some of the nicest people i know :) shy is a gift to the universe they all know so much abt music n there really helpful can't say enough great things read more

Neat small guitar shop with a nice dog that roams the place. The stock is mostly classic and vintage guitars and amps. No Vs in sight though. read more

South Austin Music - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Austin, Texas

If you're a musician you've heard about South Austin Music Co. It's a small shop that brings it with superb professional knowledge and help. They encourage you to work your way through the mass of guitars in search of that perfect one for you. I've bought a couple of instruments over the years but didn't have serious shopping time today. They have a great used gear inventory right now so I recommend you... Go! read more

See all

Great variety of guitars packed neatly into a compact space with a unique atmosphere. Lots to choose from with a full range of prices. I was enjoying the art and memorabilia all over the walls while my husband tried out various instruments. Glad we stopped in while traveling through Austin. Friendly employees who were attentive, no-pressure and ready to help. Shop dogs were a total bonus! read more

South Austin Music - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Austin, Texas

See all

Amazing place. If you're in Austin, go here--spend some time, spend some money, and enjoy checking out the incredible pieces they have on hand. We stopped in while visiting family and had a group of four adults along with my 12‑year‑old daughter. The staff was exceptional: friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely accommodating. Their inventory is impressive, with options across a wide range of price points, so there's truly something for everyone. They've built something special here. Highly recommended. read more

Are you kidding me?! This place. I mean I can't even begin to express how hospitable these folks are. Not to mention the "no pressure" candor that they have -- I mean they let you play with 15K+ guitars just to let you experience a small glimpse of history!!! You can't fake that. These are a genuine group of individuals, deserving of anyone's business. (P.s. check out their YouTube channel) read more

South Austin Music - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Austin, Texas

Having been born and raised in Austin, I've see a lot of things come and go. I'm so happy SAM isn't one of them. Matter of fact, this is where I go to find a bit of that Austin hospitality and charm that seems hard to come by these days. The staff are incredible and friendly, and they really just want to help you with whatever you're working toward. The selection of premium guitars, parts, and music tech is unparalleled. Don't sleep on South Austin Music. This is the spot. read more

Excellent staff and equipment. My 9 year old bought his first guitar here and to a person everyone went out of their way to make it special for him. Thank you! read more

I'm not a musician. Normally a small guitar store is intimidating. Not this place. My kids and I were greeted warmly by an employee that practically gave us a tour. He encouraged my teenage son to try any and every instrument, he taught me a song on ukulele, and he showed us the back room where they create a show. Representing the store, he really just conveyed a love of music. We left with a t-shirt, guilele strings, and smiles on our faces. read more

South Austin Music - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Austin, Texas

Summary: Great staff, owner is a bully, in my opinion. At the very least, this store is run more like a used-car lot or a pawn shop than how it appears on the surface. Reasons for bad review: Used-car-sales ethics and aggressive tactics deployed to squeeze and intimidate customers for even the smallest profit margin. Left this place feeling really cheated and strong armed over something really small ($120). I feel cheated/bullied in a way similar to being tricked at used-car dealer makes you feel -- just fully bulldozed, gaslit and not treated with any fairness (all while being made to feel like I deserve to feel bad). Giving them 2 stars only because of amazing employees in terms of knowledge and kindness...and really beautiful selection of historic instruments. But this amazing staff and quaint, local vibe stand behind a very aggressive owner(Bill?) who will rip you off if given the chance. Background/Story/Experience: Bought a guitar, metal strings, and a soft case for Christmas and paid $430 ($330 guitar, $50 case, $20 strings + tax). I took a picture of the receipt, and the cashier said that was sufficient for an exchange if the guitar wasn't the right fit. The guitar was untouched because it was the wrong type for my wife. We brought it back with the receipt expecting an exchange. Came back a month later with the receipt, and the owner would not give store credit or a fair exchange. He made me beg to exchange the guitar and metal strings($350 total) for a $160 beginner guitar and two $25 nylon strings and a $20 stand ($230 total) He knowingly took $120 out of our pocket with no remorse. His admitted that "I have no doubt you paid $330 for this guitar, but I could get it for $150 if I bought it wholesale, so that's what I will give you." He also saw that the guitar was in perfect, untouched condition. He used strong-man negotiation tactics to back up this rationale. Kept trying to gaslight me and make me feel like I was being "unreasonable", "don't know what it's like to own a business", and that this is fair because "he has property taxes to pay" and he "has to make a profit". Of course, he has to make a profit... which is the profit he made when I bought the guitar in the first place. Typically, businesses don't make a profit on the original sale and the exchange. Opinion: The owner is not a kind man and a borderline bully. He made me feel like I had no other option, and like he was doing me a favor when we both knew he was ripping me off. Part of me feels bad for this place. I'm not sure if he has lasted this long as a small business owner because of his cut-throat, used-car salesman aggression... or if they are surviving because they've had the building for 20+ years before Austin real estate blew up. I'm sure his property taxes keep him up at night, but there has to be a way to be fair and equitable to your customers no matter the financial troubles. read more

