Apex Music Company

Steve-​O is an absolute firecracker! He is so knowledgeable, professional & so much fun! If you’re thinking of picking up a new instrument then look no further. Apex Music Co. has a HUGE selection of musical instruments & equipment and provides fantastic service!

This place rules. Steve-​O is super knowledgeable, friendly, fair and a unique personality. I will not go anywhere else for my A/​V needs in the future.

Steve-​O is a really trustworthy guy. I am very thankful that I drove past this and decided to come in. He fixed my intonation and cleaned it, it’s in immaculate condition now. I love that he is so knowledgable and extremely passionate about what he does. He really puts things in perspective about name brands and goes into depth about the products. Thanks again Apex music, I am very satisfied with the services I received. I will be coming here again. Also, he’s just really fun to talk to. Thanks again!

I rarely post reviews, but Steve and Apex Music very much deserve praise. I’m not particularly familiar with sound equipment, but I needed help diagnosing a problem with my Yamaha EMX512sc and a set of JBL speakers that I thought needed to be partially rebuilt. Steve was quick to explain some of the reasons I was having issues with the powered mixer, and he offered me a couple really smart and inexpensive options. As for the speakers, rookie as I am, he opened the cabinets to find a loose wire that caused the problem I was having. And he did that at no charge. I RECOMMEND APEX MUSIC to anyone that needs the kinds of items he sells and services, I very much doubt you’ll find a more sincere and honest guy in this kind of business in San Diego. I was referred to Steve by the Musical Director at The Welk and I’m glad grateful for the good advice. USE STEVE– you’ll be glad you did!

Chalk up another 5 star review due to the good old fashioned great service and knowledgeability of Steve-​O, combined with a high dose of humor and a pinch of A.D.D.
I came in after recently moving to the area looking for a microphone cable. After discussing a new way to set up a karaōke system with Steve-​O, I decided to move forward. I’m new at all this, but Steve’s knowledge and help, even recommending a Craigslist option, led me to an affordable and awesome sounding system.
Keeping in mind the advantage of having Steve’s skills at fixing all things musical, and his propensity to help those in an equipment jam, helped finalize the sale. He was even cheaper overall than any online solutions I could find.
If you need either help in equipment problems or to buy something, Apex Music should be at least part of that process, if not all of it.

5 stars for Steve-​O, hands down! Excellent service, so friendly, trustworthy, and great expertise and experience in what he does. I brought my keyboard in to have him take a look. It was having electrical/​wiring issues. He took the time to talk with me, and to brainstorm through possible problems of what could be going on. He gave me the option of either having him take a look at it, or I could call the manufacturer, M-​Audio. Called M-​Audio and they pretty much only told me to take it to a shop since it was past warranty.
I brought the keyboard back in, he opened it up and was able to take care of the problem! He also gave me a screamin’ deal on service. Is recommend Apex Music to anyone!
Also a lot of music/​audio goodies throughout the store… Whether you’re looking for new or old technology, you can probably find it there!

Fabulous place. Steve was beyond helpful and never once tried to push me into buying anything. This day and age, with all these homogenized chain stores, I was beyond refreshed and happy to be in a «real» store, run by someone who knows his stuff (also rare). Full of wonderful musical items.

I have never written a review before, but this guy… man
STEVO, you’re the Boss!!! thanks for checking my mixer, even though it was dead I had a blast talking to you about Alchemy and life experiences.
What you want to know, you already know!
I’ll be back for sure…
and do not forget to check the artist Aphex Twin
blessings

Amazing customer service. The person who took care of me (gentle man with a pony tail) seemed to truly love his job and showed interest in not only selling me a product but also in assessing to to make sure I purchased what I really needed for my guitar. Highly recommended

I’ve been a customer for 30 years. Vinyl albums, cassettes, amplifiers, and equipment. I recently returned after several years away to have a dilapidated Fog Machine repaired, (family heirloom, odd I know.).
Customer service from both Jamie and Steve-​O was over the top. Spent a tremendous amount of time assisting me. Best customer service I’ve had in my 45 years on this earth. Thank you Steve-​O!
Rich W is a Unilocal troll. In 30 years I’ve NEVER seen that kind of behavior from the owner or staff at Apex, and if you knew what these guys have been through you would know they are the furthest thing from racist.

