Sweet store..Jerry Thomas ran the store and then Evelyn M runs this store..and I asked to work here 20 years ago haha..I am a music teacher that would a good use of time and then I moved to Japan too..hahahahaah so I got some sheet music like Burt Bacharach, Evita(Andrew Lloyd Webber), and I also picked I left my heart in San Francisco because I left my Heart in Joe DiMaggio haha I got another metronome because it's missing and it belongs to the family and the guy who could figure out how to use it tick tock tick tock tick tock metronomes are fascinating..from Germany hahah There are ukeleles and guitar..and gifts stickers and shakers..old-fashioned store ..because it's my job too Yelp Back to the Future edition read more

The owner is so full of music knowledge! She recently helped me find music for a few songs I could only recall a little bit of. I'm so impressed by her. I've been shopping here for decades. I don't need new music often, but whenever I do, this is my favorite place to get it. read more

I've gotten a music stand and music instruction books here. SO friendly, helpful and thoughtful. I love places with heart.

Was looking for a good new or used guitar, or some guidance on buying one for a family member. Checked the website, and drove across town, arrived an hour before the posted closing time. They were closed. So disappointing. read more

In was looking for violin classes and there were no information given Also they didn't give the ability to click to see additional information read more

I went in today to get my daughter's violin tune because I bought it used online. I didn't bother to ask how much it cost for the tuning. I just knew I had to get it done before music class started and was willing to pay. The owner was so knowledgeable about the violin and show me different rosins that my daughter can use. When she rang me up... I noticed that she didn't even charged me anything for the tuning. If I haven't gotten rosin, it wouldn't be free. I left the store feeling THANKFUL. I would recommend this store to anyone who is looking for musical merchandise. The owner was extremely knowledgeable and helpful. read more

contacted this store by e-mail and the owner was very quick to respond and was very helpful, too. Thank you, Evelyn!

Needed to do a quick repair on my fiddle and found this place through my trusty app; thanks yelp! Prior to going there I watched several videos on youtube so I would be fimilar on how to replace a string. Evelyn, the store owner, was very friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. It helps when the owner or employees are in the industry. After chatting with her I found out that she use to teach. She installed and tuned my instrument free of charge. Thanks Evelyn and Sunset Music for your excellent customer service and help! read more

I prefer to buy my son's piano music books here, instead of ordering online. It's actually cheaper here! And Evelyn answered my emails promptly when I wanted to know if she carried a specific book. Both times she threw in a free piano music book just because she's nice like that. read more

I just want to give a shout-out to the owner of this music store. She is so knowledgeable, and a very low-pressure advocate for music in all its forms. When I need to buy something, she also offers alternatives, and lets me know if something new will be coming in. She has reopened recently, and is very careful to keep up the best practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19. read more

Wow! My visit to Sunset Music was a slightly random last minute hunt for a SATB choral score, and I had relatively low expectations of finding this in an actual physical store--I was prepared to order one online (boo), but to my delight, not only did they have one copy of said score, all the reviews I'd read about this store were true. This place is a treasure. The owner is charming and knowledgeable and you'll be supporting a valuable local business. Do it. Also, PS: an impressively enormous runner-band ball graces the front counter. read more

You can tell this place is run by passionate professionals. Glad I went towards the end of the day or I might have spent a few hundred dollars and hours more. Arrangements, popular music, charts, classical music in multiple editions/publishers - this store has it all, and impeccably organized. It's like walking into a big old music library except everything is in immaculate condition. Definitely coming back for future music needs! read more

Sheet Music Aficionados Rejoice! When I needed the notation for John Mayer songs, boom it was here. When I wanted to Songbook for the latest Alicia Keys release Sunset Music was able to order it for me direct from the distributor. This store has many of the top charting songs on the radio in musical notation. There is also an excellent selection of Aria, Symphonic Scores and Jazz Fakebooks. Great gift Items can also be found here, as well as String and percussion instruments. I like the music reference section for dictionaries and music history. read more

I came here after failing to find any good sheet music at Amoeba. Fantastic selection, and the store proprietor was keen to orient me and help me find what I wanted. I walked out with a book of acoustic, one of folk, and three books of individual artists' music. For a small storefront it's amazing how much fits in. It's well organized and fairly priced, with lots of discounted music available too. read more

