Amazing selection and customer service. I went to the Guitar Center down the road first and will never be returning there again now that I’ve found The Starving Musician.I was warmly greeted by the friendly and helpful staff, and they were quick to answer any questions I had. They’re obviously knowledgeable about music and they treat you like a friendHighly recommend. Support your local music shop! Avoid the Guitar Center down the road!

This is my Go To place to keep me and my rig Gig Ready. The staff is amazing! Everyone is friendly and knowledgeable, tech staff upstairs are the best in the business getting your axe in top shape or your strings, brass or wind instruments ready for class or performance. I have found amazing guitars here that I play every day. I cant say enough about how much I love this place. It all stems from the owners, they are always there to serve us musicians and care about getting us out there and playing!

Nice used guitar and selection.A bit lagging in the bass department stock wise(guitars, not amps).Nice staff.

Always a good experience here. The people here are always helpful without overcharging. I even had to insist one time to pay for guitar adjustment that they did for free. I will be going here for all music gear moving forward because of the fair prices and great staff.

Friendly staff! They helped me fix small issues generously at no cost (with rented instruments)! Thank you starving musician.

This place has the best costumer service of any business ever. I felt welcomed when I came in, I was helped and all my questions were answered. I was able to browse around without knowing what I wanted, but then once I did remember why I was there, the employee helped me find what I was looking for. The store achieved the paradox of being both lax and professional at the same time. The store also has a great selection of instruments and gear. Ive purchased many things from here and I plan to purchase many more. Even if you arent a musician/arent interested in music, just go there, its the best store Ive ever been to.

Greatest people I have ever been fortunate to have met. Knowledge and kindness is off the charts.

Outstanding service. Nice people. My guitar string really sounds good thanks to the attendant.

I got my guitar restring very nice. very friendly and patient staff, even refused to take my tips.So much better than Guitar Center service

Wonderful staff who are very friendly and happy to help. Ive gotten a guitar and tuner and capo there and then gotten a new string for my guitar and they were always very kind. I definitely would recommend this shop for any musical needs that you have for equipment or repairs.

Great little music store got my first bass and first lessons at a starving musician store like 20 years ago and I still love going back to this place. Glad that big conpanies like guitar showcase havent put them out of business.

Great service as always. They want to help you to solve your problem

Hey have an amazing service and attention towards their customers. I had an issue with my string action and guitar center quoted me $180 but the here its $70. I would definitely recommend everyone to purchase here

My partner loves this place. Cool guys working there too.

Some genuine people here ready to help you find what you need or find out what youre looking for. Excellent place guys there are just ready to jam out.

SM is a great place with a good selection of new & used instruments. I got a new Squire Super Sonic on line and brought it here for Mike to replace strings and set the tremolo. Im well pleased with service rendered. And, I picked up a used but very nice gig bag.

Another great experience. I got a great guitar for $100. Sweet!

Lovely people, great selections, and very extensive produce selections. Thank you!

One of the best new and used music stores i have ever been in. Also one of the few places in the area that not only has band (wind) instruments, they also have a GOOD SELECTION of wind instruments! Too many music stores only deal in guitars, drums and pro audio, so this place is very refreshing.Oh, and the drum shop? Amazing. Shop here, support local DIY business!

Great place and nicely Personal, They help me to Fix my drum pedal for very low cost and extra parts!Im just driving to guitar center but anybody in the front desk in Drum 🥁space to Helpme. Im just deciding to driving at this place and this guys Are The best and buy some cymbals too.. I dont Remember the guy in the entrance but is very Friendly! Im recommending to buy in this Place!

Had initially gone back to Guitar Center to get my guitar repaired - however the tech had too much in the backlog, so I googled and wound up at this place just down the street!The friendly tech who was working there took my guitar immediately, made a few quick adjustments, and had my guitar back in my hands free of charge within 5minutes. Importantly, considerably cheaper servicing of guitars than the competitor down the street (Not intended to disparage GC who i have had almost entirely positive experiences with also, but just fact).I will definitely be making this store my go to for guitar maintenance and purchases going forward, as the entire staff was awesome. Thanks Team!

Horrible first time experience. Dropped off my guitar for a basic setup and was told 2 weeks. Over a month later my guitar was found in the storage area and never worked on. Guitar tech was extremely rude and blamed his incompetence on me the customer. The shop also stole my tremolo bar and instruction manual for my guitar bag. NEVER GO TO THIS SHOP as it is not worth trouble. Find my full story on yelp.

