The Music Box

I can’t stand this place… they offer very little to students in the local school music programs, aren’t knowledgable about, well, much of anything, and the store itself is hideous and smells funny. I last went there a couple years ago to purchase a guitar amp for my band. I asked the sales guy to give me the «most bang for my buck.» I trusted him, and came home with a BASS AMP. I’d rather go all the way up to Sacramento where I can trust people to know their craft.

The music box is a great local shop that will help you go through the process of buying a guitar, amplifier, or whatever you are searching for. Jeff, Chris, and Rick have a combined 100 years of experience in the music industry. The shop has a decent selection of products from beginner all the way to the most experience player. Its perfect for the smaller items that most musicians need to keep jamming like strings, cables, and picks. Their prices are very competitive as well compared to guitar center.

Honestly stop making people feel so awkward when they’re unsure about something. It’s so annoying and I thought you guys were nice, but it seems you guys are going under and have lost the respect for customers. When I ask about a guitar because I’m interested in buying it, don’t tell me «hold on I’m the phone» In a rude way when you’re not even Holding a phone. And don’t make me feel awkward because I’m unsure of things. I’m sorry but I can feel your annoyance with me, and I’m sure you know who I am. I’d rather drive to stockton or sac from now on. And I’m not even thinking about spending $ 250 on the guitar I was looking at because I’m all for supporting local businesses, but not one that makes me feel like I’m a bother since day one of going here when I was younger. And a lot of guitars in here are not very great quality. Guitar center here I come… Sorry to say it but I wish you guys were more understanding of people’s misunderstandings if you get what i mean. I’ll buy more than one set of strings from a place with great customer service that doesn’t make me feel SO stupid and awkward for saying electric strings because I wanted your guys’ opinion on which ones but you make me feel like I’m an idiot. Hope you don’t take so much offense from this review and instead learn a little something from it, because it’s cost you at least $ 250 from the guitar I now don’t really want to buy.

I like this place because when I was little I got a clarinet and went to classes. They taught well. The first thing we would do is first get the holes in and I looked a the holes and always got it correct. The first time they helped me.

Took guitar lessons from 14 to about 18, and have loved dealing with them for the past 15+ years. Guitars, drums, amps and even PA rentals. Chris, Rick and Jeff are great!

got my first guitar there in ’82 when they were in the Lakewood mall. Didn’t end up a musician but I did end up in the music industry in live production and take all my business for bands there. True veteran pros with a local vibe.

A Lodi tradition. The only local place to go and rightfully so. Highly trusted and staffed by the owner who knows his business.

Top notch customer service! I bought a beginning guitar for my grandson and they were helpful and friendly. Can’t wait to go back and buy one for myself!

When I moved to Lodi, I had to find a place to buy music supplies and the only place in town was the Music Box. The first time I went there I bought a bass chord chart. Simple enough. I didn’t have much contact with the sales peeps, but they seemed friendly when I bought my items.
The next time I went, I was in the market for a new bass. I ended up purchasing a 50^th anniversery Fender P-​Bass. I was actually looking for a signature Gheti Lee Fender. They didn’t carry one, but were willing to order me one. The salesman advised me to stay away from it though. He admitted the playability was great on that paticular model, but it had some quirks and was extremely expensive. He showed me the bass I ended up buying. He let me sit there with it without bothering me at all. When I made up my mind to buy it, I figured I had some haggling to do. I was surprised when he knocked of $ 80 dollars as soon as I said i was interested. I hummed and hawed about it and got him to take of a total of $ 120.00, and he threw in a leather strap, ($ 60.00 value), an instrament cable and a polishing cloth. That’s pretty standard, except for the leather strap.
Needless to say I was very happy about the experience.
The one thing I have to say that is negative about the shop is the cable they threw in. I was asking him about cables. I typically stick to monster cables and that’s what I wanted. I complained about how they only last about six months, but with the lifetime guarantee, I thought they were the best buy. He suggested some other, off brand cable, made some comments about the way they are put together better and said they don’t offer a warrenty because their cables don’e break. I took it. Three weeks later it broke during a show. Luckilky I had a Monster back up. I think he was just trying to give me a cheaper cable, but who can blame him.
The other strange experience I had with them was when I took my other bass in there to be repaired. They had to ship it to their Stockon location where their tech is. He said it would be done in a week. After two weeks I called them. THEY COULDN’t FIND IT!!! I was shocked. It took them two days to find it. It was at their Stockton store still. They offered to ship it back to Lodi so I could pick it up, but I just wanted the thing back, so I went and got it myself. The tech in Stockton was all appologies and only charged me $ 10.00 for the repairs. That made it right in my book. The bass plays like it came off the factory line now too.
My next purchase there was a Peavy bass cab. I was having a hard time finding a 4X10 rig due to their popularity and just happened to stop in their store to window shop. They had the Peavy on the floor listed around $ 399.00. He said he’d give me a great deal and offered it for $ 300.00. I advised him I’d have to go get my cash from home, but would be back. I went online at home to check out some reviews for the model and saw Guitar Center selling the same cab for $ 249.00. I went back to the Music Box and told the guy he put me in a moral dillema. He asked why and I explained about the price, but assured him I would pay the $ 300.00 to help support my local music shop. He cussed and went into the back of the store. He came back out and advised me that he checked their website and I was right. (like I was lying). He matched their price. I think they only made like $ 20 on the cab.
So, the reason for only four stars is because of the cable and the fact that they lost my bass. Other than that, they are extremely knowledgable in regards to major equipment and guitars. I just wouldn’t trust them on their assecories.

The Music Box has been my choice for over twenty years. Not only do they continue to have the best prices around, they offer unparalleled customer service. Jeff is knowledgeable and friendly. Always a pleasure to do business with. If you are in the market for new gear, drop by the Music Box … you will not be disappointed.