I'd try one of the other Cincinnati music shops like Mehas Music. Willis has always been one disappointment after another for me and my family. I've tried to do business with them and have never been successful. They declined a brass repair of mine at one of their instrument repair locations which is now closed, but was very unprofessional about it. Last week my 13 year old and I spent several days choosing a new trigger trombone for him stepping up from his entry level trombone. We ended up choosing one on the Willis Music website with his middle school band instructor's approval and placed the order with Willis online late one evening. This was one within our budget and checked all of our boxes plus it was new...we thought we were going to need to take our chances on a used model. Credit card was charged. I woke up the next morning to my son still super excited asking when it would arrive, and that he had already been awake two hours watching videos and reading about it. I was really excited for him. Later that morning I received an email that the order had been canceled and a refund would be issued with no alternatives offered. They said it had been discontinued, but the manufacturer still makes this model just with a new backpack style case which is the one they displayed in their listing. They ended offering to get us that same trombone we had purchased (because it wasn't discontinued), but it would be $600 more than I had paid on their website the night before. They also assured me this $600 additional was a great deal. Such a scam and a waste of time. They certainly don't attempt to make things right in any way...unreal let down for my son. I wouldn't trust them and especially their website/online ordering. This also had our budget tied up in the authorization on my card for a week. We ordered a used trigger trombone on eBay, and will be taking it to Mehas Music to have it checked out, cleaned and any repairs. read more

This has been our source for instrument repair for years. The repair shop is friendly, reasonably priced and quick when there are time constraints. They also run a fabulous program to rehab old instruments and make them available to students who cannot afford one on their own. We're lucky to have this gem supporting school band programs. read more

Just when you think good service is gone, Buddy Rogers enters the picture. I stopped by the store as my son's trumpet had a stuck valve and we discovered a pretty significant dent that I was not aware of. The gentleman that assisted me was terrific. I forgot his name but he wears glasses and works at the store in College Hill. Let's just say I was beyond impressed in how he was able to assist me. He fixed the situation without difficulty or judgement and resolved the situation beyond my expectation. I am very, very grateful. Thank you again. read more

I have a fear of musical instrument stores. It comes from being a kid and being treated like a criminal every time I entered one in my hometown - but then again my hometown produces rude people very efficiently. It's not just instrument stores, though. It's any place that has a staff with specialized knowledge that condescends to folks just trying to do there thing. So I've been putting off taking my daughter's flute to get repair until yesterday. And was given another instance where I was wrong. The folks at the Buddy Rogers repair shop were wonderful. They didn't complain about my daughter's treatment of the flute (which is respectful), they didn't blame anyone for the needed repairs (except mother nature) and explained what they were going to do, how much it was going to cost, and when it'd be done. The kicker was their last question: "Does she need a loaner-no charge?" "sure," I said. The guy rummaged around and came back with "I'm sorry, we're out." Another worker overheard this and said "Hold on!" He went outside to a truck, struggled with a about 20 crated instruments and produced a flute. None of this was required. None of it was expected. So Yay! I'm a fan now. read more

Buddy Rogers is a good place for instrument buying. A local store for many years, Buddy Rogers has several locations all over town, but the one in College Hill has a repair shop adjacent to it that does everything from guitars to clarinets. Since it's more local and smaller, the staff there is usually very personable and knowledgeable. Since not all instruments are created equal there are some that they may not be experts in, but someone in the store can answer your question. The downside to being smaller is that their selection is not as extensive as a place like Sam Ash or Guitar Center. Nevertheless, if there i something not physically in the store, it seems they are good about tracking down whatever you're looking for. read more

I've been going to this Buddy Rogers store for many, many years now, and I've never been treated with anything but the utmost of respect. I've bought 3 guitars and 2 amps from them over the years, not to mention all the strings and accessories and such. One thing I really like about them is that when you buy a guitar from Buddy Rogers, you get free re-stringing and neck adjustments for as long as you own the guitar. They are 5 minutes down the street from me, so during the summer I frequently walk up just to appreciate the instruments, talk to fellow musicians and hobbyists, and learn a new lick now and then. The address being shown here is their business office and repair shop, though. If you want to peruse the instrument selection, or ask questions, you need to go their store just around the corner at 1939 West Galbraith. They're so close together, you can walk from one to the other in about 30 seconds. Their guitar selection is not nearly as large as it used to be, but there's still plenty to choose from in several different price ranges. The biggest part of their business now, though, is instruments and lessons for students. read more

Feb. 17th 2021 I purchased Schreiber Bassoon that they stated was a donated piece. In April I went back to the shop in order to sell it back to them just didn't have time to play it. I understood that with me having played it for a couple of months that I wouldn't get my full $895 purchase price but they offered only $300. So I chose to sell it myself through several double reed groups that including the IDRS. A general consensus in the groups was it was not a Schreiber. I consulted Buddy Rodger's to ascertain how they knew it was a Schreiber and they instructed me to reach out to Buffet Crampon through an email they gave to me. I spoke with the person and after several weeks of email exchanges which included numerous photographs of the Bassoon the expert said that it he couldn't verify it as a Schreiber. Requested to return to Buddy's for rectifying the sell of this Basson was told repairman at Buddy could give me a 'note' to say it was authentic. Not acceptable. Want full refund. On 08 June 2021 a full refund was issued, after a long and unnecessary process they in which the original situation was mishandled they finally did the right thing and took responsibility for their mistake. As such I have changed the review to a three star rating instead of a one. read more

Thank you to Scott in the repair shop for excellent customer service! A quick screw adjustment and a little instruction so I could understand the issue and I was on my way! I will definitely be back for routine service needs on my son's oboe. read more

After spending $1900 in a rent to own program for a French Horn, upgraded to a better horn & continued the rent to own to completion (total investment $4700), only to find out that the market value for the better horn is only $1300. They totally ripped us off. read more

These folks are great. I like Howard Ms review...he said it. The guys know their stuff. Very encouraging, helpful and passionate about what they do. This is a regular stop for me. read more