Jerry is one cool dude! Went in after seeing a listing online for a vintage guitar. He let me try…read moreit out and gave me a heads up about repairs the guitar had (which he had done very well) and answered all my questions. At the end of it all, we made a great deal and I walked out with a sweet vintage piece. I also learned a thing or two while I was there. Thanks, Jerry - I enjoyed chatting it up today. Look forward to being a regular customer!

Jerry was kind and attentive to my family. He sold us a nice second hand Wampler Ego pedal and a…read moreMexican Stratocaster. We will return for more good stories and conversation. Thanks again!

I called Imperial Vintage Guitar's and spoke with Jarrett. I made an appointment with him to take…read moremy son's Fender Telecaster in for a tune up. It was in pretty rough shape. Jarrett is a real expert who knows what he is doing. After leaving the guitar with him for a few weeks, the guitar is back to sounding and playing well. Jarrett also took the time to explain what he did. I even bought a new case from him too. If you value your guitar, take it in to Imperial and you will be happy you did. Thank you Jarrett.

I took my little Fender Modified Vintage Jaguar bass (short scale) into the shop because I was…read morehaving a problem with volume on one of the strings. Sebastian was great in helping to figure out what turned out to be a minor fix. He was very accommodating with his schedule and definitely has expertise in repairs. Greatly appreciated!

The Yamaha NTX1 that I purchased had fret buzzing issue. Cameron at the front door suggested me to…read morego straight to Xander to check. Xander suggested me to return / exchange it, and Ralph did it. Everything was smooth and pleasant. The second (replacement) NTX1 had the same issue. I went straight to Xander, and he remembered me! I was impressed. Not only he confirmed the issue, he also walked the extra mile to help me find the solution. He also connected me with Brett, the store manager. Brett was very pleasant and super helpful. He honored the 10% off from my trade in, and transferred it to my new order (different brand). Again, this branch is truly my fave music store now

Staff were very helpful and patient with me when I visited their store to get a speaker aux cord to…read moreconnect to my laptop. Very friendly staff.

I recently visited Irvine Art and Music to select a new GS Mini-e Mahogany, and I couldn't be more…read moregrateful for the assistance from Gabriel. His help was incredibly valuable and made the experience both enjoyable and stress-free. Gabriel was patient and knowledgeable, introducing me to several options and allowing me to hear and understand the subtle differences in each guitar. He didn't rush the process and ensured that every choice was tailored to my desired style and size. The GS Mini-e Mahogany turned out to be the perfect fit for my emotional storytelling music. Thank you, Gabriel, for your excellent service and for making this a memorable experience!

Great customer service and very knowledgeable about their products. Helped me select the best…read moremetronome for my needs.

I can't say enough good things about Vez Guitar Academy. I've been taking lessons here for a few…read moremonths, and the amount of progress I've made honestly surprised me. The instructor, David, has been both patient and motivating. He never makes me feel rushed, but he also holds me accountable in a way that actually helps me learn. In just a short time, I've gotten to explore songs across different genres and I feel like I'm building real skills. The atmosphere here is warm and welcoming thanks to the whole team. From my very first visit, I was greeted by name, which immediately stood out and made the space feel personal and friendly. Everyone I've interacted with has made an effort to connect, ask about my day, and make scheduling or rescheduling easy. I've also had a couple of my guitars repaired here, and the work has always been done quickly, thoroughly, and at very reasonable prices. I really appreciate how they take the time to explain what was done and walk me through options. I'm so grateful I found this place and will be continuing to go and recommending it to others.

I brought my guitar to Vez Guitar Academy as a total beginner, and the setup made a huge…read moredifference. The guitar became much easier to play. A few months into learning (and a few too many "I swear this is the last one" guitar purchases later), I've come back for more setups. Aries and Elijah are incredibly welcoming and never make beginner questions feel out of place. They also stock a good variety of instruments, amps, and accessories. Before purchasing anything online, it's worth calling or stopping by. Awesome local business!

If your into guitars and especially Latin Music instruments this might be the coolest place in the…read morecountry. 4 generations of Luthiers have resulted in amazing instruments. The nicest and most hospitable store I've ever visited. If you're a guitar connoisseur, this is a must!!

