As a musician-owned and -operated shop, the people of Sam Ash Music Store are highly-attuned to the needs of every customer who walks through their doors. A remarkable thing about them is that they’ve been in the business for almost a century.

It’s expected that they’re the largest musical instrument emporium with locations all over the country. You’ll likely find what you’re looking for on your first visit, and if you don’t, they have a network of stores with an eclectic inventory of new and used products.

We do have to mention that the physical store isn’t as extensive as their online shop. Nonetheless, it’s worth visiting if you’d like to try out some instruments or seek services from their techs.

Among the brands they carry are local mainstays like Gibson and Martin, and imported names such as Roland and Seinnheiser. All instruments come with servicing and set-up by their in-house service center, which is great.

To seal the deal, they offer a variety of flexible financing plans. These include lease-to-own plans that don’t require credit cards and interest rates as slow as 0%. 

It’s apparent that their salesmen and staff are passionate about music, possessing a breadth of knowledge on all sorts of gear. We heard they freely offer advice to anyone who asks, which we like.

On the other hand, some customers were disappointed by the lack of assistance in both peak and lull scenarios. We hope that customer service strives to stay consistent in any case.

Still, it’s not a list of the best music stores without them, and they have almost a hundred years to back up their services.

Bizarre Guitar & Drum has a rich history as one of the valley’s favorite establishments of its kind. It was founded by the late Bob Turner when he started selling guitars from his home back in the early 70s and still persists as a landmark in the local music scene.

When it comes to first impressions, the shop is more or less a hole in the wall that could easily be overlooked. The interiors are packed with rows upon rows of guitars and strings, with drumsets occupying much of the space as you enter.

Keep in mind that they don’t supply anything other than those mentioned. Hence, you won’t find anything outside those categories here.

Still, they have a superb and varied selection of both new and used items, but you can also inquire about special orders. The only downside is that they’re limited to current production models and about a dozen guitar brands only.

Despite that, having a special focus on a limited catalog of instruments means that the staff compensates with a vast knowledge of all things guitar. 

We heard they’re also personable with customers, most of whom walked out of their store with the guitar they’re looking for. They can also accommodate the usual repairs, but for special cases, they’re apparently ready to recommend someone for the job.

We advise carefully inspecting products before shelling out any money since all sales are final and they don’t accept returns.

Despite what they lack, we think they have been in the business a long time for all the good reasons, and they’re a great option if you prefer to support local.

Guitar Center is one of the country’s leading big box stores for musical instruments, with 5 locations all over the metro. They’re arguably the best resource for seasoned musicians and beginners alike.

For one, they’re home to an abundant inventory of the biggest brands out in the market like Fender, Gibson, Yamaha, and Shure among others. If it’s not in stock, they can order it for you from a nationwide network of 260 branches.

Their locations at Peoria Avenue and Tempe seem to be the most visited as far as we’ve looked. They have racks and shelves full of equipment, which seems like a musician’s version of heaven and is definitely worth visiting for us.

While their staff is generally helpful and welcoming, this isn’t always the case from what we’ve heard. It usually takes a while for an attendant to assist you, so be ready to spend more time in the store than expected.

On the other hand, they also offer audiovisual solutions. With the help of their sound engineers, they can customize and set up AV rigs for recording studios, theaters, and even personal projects like podcasts and streaming.

They’re also a one-stop shop for rentals, selling used gear, and repairs. Sadly, we heard of some customers who weren’t satisfied with the job done on their items.

One customer who had their guitar for 8 years was devastated to get it back in a worse state. We hope they could improve on handling and repair, considering that a lot of their clients use these instruments for a living.

Fortunately, the management seems to address these issues in record time and appropriately compensate customers for the damages.

Boogie Music is a family-owned and independent music store trusted by many musicians, seasoned or beginner. They’re also a veteran and local small business that opened in 1979 but has successfully adapted to the times from what we’ve seen.

They’re a unique typology with a hometown charm, backed by a loyal and supportive clientele. It’s worth noting that they have their own luthiers who craft and repair guitars, which takes their business to another level.

It’s for this reason that countless guitarists around the valley seek them for more complex repairs and customizations. Hence, we think they’re your best bet when it comes to that department.

Another thing we like about them is their selection of rarities like rope-tuned djembes and folk wind instruments. Other than that, their inventory is limited to stringed and percussion instruments, with a few in the band and orchestra family.

They’re also authorized dealers of top-shelf brands like Ibanez and Shure, but they’re particularly well-stocked with Taylor guitars. Compared to their competitors, their line-up of brands and instruments is limited.

We heard the owner Clint is a pleasant fellow who is more than inclined to offer expert advice to every customer who visits. We like the extra care he places on instruments, so you can be sure that those on display are in pristine condition all the time.

Adding to the list, they also offer affordable rentals and lease-to-own options, which seem to be the popular choice among young aspiring musicians. They’re family-friendly and maintain close relationships with parents, too, which we appreciate.

Unfortunately, they don’t offer financing on the majority of their products, especially brand-new models. 

With humble beginnings as an accordion shop in 1946, Milano Music has grown to be one of the most beloved music stores in Mesa and the whole southwest. 

The store offers everything from orchestra instruments to effect pedals and amps. They’re also known for their rental programs and have maintained relationships with school bands all over the valley.

Upon visiting, the whole floor is at least two stories high with one wall decked with an assortment of electric guitars. We like that they have a dedicated space for each department and there are a lot of options to browse through.

Their line-up of brands is also impressive, with names like Korg, Fender, Zildjian, and even folk instruments like Ibanez mandolins and High Spirits flutes. 

We heard the staff consists of musically trained experts who are helpful and friendly in every way but don’t pressure you on sales. It seems they have the customer’s best interests in mind as they take time to help them make well-informed purchases.

Moreover, they have designated technicians for instrument repairs in the woodwind, strings, and brass among others. They offer free estimates and free repairs for rentals, which is great for those who are looking for affordable options.

However, some have complained about the quality of craftsmanship on repairs. A couple of customers have spotted some scratches and sharp edges for those who had instruments filed for adjustments.

Others have also had stressful experiences with lead times, with some waiting weeks on end to get their instrument back from repair. They’re also not offering any financing, which is something to consider.

Agave Music is a shop that provides its clients with woodwind and brass instrument repair and maintenance services. Operated and founded by Chris Moller, the said has been operational ever since 2010 and features over 24 years of experience in the field as well.

We like that their packages are very inclusive and valuable due to the number of service inclusions it features to ensure that clients get their instrument at the best quality possible along with better playability as well.

Furthermore, past clients have commended their work to be high of value and consistent along with a convenient booking service that has led to an overall smooth experience working with them.

Note though that even if they do have fast turnaround times, there might be a discrepancy when it comes to this since the said shop has slightly limited slots.

Overall, with their accommodating and responsive customer service, extensive experience in instrument repairs, and quality techniques and materials used, we highly recommend that interested clients give them a try.

Campos Music & Supplies impresses customers with its well-stocked merchandise and inventory.

From musical instruments to accessories and electronic equipment, the store offers a wide variety of products to cater to diverse musical needs.

We appreciate the convenience of finding everything they need under one roof.

The store prides itself on its friendly and knowledgeable staff who are passionate about music.

We commend the staff for their expertise and willingness to assist with any inquiries or needs. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned musician, you can rely on the staff to provide valuable guidance and recommendations.

We like the store’s reasonable prices as a key advantage. Despite its high-quality inventory and personalized service, Campos Music & Supplies maintains competitive pricing, ensuring affordability for customers of all budgets.