Axe Music

Robert Albus provided me with amazing service today. Even though it was busy he made sure to give me top quality service. As a new guy understanding how to make music on my Mac he found out what my needs where first than provided all the necessary equipment. He really knows his stuff and understands what I needed. As a business owner of a commercial cleaning business I strive in top quality service and it’s nice to see that and his passion for his field. Great job and I will be back very soon to slowly build my music hobby. He also provided his card for quick questions and will be finding me more stuff to get my keyboards compatible to record from. Wow. Thanks Rob!

Went to axe music yesterday and between 3 of us we ended up spending over a grand. Such good service and expertise. It is obvious that these people know what they are talking about, and try their best to give the fairest price possible! If they know a piece of equipment won’t work for you, they tell you and advise you to go for something that will. We will defenetly be back!

Guitar shop? Check. Drum shop? Check. DJ Shop? Yup, that too! Let’s just cut to the chase here and say that Axe Music does it all. If you and your band need a one stop shop to gear up on the odds and ends and Sure SM58 microphones that just seem to disappear on the road, Axe music will probably have you covered. Likewise, if you’re want to get the kids into it, or if you’re fully grown and want to learn how to «slay an axe» for the first time, Axe Music would be a great place to start.
For you collectors out there, I find there’s a little less of the $ 2,000+ eye candy, one-​offs and custom shops here than you’ll find at either L&M or the Guitarworks down the street, but they’ve got a really rounded out selection of the usual suspect Fenders, and then a colourful assortment of ESP, BC Rich or «pointy guitars» if that’s your thing. Welcome to shredder heaven.
Axe is a fun kind of music shop that doesn’t take itself too seriously. If Axe Music was a person, I’m pretty sure they’d look like a less aggressive and overweight, middle aged version of Twisted Sister. Wait. I guess that overweight, middle age thing is a little redundant, but I digress. They’ve had christmas promotions where you get a free log with your purchase — you heard me correctly. You’ll hear Rockin’ Rick on their radio commercials with squealing guitars «doodaladoodala Waaaaaaoooowww!». They’re just fun. They also seem to be in a «Who can have a bigger guitar and flashier sign» competition with the Guitarworks down the street. Guitarworks get points for for the authenticity and the relic-​ing on their strat replica, but Axe Music’s light board is way bigger and obnoxiously bright… so there’s that. Let’s just call it a tie here and get back to the things that actually matter. :)
In store, everyone I’ve run into has done a great job of of being welcoming and helpful but not high pressure. The chats I’ve had with the sales team all seem to come from a passion for gear, not from a passion for sales numbers. Guess what! That’s the kind of attitude that makes me want to buy stuff! As I’ve already got a stocked guitar collection and a now mostly interested in oddball used pieces, I find I mostly wind up buying from the Light & Sound department. If you want to equip your jam space with a fog machine and some kickass lights for decently cheap, (which you SHOULD) give Axe a walk though.

Fantastic!!!
The service at AXE is simply amazing. After firing off a question about shipping, (which I unfortunately worded as a complaint), I was contacted within 20 minutes by the founder and president of the company, asking exactly what he could do to make things right.
Their selection is massive, their staff are friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. I have never had a more hassle free and rewarding retail experience than I have had with AXE. I highly recommend to everyone not to shop anywhere else. This is the store that gets it right.

I was very pleased by the accommodating, courteous and ethical policy at Axe Music in Calgary. Blaine in the service department was awesome! Thank you for all your efforts regarding my warranty issue.

I have absolute no music ability. But while shopping for some DJ gear for my Nephew I dropped by here. I was amazed by the selection of Guitar stuff. I was also able to get the DJ gear for my Nephew at what I thought was a really good price. Still even thou I did not buy or enquire about a guitar, I am amazed at their selection. A place like this makes me wish I had some kind of musical ability. I can totally understand the Guitar junkie mentality. I have a few friends that shop here (they recommended them) and I can see why 1 guitar can evolve into owning a dozen or more. The staff was really good, and even thou I have no idea about DJ stuff, the staff got me what I needed. If I ever decide to take up guitar playing, I’m coming here first.

*UPDATED Mar/​2014*
I decided to improve my rating for Axe music, I returned to their store almost exactly 1 year later to purchase new headphones for DJing and found the service outstanding and better pricing than the other competitors in the area or even online :) I’m actually really impressed, good work guys!
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Good selection, prices aren’t bad.
But I really dislike the service, the last three time’s I’ve gone into AXE I found I couldn’t get anyone to help me.
For example I went in last week to buy a new set of Yamaha Studio monitors and when I asked one of the staff if he could spare a second to help me his reply was «sorry, not right now» and he left, so after a while I went and grabbed another associate but he didn’t have any knowledge about the monitors, so he said he was going to get someone with better experience to help, fair enough. but no one ever came back. Stood there for about 30 minutes, and finally left. I went to Long and Mcquade and picked up some awesome HS80M Monitors for the studio :)
I used to like this place but I just don’t have the time to stand around for an hour just so I can check out. So unfortunately I don’t think I’ll be returning there often.

