake of making the instrument "easier to play." Most other places I have gone to would have claimed that if all notes could come out, then nothing needed to be done. They gave up some lacquer polish, and the instrument sounds great. I am always proud of the work that Marsh does. I have been told for years that it's the place to go. So if you're looking for a woodwind repair shop, look no further than this fantastic shop.

I teach various instruments but like to teach uke the best since it is the easiest way to learn a…read morefretted instrument. There used to be four great music stores here and now we are down to one, and luckily, they are hanging in there. Harry has actually retired but the employees are still there. I always steer my students there since you can get a decent uke for just over $100. Then you can take your time to get a better uke once you are sure you want to get better. If you don't get their complete attention, it usually means they are dealing with a difficult customer, but they will get to you.

I haven't been in every "guitar shop" in Raleigh. I would…read morevisit other shops but I don't have a reason for it. I met Harry Tueting the year he opened Harry's Guitars on Glenwood Avenue near downtown Raleigh. I bought strings and played new guitars I could not buy- no steady job. Still I had a clunker to bang on. I took lessons from Steve Howell in the early years. I met Terry Dineen when he began some years later. He was just a kid but he knew a lot more about guitars than I did. I'd played since I was 12, on cheap guitars, but I played. Thanks to the things I learned through visiting this business, I've developed into a modestly decent player. I've met musicians of every skill level in a place where I feel welcome. I've listened to people crank the amps and play for HOURS. No one ever objected. I know and understand the value of a good guitar. I've bought -and returned- guitars from Harry's. Nobody complained. I read the bad reviews given herein and I am STUNNED. Perhaps the reviewers are (1) upset because they did something out of ignorance and can't get over it or (2) have an ax to grind because they weren't regarded as royalty or (3) are simply mean spirited. I cannot in any way associate anyone I know, or have known, at Harry's Guitars with the ugliness I read in those "reviews". Not under Harry's watch. Not under Scott and Mike's watch. Not in the real world.

This is a great little place which has some extremely talented music instructors. Dan Hall is an…read moreamazing drummer and a truly fantastic drum teacher. His teaching style is laid back and always focused on enjoying the journey. My two sons and I have been working with Dan for nearly 2 years ... and I cannot recommend Dan highly enough for anyone, kids or adults, looking for a drum teacher that can take them all the way from lesson #1 to the stage ... or anywhere in between.

This appears to be more of a lesson studio and setup/repair shop than an instrument dealer…read more Lessons seem to be performed right in the main shop as one young lady was struggling to make chord changes while the instructor was giving her positive encouragement. The gentleman giving the lesson appeared to be both patient and kind, a necessity with beginner students. He told us to let him know if we needed anything, we acknowledged/thanked him and quickly browsed the shop to see what might be of interest. While there's a Gibson Acoustic, an aging Ovation 12 string Acoustic and a somewhat damaged Carvin bass on display, most of the guitars seem to be of "Beginner" quality. For instance, maybe I didn't look in the right place, but I did not see any Fender guitars that weren't squire's, nor did I see any Gibson electrics. I did see an Epiphone, a Hondo, a couple Jasmine's and so on. There are also several other stringed instruments, violins, upright basses and the like. Some were repaired and on display, and others were in various stages of repair. All in all, the shop seems to be geared toward the beginning and budding musicians looking for entry level instruments and someone to teach them how to play. Absolutely nothing wrong with that model. I do hope to stop in again the next time I'm in Pittsboro.

It's a small shop and appears to be for lessons and lower end guitars primarily, but Tony Sullivan…read moreis an exceptional luthier and works on all string instruments. He has done amazing work for me on several electrics, a world class nylon string that I really goofed up which he brought back to life, and even my banjo. He is one of the most knowledgable and talented luthiers I've ever met, and his rates are very fair and the turnaround time is always reasonable. First Rate!

Top-notch luthier John Montgomery and his staff are professional and helpful. Great selection of…read morestringed instruments and accessories on hand. The store has many interesting musical artifacts, books and sheet music. I recently purchased a bench made violin from JM after a long grueling process of trial and error trying to find the perfect instrument. John made a recommendation and it turned out to be the perfect fit for me. Great quality does not come cheaply but it was worth every penny and was superior in sound and performance to others in the same price range. I was able to find outstanding service, quality and value. I'd like to recognize Freda for always being friendly and responsive. Thanks Y'all!

John Montgomery is an excellent Luthier and we are very fortunate to have someone as knowledgeable…read moreas Mr. Montgomery as a resource here in North Carolina. However, because Mr. Montgomery has such a superb reputation, he has a tendency to charge much much more than Luthiers for comparable work in other markets. Our family has had several violins worked on by top notch luthiers in major markets such as Chicago, LA, and New York. The costs for repair done by Mr. Montgomery is nearly twice what you would expect to pay if you went to a comparable luthier in another location. I suppose it would be a case of supply and demand. We have attempted to sell 2 violins on consignment through Mr. Montgomery. Not only did he inform us that we would need to sink 1500 into a $7500 violin in order to make it "marketable", after having the violin in the shop for over 5 years now, there has been no sale. So at this point, we have to pay 1500 to get the violin back or continue to let it continue to age with absolutely no communication or status updates from Mr. Montgomery. If you need to purchase an instrument, you will be able to find excellent "high-end" instruments and accessories. However, if you are looking for repairs and/or to sell your instrument, you would be better off either selling at auction or taking it to a luthier in a different market who will not take advantage of the seller in terms of repairs and sales commission.

Wonderful music school with reasonable prices. I am so glad I found this place. They have an…read moreextensive list of instruments they can help you work on. I might even take more than one class here someday. Amazing staff. Very responsive. Highly recommend. Such a blessing.

This is a very cool music store, adjacent to the music store is a coffee house, in fact they are…read moretogether. The coffee house has a stage with gear and it looks like they are ready to go. A musician just has to plug in and play. Open mic on Tuesdays. They have an array of used guitars and consignment instruments. I played a few guitars and talked with Steve. As I was playing a number of people came in and signed up for lessons. I had a coffee with a shot of espresso for $3.17. Free Wifi here also.

Great spot to chill and grab a beer. The establishment had an interesting look about it with plates…read moreof patrons on the walls. Some with funny sayings. Service and selection of beers was very good. I didn't try the food so i can't comment.

I can't tell you how pleased I was when I brought my flute to Flying Squirrel for repair. The woman…read more(sorry I did not catch your name) was so competent and knew her way around a flute. She was able to quickly identify the problem, fixed it and proceeded to do a thorough evaluation of my flute, making sure it was in good order all around. To my pleasant surprise, the cost was very reasonable and I left with a flute in perfect working condition. I highly recommend Flying Squirrel Music as the place to go if your flute needs a "tune up", pun intended.

Just wanted to the the guy who waited on me at 11 am this morning, I traded in one of my amps and a…read morepedal for a killer LTD AS-1 and he tested my amp and pedal and had me out the door in like 20 minutes. I did not get his name but super nice and professional! This is my favorite MGR store out of all of the ones I have been to. Thanks, Gene H

Friendly, helpful staff, reasonable offers, reasonable prices on used gear that seems well…read moremaintained. This is the second time I've sold/bought to/from them, and I'll definitely go back when the itch hits me again.