Every time I go into Wise Music, I am greeted by people who are genuinely happy to see you and share their knowledge. Bryan has been great at handling my overcomplicated upgrades for my Schecter and old Ibanez and pointing me in the right direction with the techs. He was also a pleasure to talk to on the phone when he called to provide updates. Their tech Alex was super helpful when discussing an upgrade I didn't think was possible. I asked, on the off chance, if we could put active pickups in a 25-year-old passive Ibanez. Alex accepted the challenge with positivity and excitement. He said it would be no problem and explained what he was going to do. He also went ahead and installed some custom Guyker locking tuners on my Schecter. They are red and chrome, matching my body. He did a fantastic job! Robert is a dedicated guitar tech. I first met him when I came in to upgrade my Schecter. I had a complex humbucker set unad he was so positive and confident that I knew I had found the right place. I went back on a whim to see if I could replace my old Ibanez passive humbuckers with the ones he removed from my Schecter. I genuinely thought I was going to be laughed out of the shop. However, Alex and Robert both thought about it and were once again positive and enthusiastic. I handed over my guitar and parts, and the shop just had a very can-do attitude. I got a call after a few days to say it was done. I'm amazed at their turnaround time, as the technician's room always looks stacked with axes. Robert also went above and beyond when installing the active humbuckers in my Ibanez. I originally asked to keep the middle pickup just to be kept in but dead because I didn't want a big hole in my body. Not only did he get the actives in, but he also managed to wire it so the middle passive is still live! So my old, crappy guitar can now shred but also go back to my old punk-pop days . It also now has six voices to choose from, combining the passive and active pickups. Madness.... I highly recommend this music store! For all your guitar teaching needs, just ask for Robert read more

Frank is the best! He knows everything I needed to repair my guitar's neck that needed an artistic touch. He is one of the best luthier's around. read more

Frank is the best tech around, super knowledable and honest. He knows Fenders, Gibsons, boutiques fast and fair. I wish he was my personal tech! read more

I bought a used Taylor Academy 12e from a private seller, but the action was very high. Took it in for a setup, and it was a great price, as their very accomplished luthier Frank (45+ yrs experience) charged only $20/hr, and had it done the next day. Frank let me know that he could only take the action down so far without losing tone (via the usual method of sanding down the saddle), and the action ended up still being to high for me. As a former Taylor certified luthier, he said that he could remove and adjust the neck to bring the action down without losing tone, but that would take a couple hours more work. It ended up taking him only 1.5 hrs, and $30 later my Taylor has action as low as on some of my electric guitars, and still sounds great. Thanks Frank! My future business is yours. read more

Great store. Great prices. Very good staff. This is a locally run store with very competitive prices and a great personal touch

Ever want to just go to a store and seek out any kind of instrument? Wise music has it all from drums to guitars to basses to even banjos, might get into that lol. Overall awesome place and great staff ready to help ya out on what ya need as well :) read more

The good was that they have the strings I need but the bad is that they don't open on time

Sub par instruments and it just seems like they a Just random instruments to sell but not very good quality read more

Pete made me a great deal on my guitar. He is a great guy and very knowledgeable. Feels good to support local businesses.

Wise music has slowly but surely become my go-to music store. The staff is incredible and I missed the name of the gentleman who fixed my tuning key but shout out to him. Please never lose that sense of hospitality it reaps loyal customers and I 100% recommend you to any new guitar players. read more

About 25 years ago I walked up to a music store in Salinas and the guy who opened the door and asked ' Can I help you? ' was About to become - my go to guy for all my music needs . From guitar strings to music lessons to instrument repair. He had just taken ownership of what had been Williams Music. And promised me my experience would be better than it had been before. He was right And I bought a Peavy KB 3. Over 25 years Pete has maintained the utmost integrity, has always 'made the deal work' and has always Stood behind whatever he sells. I've bought budget guitars and exquisite guitars there. I feel like I have a friend in the music business . It's worth the drive from Monterey or Watsonville and it's nice to know I don't have to go to San Jose to find a deal! The Wise choice indeed. read more

New & Used musical instruments, pro DJ sound systems. Musical gear repairs, Lessons, music books, accessories, etc. You can find some more exotic items here. Salinas is a predominently Hispanic town with a lot of Mariachi bands. Wise Music is the place that supplies the lower cost horns, violins, concertinas, accordians for the musicians. In shop service & repairs done well. Pete Wise is a great guy. He & the family run the store and pay attention to customers. He is 100 feet from another big musical instrument retailer that has been in Salinas for 3 generations that shall remain nameless! And Wise Music is thriving 'cause he sells used instruments for a fair price & carries brands that the competitor doesn't carry. read more

Best local music store around with all around instruments covering many artists styles from cumbia to rock n roll . Great used gear & lots of new gear . Also the technicians like Frank make the whole place a one stop shop for instrument fine tuning and repairs . Super happy with all the service I've received over the years . Thanks Pete Wise . read more

Staff was very friendly and helpful! They explained what needed adjusting on my bass very well and were quick to fix it.

