Aantone’s Music

I’ve been going to Aantones ever since I moved out here to California in 1997, and highly recommend him for all your musical needs from instruments and amps to repairs. He is super-​knowledgeable and great at knowing exactly what each guitar needs to be played at its best. His set ups are top knotch and he can tell right away what needs to be done. I’ve also found some cool vintage amps there for a reasonable price. And beyond the biz stuff, he’s a super-​nice guy and very talented musician. Support an awesome local business and check out Aantones!

I have been going to Aantone’s for guitar work since I was just a teenager with no clue about virtually anything guitar/​music related. That was over 10 years ago, and to this day, Aantone’s is still my go to place for guitar/​music equipment repair. The reason is simple, Antone is an honest person who does great work for a fair price. Even when I was young and naïve, he never took advantage of me, and has always given me excellent advise and service. On many occasions, he has saved me time, money, and frusteration by just flat out giving me his honest opinion about my situation or helping me out in some little way. For example, one time I brought in a mixer that suddenly stopped working. I explained the issue to him and he told me that he was almost certain that it was just a fuse that had blown, and even showed me where it was. He told me what fuse I needed to buy, where I could go get it that day, and how to replace it. I thanked him and asked him how much he wanted me to pay him for the consultation, and he refused to take any money. Sure enough, I replaced the fuse that he said to replace and it worked. He could have taken the mixer, kept it for a week, replaced the 10 cent fuse, then charged me whatever he wanted to (like many others would have), but he isn’t that kind of guy. That is just one example of the many great experiences I have had at Aantone’s. I am not saying that he is going to fix all of your issues for free, but in my experience, he will definitely help you when he can and he won’t over charge you, do work that doesn’t need to be done, or give you any other BS in general. Honest repairmen are a rare breed, so it’s always so great to find one and have the peace of mind knowing that you can trust them, and that they aren’t going to rip you off.
What’s more is that in my experience, all of the work done has been of high quality, and usually done within a few days (or even the same day right in front of you if he isn’t backlogged) and his pricing has always been very reasonable and fair (maybe not the cheapest ever, but always fair and reasonable). Aantone’s Music is definitely a ‘ma and pops’ type establishment, so be realistic in your expectations, they don’t have the same selection of products as an incorporated music mega-​store. However, what they lack in product variety, they make up for in high quality personal service, and attention to detail. Sure the major retailers might be better for purchasing certain products, but is the 20 something year old behind the counter at the mega-​store going to be able to give you the same level of personal service, honesty, and expertise as someone who has been a musician/​technician his whole life and is dedicated to, and passionate about his trade like Antone? I doubt it.
In summary, although he runs a small business, Antone is a top notch guy, and a great technician/​musician. Aantone’s is the perfect place for all of your music equipment repair needs. They also carry a good selection of strings, accessories, new and used guitars and amps, parts, some specialty items that you would be hard pressed to find anywhere else and more. I have never taken music lessons there, but I know they also offer that service, and I have heard nothing but good things about it. If you are in the area, definitely go check out Aantone’s Music, I am a long time resident and recommend this hidden gem over any other local music store by a long shot.

Received first-​class service when I came into have a string replaced on my ukulele. Aantone was kind enough to do it for free even though I offered to pay. This is a great little shop in a quiet strip mall. Many kinds of guitars, looks like mostly electric, on the walls and he has some special antique Martin ukes that he saves for connoisseurs. Kind of the Cheers of the guitar world, where everyone knows your name and you can hang out and talk story with Aantone all day long.

Excellent service. He wasn’t going to charge me for tuning my violin and offered lots of good advice for beginner. In the end I need a couple modifications and his price was more than reasonable. Highly recommend this business.

I’ve been going to antone for years, he’s the only one that ever touches my bass. His customer service is great, he’s honest and doesn’t take advantage of people or try to up sell. His prices are fair. I went there to look at some ukuleles, antone took the time to educate me on some and let me play a good 5 or 6 of them and in the end I bought one, with no pressure from him.

Aantone is a really upfront and honest businessman. I have bought several items and have had many items repaired by him. His prices are very reasonable and quotes for repairs are too. I had a cracked neck on my Les Paul and was worried that it was done for good. I brought the guitar into him and he fixed it within a day or two. I’ve been playing the guitar for months since with no issues. Customer4lyfe.

Aantone is a great and honest guy. He does great work. I have gotten many guitars set up there as well as a few heads re tubed. I definitely recommend him for any of your guitar needs!

Tony is a very considerate craftsman working on guitars. He always offers good advice on musicianship as well. The go to guy for amp repairs too. :)

Had a few small stuff done to my guitars by Aantone and the quality of the job and turn times are exceptionally great. He’s the type of guy who may come off to you as difficult to deal with but once you get to know him and not acting like a douche then you’ll know he’s legit.
Aantone knows his stuff. He doesn’t care what guitar or instrument you have whether it be $ or $$$$$$, he will get the job done and openly give you advises as well. Pricing is very reasonable, definitely won’t rob you unlike the other places I’ve asked quotes for.
Highly recommended!

Great service. Great prices. I was very happy with the speed to repair my guitar and the killer price. The owner is professional and down to earth. I will deff come back!

