Metropolis Music

Great little guitar shop. Very accommodating staff; they will take good care of you. Small but decent selection of guitars and basses, although too many of their basses have too many strings (as in, they have a lot of 5-​string basses and not many 4-​string). Not much in the way of heads or cabs. Will definitely be back.

I’ve been meaning to write a review for metropolis music for quite some time. Being a student here on and off for the last two years, with a stellar attendance rate, it’s the least I could do.
First off, how cool is the name metropolis? If you’re not immediately thinking guitar super hero, then read no further for we will not get along.
So like I said, I’ve been taking lessons here for a short while now and despite having a very hectic work schedule and being too old for parents to force me to practice consistently, and a husband who now probably hates guitar music because it really wasn’t music for a long time, I kept coming back.
The store owner Mark is super cool, he has all sorts of different interests and I could spend hours just chatting with him about vintage cameras or when I will finally buy my first real guitar. (Walden, anyone?)
I’ve taken lessons with eddie, art, alex, and now finally with dan. I think you just have to find the right teacher for your style, but they were all rock gods in their own way. Very intimidating to jam with them and especially embarrassing when you didn’t practice.
But they are all awesome and even as an adult, I highly recommend checking out the store if you want to take lessons, buy an instrument, or just learn something new!
Can’t recommend this place enough!

Do you wanna ROCK? Then get on down to Metropolis Music! I wanted to learn how to play guitar and I was surprised at how easy it was to get started. Lessons are 30 mins long and $ 30, which I think is reasonable, and its even cheaper if you buy a couple lessons at one time. There are several instructors, and I believe they offer lessons for a variety of instruments. I learn something every time I have a lesson and I’m so glad another Unilocaler turned me on to this place!

This review only applies to the guitar set up service Metropolis offers (as this was my experience with them).
I brought my acoustic guitar in to have it set up. I was told by the owner — who was working the register — that they were backed up and it would take a week. Fine, I said.
A week later, I come in. The owner is in the same spot behind the register. «Hi, I’m here to pick up my guitar» I say, passing him my receipt. He replies, «Okay, let me see… Ah! Yeah I haven’t gotten to it yet. But I could have it ready for you in an hour or two if you’d like to come back before we close.»
Translation: «I’ve got better things to do then the work you are paying me for. Your satisfaction as a customer is nothing more than an afterthought to me.»
A week, 2 hours, and $ 50 later, I got my newly «set up» guitar. It’s been restrung and the fretboard has been lightly cleaned. When I get home, I check for any noticeable changes to the neck relief, saddle height, nut slots, bridge pins, intonation and overall stability. Nothing. Not the slightest change from when I brought it in. These features– crucial to a proper guitar set up — have not been so much as touched. Surely the new strings have at least been stretched? Nope. The tuning slips constantly as I play. Sure enough, this guy has done the absolute bare minimum with my guitar.
Bottom line: Something here was definitely set up and it most definitely was not my guitar.
To anyone thinking of having their guitar set up here — don’t. Buy strings, a wire cutter, and a string winder on the web (Amazon) for a ¹⁄₃^rd of the price that Metropolis will charge you. Youtube how to restring a guitar if you’re new. This dude either took me for a complete novice or is just plain lazy.
Final thoughts:
Metropolis is the only guitar store in Jersey City so they have little completion. The result is that they have little incentive to provide anything less than minimal service. The worst part is — and I can only speak for the store owner I encountered — it’s done with a smug face.
Lots of luck buddy, I have zero sympathy for your shoddy business.

Metropolis is a gem! Everyone I’ve run into who works here has been super-​friendly, and they really know their stuff. I’ve been taking voice with Alex Brumel here for over a year, and I can’t recommend him enough. They have classes for all ages, and very affordable guitars! Hurray for Metropolis. :)

Great job fixing my trumpet. Extensive schedule for lessons and a very knowledgeable staff.

Metropolis Music is just a short walk down Newark Ave. from the Grove Street PATH. You’ll find they specialize in guitar sales, guitar repairs, and a range of lessons for every skill level. Metropolis has a very knowledgeable staff with knowledge about recording, amplifying, tuning, and repair. I noticed they have a moderate amount of practice sheet music as well. Bring your kids here when they start getting the itch to play and you’ll find something small for them to start on, plus a game plan for learning the ropes!
Need a tune up? As a master luthier, you can trust the owner of Metropolis with your pride and joy, but don’t expect him to have the bandwidth to also repair your amps and gear. We’ve gotten really good recommendations from the staff whenever we need to go somewhere else for more help.
Trustworthy used equipment at reasonalbe prices, and a fair return policy, rounds out the experience, giving Metropolis a top score in my book.

This is a nice little music store and very convenient if you live in Jersey City. The staff are all very nice people and I enjoy just hanging around there sometimes. Not a high-​end store but they do carry a wide selection of misc. gear. The prices are low for instrument repair but you’re not paying for luthier grade work. They also host a lot of good instructors.

the owner, mark, is a really nice guy.
i don’t know anything about their teachers because i haven’t ever studied with any of them, but as far as basic supplies and sheet music this place is great.
i’ve ordered music from them and it has arrived in as timely a fashion as if i had ordered it from somewhere online. they also have this system where they can print out sheet music for pop, rock and jazz tunes (maybe classical too, but i’ve never done that) for a few bucks and the music is accurate. good place to have in jersey city.

Nice place. Variety of instruments. Used and new equipment. Extremely knowledgeable and approachable staff guy. Big big range of music books. Flashback to Recorder 101. I almost bought that one. Fur Elise anyone? One of the many random music stores sprinkled throughout this city.