Amazing service. Wonderful, wonderful people. I was just buying my starter guitar, and I'm so pleased with my purchase. They spent as much time as I needed helping me figure out what kind of guitar I should get. I'm so happy with my first guitar!!!!! read more

Great store, super friendly welcoming staff. They have all the essentials for any guitarist, bassist, wind instrument player. Range from expensive guitar to affordable for beginners :) read more

Ok for buying stuff if you already know what you need but watch out for the repair Dept . The dude used epoxy on on of my instruments that cost me hundreds of dollars to get removed . Then when I complained the dude got snotty with me . Gave them another chance and guitar was returned inoperable . read more

This is a great Mom & Pop Music Shop. The staff was very knowledgeable and courteous. The manager went out of his way to help with the selection of the instrument. Too bad there is not enough parking space out on the street but good to know they are moving bigger space. read more

Wise Music - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Salinas, California

I went in to buy a bass guitar and there was a guy with glasses older gentle men he seemed to not want to help me and my buddy the other two employees were cool younger guys helpful but the other gentle mentlen seemed like wanted us out. I asked for a price and he answered in a way that questioned if i even had money to buy it. Good store but not so good employees this is the second time this happens first time i went in to buy strings was thinking og buying a guitar then so was trying them out and playing them see if i like it and the same gentle men kicked us and the store read more

This is a great music store. For being so small, they have a large variety of guitars and many other instruments. The staff is easy going as the owner is as well. The prices are pretty fair and all and all it's probably the best music store in Monterey. read more

Wise Music is awesome!!!! Frank, you are the man!!! Always appreciate your expert service. And, attention to detail on every guitar of mine. You definitely go above and beyond. I highly recommend Wise Music. Frank is THE LUTHIER on the Monterey Peninsula!! Thanks again, Troy read more

So glad that Salinas has a music store....this place is awesome! Very helpful employees...great selection of musical products. read more

So I had a tricky repair to get done on a Fender Bass.. I showed up around 11 on Saturday morning and 30 minutes later I had my problem completely fixed and a going forward solution so I don't have to deal with the same issue again.. the Price was right!! Thanks Guys! Your Guys are Awesome and I'll be back. read more

I've been coming here for years to this great, locally owned and operated music store. I'm constantly impressed by their great customer service. The owner Pete, as well as the rest of the employees, are very helpful and attentive. I've had issues with a few instrument cables and they've replaced them with no issues on the spot. I've sent various instruments for repair and like how they work. I've also taken a few music lessons and have been happy with the price and quality. The have a ton of regional mexican instruments such as accordions, guitarrones, bajo sextos, requintos and more. The also have a pretty good selection of guitars, bases, drums and amp. They do stock some used instruments as well. The downside is that they don't stock higher end instruments, so I stick to Guitar Center for things like that. They also have almost no selection of keyboards. read more

This store and it's staff deserve way more than 5 stars! I got my first guitar during the Pandemic and have been back multiple times for additional gear and help with restringing/tune ups. Extremely fair prices on everything from instruments to gear. Each time Frank and his staff have taken the time to talk to me about what I'm after sound-wise and have offered suggestions and tips accordingly. They truly care about their craft and it shows. This shop got me started on something that I think will be a lifelong hobby, and I think any musicians in the area that have not checked out Wise Music are doing themselves a disservice! read more

Frank was awesome at helping me out with my guitar. I came in there thinking I would have to drop off my guitar for the day and he was able to help me very quickly. Best part about it is that he taught me some new things and didn't charge me a dime. Thanks again Frank! read more

Time and time again I have found myself to be very impressed and satisfied with the help from the staff and good ol Pete and his wonderful wife who is very supportive and cheerful when interacting with customers. I remember the first time I entered wise music when I was 12. My dad took me and he had been shopping there for years. This was the old location on Monterey street. When I walked into the building to me it looked like the Namm show. I made small purchases at the time and years later I realized this store is the real deal and every musician I knew,personally shopped here. I always told Pete that one day when I have enough money, I would buy one of his more expensive amplifiers and he was always kind. Imagine those words coming from a kid I'm 31 now and happy to say this November I finally purchased that big amplifier it was a peavey head. I love this shop, I have no need nor desire to go anywhere else. Also R.I.P. Gatsby's Music the store living under your disgusting shadow put a knife through your heart. read more