Aantone is an OK guy and he knows his stuff.
He gave me a very fair deal on a set up and some wiring and a switch in exchange for a squier strat. The setup was superb and all my electronics sounded clean and tidy. However, my bridge pup was in backwards. When I emailed him about it he said something about Peter Green. Aside from the fact that to get his out of phase sound it’s a little more than just flipping a pup, that’s just not what I asked for.
I kind of expected him to offer to make good on the error rather than give me the worst half-​cocked excuse ever. Other than that he’s been a really kick-​ass tech and runs a decent shop. After the last visit I would probably consider a different pro to work on my axes, but I don’t live up there anymore so it’s sort of a moot point.
I still think you should go see him, he pretty much is the best in town. Just check the work before you leave the shop.

Tony, you saved the day! My son loved the base! Thank you!!!

Mainly a used guitar sales and repair shop. I’ve been wanting to stop by since it was voted one of the best independent guitar shops by readers of Guitar Player magazine last year, but I kept missing when they open, since they open after noon.
When I went in, Antone was busy at the counter with some other customers, which I was grateful for, since I wasn’t planning on buying anything, and it gave me time to explore on my own. A good selection of guitars and accessories to choose from.
When I was about done looking around, Antone asked if I had any questions, and answered some on one of the Washburn X series that I spent the most time with.
From the brief time I spent here, and from what I learned from other reviews, this is the place to go for all your guitar needs.

I love going to Aantone’s, literally 1 mile form my house! He has worked on my main strat for some years now, and it always comes back playing perfectly. I have learned a lot over the past couple of years, so I rarely have to take it back to him, usually only for neck check/​truss rod adjustments if necessary. Most of his volume of customers is for guitar repairs, so you know the man knows his stuff. For some reason, I just don’t trust the guy he sends amps too. I had quotes for a couple of amp repairs, and the suggested repairs didn’t seem reasonable or appropriate.
His shop is full of vintage used gear which is always great to see. You never know what you are going to see when you walk in, almost like a pawnshop. There are tons of 60’s era gear, and also some recent Soldano’s last time I was there.
His prices are also reasonable, just slightly higher than the corporate retail giant we all know is cheap. I’d rather pay a couple of extra bucks to keep the mom and pops alive.

Aantone’s Music store, just minutes off the Newark bridge to the East has been the reason why my family has never drove to Las Vegas. That’s where many musicians make deals that only celebrities can afford. Aantone’s is best especially when the knowledge can go to work. Many other music dealers know this to be true and you and I save money. There is the secret of how stuff can happen. If for some reason it may not happen? You can get answers and guidance to point you into a good direction. Imagine inheriting a violin that might be a Stradivarius? Nerve wracking as to which way to begin! However, we were pointed to a good direction. That experience worked very nicely! Remember, if you find a rare instrument, do not mess with it. It will destroy the value! You may go elsewhere but– always go first to Aantone’s. Kick out the jams!

Learning guitar was going great until I got to Barre chords; at that point I gave up, frustrated. But recently, a friend of mine suggested that it might help to have my guitar serviced and he suggested Aantone.
I am really pleased with the adjustments that he did on my guitar, it has never played this well. Barre chords are much easier now and I’m back to practicing.
I really appreciated the way he listened to what I was saying about my guitar and adjusted it to suit my need. I also like a place that gets their work done quickly; I visited on Wednesday, he promised to have it ready on Friday, and actually got it done on Thursday, a day early.

As an update, went into Aantone’s today, to pick up my Epiphone Sheraton II; had some Gibson ’57 pickups installed, and a complete circuitry revamp. Guitar sounds amazing, and I attribute part of that to Aantone’s expertise. Will definitely be coming back to have a Bigsby Tremolo installed.
This guy puts the tone in Aantone.

The only place I will trust.

walked in needed bass strings. bunch of other stuff.
looked over the old amps. some old guy opening up a amp. blowing off the dust. and spitting in the electronics. told the guy get a air duster. the guy kept on blowing and spitting. hope this not your gear.
the guy at the counter paid no attention to me i sat down waited for him for 7 minutes to finish up with a customer. all he did was play a song for a guy on a acoustic guitar.
i had money in my pocket. ready to spend. needed a bunch of stuff. and all i got was 2 idiots that ignored me.
needed strings, pics, some tubes. and see if they would repair a solid state amp. they could of made $ 300 easy.
asshole behind the counter just kept on playing.
sorry hippie learn some business skills. when a guy walks in with cash to buy something don’t ignore his ass.
ill head to starving muscian instead.

Bottom line up front: I live in New Jersey now and I still don’t let ANYONE but Aantone maintain my guitar.
I have been going to Aantone as a customer for 14 years and I have become fast friends with him. He is a great resource for all advice and guidance about gear, music, and often, life.
He is the best guitar tech in the Bay, no question. He has lived, worked, and played in the area his whole life. He knows what he’s talking about. If he doesn’t know, he’ll tell you that too. And, he’ll direct you to someone who will know.
Whether you’re a pro, hobbyist, or considering being a novice, Aantone is your man.
I’ve referred him to everyone I know, from friends to family. This review is more of the same.