Best Musical Instrument Stores In The Sacramento Area
Kline Music
2200 Sutterville Road
Sacramento, CA 95822
(916) 456-8714
www.klinemusic.com
Kline Music has served Sacramento musicians for over 45 years, so they kind of know their stuff. They sell woodwinds such as flutes, clarinets, oboes, clarinets, and saxophones. They sell brass instruments like trumpets, trombones, French horns and tubas. They also have orchestral instruments such as violins, violas, and cellos. They carry drum sets, guitars and amps. You need maracas? They've got maracas. How about a hammer dulcimer? They also offer music lessons. And if little Quincy is the type to start the violin in September and suddenly decide he likes the saxophone better in January, Kline also offers instrument rentals. The little ones can even make noise to their heart's content in the children's percussion corner while you shop. If you need extra reeds or sheet music, Kline's is the place to go.
Skip's Music
2740 Auburn Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95821
(916) 484-1916
www.skipsmusic.com
Skip Maggoria, well known in the music retail industry is a virtual Sacramento rock and roll icon. His relationships with distributors and manufacturers provide access to those rarer, limited edition guitars. The store has that cool historic rock-n-roll vibe where you'll find such items as Gene Simmons' axe bass on display.
Skip's Music carries a broad range of new and used guitars, basses, amps, and drums from entry level to professional level. They also provide after sales services, such as getting your guitar set up to your liking before you even leave the store, as well as offering lessons and repair services. Their programs like Stairway to Stardom and Weekend Warriors offer both kids and adults the chance to experience what it's like to play in a real rock and roll band.
The Fifth String
930 Alhambra Blvd.
(916) 442-8282
www.thefifthstring.com
If you're looking for an acoustic guitar, such as Martin & Co. or Taylor, the Fifth String at Alhambra and J is the first stop you should make. Specializing in stringed instruments such as acoustic guitars, banjos and violins, the staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Acoustic guitar repair is not for the faint of heart and The Fifth String is one of the few places you'll find it performed.
While they sell six string guitars more than anything else in their inventory, they also sell a surprising number of ukuleles. So if you want to enter into the hot and emerging ukulele craze, The Fifth String's got them - in several vibrant colors.
Music Exchange
2245 Arden Way
Sacramento, CA 95825
(916) 641-0182
Music Exchange sells grand pianos, upright pianos, digital pianos, and organs from brands like Yamaha, Bosendorfer, Roland and Piano Disc. They also sell used instruments, as well as offer lessons, tuning and repairs. You can rent a piano for yourself at home or hire a special event piano through their Concert and Special Event Service.
Guitar Center
2120 Alta Arden Expressway
Sacramento, California 95825
(916) 922-2132
Guitar Center Website
Guess what Guitar Center sells. If you said "electric pianos", you're right. But they also sell guitars. And lots of them. These guys are the big box store for guitars, basses, keyboards, DJ equipment, microphones and accessories. Much of their inventory is comprised of entry to mid-level instruments. You can try the instruments out on the floor, but there are also demo rooms to try out the higher-end guitars. For beginning guitar players, Guitar Center will have a wide selection to choose from.
Northridge Music Center
7871 Greenback Lane
Citrus Heights, CA 95610
916-969-4728
www.northridgemusic.com
Northridge Music began life as Village Music in old Fair Oaks in 1967. Now in Citrus Heights, Northridge caters well to school musicians whether they are in the band or the orchestra. They carry a wide range of instruments such as flutes, saxophones, French horns, violins, and cellos. They also carry drums for the band geek or the rock star. Speaking of rock stars, they also sell guitars (acoustic and electric) and amps and offer demo rooms to try them out.
River City Piano
1609 Dreher St. Suite B
Sacramento, CA 95811
(916) 444-7090
This piano retailer is located in a small warehouse off of North 16th Street in downtown. The majority of their inventory consists of used upright pianos. Most of the pianos are mostly console and studio size and are of various brands such as Baldwin and Wurlitzer.
- Margaret Andrews is a blogger living in Sacramento. You can see more of her work on her blog, NannyGoatsInPanties.com.