Real nice place and a great vibe. The attendants were pleasant to deal with and informative. I was able to look and touch all the gear without any hassel. The guitar i wanted to buy had a crack u did not see. They were so honest when they saw the crack they informed ne and wouldnt sell me the guitar. You guys are great.

Actually I couldnt go inside do to a having to use the latrene, ha.ha. but when I have prior to yesterday, its always an pleasant and gratifying experience. So soon I will be returning to there shop and I will gladly alaberate on my visit, for sure.

Very pawn shop-y music store. Its the kind of store where youll be able to find wierd and wild instruments and amps. Come by often too, stuff usually ships quick from this store to the others in the bay area, so ask and they can usually find you something different to spark your inspiration.

Great selection .... Great prices .... Great service from Jeremy any music business that can start in business right down the street from Guitar Center deserves mad props .... I definitely got 1 on 1 service.

The Help Are Really Friendly And They Kind Of Treat You like Family.Very Knowledgeable On the Equipment.Great Deals and A Must See If You Love Stuff Like Me.

Im no guitar tech, but next time someone tries to sell a guitar dont insult the person. Thanks for the advice. I will polish it and take it to guitar center, they told me it was rare.

Great music place they have everything you need for music

Bay far one of THE BEST music stores left. The LAST of the old school type music stores where you can feel comfortable trying out anything. I went to the Berkeley location and had a HORRIBLE experience, but Santa Clara totally different. They have a WIDE selection of quality new and used gear. VERY friendly, knowledgeable, attentive and non-judgemental staff who are willing to help you with ANY inquiry no matter how big or small. When GUITAR CENTER dies THEY will STILL be here and I will ALWAYS support them. KEEP up the GREAT work guys !!

Fantastic local Bay Area Music chain. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Wide range of musical equipment old and new. They had something Ive been searching for for a long time and I would definitely support them again in the future. Check them out! Patty and Hao helped me out and went above and beyond!

Friendly, knowledgeable & most of all HELPFUL staff. Today was my first time walking into The Starving Musician. Overall an awesome experience 👍

Great service, went in recently to have a tuning knob replaced. Got me out of there same day without much hassle. And for cheap too! All in all, this is my go to place for all musical needs.

I worked there 20 years ago, at the old El Camino location... I send everyone here if theyre looking for something unusual or just starting to look for a solid purchase to satisfy their GAS urges 😂 Current staff are very knowledgeable and helpful 👍🏼

Just did a trade in and a purchase everyone was super helpful. Great staff. Got my first trombone from them back in the day.

Great help with a young kid starting music. Thank you.

Friendly and helpful staff. Good selection and reasonably priced.

Bought a bass and everything else Id need to start learning here, and the staff was super friendly and helpful, and everything I bought has been great so far

They must be called starving musician because they rip off everybody that enters theyre business. Customer service was less than exceptable. They employees were straight up rude.

Been a customer for years. If you need basically any part for an Ibanez licensed Floyd Rose this is the place!

I love these stores but I had a tottaly funky unprofessional experience that I feel needs follow up by management. I hate to qualify myself but I imagine I’m in the top 3% of “good customers” considering how much I spend on gear.I purchased an expensive guitar at the Santa Cruz location. Got it home and didn’t love it, so I looked at the inventory in Santa Clara and noticed a few things I’d like. So I returned the guitar in Santa Cruz with receipt within their policy time frame and I bought and purchased a more expensive guitar and another Amp. Took ten minutes I was happy they were happy so I thought....When I returned to Santa Cruz a few days later to sell a guitar I just had sitting around, I was vibed hard by one of the managers that mentioned one of the staff in Santa Clara called to reprimand Santa Cruz management because I was saying negative things to the Santa Clara Staff about the Santa Cruz location. If you know me, you know I’m an easy going carefree teddy bear. To be mean or wish anyone Ill will especially at their job would go against anything Im about.It’s a bunch of uptight music store employee drama and that’s really unfortunate. I don’t have energy to get to the bottom of it but it felt like it was hurtful to the kid in Santa Cruz. If that’s the type of leadership that’s running around, I feel bad for the kids working their.I love my local SM, I rock a bumper sticker for gods sake. I love all the folks I get to chop it up with every time I stop by to drop off a couple hundred bucks. So take it from a good customer and keep your negativity and your sh** to yourself.

Helpful music store with percussion, drums, guitar/bass/uke, keys, amps, band instruments and equipment along with helpful and knowledgeable staff.

