Cripple Creek Music

Up on Cripple Creek, she sends me
If I spring a leak, she mends me
I don’t have to speak, as she defends me
A drunkard’s dream if I ever did see one
If you’re of a certain age, this song will run through your head when you see the name of this store. Here’s the background if you’re interested:
When Cripple Creek Music was founded in 1976, this song was still a recent memory. It was the first year Nina and I went to Ashland. I had gone w/​my mother and youngest brother the previous year w/​a UC Extension class led by Michael Liebert of Berkeley Repertory Theatre. But enough history.
Alan and I stopped by the store on the way out of town yesterday. I had walked by it many times in its previous location in the enclosed mall by Nimbus, but had never been inside. I’m not sure when it moved to its present location down the block from where Geppetto’s used to be, but this is the first time I had entered it. I was in search of a rain stick for Maija, who looks after our house when we’re away.
One’s entrance to the shop is announced by the thrumming of a dulcimer affixed to the top of the doorframe. I didn’t check out the mechanism closely because I was immediately engaged in a conversation w/​the charming man behind the desk about my blouse, which was made in Cottonwood, Arizona by a now closed company called «Alfredo’s Wife». My first glimpse of the shop’s contents was glorious rows of guitars, harps, stand-​up basses and other stringed instruments. They have percussion instruments and probably brass and woodwinds, though I didn’t notice them. There was so much to see. The proprietor told me he had several rain sticks and led me back near a gorgeous Turkish oud where he auditioned them for me. I chose one and paid for it. It was only about $ 23, $ 6 less than the price the helpful proprietor of Treasure Chest Trading Post had been quoted the day before. It was a pleasant transaction in a beautiful store, a lovely note on which to leave Ashland.

Obviously, it’s always good to see a local music shop, especially one with such a devotion to music from around the world. There’s always something interesting in Cripple Creek to try out and see. They used to have a great dulcimer selection; I bought the dulcimer that I use primarily a few years back at Cripple Creek and the sales clerk was extremely helpful in helping me select a quality instrument that would serve me for years to come. I always stop in when I’m in town and try to buy something to support them, even if it’s something small. Trust me, if you’re a music fanatic, you won’t have trouble finding something interesting here.

Love this store!!! Ed went way out of his way to help me find a great trombone for my daughter. I had to return the rental trombone that she was very attached to when we moved from Virginia so I was trying my best to find a good one in this area. Thanks to Cripple Creek, she now has a beautiful trombone to continue playing for many years. They even carry cool instruments like didjeridus, pan pipes, and native american flutes. This store is a treasure of Ashland.

Please do NOT take your guitar to Mike at Cripple Creek for repair. I took my Martin in just about 3 YEARS ago now, and am on my way to pick it up tomorrow. My star rating may raise by one depending on the condition of my guitar when I pick it up, but there is no way I can be satisfied with the way I’ve been treated. If you’re easy going and patient, be prepared for the longest list of ridiculous excuses you’ve ever heard. In 3 years, I have always had to be the one to call and be told «3 more weeks, tops,» over and over again. The initial estimate was for this job to take 3 weeks, maybe a month. So I stopped in in a month and «it’s taking longer for the humidifier to work, could be another month .» So I wait a couple more months never get another call, so I come in again, and I’m told «3 more weeks, tops.» Next time I come in, «this one is kind of a budget deal because we put a cap on the cost, so I have to do other guitars first. Should be another month.» More of this ensued for the first year. I am too patient. The couple years to follow brought the following excuses: «I’ve been trying to call you but our phones have been down. For this last thing, I need your permission because I am changing the properties of the instrument.» So he asked me for my official verbal approval to continue exactly what we’d discussed 1 ½ yrs. earlier, then, «the wood your guitar needs to repair this split is having a shortage now. I’ve been waiting on this order forever. Our supplier has been so bad lately,» and so on and so forth, with many varied hilarious reasons for never calling, including: «I lost your number,» (I guess he lost the repair ticket I had to fill out??), «weird, I was just about to call you!» «I called 15 minutes ago, but your phone did a weird busy signal thing, not the slow one but the really fast one.» So finally I’ve reached my boiling point and I’m picking it up tomorrow, done or not. It’s being worked on today (so he says); apparently it’s a two man job now, and the second guy couldn’t make it in till today. There is something a second guy has to hold while he does something, I guess? That’s what I thought all his clamps were for, but what do I know? So, yes, Cripple Creek has some really neat folky instruments you can’t find (in store) anywhere else, but probably *anybody* in the Rogue Valley is a better choice for a repair.

This music shop has an impressive collection of folk instruments and more. What I really enjoyed was the staff — Thad was really helpful and knowledgeable about their instruments and music books. While I didn’t leave the shop with another mandolin, I did pick up some music that have turned out to be very good recommendations. If you are looking for something specific, be sure to ask as not all inventory is on the floor — e.g. vintage instruments.

Stopped in here 2 weeks ago… actually found a 12-​string Ibanez with on-​board pre-​amp and digital tuner for under $ 400. Had to go for it! Staff is knowledgeable and store is awesome. Great selection. I will be back for sure.

Love these guys.
I have bought my limited edition Martin guitar and a sweet Kala ukelele here.
It’s a very charming store with really nice guys that are helpful.
They have always treated me with respect.
The doggies are sweet as well.
A hometown music store with a friendly comfortable feel.