Halifax Folklore Center

It doesn’t seem right for a local musician to not want to enter the local independent music store. Thinking back to the way I was treated by the impatient, condescending, impulsive owner of the Halifax Folklore Center during my last visit reaffirms my decision to not return. In my effort to avoid the possibility of being insulted any further, I have reluctantly chosen to spend my money elsewhere.

Going into the Halifax Folklore Centre is almost always a painful experience. But I say that with as much love as I can muster.
Without fail, every time that I enter this lovely shop I find a guitar that I just *yearn* to own. Usually, it’s some sort of vintage Gibson J-​45. So I’ll ask if I can play it, carefully keeping my eyes away from the price tag. I play it for a little bit, fall in love, and then look at the price tag. Cue sad face.
Honestly, though, this is my favourite musical instrument shop in town. As someone who plays primarily acoustic stringed instruments, there’s no better place in the city. The staff is friendly and very knowledgeable and the guitars, mandolins, banjos… they’re all gorgeous.
I’ve also taken my guitars in for some repairs and pickup installations and I’ve always been extremely pleased with the work done by these fine people.
If I had one complaint about the Folklore Centre, it’s that I always seem to notice a quality gap in the guitars. In one section, there seems to be a bunch of lower-​end (but decent) guitars. In the other section, you have the gorgeous vintage guitars with price tags more effective than tear gas. I haven’t seen much that bridges that gap.
But if you’re new to the city and looking for a good guitar shop, head on over. They’ll take good care of you.

String instrument heaven! You need a guitar? No problem. What about someone to help you fix up an old gem? They’ll assist you. Maybe just some sheet music or a case or a tuner — yep, that’s all shelved here, too!
In a lovely homey shop, on a downtown Halifax corner, you will find this self proclaimed Folklore Center. I bought a guitar from them a number of years ago and the employee who assisted me was not only cute, but oh so very helpful. I was there for about an hour plucking about, trying to find something to suit my every whim. (Needless to say, I still don’t play and couldn’t then either). Nonetheless, my attentive assistant played for me and helped me pick out a goody. I also bought a how-​to guide as well as a case. It was an expensive endeavor and one that I have yet to follow through on, but it was a good experience anyway.
They provided me with a great warranty and were very insistent that if I needed anything in the future, that I should not hesitate to come in and ask. Repairs, appraisals, trades and sales — the Folklore Center is a mecca for instrument buffs and wannabe novices. Before you buy an instrument from a chain store, head on into this Halifax original and take a gander. I’m sure you’ll find what you’re looking for and much more!

My boyfriend got me a ukulele for my birthday last year and I have incrementally been learning to play. I needed a new tuner, so dropped in here to look for one. Not only was there a nice little model on sale for under ten bucks, but the employee who helped me out was really nice to boot. Just being in the shop is a delight; tons of guitars, ukes, mandolins and other instruments adorn the walls and ceiling. It just feels warm and homey, and makes me want to play music.

I wish I knew how to play guitar.
And by «play guitar,» I mean play it well. I just don’t make the time to do it. But Halifax Folklore has helped me out even when I wasn’t looking for a stringed instrument. One time I needed a penny whistle but didn’t want to spend twenty dollars for it which was the average price at a regular music store. I didn’t have hope that Halifax Folklore Center actually had Penny Whistles but there they were! And for only ten dollars!
The staff are very friendly and you can tell that this is more than a store. It is a way of life and a place for musicians to get together and connect. The store isn’t the most attractive but I enjoy it because it sort of looks like a workshop for guitar makers. Their selection, especially for a store this size, is very impressive! They have almost every kind of guitar I’d like. Pretty soon, I know I will be buying an acoustic or electric and the Halifax Folklore Center will be the place I’ll go to. Not just because they have good pricing. They make you feel like you are joining a supportive community that can help you on your musical journey.

I used to be more of a guitar geek than I am now, and I’ve always enjoyed just looking at musical instruments for their sheer physical beauty. So the Folklore Centre has always been a good place to ogle some good-​looking gear.
They specialize in buying, selling, trading, repairing and appraising stringed instruments. It’s a pretty rustic little shop in a 135-​year old Victorian house which feels like it might be the perfect place to take your lute for a repair, if you know, you broke it serenading some fair maiden or something.
Fun to explore, even if you’re just a wannabe like me.