I took a 1997 Fender Strat in to be tuned up for the first time ever. I had a friend add new pickups years ago, but he didn't do a great job of it. Ben was able to clean up those mistakes and make the guitar sing again. So grateful I found this place. Everyone here, including Shy the dog, is so friendly and easy to talk to. Highly recommend taking your guitar here. read more

See all

Incredibly awesome staff. They restrung my guitar at the same time that I went in in less than ten minutes and talked extensively about music. Will be frequenting this place. Shop local! read more

Great store with cool instruments. A good mix of new and used gear, with friendly staff.

These guys are legit, non-corp, smart, fair priced & helpful. They are a gem and community minded.

I brought an electric guitar to this store for an issue with the wiring. The previous owner had tried to install a quick release system for the pickups and all it needed was to remove the quick release parts and a little soldering. They gutted the whole guitar, pots, wiring, and the selector switch, and replaced everything, so imagine my shock when I see the bill for $300. I feel violated. read more

My father takes banjo lessons here for the last few years. The staff is super nice and friendly. As Lamar has gotten busier and my father has aged I now drive him. They are so kind to let me hang out. They were super careful with Covid. They have relaxed some of the rules lately. My husband loves the shop as well. They recently created a new space to sit and play some beautiful instruments. Grateful the shop is so kind to my father. He isn't 100% mentally and they flow with it. I will support this shop any way I can. Thanks guys! read more

We got a great deal on a perfectly working like new $1000 amp that retails for $1400. You can't buy A bad amp here - you test them in the store! They also stand behind their products and we have had their expert techs repair 3 very high end guitars / bass and bought an awesome hard case for our beloved Strat. Love supporting local and family owned!! read more

South Austin Music - One of several guitars, amps and cases we've bought here! - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Austin, Texas

See all

We've been customers here for years, mainly for various guitar purchases and repairs, and amplifier repairs. They take items on consignment, and have a huge inventory in that little space. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly, and we always look forward to stopping in. This is Old Austin, not a big box, so it will feel different than a visit to a big music store. They are definitely part of the local music scene. We have found some really cool instruments there over the years. If you go there regularly, the staff will get to know you and will look out for items you might be interested in. The aisles are super narrow because of all the equipment they stock. It's not a good place to bring small children. During touristy music times in Austin, such as SXSW and ACL Fest, it can get pretty busy. The parking lot just in front is reserved for customers, so you likely won't have far to walk, which is helpful on this busy section of S. Lamar. It's right next door to the Saxon Pub. Next time you're in the neighborhood, stop in and have a look. read more

Amazing selection of guitars, very friendly staff. Highly recommend checking this place out, especially if you're new to the area, as I was.