I ADORE this store -- have been shopping here since I was a girl growing up in the Sunset. I still go back, because they have a phenomenal sheet music selection, but also because they have a boatload of accessories for almost every instrument, and the owner and clerks are incredible. They are really nice and generous in sharing their knowledge with shoppers. If they don't have it in stock, they'll order it for you pronto. Back in the day, they also used to sell records (vinyl, yes, that's right, vinyl), and this is where I bought my first selection of hot 45's. For $1 each. (Bobby Sherman, where are you?) read more

. . . . and for you ukulele enthusiasts, Sunset Music Company is the only San Francisco distributor for Kiwaya Ukulele's from Japan. You've gotta' check out the K-Wave Rock Ukes that look like miniature Fender & Gibson electric guitars! http://www.sunsetmusicsf.com/ http://www.kiwayaukuleles.com/kiwayajapan.html read more

Sunset Music is bomb diggity! It's one of the few true sheet music stores left, and I can always count on them to have what I need for auditions. As far as the personnel is concerned, Susanne doesn't know what she's talking about. The young blonde guy who works there on Saturdays is as helpful and knowledgeable as it gets when it comes to music store clerks. Maybe Susanne was having a bad day! read more

I've been going to Sunset Music for sheet music on and off for twelve years. Evelyn has always been super helpful and knows everything there is to know about music and musical instruments. When I decided to start violin lessons, I decided to rent a violin and Sunset Music offers the best monthly price I could find. Evelyn was great about giving me tips on how to take car of the instrument. I had a two week wait before my first lesson and I accidentally broke one of the strings and they were quick to fix the string and have my violin ready for me to play for my first lesson. I recommend Sunset Music as a great place to find sheet music and rent an instrument. read more

I want to marry it. See, now I ask the STUPIDEST questions. But Evelyn, she never got sick of me, incredible. This place is such a gem, I'm trying to think of reasons to go back, I kind of miss the place and I have only been gone for 9 hours. It's like the sweetest little music, instrument and instrument accessories store without being it's slightly scary, dusty, jumbled, dysfunctional, struggling doppleganger. Yessssssssssssss...... UPDATE: I should know better than to go anywhere on a saturday, but it appears that on Saturdays, there is another person working at the shop, a young blonde guy. I have to say that this guy is a serious turn OFF. Unfortunately he embodies the snobby, unhelpful, cold stereotype of the uptight music store clerk. Weirdly, I got the feeling that he didn't actually even know what he was talking about, ugh. read more

Great service and friendly help. Always good to support neighborhood businesses. Easy parking. Selection of new music books too! Fantastic picks. read more

The owner was so nice and helpful when I brought in an old guitar I inherited from my brother. It hadn't been played in years and I wanted to know if it was worthwhile to restring. She said that it was still good to use, she did the job and didn't try to sell me a new instrument, which I appreciated because I am not ready to spend hundreds of dollars yet. read more

A neighborhood institution. This store offers not only a variety of sheet music and instruments/accessories but the owner is very knowledgable and can advise customers if needed on their music instrument questions. There use to be more music stores in the Sunset and it's good to see Sunset Music still in business. read more

I got my first guitar (Jasmine by Takamine S35) there a few years back. At the time, I got it as a spur of the moment purchase. It was just something to kill time with and I had no clue what I was looking for. Hell, I didn't even know the differences between a nylon classical vs a steel string acoustic. I walked around my neighborhood and saw this little music shop, I told them I didn't know anything about guitar but want to try it anyways. They recommended me the S35 as a beginner acoustic, told me some basic pros and cons on classical vs acoustic to help me decide if guitar is right for me. After chatting about it a little more, I ended up with it. Before I went out the door they gave me an electronic tuner for free just so I can get into it a little easier (probably also knew I was a total newbie and couldn't tune the guitar if my life is depended on it). Months later, while playing poorly on my guitar, I stumbled upon some reviews on the guitar and was quite surprised at how cheap they were selling it at the store and impressed at the reviews for this newbie guitar. This showed me that they are not there to sell you the most costly musical instrument for profit, but to help pick out something affordable and dependable for you to enjoy. Even now I would drop by from time to time to replace some guitar picks, but it is the friendliness and laid-back attitude of the staff that makes little music shop so charming. read more

