Willis Music

We were looking for a tenor ukulele for my teenage son so we came here because of past positive experiences. We’ve shopped here over the years and have bought several guitars, a set of drums and many, many musical sheets and books. This was my son’s first experience to buy a musical instrument. He has been learning to play his older sibling’s ukes, has been gradually getting good at it and asked for one for his birthday. The store sells a whole variety of music-​related items — from drums, flutes, congos, guitar and other instrument accessories and, used and brand new pianos, including the immaculate Steinways.
My experience in the past has been hit and miss, depending on the number of customer reps on the floor. Today’s experience was pretty good. As we walked in, I let my son browse on his own while he played their selection of ukes. He tried some of the less expensive ones in the open floor store area, and eventually wandered into the enclosed climate-​controlled guitar room where the pricier ones were displayed. One of their reps, Anthony, came in offering to answer any questions, and allowed my son to continue playing and comparing instruments. He pointed out the differences in tone and quality of each uke as he played, and made recommendations on how my son would be using the instrument — to play without singing or to use it as an accompaniment when singing. We were there for over 30 minutes going back and forth between instruments and decided to leave and check out Guitar Center which we know also carries a good size number of ukes.
So we get to Guitar Center and try various ukes and my son points out that all, I mean ALL, the ukes in Guitar Center were not prepped. Meaning they were all way out of tune. He explained to me that he had to tune every uke he tried and he found it very frustrating. He mentioned that at Willis their instruments were all tuned and that he had to tinker just a bit to get them back to his liking. He found a uke at Guitar Center he liked but states the one in Willis was what he preferred thus we decided to go back and make our purchase.
So back at Willis my son compares the ukes again and decides on getting the one with the warmer tone. We ended up also buying a ukulele case. Overall a positive experience. We will continue to be repeat customers at Willis Music.

This review is based primarily on customer service. I went in to the store on a Monday afternoon and there was one clerk and one manager on duty. Had the clerk been properly trained and authorized to do the return I needed, I believe this review would have been four stars instead of two.
However, after waiting for 10 minutes for my turn in line, the clerk was unable to help me. It wasn’t that he was unwilling. Cody was pleasant and helpful. He just wasn’t fully trained or authorized to do the return.
After waiting another 10 minutes to see the manager, he authorized an amount for the return and gave the transaction itself back to the clerk. So we filled out the paperwork, including a driver’s license and a thumbprint (I thought I was at the bank asking for a mortgage!), and then at the end of all of this the manager had to come over to sign off on the return.
But I haven’t gotten to the worst part yet. As the manager was signing off on the return, he looks at me and says «Is that all you are buying?» As if I should take the $ 20 store credit he gave me and buy a Steinway piano. My total purchase was $ 32, so I spent more than the credit he gave me. And with that comment he has pretty much guaranteed that I won’t spend another dime in that store.
He must be aware that there is a Guitar Center right down the street with much better customer service. I’m going to buy everything there from now on.

I do not know too much about musical gear, but what I do know is that Willis Music has the best customer service out there! When you walk into the store it isn’t all about the money, it’s about the experience. The salespeople are knowledgeable, and always willing to help! But the thing that makes Willis Music stand out to me is that they will always blow away the competition when it comes to service! Lessons and Repair right on site– it can’t get any better than that! It’s great to see the number of students going to and from their lessons.

I might be bias because I work for Willis Music, but I do not know of another music store that has everything from a humanatone to Steinway grand pianos. You can take music lessons, record an album, get your instrument repaired, and have a concert. All this, in one location with personable, lovable, and willing staff.

This Willis Music is the superstore among this local musical instrument and accessory retailer. While I don’t pretend to be a guitar aficionado, I’ve always been impressed by Willis’ selection. You’ll find a huge array of acoustic, electric, 12-​sting, and slide guitars, as well as just about any other specialty instrument you’re looking for.
When I used to work for a local radio station (the now defunct New Rock 97.3), national acts like Coheed and Cambria and O.A.R. used to play special acoustic sessions for fan club members and give-​away winners. The acoustics were great and the seating was spacious (I’m guessing about 50 or so people attended these events).
This store also has a huge sheet music selection, as Willis Music publishes teacher and student music books at its Industrial Rd. headquarters.