So many reasons to avoid Bill Welker's SAM guitar repair shop and Andrew his guitar tech, it's hard to know where to start. I dropped my Martin D-18 there for warranty work after being quoted a three-week turnaround (Strait, the other warranty center, had an even longer wait). After dropping it off I thought--while it was there-- to also get a quote on replacing some worn frets and slightly lowering the action. I also brought in my Little Martin to lower the action a bit. Unlike a typical repair situation, however, you can't discuss any of this over your guitar with the tech, who stealthily works off-site. You can't even call him: you have to relay the myriad details of your prized possession to the guy at the shop. And a pricelist or even a ballpark price, even on an action adjustment? Nonexistent. So I did stuff a note in the case delineating everything,and told the store guy the tech needed to read it and call me before work began. Upon this not occuring for two days, I called the manager, again reminding about the note. In a couple days I get a call from the shop stating my Little Martin is ready for pickup (still call-free from tech Andrew). The evening before I get pick it up I do get a call from Andrew to discuss the frets on the D 18, with an absurd (starting) quote for doing them all (they didn't all need doing). After I balked, he gave another price of 300- 400 (ballpark, he stressed) for partial fretwork on the worn frets (makes sense) which, given the convenience, I conceded to doing. The following day I picked up the Little Martin to a tune of $180 for slightly lowering the action on a pristine instrument. Similar to how yours would have, my jaw dropped. The rip-off was exacerbated by that fact that Andrew never called me to discuss the job, despite my multiple efforts. I did (politely) state my incredulity to the store guy --who turned out to be owner Bill Welker--but did keep my cool and composure (not sure why, in restrospect). I did tell him to cancel the additional non-warranty work on the D18. Later I called the manager, for a civil discussion about a job I've had done tens of times for a sixth of the cost. A week after this--now a full month of being deprived of my beloved D18--I called the shop asking when I could expect the warranty work completed. Owner Bill at this point told me they chose not to do the work, providing no reason. When I pressed for one, now dutifully pissed off, this brave, stellar soul just hung up the phone. Called five more times, same result, with him saying, "we can do this all day." How this clown stays in business with this work ethic is extraordinary. I was (I guess) fortunate that ex-Martin affiliate Dick Dubois exited retirement to fix the D18's binding. fretwork, and action which came to $362 for the four-day job, which included PAYING FOR the binding (otherwise warranted repair). Lessee Andrew is 180 action, 400 (plus) frets, whattay think for the binding, 500 maybe? SAM repair, in a nutshell: --I assume because I canceled the non-warranty work, SAM chose to skip the warranty work on the D18, simply out of spite (BTW, my demeanor was never impolite). Equally odious, I wasn't informed until a week after I cancelled it--when I called inquiring of its status. This freak-of-a-business owner and his apparitional tech--the worst imaginable reps of old Austin-- sickly sat on my daily-played guitar for a full week (a month total) to add insult to injury. --Maybe the only place in town with no pricelist for anything (gee, I wonder why). You just send your guitar off, and... Knowing warranty folks like me might request extra work, they obviously prey on their (likely only) warranty customers. --Direct communication is nonexistent. You cannot discuss the job over your guitar with the tech in person, ever. You cannot call him, ever (they don't provide his number.) When he does call you, at his belated convenience, it's from SAM, intentionally providing no return number (it's now evident why these guards are in place). --Gotta re-state that Andrew charged me $180 to lower the action on a pristine, barely played Little Martin. You read it right, twice. The debacle was reported in detail to CF Martin, Inc., in hopes at putting at least Andrew out of business. read more

Visiting from out of state...lots of cool vintage guitars, amps, and pedals...staff was really friendly and knowledgeable....way more fun to hang out and try stuff in than a GC. read more

Refreshingly unpretentious. One of the only music stores I've been in that truly makes you feel welcomed.

10/10 people are nice and the shop dog is very sweet they are very helpfull too if you are wanting to test a guiat out they are very helpfull about it and will let you try some awsome eltric guitars,acustic guitars,banjos,bass, ukuleles Ect. If you are near take a quick stop in and look around read more

I have to go into this store with adult supervision lest I spend more than I should. The boutique guitar effect pedal selection is enough to make a gear head drool. I buy their house brand strings for my acoustic almost exclusively. As far as I have found, it's the best strings deal in town. The staff is the main draw to the place. Ben, Brian, and Sean have treated me like a rock star from day 1. They humor all of my questions. When my Martin hollow body was having mid-show tantrums, Ben went out of his way to troubleshoot the ghosts in the machine. Occasionally, the prices on certain accessories are a bit more than I would pay at the Mullet (Guitar) Center, but it's a small price to pay for the time and expertise I receive from the good folks there. read more

South Austin Music - South Austin Music - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Austin, Texas

Super interesting shop, nice staff, good mix of new, old, & weird stuff.

