I have been a patron of the Manassas Music and Arts store for many years. I've come to know Mike the manager and Wes as my go to's. They know through our interactions when I'm looking to make a purchase. In this case to upgrade my tenor sax. They are not pressure salesman. If they were, I would not be working with them, trust me on that. I bought a very nice, professional tenor sax at their Horn Showcase in December 2023. It seemed like the perfect choice. But as I really dug into it at home, I noticed one quirky thing. I informed them about it. I took it to my technician twice and talked to their technician as well. They heard and understood what was happening but nothing showed that was wrong to fix it. I informed Mike and Wes about this "thing" and they brought in another horn for me to try to see about an exchange. It was a more expensive horn, but the horn I bought even with the very annoying quirk played so much better. While I haven't decided if I'm going to return the sax or not, I will say how much of a pleasure it is and has been working with Mike and Wes over the years. They have been consumate professionals and consultative through this whole process as well. I am woodshedding the horn now, putting it through its paces. It seems to be working out, hopefully, as I adjust this and fiddle with that. One of my sax friends has the soprano model of my tenor and and alto by the same manufacturer shared that is a quirk in his horns as well. But he loves them all the same. I get it. The long and short of it is, this is my store and they are my dudes. In an age of rapidly declining customer service, I have nothing but the highest praises for them and the culture they've got going on over there. I will not look to work with any consultants other than Mike and Wes and the Manassas Music and Arts team. Go check them out. Bravo and thank you! As a P.S. I discovered with my repair tech the screws on the octave mechanisms on both necks needed to be addressed. They werent allowing the pad to stay completely sealed with that one fingering. That seemed to do the trick. I'm glad. read more

We've rented and purchased an instrument for three children in middle through high school. Their service and selection have always been top notch. Wes and Roxanna always provided quality service in renting, returns and rental adjustments. read more

Violin Repair: First contact, greeted and helped in due course and simple enough to get my old violin sent off for repairs for a new bridge, rehair, and whatever else was needed. Easy enough. Told I'd get an email or call with estimate but already authorized whatever because I want to donate this instrument to a current student. Got a call back a week and a half later saying my violin was ready. Thought to myself, hey cool, glad I can get it so fast. No word or information provided at this point. My assumption was I had a repaired violin. Reasonable, right!?! WRONG! I head in a few days later to pick it up ready to pay whatever repairs needed to be done (20 years ago I bought one of mine for fairly cheap and had a fair amount of work done so was willing to do whatever it took) They were friendly upon arrival but got my violin and came back and I opened it up going, umm the strings were replaced with the ones I had ordered from their store online and the bow was not rehaired. THEN I'm informed that no work was done, there is no charge and the fingerboard was warped and the cost exceeds the value of the violin. So at what point is customer service going to be stellar for this group? If I had gone in expecting no repairs were completed, I would have had a much better reaction. Do yourself a favor, go to a quality luthier not this store that can't even contact a customer about what's going on with an instrument. Terrible Terrible Terrible service. Either the luthier or the customer rep should have told this to me in advance and it would have resolved my anger. I'm not upset they wouldn't do the repair (more annoyed) but upset that no one thought to share that vital piece that they felt It wasn't worthwhile to repair and did nothing at all rather than remain silent (and would rather sell me a new instrument). My job is all customer service, they need some lessons. And trust me, I've worked since I was 15 and have dealt with my fair share of people. These good folks wasted my time. Don't let them waste yours. read more

I am giving 5 stars because of the superior service and knowledge. The manager and staff are very patient with my many questions whether in person or on the phone. When renting the instruments, they helped us pick the right ones for our children. They were also familiar with the homeschool band that we were joining and ensured that our children were in good hands with the band director who they knew. When I had to bring a trombone in for repair, they explained the issue to me and what would need to be done for repair. We talked through the most cost effective options for the repair. Even with it sent off for repair, I still got it back within a week. I feel like they are passionate about music and want to sincerely help you instead of just trying to make the sale. read more

Took in our sax for a full tune up, including pads, and they charged $700. My daughter played it 3 times and one of the keys was messed up. Band director had someone else look at it, and it needs a new pad...she charges $30. Going to trust our band director's repair shop from now on. read more

Took in our sax for a full tune up, including pads, and they charged $700. My daughter played it 3 times and one of the keys was messed up. Band director had someone else look at it, and it needs a new pad...she charges $30. Going to trust our band director's repair shop from now on. read more

If I could give a 5+ I would. My daughter busted a string on her cello and music camp starts tomorrow. We called the store, explained our situation and asked if they had the needed string in stock. We live about 45 minutes away so they stayed late (on a Sunday!!!) so we could get the cello fixed in time for camp!!! They were so gracious and reassured us it was no big deal and not a problem. This totally made our day. They even gave us a quick lesson on how to properly replace the string. I have been to this store several times and am always pleased when I leave. They are very knowledgeable and will tell you if they do not know something rather than bs their way through it. Thank you, thank you, thank you from a happy camper! read more