I will never go to Guitar Center again. This place is friendly, knowledgeable and went the extra mile to help my daughter get her first violin. Best customer service Ive experienced from a music store in a long time.

Great place to buy, bad place to sell..

Rock and roll feel to this place with real musicians who work here and know their strings and chords. A good whistle-stop for music supplies, instrumental rentals, music lessons, or in-depth advice. It looks huge from the outside but feels small and packed inside.

Great and helpfull staff.

Always the best choices, customer service and best prices!

I was selling piece of equipment that I called in about prior to going down there and when I got there didnt have the right equipment to just machine up so it was a big waste of time and gas

Fun place, friendly staff, great place to shop or sell your gear !

Has a great collection of musical instruments

I have made several purchases at this store, prices were good and Im totally satisfied with the products - an amp, a classical guitar and a bass.

My semi professional singer/musician friend rave about Starving Musician. Its the only place he would shop at.I was so glad that Starving Musician in Santa Clara was open. They were fully staffed - about 5? who, you can tell, are all musicians that are passionate about music.I drove down 15 miles to them because I have a small damage to my musical instrument and they are one of the musicians who care deeply about perfecting it. Sure enough, the owner himself jumped in and spend 20 mins helping me. I dont know who he is but I can tell he is a master of musical instruments and a friend. Thanks for your care sir!! I went ahead and made a purchase of an accessory, since Im in the store.

Employees are very courteous, knowledgeable and professional. Plus, since they sell a lot of used instruments and other item, prices are very reasonable.

Not only did Verne volunteer to straighten the neck on my guitar but they gave me a decent appraisal and a decent offer 4 My Guitar. I have to say that they have a lot of staying power they have a good staff and they have a lot of variety the shop that I like to go to is the one on Stevens Creek

Nice place to browse. Good prices on used guitars. I wish there was some haggle room on some of the used equipment. Even when I show that I can buy it cheaper online. Got my guitar re-stringed there. Good work :)

This week was my first visit to Starving Musician. I was able to try some vintage saxophones per the findings of a mutual friend.. I was able to try my instrument in the woodwinds section of their store which was clean and organized. They stock otto link mouthpieces. Vern, the manager of the store, was extremely nice to me and gave me attention as a new customer. He never once made me feel like I was bothering him in anyway. I hope to continue becoming a returning customer at this great music store.

The clerk who helped me checking out my purchase was very friendly.

Great gears with great staffs. Utopia for musicians.

Great place to sell used instruments. Loved how I was able to lean more about my late brothers drum set.

Super cozy place to embrace your inner musician

They had what I needed. Some of the brand-name stuff, like the guitar bags were a little pricey. The staff was extra friendly.

Wow. They are open!! Masks and all!! Some music stores are closed due to Covid 19. And fully staffed with 5? musicians who are all interested in doing a good job.Great service! Always helpful, always friendly.Great deals and service costs have to be the lowest in Bay area.I want to try my music gear before buying. Every instrument sounds different. I want to play a few different ones (e.g. electronics, amps) before deciding. They have great sounding speakers. I dont buy clothing online for same reason.A wide variety of new and used guitar pedal selection.instruments, organs, guitar pickups and more.Great guitar repair at inexpensive cost.

Came in with an old saxophone they had me in and out in no time and didnt try and convince me I needed more work than I did. Staff was really friendly and knowledgeable.

I’ve been going to the starving musician for 20+ years since the first location on the El Camino Real in Santa Clara. They’ve always had knowledgeable and friendly staff dating back to the days of when Guitar Center didn’t clearly offer prices on instruments. They have always provided a very reasonable alternative to the big box stores, and as a bass player their $10 jumper cable bass strings are awesome! Shop local!

Perfect for treasure hunting, necessities, and oddball gear. Staff are mostly friendly and helpful, sometimes grumpy and helpful. My favorite place to scrounge for parts for my guitar projects.

Great customer service. Friendly and knowledgeable staff.

Great place. I usually find supplies for my guitars. strings picks etc. They have everything for a band . Very friendly staff. I am glad they are still around since all the stores seem to be closing. If you want an musical instrument this would be the place to check out first!

Nice place to buy used gear!

They fixed up a used Yamaha Sax for my grand niece. So helpful. I love this place!

If youre looking for a cheap guitar to mod or a new/used guitar that you probably dont need... the starving musician is for you.

Good experience in the store, music every corner, the staff are very friendly and helpful, they know the musician feelings. First time there and they really want to help you. I will back for sure.

The cheaper then Guitar center for used guitars and good ones

Interesting store. Great staff. Excellent service!