Cool place and lots of nice guitars. Wish I would have had more time to browse. Will be back for more.

Rad staff, the owner is always helpful, parking sucks but Ive been dealing with it since I can remember. I just wished I lived closer

I have to say this is the best guitar shop I've ever walked into. Coming from Hollywood I feel this is a bold statement. I had to bring my Les Paul here to have some repairs done. Brent who works the front is really helpful and knowledgeable on the technical stuff. You really feel like your in the best hands. I'm now salivating over their vintage 63 Gibson acoustic. I will be taking all my repairs here and will purchase all my gear through them moving forward. On a 1-10, they're a 12! read more

Scott and Shawn are great guys very knowledgeable, they can help you achieve your musical goals. Great instruments with great people. I've been a professional musician for years and got to say I'm always impressed with the store. Austin go support YOUR store! read more

Dear Folks; I'm writing to tell you all THANK YOU. It's been a pleasure being in your store. Your folks are the Real Deal!! Each Time we were in your store we felt accepted. We felt as if you really cared about us as customers. We went UNFORTUNATELY TO "Guitar Center" in Anderson Lane. There they were full of themselves and acted as if we were waisting their Time. BTW we were the only two customers in huge 1,000 + sq ft store!!! Oh it's pretty! Lots of shinny new Fenders . But the employees were Rude and Pretentious ... They waisted our time. Conversely ; SOUTH AUSTIN MUSIC on Lamar Blvd. was Distinctly and Exceptionally different. These folks are Real Musicians , they are always helpful with amazing staff members. Thank you South Austin Music!!! We are your for our lives and for our young-ins coming up. KEEP ON TRUCKING. Linda Reynolds Friend of Tom Tobias. read more

These guys are great about fixing gear. I have brought everything from PA heads to drum machines to guitars, and they have always been able to fix them at a reasonable price. read more

We are from out of state but make it a point to visit the shop when we are in town. The staff is friendly , helpful and they treat my 15 year old son like a local. read more

I recently picked up an acoustic off Ebay to use as a beater for my weekly jam get to gathers with the guys. When I received it, it was like in brand new condition, but in desperate need of a setup. Took it to South Austin Music after reading the reviews. I received a message from Ben the same day that he completed the work; but wanted to hold it overnite being that he had to do some additional work to the nut and saddles. He just wanted to verify that nothing would shift. After returning from out of town, I picked it up and it plays great!! :-) And the pricing was very reasonable. Eventhough I live on the other side of town, I'm going to use these guys as much as I can. When I dropped off and picked up the guitar, the folks are very friendly and welcoming! Great experience!! :-) read more

South Austin Music - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Austin, Texas

I've learned so much taking lessons here and everyone has always been so supportive. Walking in is like walking back in time to the Austin I grew up in. Everyone in the store says hello when you come in and they always hold the door for you when you leave. I am not sure what this one star review from April is about. When my resonator (that isn't even under warranty) took a little tumble a couple weeks ago the cone started to rattle. They fixed it for me on the spot free of charge because that's just how they are. It's really sad to see someone attack them because we have lost so many old Austin businesses already. If you want a town of entitled dudes with "barely played" Martins, listen to the one star review. If you care about supporting local businesses and local music, shopping/taking lessons/getting repairs done at SAM supports both at once. Lots of the staff and most of their long time customers are veterans in the Austin music community and I care very deeply about keeping all of them here. read more