The number one best music store in the world! The real deal, old school music store, where they know your name, treat you right and appreciate your business. The anti-​Guitar Center. This is a real music store. Can’t go wrong if you shop here. Support local business. They’ve been here since the only musical instruments were rocks. By the way, fuck Rick W. You’re an idiot.

If you are not looking for audio equipment, don’t bother coming here.
The guitar selection was very stale, consisting of all off-​brand instruments.
I asked the man with the white hair and bad breath if he had any Japanese guitars. He instructed me to put an ad on craigslist and con some (racial slur) out of his guitar.
Not a dollar spent. Won’t return.

My violin needed a touch up and a little TLC. Jamie was very helpful and able to assist what my old violin needed. I’m so thankful they were available for a walk in check up.

Call this wierd. However, no good deed goes unyelped in my book.
I called APEX to ask about a certain piece of audio equipment: if they sold, what brands ect. Mainly, just to get some info before driving over, and double check the hours.
10 minutes before opening, on the phone, the dreaded answer «we don’t carry those.».
However, over the next 25 minutes, an explanation of who does, where they are, what to expect for the particular piece of equipment, things to consider, the insight of the employee.
And, they do rent the equipment. With a fair warning, that they might sell the rental equipement, but since the particluar piece is industrial and well maintained, it’d probably go for MORE than normal places. And it’d be subject to the bosses approval.
You have to wish more places would be open, honest, helpful and provide answers to the quality and extent that this place does.
A stand up place to do buisness, if there ever was a definition of it. Clearly a tribute to it’s many years of existance!

Bought an acoustic amplifier here which is very nice and I love but was turned of by Steve O’s know it all attitude. The guy loves to hear himself talk and does not understand customer needs as a salesperson should. A big turn off for me was when I heard him respond to a customer with a question by saying «what do I know I’ve only been doing this for 40 years?» Also trying to sell on an amp with more wattage then I need was a little bit of a reach. I guess he just rubbed me the wrong way.

These guys have been around forever, & helped me out quite a few times.
If you need anything, just ask, & they’ll either help, or refer you to someone who can.

I just had the pleasure of talking to steve, what an amazing guy… i needed (what i thought!!)was an amp for my keyboard. he showed me a few, but i said i was on a budget… then he told me if i had a stereo i could play it thru that, and then showed me what lead i needed. and said“you probably already have one of these“which i did… and that was that!! im am stunned… in this day and age where people will try and rip you off in the blink of an eye, to get someone just out to help you is amazing… i was, and still am speechless, such a great character as well… if i ever need to spend some money i will be going there for sure, people like you steve are a gem in the sea of shit… it was a pleasure meeting you. Dont ever change steve, people do appreciate your honesty.
ps, before i went to apex i went to guitar center… needless to say i didnt get the same advice there, that steve gave out willingly!

Absolutely the nicest music store guys I have ever dealt with. I’ve been playing since I was 12 and I’m self taught so there are a lot of gaps in my musical knowledge so I’m used to music stores treating me like poop cough* (guitar center). I went in to get my guitar fixed and everyone was really nice and for all the work they did they charged me like $ 30which I was probably expecting a bill closer to $ 150. They did the work in an hour and I was god to go for my next show. I will probably go nowhere else from here on out with my guitar needs.

Price GOUGING.
I work at a night club and have bought equipment and supplies from almost every store around SD and LA. This place was double what every other store usually is. I have never seen a place with such over priced items for lighting and sound.
They had some guitars that seemed a reasonable price but when it comes to party supplies I would highly recommend to stay away.
Not to mention the clerk Steve O who also seemed to be the owner, did nothing but talk about booz and drugs, wich at the ridiculous mark up on his items, he obviously has no problem affording.

Came here to get my ukelele strings replaced with metal strings (I know, weird) and Steve was very, very helpful. He made this an experience to remember, and when I had questions he answered every one of them non-​pretentiously, and with enthusiasm. Though, it did take a while since he seemed to be the only one working and he was helping about five other customers, too. But, he attended to every one of us.
If I were to go anywhere for any music needs, or even questions, I would definitely come here. No hesitation at all. The customer service is some of the best I’ve ever received, anywhere. Not only is he very kind, he’s incredibly knowledgable and gives you all the time you need. The store is well-​stocked, and will most likely have what you’re looking for, too.