My husband is a professional musician in the Des Moines, IA metro area and has tried all the DSM music stores for his supplies and service needs. He continuously comes back to Uptempo because they have the best service and selection he has ever found in the midwest. The staff is very knowledgeable and friendly, and they go the extra mile even if they might not be making a lot of money on a transaction. They hire only musicians who are an integral part of the local live music scene. We feel like they are genuinely in business to serve the working musician as well as youngsters just getting their feet wet in music. Selection: They have a wide variety of instruments to choose from: Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Basses, Ukuleles, Mandolins, Banjos, Baja Quintos & Sextos as well as other fretted instruments, Drums, Percussion, Keyboards, Microphones and other professional P.A. Gear & Accessories, Band Instruments including Trumpets, Trombones, Saxophones, Clarinets, Flutes and all other major wind instruments, Orchestral instruments such as Violins, violas, cellos, etc., etc., etc. And they have a huge supply of accessories, strings and repair and replacement parts always in stock. They have a band instrument rent-to-own program that is second to none and their rates are considerably lower than anyone else in the area. They take the time to custom fit instruments to kids just starting out in grade school as well as offering advice and suggestions to students for upgrading their instruments as they progress through the years. From what I've seen they have a huge volume of repeat customers, because of their friendly service and great prices. Price: Most things that we have purchased or price checked are very competitive with the huge online suppliers. After all, if we can get something the same day for the same price as ordering from the online dealer and waiting for it to arrive, why wouldn't we want to support a local business? That only makes sense. Plus, when an issue comes up with an item, would you rather take it to the local business and have it dealt with right away or go through the hassle of boxing it up and waiting for a replacement to arrive? Service: We have taken instruments in and had them adjusted or serviced on the spot. And what they couldn't do in shop was promptly sent to a repair shop that gets things back in record time. Their guitar setup man is second to none in the business and very knowledgeable about all fretted instruments, newer and vintage. All in all, my husband and I recommend Uptempo as a shining example of what a music store should be. Great prices, service and always a friendly smile when you visit. A huge two thumbs up for Uptempo! read more

The staff at Uptempo was very helpful. I was looking to rent an oboe. They had several to chose from. One of their staff also teaches oboe. I have also been there to buy items to clean my flute. I will definitely go there again. read more

Knowledgable and Friendly service not to mention the availability of quality instruments and supplie, has always been my experience when going to the Uptempo!. Currently thinking about getting a trombone, and learning how to play read more

Uptempo is a fun little family owned music store in Beaverdale! They do all the things the big stores do, but on a more scaled down version! If you are looking for guitar lessons or drum lesson's they have the rooms to do it here! I have only ever bought a few things here, I found a killer weird old Electric Guitar that looked like an old strat, but also had some elements of old Gibson guitars! It was 175 bucks and totally worth it! I have also bought some cables and strings for my guitars here! They specialize in band instruments and sell everything from horns, to flutes, to fancy snare drums! The staff is knowledgeable and wont pester you while you shop! They will also order anything you want, that they don't have in the store, but if you are looking for the basics from bows, to rosin, to reeds, to strings, to sticks they will keep you rocking! They can also fix stuff here, so if you need repairs on band instruments or just your guitar neck adjusted they can do that! Very clean, and easy to navigate, and friendly! Win Win in Beaverdale! read more

Uptempo Music - A real beauty! - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Nice shop with a bit of variety and odd layout. Decent selection of guitars and stringed instruments with other varieties of instruments available. Be careful going down into the basement. Stairs are steep. Owner was kind if distant and not too friendly and neither was the other shop worked. Prices were a bit steeper than some of the other area shops. Kind of a nice little shop with a decent variety but prices were steep. And parking was a bit of a pain. read more

