Wood & Strings Music Center

Went to this store to insert soundpost in my boy’s school violin. Met one lady in there, who asked $ 35.00 for that job. She even acknowledged that it will take her less than five minutes to do that but won’t compromise $$$.
I said thank you and exited from the store, went to some different store in Somerville, where met a very polite lady who helped me out for very reasonable price.

I’m new enough to playing an instrument that I can’t comment on prices, but the staff is very helpful and managed not to laugh when I displayed my absolute ignorance. That right there is reason to return (and it’s conveniently located).

New guy took it over a year, maybe more ago. Support local shops — it’s tough — cuz the Internet allows you instant access to deep pocketed /​deep inventory — tho — fo the small things — I will gladly spend a little more.

I took my vintage martain guitar into this place for a tune up. They told me I had ruined the instrument through poor storage and that they would charge about $ 700.00 to fix it. They, to their credit said I could consider calling someone who could repair the neck more expertly working with the wood. They said I could trade in my guitar for one of their $ 200.00 one. I was devastated. I took it too an expert place in Winchester. They said the guitar was great! They only charged me less than $ 200.00 and said my guitar was worth at least $ 2000.00. I was incensed and complained to the owner of woods and strings and she did apologize. I would not recommend this place!

If I could give this place 6 stars I would. Mick is fantastic and the place has the most wonderful items. I purchased a restored vintage violin for my daughter and it is out of this world quality and a fair and honest price. Mick took so much time with us, helped us select the right one based on her playing style. LOVE this place — it has old world charm, great knowledgeable experts working there, a wide variety of instruments including those unique and is a delight to do business with.

I’m local, I go in here all the time to browse, like someone said it’s a little shop you’d expect to find tucked away in Greenwich Village. The staff always leave me to hang out, poke around and try guitars I may have no intention of buying that minute but when I do take the plunge I wouldn’t hesitate to support this shop. The selection of all different instruments available for such a small place is truly amazing. Once I went looking for a replacement saddle for a junker I was working on and they just gave me one they had lying around for free. Prices seem to be in line with what’s available elsewhere.

It’s an odd and tiny store, but somehow, every time I go in there, they have the exact item that I need.

I got my son started here on the guitar and thought they were great: they had a decent starter guitar and had a lot of useful tips for getting going (like ‘get a stand because the guitar will get played more’ — it does) I thought prices were pretty good, definitely comparable. can’t speak to repair or rental

I am brand new to the violin, and I stopped in here to get a busted string replaced. I bought a full set of strings and a practice mute, and I asked the guy working if he would be able to replace the string for me, and he obliged. Overall he was very helpful.
I do have to agree with the other posters who say this place is expensive… after my purchase I looked online to see how much the same set would go for elsewhere… and it was about $ 20 cheaper online. I’ll probably go elsewhere next time.
A for customer service
C for prices.

This place used to be the classic shop that makes all its dough from lessons, picks and strings, selling only crap brand new guitars and a limited selection of used stuff. But they’ve stepped up their game recently — gotten in some higher-​end guitars, and even a vintage Ludwig drum set.
HOWEVER, some of their prices are unrealistic. Case in point: there is a Gibson Faded SG used for sale for $ 1000 or thereabouts. These go new for $ 700.
Fretless made in Mexico Fender Jazz Bass for $ 700…try $ 450 on craigslist or ebay.
They have to be more realistic with their prices.
That said, it’s a cool shop, stop in to try out some guitars… hopefully they get the memo that high prices on used gear ain’t gonna move any of it out of the store. I’d gladly pay market price here over Guitar Center or Daddy’s to support the local guys… if I could talk them down to market price when I’m ready to buy another guitar!
While it’s not exactly ELITE in 2011 (which I used to be… ahem), Wood & Strings is still worth checking out.

I have mixed feelings about this place. If you’re in the market for a low-​end, used instrument, then I suppose it’s worth a visit. I did buy a half-​decent Guild Dread there about 15 years ago, at an okay price.
I also took some lessons for a bit. The instructor was good, but they were expensive, higher than average. And I see from a quick peek at their website (a hideous piece of work, I might add) that this hasn’t changed, they’re really expensive. I’m not sure I could recommend lessons, based on price. I’m sure rents are high in that primo location, and maybe if I thought the Instructors were getting a decent cut of it it would be more palatable. But they don’t, so I cannot recommend the place.
I do occasionally pop in for strings, because they’re the closet lunch-​time hop for me that carries Pearse Strings. I don’t recognize the staff anymore, and Deb is rarely there when I come in, but when I was a regular they treated me just fine.

i don’t feel that this place deserves the bad reviews it has. I was surprised to hear it’s been here so long and i’d never heard of it! they definitely need to do better advertising. It’s not just any music shop, but a really unique one I more often see in nyc. There’s everything from guitars and ukuleles to violas and cellos. the casual folk songwriter would be at home here along with the classical musician. plus they sell kids instrument toys. it’s fun even just to browse around in here. The staff was friendly and attentive, and although the prices are high, they offer rent and rent to own programs which is rare. the website is unfortunate and could use some re-​doing (I can make it look super!)

It’s nice to have this in town — but the customer service is weirdly not great.
Went there recently and was ignored by the only person working (she was reading emails and eating her dinner while I stood in front of the counter getting more and more annoyed). Once she did help me she was ok — not rude but definitely not friendly.

I used to frequent this place a lot in high school, and even took guitar lessons here for a while. I had a great teacher, and stuck with him even after he left Wood & Strings. The only reason I gave it four stars is because it’s somewhat cramped and their prices are a little higher than average.

This is a very small music store but has a really cozy, homey feel and the staff are really nice. I used to take piano lessons here as a kid and as small as the store is, there are private rooms for lessons. Another nostalgic place for me.