I will never shop here again. The manager is the only helpful individual. I barely made it to the store before close one night. There were two employees hanging out around the cash wrap. I asked where the guitar strings were located and they pointed to the back of the store, as if it was such an inconvenience. No one helped me, so I told the employees "hey, if someone could help me out I will get out of your hair faster." when the kid came up to me, I think his name is Collin (he made me so pissed that I wanted to know his name so I could be sure to include it) he mumbles "..don't know anything about guitars..." .."uh, how can i help you." Of course I confronted this moron kid who clearly is incapable of providing an iota of customer service. Kid denies he says anything to me. Okay, so I'm a liar and I'm hearing things? I was livid. I worked all day, was stoked to make it to the store on time and this kid has the audacity to speak with a customer with such immature and unacceptable language.... after that, I'm done with the store. Come to find out, my roommate was taking drum lessons there, she stopped going for similar reasons! When I described what the kid looked like, she knew exactly who i was speaking of. So now, neither of us go there anymore. My Dad and I used to shop there for over a decade, when I told him what happened, he wasn't surprised. He doesn't shop there anyone either!! I'll stick with legit small business music stores or amazon. Music & Arts has completely lost it since being bought out. You are not supporting local business. You are not supporting good jobs by shopping here. Do yourself a favor and use Amazon. Nothing is worth the headache of shopping here... read more

Stoped in for service on my guitar thinking it was an internal issue, Robbie being the guitar guru noticed the kind of pick ups and said well maybe its just a battery issue $2 for 2 9v batteries and we're ready to rock :) very knowledgeable staff here very friendly just a great experience read more

I stopped here to purchase a beginner guitar for my son. Since I know nothing about guitars I asked for help and was sold a $100 beginner guitar. At my sons first lesson the teacher told me that the guitar needed some work to make it so my son can really play it. It's going to cost another $60 to get the guitar straightened out. The folks at this store are nice. I just wish I would have had a knowledgable sales person. I didn't want to bother trying to get them to exchange for a different guitar. Who knows, they may have switched us out. I am counting it as a lesson learned. read more

Had an old beat up guitar that needed a little TLC. Brought it in, and the guy behind the counter was super knowledgeable, and gave me an estimate for everything I would need (it had two broken pegs, needed it restrung as well). The estimate was surprisingly low, everything there was very fairly priced that I saw. They also have a cool loyalty program I joined. read more

My son takes drum lessons from Brad and loves it. Brad is knowledgeable, patient and fun. We are thankful to have found such a great teacher. read more

I have only had excellent experiences at this store. April has helped me with drum sticks, hot rods and brushes. They repaired my Hohner chromonica happily at no charge. The store manager, Mike recently helped me choose an electric bass guitar and amp for our young adult son. Mike made certain I had everything I needed to help him get a fine start to enjoy learning a new instrument. The discounts offered were even better than the online sites. read more

Every time I've come in, everyone is so kind and eager to help! They take their time in trying to help you as best as they possibly can. I always come back! Never have had a bad experience. read more

I'm a piano teacher in the Gainesville/Warrenton area and I have shopped at Music and Arts for many years. They are always very helpful and friendly. I can call to see if they have what I'm looking for, and they'll get what I need together for me so I can just stop by. If they don't have it, they'll order it for me. There are other music stores that are closer to me, but they don't have the selection or service that Music and Arts has. They work well with teachers and students alike. I highly recommend them. read more

We tried 3 times to have a violin bow rehaired. The first time, after waiting several weeks, the hair was too short so the bow could not tighten correctly. The second time, after several more weeks, there was only about half the amount of hair that was on the bow. There was not enough hair on the bow to play. I had to demonstrate to the manager what a properly haired bow should look like. The third time it came back, within days, the bow was exactly the same- sparse short hair. I demanded my money back. There was another woman there that day who needed one string replced. This store wrongfully told her she needed to replace all 4 at once. I would not recommend this establsihment. read more

They seem more interested in selling than helping. And it's always the most expensive options. I felt very uncomfortable with their constant pressure to buy expensive. I also don't like how they are so vain to tell me what I want, as if they know better in the subject. Just because I need help looking for a specific item doesn't mean I should be treated like an idiot because they think they know more than me. read more

Had a wonderful experience with a guitar and amp purchase and a guitar repair. Steve took time to explain what a 13 year old needs as a beginner, advised me on the pros and cons of various brands and listened without trying to sell me things I didn't want. I'm sure I will make many purchases from this business in the future. read more