Avoid this place if you can. I bought a used amp that worked the day I tried it. I put a down payment on it and picked it up a week later. I took the amp to Fender (it is a Fender amp) right away to have them give it a once over.....well. Fender had it for a month and by the time they got back to me, there is discontinued/unavailable circuitry that was blown and the amp is unusable. I was unable to return the amp, out of pocket! I'm so pissed at this establishment I find it hard to believe they're still in business! read more

I been going to Wise Music for a very very long time. Purchases of many Amps and basses. About a year ago I decided to try his repair guy for a preamp install. Long story short. This did not go well as of this day that install still doesn't work the way he said he could make it work. About $300 dollars later into blown up Aguilar preamp and onto the next. I have not been able to play this bass. It is or was a brand new clean bass, Ibanez 1806 sound gear. It now since getting it back, has mix match knobs on it, and two switches that do not match. It also does not work in active mode. Upon taking it to yet another place, turns out it was wired completely wrong and output side of the second preamp proved to be blown out. My bass also is scratched, dented and has metal shavings under the pickups. Not to sure what this was all about but I do recall the so called LUTHIER saying to me how he hated my bass. Warning!... I you have electrical work to be done on any thing beyond passive systems on guitars or bass. DO NOT TAKE IT TO FRANK at Wise Music! YOU BEEN WARNED. Sales are still top notch at Wise. read more

Went here and bought a new head and wire for my snare drum. Staff was knowledgeable, but products are over priced. Everything I priced here I found on Amazon for a lot less. Great place to go if you need something right away, but if you can wait 2 days and have a prime account ( doesn't everyone?) order through Amazon. read more

This place help you whatever instument you play, at what ever level. If they dont have an item in stock they will order it for you. Brad is the best guitar teacher. Mike knows his stuff. Pete is very helpful. I'm glad a store like this is here. read more

I've been a fan and customer of Wise for years. Always helpful, knowledgeable, and a relatively broad selection of whatever you need.

Pete Wise and the Wise Music family has always been good at getting near list prices - great service and knowledgeable staff. If you know what you're looking for and they don't have it - they can get it. If you don't know what you want they'll help you find it. The in store selection is pretty good - it's always fun to go in a just look around. Definitely better than other instrument retailers in the area. read more

I've know Pete Wise for over 25 years, and he's one of the most honest and down-to-earth people I've ever met! His store is very well-stocked and roomy, and his staff is knowledgable and very helpful. read more

This is no Big Box-chain store. Since 1994 it's been owned and operated by Peter Wise and if it's good, down to earth service and pricing, you just found it. Darned near all things musical here....for the beginner to the working pro. Brand new, used and some consigned items. I have found several "treasures" there over the years and will pull off of 101 on my way to and from the cities to see what Peter may have on the floor. Not too many independents left....here's one we should all try to help to stay in business. Lefty from Big Sur. read more

I brought in my banjo to get strings put on. Not only did they put strings, they noticed that it needed some adjustments. Frank stopped what he was doing, made the adjustment, adjusted the action, put on the strings, and ensured the banjo was ready for playing. Outstanding service! You all just made a life-long customer. I will be coming back for strings and any other music needs that I may have! read more

Great prices on strings and great prices on used gear! Not the best selection for new stuff but I am sure they would order it for you are willing to wait. Pete and his wife are very friendly and happy to answer any questions you might have. I highly recommend this shop to any local musicians or wannabes. read more

Very nice business. They answered all of my questions and were very curteous.

Not helpful at all! Wanted to buy my sons a drum set and a beginning guitar set, the whole works, cash in hand. Would have prefferred to spen 15% more over internet prices in order to get local service and some helpful guidance. Roamed around the store for half-an-hour, before I finally had to interupt a conversation on dating to get some help. Asked him about the Post-Holiday Sales Event pricing as the banners are all over the front windows and was told "Ohhh - um yeah well we had a sale where stuff was like 20% to 30% off after christmas but then ended weeks ago - now everything is back to low prices and some stuff is 10% off. We just haven't taken down the signs yet." And then he continued his conversation with a young skateboarder. So much for local assistance - back to the internet, Monterey or San Jose - Obviously Salinas is not the place to get musical equipment. (Gatsby's next door was just as bad!) read more

This is a great store. I've been shopping here since they opened and I almost always find a quirky or fun piece of used gear (usually a guitar or amp) that I want to buy. Pete, the owner, has a quiet demeanor, but he's friendly. His pricing is reasonable and he will often offer deals on used gear. He doesn't mind if you try anything out and is always accommodating. read more