Although parking is difficult, this little music place is filled with so much that you will come back wanting more. The staff is extremely helpful and knowledgeable. The owner is a pianist and does a fabulous job manning the store. She's just an encyclopedia of music knowledge and NOT condescending, which is the best kind of music store owner. For the past few years, I've taken classical guitar lessons at this store and I've always been greeted with a smile. Although a bit cramped, this has to be one of the best music stores I've frequented because you know that the individuals are passionate about music! read more

Just started picking up piano, so my instructor suggested I pick up a copy of the Faber Adult Piano Adventures V1 there. Called them ahead of time to see if they had it and they did. I cruised by the store--decent parking off the side streets. They had a version with and without the accompanying CD which was nice. The place itself was small and cool looking. I wasn't exactly given killer service once I got there, but the people were helpful and I found the book pretty quickly. I saw a few people there talking with what I assumed were regulars and they seemed to be getting along great. I think this is a place that rewards repeat business. read more

Evelyn has been the most helpful person I've dealt with since signing my son up for summer guitar lessons. All I was told was that we needed to rent an acoustic guitar for the lessons. I looked everywhere I could online that was close to where we live and work. I lucked upon Sunset Music, and sent them an email on Monday. Evelyn responded within the day with a very informative and to the point message. We went to the store today and picked up a quarter size acoustic guitar with case for $20/month with a minimum of 3 months. It came with a soft case with shoulder straps. She said we could renew our rental or not at the end of 3 months, and she would apply the money we paid for renting towards purchasing the guitar or the next size up if we needed. So basically, if we decided to keep the guitar, we'd pay $20/mon with no financing! Evelyn gave my son some homework, find a safe place for it at home (away from little sister!), wipe it with a clean cloth, etc. She gave him specific directions, and even reminded my 4 yo daughter that it's only for big brother to touch. She was very nice and so helpful, I'm giving Sunset Music 5 shining stars! I hope my son sticks with it! He got into the guitar b/c of rock band and guitar hero, but who hasn't! read more

This small place is phenomenal and is always busy. You have to say "Excuse me" quite a few times while browsing through all the tremendous amount of music sheets and books. The service here is also great-- they know what they are talking about and can assist you whatever level you are on! I love the fact that they have many different kinds of piano books, from learning (with or without theory), to popular music books (top hits) that are the so called "water-down" versions for people like myself to be able to play, to classical music (hopefully one day I'd be able to play Tchaikovsky), to the latest music sheets like Daughtry and Lavigne, to hard-to-find sheets they have in their metal drawer after metal drawer that look almost like a doctor office with all the records in them! They also offer music lessons on location, as well as a list of all music teachers (by zip code) if you do not live close by. Since Christmas is near, if you need to buy a gift that is music themed, this is the right place! They have stickers, scarves, and other small items that have the music notes pattern on them. Absolutely a nice touch! They have no decorations outside the door so it could be easy to miss... but I always love small places like this comparing with the big name stores that provide only the generic items. I must say this place does have a couple copies of "Piano for dummies", which I think is a chuckle for most patrons... read more

This is my new favorite store. Not only was it incredibly charming and have an awesome supply, but I was greeted in a very friendly way and the lady at the front was unbelievably knowledgeable. The store also has very reasonable prices. Definitely would strongly recommend! read more

I just bought a music stand here. They had 4 kinds to choose from in a variety of prices. It's wonderful that there's a music store right here in the Inner Sunset. They have an enormous selection of sheet music and books. The staff was incredibly friendly too. read more

My daughter plays the piano and violin and this is where we find everything we need! Once my daughter screwed up her violin string and Evelyn even put it back on for me, avoiding a trip to her teacher's house or Ifshin Violin, where she rents her violin. Good selection, helpful, no nonsense. read more

