Went in today with my son to look at electric guitars. John is super friendly and knowledgeable. He helped my son pick out a suitable guitar for the right price. I would highly recommend this store for your next guitar purchase/service.

John is super helpful every time. The last time I went in, he adjusted the string height free of charge while talking music and instruments with me. I didnt know this because its not on the Jackson guitar website, but he can distribute their stuff. I will be ordering from them next time. Thanks John!

Fantastic store, go here for all of my musical needs. Fast, friendly, and direct service that never disappoints. Owner is receptive to questions regarding merchandise and always gives honest and well-informed information to help you find the right gear to fit your needs. He takes good care of repeat customers and remembers faces well. (even with the masks hahaha) If I can help it, I won’t be turning to Amazon for my equipment ever again—I’m always looking for an excuse to come down to this shop.

Bought a guitar pedal a while back. John was very patient and helpful as I went through multiple pedals and played on different guitars and amps. Ive been in other times as well and didnt buy anything and I never felt pressure or impatience. Definitely returning soon to buy another new pedal. The selection is exactly what youd expect at a locally owned shop. Some great finds and decent competitive prices.

John got me the Strings I needed. Also got to watch John counsel a customer on acoustic guitars. He was really straight with her. Great music store. Great guy.

John adjusted my guitars action in minutes free of charge. Beautiful shop, amazing service, great person. Thanks John!

Great place. Came in with a few questions and had them all answered. Stop by and check this place out!

Very pleasant experience. Clean store with friendly and competent people.

Wonderful service! A good variety of guitars, both acoustic and electric, as well as a selection of ukuleles. Definitely recommend.

I just had the best experience at The Monterey Music Store. I purchased a guitar, amplifier and all of the accessories at a great price. I was really quite impressed with the high quality of the instruments on hand and the helpfulness of Carlos and John. They have instruments for all levels of buyers. I will absolutely be back for more. Very Happy.

Scam place. Tried to sell me a $7 Snark tuner for $30

The store is nice, local and is very friendly. When I was in there, it seemed like a very classic guitar store but had some decent extra vibe to it. I actually saw signatures on specific guitars and thought that was pretty cool.

The owners are very chill and polite. Will be back soon to get my son an electric guitar with amp

Great staff and good guitars, they moved three doors down to a new space and it’s better. They also are now a Gretsch dealer! I play Gretsch so that’s makes it the place to shop for me. Great drive to.

Great place..my son bought a travel guitar while on vacation from michigan. He loves the guitar and the salesmans owner was great guy and very polite and patient. Definitely recommend

Please visit this store.Help keep Monterey downtown alive by buying local. Go get youre someone special an inexpensive gift that will make you both happy..

It was amazing. Absolutely glorious. The staff were very easy going, and kind. I really like playing the kawai digital piano they got. Good prices, good quality.

Havent actually bought anything but they seem like nice folks. Ive been in twice to try out guitars and equipment but just havent pulled the trigger. Hoping to go buy something soon though.Honestly cant believe someone complained about there being a dog inside. Unreal. What a dick.

The staff here are great and really helpful, theres also an incredibly sweet poodle mix therapy dog you can go in and visit named Austin who is an absolute treat. I bought an electric guitar from them and they knocked a decent amount of money off the asking price and threw on some extras that made it such an amazing experience. Dont miss out on this gem. At least go in to see Austin and then decide if you need new instruments or some gear!

The people there were super helpful and willing to help me with everything i needed. my dad had given me his old guitar so i took it down to get it restrung and they not only gave me a great deal, but they fixed some minor things i couldnt see on the guitar. the service was phenomenal and they have some great stories to tell if you spend enough time there.

Sells used guitars for new price. Very rude owner, not just to me but other customers/coworkers as well. He isnt always at the shop and doesnt trust his employees to make sound selling and buying decisions when hes not there, so doing business with them is difficult. Ragged on my guitar saying it wouldnt go for $800 but when I took it off consignment the price tag read $949. I got an angry call about taking it off consignment.Owner left a really sour taste even before the angry call. Not coming back.Cool guitars though!