Uptempo Music - Guitars - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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Beware of shopping with Uptempo Music. I was sold a guitar listed as in "excellent condition" on Reverb which means there are no visual flaws or repairs, etc. The ad showed no repair done to the headstock/nut where the neck meets the headstock. However, upon arrival it was clear there was some extra glue dried to where the nut is. I believed (wrongly) that perhaps the nut had been replaced and the glue I saw was merely left over. Fast-forward 7 months and the headstock is now cracking, the fretboard is separating from the neck and the nut has shifted sideways towards the low E as you can see in pictures. It is clear the had already been happening and Uptempo Music attempted a repair before selling the guitar in 'excellent shape'. No where in Dave's at Uptempo Music ad did it mention any repair. When I contacted him it took zero responsibility and refuses to work with me to resolve the issue. I even offered to ship the guitar back for inspection but have received no response. Dave attempted to say the problem was created by dryness. I live next to the beach and a humidifier was kept in the guitar to BUYER BEWARE - inspect closely any equipment or gear you buy/ rent, and really, just stay away from this store. ***See business response below: 3 months later, a response. This is reflective of their customer service. Buyer beware folks--better to shop at your local Guitar Center or Sam Ash and get someone who will take your concerns seriously and in a timely manner.*** read more

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I always try to patronize a local music store rather than go online because, if I owned a small business, that's what I would want my customers to do. Up Tempo sells me pedal steel strings sets (very hard to find here in DSM) at a very competitive price and always have picks and single strings also. I am a forever customer! read more

I feel an update is warranted given the owner's response to the original review. We'll go ahead and give the benefit of the doubt and say that the phone conversation was a misunderstanding, that's fine. However, nothing explains or excuses the rudeness and general unwillingness to assist or explain that we experienced in the store. None of what the owner explains in his response was explained to us in person. "They're not going to want to work on this," without any further elaboration only displays unwillingness to assist in any capacity. A terse "Not in this circumstance," does not explain why, it only shows you see us as insignificant and not worth your time. Luckily, the folks at Rieman Music were super-polite, hooked us up with a rental, and explained everything in great detail. And you can be certain that's where we'll buy a nicer flute if our daughter decides she's going to stick with it after this year. read more

My current performing setup for small shows is almost exclusively (amp & acoustic guitar) from Uptempo Music....They haven't "steered me wrong" as of this writing & I do not expect that they'll do so going forward. As far as the reviewer who preferred Reiman Music, I have to say that I found them to be a bit "cold & distant". In the few times that I've been there (I made one purchase), in my view, they've never seemed particularly welcoming. Dave & the staff at Uptempo Music, in my experience is the exact opposite. They've had some good deals on equipment that I'm currently "gigging" with read more

The constant spam of ads on craigslist should tell you how badly this business must need customers. The overpriced, second-tier instruments available for purchase and monthly rental are laughably lacking in quality. Spend the extra $5 per month and rent a name-brand instrument from Rieman Music. The owner's icy, I-couldn't-care-less attitude is the perfect complement to a business that does not deserve your hard-earned money. read more

We always stop here first, before the big-box music stores, because it's a hoot to root around Uptempo (especially the basement). With lots of cool old treasures, as well as basic instrument supplies, it's nice to have a locally-owned music shop as an alternative to loud, high-pressure guitar centers. THANK YOU read more

Best music store in the Des Moines area! Their customer service and knowledge is bar none! We have gone into the larger stores in town but have consistently found Uptempo to have more competitive pricing - for example, we shopped around today for a trumpet mute to find Uptempo $7.00 less on the exact same item that we saw at the larger music establishment! While in the store, the gentleman was so knowledgeable and helpful as always. At times they may not have exactly what you need and will direct you elsewhere, but don't pass these guys by for the larger store. They are the real deal and always the place I call first to see if they have what I am looking for! read more

Came in from K.C. and visited this undiscovered gem. What a great shop! Friendly, knowledgeable staff and an excellent selection of ukuleles. We will be back again for sure. read more

Great local business. They are very knowledgeable and have just a little bit of everything. They always enjoy your questions, comments and suggestions. If you are a musician they are great with trade-ins and will work to give you a good deal. Be sure to check them out - it is always worth a visit. read more