Candelas, it was great. Very nice people who provided history of the candelas shop. It's a family…read moreowned business. The guitars a known to best in the world. I will be going back. I highly recommend this place to visit.

Ekber is knowledgeable, patient and attentive. Ekber took the time to find out the kind of music my…read moredaughter listens to and her music goals. He tailored a lesson plan aim towards her goal as professional song writer. He even helped her find a perfect guitar and amplifier that elevates her music. My daughter is so motivated to come to class every week.

From the owner: Our school is run by the talented guitarist, singer, and music producer, Ekber Turdi. He has three…read morehit albums and a huge following in China. Known for his unique hard rock style and earthy vocals, his American fans are eagerly awaiting his soon to be completed first English album. His style and technique is reminiscent of the master guitarist, Nuno Bettencourt.

I usually setup my basses myself and do a pretty good job, however, I could never get my Warwick…read moreCustom Shop Streamer bass setup to my satisfaction. After looking at reviews of several shops that do setups, I settled on James Hood. The experience was great. As soon as I had an initial conversation at their shop, I felt confident they knew what they were doing. The turn-around was quick, the cost is very competitive and the setup is perfection. They will be my go-to for any of my bass repairs/setups. Check 'em out-you won't be disappointed.

This was my first time using the shop, and I was really looking forward to it, especially after…read morehearing so many positive reviews. I brought in my Taylor K24ce, and I also left my Taylor GS Mini that day for a neck reset. At drop-off, the front desk tech assured me the low E buzz on the K24ce would be addressed and handled as part of the standard setup. Both guitars stayed with them for nearly two weeks. I called a few times since I wasn't getting updates, and eventually was told both were ready for pickup. After driving 30 miles, I tested them in the shop. The GS Mini was done well--I could see an improvement in the neck, and I appreciated that. But when I took out my K24ce, it wasn't tuned or wiped down properly. After I tuned it, the exact same low E buzz was still there. How could that go unnoticed, I wondered--had the guitar been played after it was tuned, they would have then noticed the buzz and should have informed me by email, rather than having me come all the way down. I mentioned it to the owner, and he took the guitar to the back for about 10 minutes. When he returned, he told me that if I wanted to leave it, I'd need to pay another $90 for a deeper inspection, since it might be a more technical issue. The tech who reassured me at drop-off was right there but didn't say a word. It was close to the end of working hours, so I figured James would just have me leave it at no cost. When he didn't, I didn't feel comfortable leaving it again. I really expected a more thorough check right then or at least a suggestion to leave it at no cost. After all, I 100% mentioned the buzz to the tech at drop-off. In the end, my K24ce is my primary instrument--it's the one I rely on most--while the GS Mini is just a backup. I ended up paying close to $400 for both the setup and the neck reset. The GS Mini was done well, but the whole experience left me feeling like I spent $400 just to fix a $600 GS Mini, while my main guitar's issue was never resolved. Considering all the time, effort, cost, and travel, I really expected a full assessment and clearer communication before it was marked complete. I've attached a video so you can hear the buzz yourself.

Don is a brilliant technician. I bought my clarinet used, with a totally unknown history and a…read more(barely) serviceable setup. I played the heck out of it for three years, until the shaky keys and old pads were becoming a real problem. Fortunately, my friends pointed me to OC Sax Shop. Don took my horn as a drop in, worked me into his queue, and returned it to me in exquisite playing condition. No more lateral movement in the keys. Everything sparkling new. Pads secure and silent. He even shaped the corks to fit my aftermarket bell and barrel. All in all, extraordinary craftsmanship. It plays like a brand new horn--which I guess it is, in a way. Best of all, very reasonable pricing. I won't hesitate to book OC Sax Shop for future maintenance to keep my clarinet in top condition.

I inquired about dent removal and set up for a sax. It was an unpleasant experience because…read moreDonald kept contradicting himself on his pricing. After several email exchanges in which I tried to get a clear picture of his pricing, Donald sent me a couple of very condescending and grumpy emails. Donald has the attitude of someone who doesn't want new business and he seems very unclear on his own pricing.