Thanks for completely breaking my spirit. I dropped off my WWII 4 string tenor banjo on October 15. All I needed was for them to string it up and make it playable. I even brought in a Golden Gate bridge for it. They told me their banjo guys were out for the week because one had Covid and one was on vacation. Totally cool with that wasn't a problem. They informed me that the banjo guys only come in on Wednesday and Friday so I asked them to make a note to have the banjo guy call me, he calls me the next week on Wednesday and tells me everything looks good and am first in queue. It should be done by end of day. The caveat was he said to inevitably wait for them to call me to tell me that it was ready. I waited seven more days and called them back the following week the following Wednesday and they tell me I need a new head on my banjo after the tech told me the head on my banjo was good. I requested just string up my banjo to make it playable. We can order a new head and cross that bridge when we get there. they assure me my banjo will be ready by end of day and this goes on for two more weeks. Over the course of 40 days, they assured me three times that my banjo would be ready on the same day and after that period of time I called them up because I had a friend visiting Austin and he was nearby and I asked him to go to the store and pick up my banjo if he had a chance and he did. While he was in the parking lot I called the store and asked them if my Benger was ready and they said no and I told him it's been too long and my buddies in the parking lot he's going to come in and pick up my banjo. Later that day, my buddy delivers my banjo and it's in pieces completely disassembled and all I wanted was for them to put four strings on there with the bridge I provided. I had planned to string up this banjo and have it ready before Thanksgiving so I can play it with the people I love, but they have broken my spirit completely and I have no desire for this and I do not know what to do with my banjo. Now more than ever because I don't even know how to put this thing back together and it had three strings on it and was mildly playable when I dropped it off and now it's just a bunch of pieces, so thanks for nothing south Austin music. Thanks for nothing. read more

I brought my Martin acoustic in for a setup. Ben did an outstanding job. Very impressed with his attention to detail. Communication was awesome and the job was completed ahead of schedule. Highly recommend! read more

I hate to give a local business an unfavorable review but my experience has been pretty bad. I bought my bass guitar and head from south Austin music- no major problems there. (They do sell good equipment.) The problem came up when I bought a defective instrument cable. When I went back to the store to return it, the sales rep questioned me on if it was really defective and even tried the cable out himself to check it. When he determined that I was right, he told me he would have to check with the owner before I could get my money back. At this point I'm already pretty incredulous. Then the sales rep comes back from speaking with the owner and says they can't help me, and he gives me the phone number of D'addario so I can contact them directly. What happened to SAM being proud of their products? Why didn't they just give me a new cord that works? I'm so surprised. I don't know where I am gonna go now to get strings and cables. It's not this store! read more

Harrumph... It's a shame that in a town with the debatable mantle of "Live Music Capital of The World!!!!!!!!!!", this is pretty much the best we've got. It's very pricey. The people are pretty nice (if not too effusive in their efforts to make sure you're "taken care of'). ...but *whew* those prices. I mean- yeah, they've got pretty good stuff. ...but LORD those prices. Conveniently located and all... But GOOD GOD THOSE PRICES! As you may have surmised, I am not a rich man. And as a Not-a-Rich-Man, this place is not for me. Unless some day I become a Rich Man; then I'll be happy to spend all my Rich Man moneys on their overpriced stuff. I don't blame them. They've been around a long time. Because people pay their prices (the Not-Not-a-Rich-Man people, I suppose). But as the opposite (Not-Not-Not-a-Rich-Man), I am not among them. Please don't think me poor. I'm just not the opposite of not poor. Shop here if you can. read more

I have experienced a lot less attitude in here than the standard music store modus operandi of combovers and bitterness. In general, people have been nice. Also, they have some really cool old guitars. Only problem is they're really nice while they're showing me something I can't afford. Their prices are just plain prohibitive for most guitars, amps, and effects. A couple reviews here say that they have good stuff so it costs more, something like that. But for the same amp or pedal that I can get down the street for less, why would I pay more? It's not better. It's just list price. I also found the repair department to be on the slow side, and I wouldn't leave a guitar there that I absolutely needed to be fixed in a hurry. There are a few things I'd definitely go here for: Slides, for one. Metal, glass, no matter your size, I've never seen such a selection, and they have plenty to try on. Overall, it's a shop I'd love to support but I just plain lack the funds... read more

Speaking as a professional musician of 25 years and as a music retailer for 12 I can state pretty plainly that Bill Welker and the staff of South Austin Music are in the upper echelons of customer service and it's hand down the best independently owned guitar store I have yet to encounter. It's the very definition of "buy local." But why anyone would knock a retail store because the reviewer themselves can't afford the products they sell is beyond me. And saying the prices are high there is patently untrue, great deals can be had if you are serious about your craft and your tools. If you can't afford the drink, don't walk into the bar maybe. Spend a few hours on the sales floor and get an advanced education on good customer service skills and an upbeat and friendly presentation. Highest recommendation. read more