I have given Owen several of my instruments to repair. He's the real deal: not just an instrument…read morerepairman who truly cares about his work, but a craftsman. I've taken him several instruments--an HD-28 with a crack in the side--I'd banged it accidentally. Also a 1936 Martin 000-18, which needed a reset, action-wise. His work was first-rate, and his prices very reasonable. But the job I was happiest about was the Fender Jazz bass I'd bought 8 years before , at a Guitar Center in NYC. The neck had warped--badly. I asked him to repair it, but he said: "You know... I think this might still be under warranty. Let me call them." He did, and although it took Fender a long time (it was during COVID), when I got the bass back it had a brand new neck. The action was perfect as well. He'd adjusted it, and didn't charge me a penny. A similar thing happened with my travel guitar. It was one of Taylor's amazing GSM Mini's. (You cannot beat them for the money.) Over the years, I took it a lot of places, and unfortunately, the bridge began to lift off. I took it to Owen: same deal: he called Taylor and they repaired it for free.

Owen restored and old guitar of mine from college--really old then--with respect and care. Anyone…read moreelse would have turned up their nose at it. He has a good inventory of stringed instruments and is a true craftsman. We're lucky to have his business in our town.

I can't say enough about how great this store is. And now that they're in the new location, it's…read moreeven better. I've bought, sold, and traded a ton of gear here and it's always been a great experience. The whole staff is very helpful, but not pushy. I often deal with Sam, since we're both guitar pedal aficionados. He's always eager to answer any questions or just talk about gear in general. Their inventory is very impressive, for an independent music store. And their prices are as good as the big online retailers. I don't go as often, since I moved out of the Valley. But whenever I'm out that way, I'm sure to stop by. I haven't been to every music store in Massachusetts, but this is definitely the best one I've been to. Beginner to Boutique, they have it all.

AVOID MILL RIVER MUSIC AT ALL COSTS - JON (the owner) HAS AN APPALLING LACK OF ATTENTION TO…read moreDETAIL. ADDITIONALLY, HE IS EXTREMELY RUDE AND DISHONEST. In the past 25 years, I have over 2500 transactions on ebay and reverb. I have left negative or neutral feedback less than one 1/2 of 1% of the time. In this case, Jon richly deserved it. Many times over. PayPal glitched my address on a Reverb Payment, resulting in Jon sending my guitar to the wrong address. This was DESPITE me giving the correct information to Julia prior to the sale AND having the correct information on file with Reverb. As soon as I saw the error, I contacted Mill River Music immediately -Julia was not there, so I had to deal with Jon. Jon acknowledged the correct information WAS provided ahead of time, that he did not talk to Julia prior sending, and that he blindly went by what PayPal provided without contacting me first to verify. (Despite my primary address of record on Reverb being the one I had provided to Julia prior.) ALL OF THIS WAS NO BIG DEAL- LIFE HAPPENS-I GET IT. However, when I contacted Jon, instead of apologizing for his oversight, and immediately correcting the situation, he was incredibly rude and insulting many times over. OVER HIS LACK OF ATTENTION TO DETAIL. There is no excuse for this deliberate lack of customer service and accountability. None. He then said he would contact Fed-Ex to reroute my guitar. HE DID NOT. Again, there is no excuse for this deliberate lack of customer service and accountability. None. Jon had several days to contact Fed-Ex prior to delivery and failed to do so. He had time to send me several obnoxious messages, but he couldn't make time to contact Fed-Ex and redirect the guitar prior to delivery. This resulted in the guitar being delivered to a high crime area and left unattended in plain view in a box labeled as a guitar. It is incredibly lucky that the new occupants were honest, retrieved it before it was stolen, held it for Fed-Ex and that Fed-Ex was ultimately able to deliver it correctly. (No thanks to Jon.) Jon never once acknowledged his lack of attention to detail with my valuable instrument, or apologized for mishandling it. IF he had, that would have been the beginning and end of it. Instead, Jon's actions have forced me to leave this review as a warning to potential customers. AVOID AT ALL COSTS. THIS IS NOT SOMEONE WHO TAKES PERSONAL OWNERSHIP, PRIDE, AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE GOODS AND SERVICES HE PROVIDES. AVOID AT ALL COSTS. PS: 1. to be absolutely clear, Jon waited TWO days after i reached out before he contacted Fed-Ex. 2. I have screenshots and pdfs of everything. 3. i fully expect that instead of demonstrating basic customer service and simply owning his mistakes and apologizing for them, Jon will reply to this review with more gaslighting and personal attacks. AGAIN, Avoid At ALL Costs!

Whip City Music is what a hometown music store should be- from lessons to instrument repair to…read more cool new and used instruments and guitar pedals. Just gotta love this place! Owner Doug Cotton aims to please- being a musician himself,he knows his stuff and can help out whether you are a budding musician or seasoned pro. I'm so happy Whip City Music is here serving the local community and helping to make downtown Westfield happening again!

From the owner: Locally owned and operated, Whip City Music continues the tradition of providing quality new and…read moreused musical instruments, a wide array of music accessories, expert music lessons and essential music instrument repair services in the heart of downtown Westfield Massachusetts. With our competitive and affordable prices and friendly, relaxed atmosphere, Whip City Music is the place to go for all your music needs.

I love this place! I live in California but have family in western Mass. I've been here four times…read morenow, once for food, twice for music, and once for the luthier himself. All were delightful. The decor is outstanding. The music is intimate, varied and always fun. And Steve is completely at home with his place. I could not recommend it more highly. Just go!

The best music scene in the area, legendary open mic. Great crowds, and amazing team that runs it.read more

I brought in my guitar, I've been playing for about a week or two so I obviously don't know much,…read morethey took a look at my guitar and helped me fix it and are just super informative and helpful I also bought some strings and a tuner while I was there and their employees are so amazing and super friendly and it was an amazing experience in general! They also have an amazing selection of guitars, pedals, etc. I definitely will be coming back next time I need something.

Nice guys, terrific selection of vintage and new instruments, and a friendly safe place to try them…read moreout...prices are reasonable, and being a pro studio player, I would NEVER purchase a musical instrument online or without seeing it and playing it...these guys are the real deal.

Incredible sales folks ! Hard to find items . Prices are better than guitar center . What a neat…read moreplace to hang out and find your next guitar

I went in to buy a new Martin acoustic, but the staff's bored snarkiness made me think they learned…read moretheir social skills in high school, and stopped there. The good news is I bought exactly the guitar I was looking for, the bad news (for them) is that I bought it at a different guitar store that had much better service.

I have brought in four of my guitars (two acoustic and one electric) for basic setup work (one…read moretwice when I changed string gauges). I have never dared to mess with acoustic guitar setups in any way. Calvin and Trevor have been very patient and helpful and I have enjoyed playing the instruments much more after the work was done. Definitely worth the trip out there.

Brought my Telecaster back to life. Can't say enough about how Trevor and his staff listen, offer…read moregreat insights, and truly are partners in helping musicians express their best selves in the Pioneer Valley.

I have had these guys work on my instruments for years they are absolutely the best. They have…read moreperformed miracles on some very distressed old guitars. I have recently sent a 1924 Martin O-17 which is a COMPLETE basket case and I cant wait to see it restored. If you want it done right these are the people to do it. Scott Warender Pompano Beach Florida.

From the owner: Professional guitar repair. C.F. Martin authorized repair…read morecenter.

Great response from the agent. He made every effort to resolve my problem. Because of this fine…read moreservice I will continue to buy at Guitar Center.