Best place ever

Our favorite music store.

In my experiences there, the employees have always been knowledgeable, helpful, and professional. Besides shopping for equipment, Ive had them do some repairs and maintenance on my guitars. Theyve always done a great job, done it quickly, and it always ends up being considerably less expensive than guitar center or showcase. Recently Ive noticed that the selection of cables is of a lower quality, but thats really my only complaint.

Very quick and friendly service. Skillful staff put the violin string on my sons violin and fixed it in no time. The store was full of musical instruments. I played on drums and really enjoyed it. This is a great place for music lovers.

Unique inventory of all kinds of musical instruments always a great shop!

Starving Musician makes it easy to support your local music shop and musicians. Great service. Nice and knowledgeable team. Awesome selection of instruments and equipment.

Music shop with a lot of guitars, but they have classical instruments too. I was buying an acoustic guitar, of which they have a good range of low-mid priced ones (if youre looking for something more than ~$350, there are better selections elsewhere). The staff were friendly and, best of all, not pushy, offering help but not doing a sales pitch. Would happily go back.

Great selection...staff was a little preoccupied and short..but was right after holidays

Cosy store. Good prices. Helpful friendly staff made it easy to get the right gear.

Ive been to multiple stores across multiple states, and this is definitely one of the best. Im only in town a short time for work, and was looking to rent a guitar/amp setup for just a couple days.... I called around, and after speaking with this location decided to head down. They werent pushy at all, and I received great customer service the entire time. They hooked me up with exactly what I was looking for, and significantly cheaper than any other music/guitar store offered. Ill definitely be coming here every time Im in town, and highly recommend them!

Always the best customer service. It feels more like going to my super talented friends house for advice on audio gear. Coincidentally he just happens to also be having a garage sale, and here are all those items you just asked about. Thanks friends.

Great local spot for all things music!

Went in to try out a bunch of trumpets (professional level).They had great selection of both new and used, with decent prices and excellent service.They let me close the door to the brass room and play any instrument I wanted, even gave me valve oil.

Great service. Staff was very courteous and helpful. I purchased a guitar rackmount item and they helped out and sold it to me at the price I wanted. Planning on going back there again.

Everyone was helpful a d it had a nice vibe with ple ty of inventory. All manner of strings... From Ukes up to a double bass... And Drums and wind instruments... Nice spot!

Awesome staff, super helpful! Amazing selection...way way better than any other store I have seen. You feel great when you leave, thats how it should be! Thanks guys!

Fun!Ive been dealing with em for years, and not only do they have tons of guitars new and used, but a pretty good band instrument room, lots of drum stuff, and a lot of fun stuff like marimbas. Their band instrument repair department is very accessible - just walk up the stairs and knock on the door.Since they buy so much used stuff, you never know what will show up, so its part treasure hunt too. And the place is just fun, with all different sorts of people talking about interesting musical things.

The space is full of great new and used gear. The staff is very knowledgeable and friendly. Will be a repeat customer. Thank you!

Great spot to purchase musical instruments and accessories. We have bought a quite a few instruments lately, and especially since they also sell used pieces, we get to save money as well! This particular day we bought guitar accessories, a distortion pedal, a booster pedal, and some cables. LOVE the Starving Musician!

Starving Musician is a locally owned private business and provides personal attention.Fine selection of new and used musical instruments.The employees are knowledgeable and helpful.(You always meet cool people there too).

Lots and lots of musical instruments. The staff were most helpful even though they did not have what we were looking for.

Average guitar shop with cheap guitars. Don’t expect high end material here.

Ive been doing business with them since they started.David and Jeff have always been a class act.I can always depend on them for the correct advice on musical instruments.Its great to see an independent THRIVE.Best of luck to them .

This place is legend. Never know what you will find, almost always has what you need.

I usually go to the saxophone technician who does a great job

I have never been disappointed coming here. Lots of new and used musical gear available. They have lessons available. Prices are pretty much the same as any music store and compares well with online prices. The only reason I didnt give them five stars, is because EVERY time I have gone there, not once has anyone asked me if they could help me find something or if I am looking for anything specific. They are very friendly and helpful once I get to the counter to ring up my purchases. It is an extremely busy place on the weekends. Much less hype and pressure than the un-named music store up the street.

The prices are affordable, with friendly employees and plenty of available music instruments, midi cables and other varieties of electronic music tools. On that note, the store is also very helpful when it comes to pawning off instruments, tuning, checking out suitable instruments and etc.