Service is fine and friendly. Prices are reasonable. Place is an absolute dive... So much potential to have a home, trendy music shop downtown. Really depressing to go there. 🙁

Great Store, John his Wife & the staff are amazing, extremely helpful, they let me play and check out all the equipment ... Went back the next day and bought a guitar and amp, they gave me a good discount, really love the guitar and amp, my new favorites ... Check it out new and used, nice stuff ... Oh yes Austin, Woof Woof, way cool family dog ... Aloha From Maui ...

I went in to get rosin for my sons cello and ask if they could tape the strings (I know nothing about cellos etc). The lady was SUPER kind and helpful. I would and will return.

Full service. Knowledgeable staff. Quality products. Monterey is lucky to have this high caliber of a music store.

I cant say anything bad about this place I love it and John is such a nice and helpful person. 💯💯🤗🤗

The bad store trifecta: rude staff, absurd prices, terrible selection. They no doubt survive because they are the only store in the area. Do not shop here. +1 star for the cute dog.

I remember years ago when this place used to be Abinante Music. My uncle used to manage it. I visited the store one time when helping a blind friend that does business with them on transportation to the store. After my experience with this store..... i will never return.

Small store, but a great selection of new and used gear. I always find something I want there!

When people say their prices are bad here, they should have looked a little deeper into things. I may not know music that well, but I do know basic business practices, and that got me out the door with a cheap, brand new guitar. I was in the market for my first guitar, and yes they were all a little expensive, BUT I had seen the sign outside their glass doors that says we match or beat any price. Boom. Done. You cant lose when a place has a sign like that. Sometimes you gotta do a little research to get what you want (in this case, look at prices online at other stores), and then ask for what you want, instead of just taking in-store prices As the final word.

Nice variety of instruments, and Im sure the lessons are good too.

Great atmosphere in the store, but I felt like I shouldnt have had to pay $22 for guitar strings...

Great in all ways..good people,good equipment..nuff said......

Always helpful!

The best music store in Monterey County.

All they have is budget instruments at collector prices.Stay away if you want something well made with a decent price, this place is a rip off.

The staff is always so helpful when youre looking for something or need advice on playing.

Bought a guitar that looked like Kurt Cobain might have puked on it. Love it

This music store is Everthing you need for that next gig,,,or budding Rock Star,or Classic keyboardist,,,all the drums you could stack an playIts here in beautiful historic, Monterey,Ca so come and check an exceptional store,, exceptional people and if your lucky play catch with Austin the Wonder Dog,,, financing available,,,

I noticed that a number of folks complained about the prices... yep theyre high. Its a small mom & pop that would have a hard time competing with the Guitar centers of the world... But if you ask them to match the price... they will. I bought a few cymbals & a fender amp there... I asked them to match the price... no real magic.. Where they dont quite make the grade is on selection compared to a Guitar center, hence the three stars.

Nice staff but didn’t correct my problem to the tune of $75

I have gone in several times I the past few years and each time my experience was the same. There prices are way out of line. They were ok to communicate with but compared to Grand Finale Musical Showcase they could not compete with Grand Finale Musical Show case in prices or the quality of instruments. They were out of touch. I remember when it was Alvarado Music. It was much better. It was much ore personable back then. Grand Finale Musical Showcase is a local online and mobile music business. They have the market cornered as far as low prices an high-end brands go. I found them in the yellow pages. I also love Wise Music in Salinas. They have an excellent selection of accessories and low priced instruments but lack the quality of Grand Finale Music Store. I bought what normally is close to $6000 in some stores for $2225 a Limited Edition Stradivarius Professional Model Big Apple 190 series. I also play alto sax and came across a $500 brillhardt Mouth Piece for $150. I am glad my sons teacher let us know about Grand Finale. We could have never been able to find such quality at amazing prices I guess the owners overhead is lower being a mobile type of business with internet sales. Music Unlimited did put a set of strings onthat I bought from them on my electric gitar and that was cool!

Rude staff bad store no selection

Wow what a waste of time . This place sucks, poor service, bad attitudes. Go anywhere else, just not there.

Very friendly environment