Decent selection of guitars and most instruments. I thought their string and accessories was a bit limited and definitely found the sales people I dealt wit to be a little under informed of the products they carry. I had spectacular service on the Axe website (I think it’s Edmonton based), but overall I was not overly impressed with the Calgary store. It was good, maybe a little above a 3, but I expected more.

«duuuuudeeee, do you play in a band???» This is often the question I get asked by the sales guys at axe. «COOOOOLLLL!» hahaha. Why do they always ask the same question? Is it part of the sales guy training here? I guess it’s their way of breaking the ice. haha I swear at least 4 times by different guys over the years I have been asked this!
Axe has been around for a long time in Calgary. It’s certainly not my favorite place to come but I must say that the staff here are usually quite jolly and of all the music stores in Calgary they embody the rock star stereotype to the highest degree! (always amusing haha). Either way it’s a fun store and they have a HUGE selection of guitars and plenty of other stuff for recording, DJ’ing, PA systems, and drums ect…
The thing I love most about axe is their web store. In fact in recent years I would say that its probably best to just order stuff off the site and get it on your doorstep, its quite a huge selection of stuff and its updated often. It all comes from the warehouse in Edmonton and it comes pretty quick.
The downsides to Axe:
–Sales guys can be pushy and hover around you like vultures
–not the greatest selection of ultra high end gear (though it doesn’t matter to most)
–Financing here is not in house, so its rather unpleasant and more interest
I have been coming here for years and I actually liked the old location on blackfoot trail a little better. it had a more homey less generic feel to it but oh well its still cool, and a little easier to get to as well! Come check it out!

Scenario:
Husband wants to learn how to play the guitar. I suggest learning on an acoustic, he says no, electric.
Proof that I love him:
I decide to get him what he wants and search out an electric guitar. I am not a musician and the closest I have come to one is playing Guitar Hero. So I go to the first place anyone would– the internet. My whole hearted attempt to get him something worthwhile but cost effective was turning up short with this option.
The Axe experience:
I was in the midst of winter driving when out of the corner of my eye I spot Axe Music and I wonder to myself if I will be judged because I have zero knowledge in this department… I went in anyways and I was instantly amazed by the vastness of the store and how inviting it was. The staff do not come off holier than thou and this made me feel at ease! The person that helped me was great, he didn’t start off with all the musical jargon and actually pointed me to a really great deal! The new store rocks, literally.
I recommend you check it out and save the trip anywhere else. I keep trying to tell this to my husband… I know once he steps through the doors, he will be a believer!

To quote another review: «The staff are friendly and not overly holier-​than-​thou.»
This is true, and was the most striking impression I was left with when I dropped in this afternoon. Beyond that, the store is spacious and well-​stocked, and the goods are reasonably priced (though I’m still dealing with sticker shock regarding how expensive certain things are in Canada relative to the US!)

I came here disgruntled after yet another disappointing experience at Long & McQuade.
I was blown away by their new location on Macleod Trail. It’s so spacious. There’s a room for each instrument family. I had business in the keyboard room so that’s where I went. Paul and the rest of the staff were very quick to greet and help me out. Paul even went out of his way to see if he could save me a few bucks on a foot switch for my drum machine by getting a cheaper one. However, the foot switch didn’t work properly with my Boss DR-​3 so I had to get the one recommended by Boss. It’s sturdy and well worth the price.
While Paul was getting my instrument cable for the foot switch, another staffer was telling me about the cool monitors that they are going to put into each room. I was drooling just from imagining this cool vision.
They have a huge selection of guitars, amps, PA systems, cables and accessories. Judging from the music racks, it looks like they are focusing on the contemporary genres. I didn’t see any Piano Adventures, Royal Conservatory or Conservatory Canada logos, nor did I check out their fake book selection; but then, I didn’t take a close look either.
Parking’s a bit of a drag. The lot seems too small for space and you can only access it from driving northbound on Macleod Trail.
Other than that, it’s a pretty cool space. I love that they’re on the main drag now and have all that space to show off what they have to their fullest advantage. The people are friendlier and more eager to please than other establishments, so I’m definitely going back — for all my gigging needs.