A delightful little community music store. The staff are extremely knowledgeable and friendly. Given the option, you should always go to little locals stores like this instead of going to Ripoff Radio Shack. The prices are reasonable, the section is decent, and the service is personal. There's nothing extraordinary about this shop, as far as I can tell, but I recommend it for musicians and aspiring musicians who live in the Sunset area. read more

Evelyn runs a great store. I am a music teacher, and she keeps an excellent stock in the store, even though the place is tiny. Buying sheet music online is really unreliable, because you can't check it over and make sure it is what you and your student needs. I've found many new books, here, too, when just browsing. In particular a great book about improvising. Also, they know about most music books, so if they don't have it, they can find it quickly and order it. It's a music teacher, and student's, best friend. Use this store! read more

Ok- so who cries at a music store? Yep, I do. I did. My daughter's (age 6) talent show was in 3 hours and I (the non-professional that I am) was attempting to tune her lap harp. Ha- but of course- I snapped the string! I was in a total panic. A few other music stores I took the harp into looked at it like I was bringing a dead fish and had absolutely no idea what to do with it. I was so stressed thinking how I was going to tell my daughter that she would be unable to perform this afternoon. I brought it in to Sunset Music and James took it in without even batting an eye. He sorted through a few strings looking for one that would match the thickness, found one, replaced the broken one, and then tuned the whole harp. He handed it to me and I was so thankful I started crying!! I couldn't even speak to thank him enough! Am so, so happy. And now- the show must (WILL) go on!!!! :-) Thank you James!!!!! read more

These guys are cool. I'm not a musician, so I appreciate the fact that they're so helpful in assisting me with buying stuff I know nothing about. When some of the books my son needed were backordered, they called me when one came in, and called me again when the second one came in. They never missed a beat, eventhough it took weeks for the material to come in. I could have easily been forgotten. read more

Very nice workers! I found my dad's guitar in the attic of my childhood home and it's been probably sitting for over 10 years. Sunset Music restringed the whole guitar for about $25. Idk if that's a good deal because its the only time i've ever restringed a guitar but it seemed like a good deal plus they were all very nice! read more

I have been a customer of Sunset Music for 25 years! I have never been able to find a music store as comprehensive as this one. Evelyn has always been sweet and helpful. As for being "cramped" and having "nicnack nonsense" --this is a unique neighborhood gem that has been around a LONG time. People don't just come to Sunset Music to buy sheet music and books, they come to bring their kids for music lessons. So there is a lot of cute music-themed stuff for children and for gifts. It's very much a mom-and-pop family type of place with (obviously) long-time clientele. I used to be one of those little girls whose mothers would buy me a treble clef-shaped eraser...but I've grown out of that and at the same time still appreciate the memories. read more

i've been going to Sunset Music for many decades! It is, by far, the best music store in the Bay Area. Every time I've gone there I have had very personal care from Evelyn, who tries very hard to find exactly what I'm looking for. This tradition of focus goes back to the Jerry, the original owner of this great store, who always went out of his way to attend to every far-out request for music I had. read more

If it weren't Sundays or Mondays, I'd be down here in a heartbeat for anything I need: music books, tuners, the like. It may look messy, but that's because of the vast array of music books for many different instruments Evelyn, the shopkeeper, carries. It's the one music shop I've been going to for years. It's a small shop, but it doesn't hurt to ask. ;) read more

I was looking for a yamaha cg151C cedar top, they didn't have much of a guitar selection. The store is tiny and I felt my big ass was going to knock something over, felt very claustrophobic. ok selection of sheet music. I didn't buy anything, but there are some really nice food places near by to get a snack of steamed buns or other goodies. read more

The worst store I've ever been to!!! The place doesn't even look like a music store, when you walk in all you see is a mess; a giant pig pen!!! Also this store charges a lot more than you expect. I bought a few piano exam books once there and they charged me almost $60.On amazon I could save about $40. I suggest you go on amazon and not go to that store. Another reason I think this store sucks is because they don't even give you a proper receipt. Their receipt didn't even have the books' names or the store's name on it. Plus their costumer service is terrible, they didn't even tell me the book wasn't refundable when I was buying it, even the receipt didn't have a word about it. I really wanted to buy stuff from the local store and support it, but I think I'm done with that place. You won't be seeing me there ever again. read more