Trade Up Music 2

Is it too much to ask for someone in the store to ask something like, how can I help you? I have no idea who works there and who is just eating their lunch with friends? All I get is a hey, probably my fault but in my world customers with money are treated differently.

Alexa is one the nicest people. I went here to get my first electric guitar and she helped me out immensely. I walked out satisfied and happy. They have a great staff, good prices and a huge variety of musical instruments. I would highly recommend this place.

Love this place and the great people!

Super sweet, knowledgable, friendly and helpful staff to go one with an outstanding eclectic array of instruments!

Best Trade Up location. Friendly. Knowledgable. Good selection. Willing to work with you on price. Recommend checking this place out.

I mostly shop at the Alberta shop, but sometimes make my way to the Division one as well. After super poor experiences at both Portland Music Company (both MLK and Beaverton, which is the worst) and Apple music (How are they still open?) I stick to these guys and Old Town. I have been shopping there for about 8 years.
The folks at Trade Up have always been super friendly. I really miss David in the drum section, and Ben at the Division store! It seems like most of the folks that work there are pretty active in the music scene, not washed up jaded dudes, like the previously mentioned joints. They are helpful and don’t ignore their customers, which is often a complaint of mine.
I have sold some stuff there. Ebay and Clist are obviously going to yield a higher return. If you think your going to get good cash for what you are selling, you will be disappointed, but thats how the business works. They are usually cool about giving a bit more for trades, and throwing in string/​cables/​other stuff too.
I am more stoked on some of the stuff I have found there. I have bought some great guitars, pedals, and mics. The prices are what you would expect from ebay, which is probably how they are pricing it to begin with, so your not gonna find pre-​internet deals like the 90’s, but again, that doesn’t happen anymore.
I had been looking for a decently rare guitar for a while, and one day it popped up there. Was excited and bought it after barely playing it. The neck pickup and volume pot need replaced. It was in a super weird (intentional) tuning too. I kind of feel like this one slipped through the cracks as far as having it ready to sell. Gotta check that stuff before it hits the floor! Isn’t gonna prevent me from doing business there though. Might have if it was an expensive piece, and I didn’t have spare parts laying around.
4 stars is pretty accurate. 4.5 when David (no longer there) and the manager (Dewey I think?) are there. Sorry, I don’t know the other folks by name, but anyone I have interacted with have been cool. Good folks, fun to talk about gear geek stuff with.

I really enjoy going into the Alberta St. Store when I am in that
Neighborhood. Friendly staff, great selection of stringed instruments.

What lovely folks at this shop. Definitely go here for you music and instrument needs.

I’ve come here often and my friends and I have hung out in the little windowed room on multiple occasions testing out guitars, and the staff really do leave you alone. However, there have been occasions when I came in for something specific and needed assistance. I usually have to approach the counter and try really hard to get a staff member’s attention, since they don’t usually take the initiative.
This shop is a fun place to browse overall. They have a noticeably large selection of ukuleles, mostly by Oscar Schmidt and Kala. The Trade Up location on SE Division carries a wider selection of keyboards, mandolins, and music books so I would check out the Southeast location if I have to choose between the two.
It stands as just your average music store and a place to come to if I need to have my violin bow re-​haired.

Always nice service.

This is the closest music store to my house. If we’re recording and need something fast, we go here.
Some interesting used stuff passes through here, though I rarely think about buying it. I normally hover in the effects, drum machine and synth sections. The prices are often a bit ambitious for me. I don’t think this is their forte, so maybe they don’t know better. Somebody will buy it, and the rent doesn’t pay itself, but I can’t be part of that equation.
I’ve had some pleasant experiences with the staff (who are mostly guitar people and all very nice), and some unpleasant experiences. The value of items you are trading in can vary WILDLY depending on who you’re talking to. I once went in to sell a bass, and the guy said he’d give me X for it. I told him, «Great, let me think about it, I’ll be back». I came back the next week, and the guy working that day would only give me half of X. I tried to explain that I had been quoted at double what he was offering, but he didn’t budge.
They are the neighborhood music store though, so go to them if you don’t want a Guitar Center popping up in their place.

Nice, knowledgeable staff. Pretty good selection of used/​new guitars and drum sets upstairs. Prices are ok. Unfortunately they don’t really budge on their prices. Found a guitar online for over $ 100 cheaper and they wouldn’t give even a little. Understandable, though. They run their business how they do. I’d still be back.

There are some things I like about Trade Up. I’m grateful to have a neighborhood shop where I can buy musical necessities. They occasionally have great used gear (which is sometimes, but not always, fairly priced). Some (but not all) of their employees are really helpful and nice. I also have a friend who regularly shops here, and she has had good experiences — they’re always willing to work with her on pricing.
My problem with Trade Up is that some (but not all) of the people who work here are not particularly knowledgeable about musical equipment. The person who assisted me with a possible guitar purchase didn’t even know what a nitrocellulose lacquer finish is (unless I’m some kind of gear genius, this kind of detail isn’t that obscure — it should at least be common knowledge to someone trying to sell guitars). They’ve also severely ripped me off in a number of drum equipment trades I did several years ago. It’s my own fault — I didn’t know then what I do now, but I’m sure that the salesperson gloated over the swindle. The key with a store like this is to be informed about what you intend to purchase or sell.

After the many times of not finding anything for the last three years of going here, I actually bought something for slightly under Ebay pricing. Sometimes this place blows my mind. They will have an old, thrashed pedal, (but not vintage, I’m referring to something a mere two years old, yet beat to crap) and they will mark it at only 25% under new list, price, and when you sort of point that out to them, they look at you and say «what,? thats a total deal, dude». sheesh. Its all about turnover to keep a business running. Leave the gear hoarding to kids living on daddy’s dime. And you should keep a can of Right Guard in the back room for when your average shopper with money enters the store. Some of these employees can get a bit rank. Whew! hhmmm, was I a bit harsh?

We finally decided to buy the boy the guitar he’s been asking for, like, the past four Christmases. This store is in the neighborhood and I walk by the guitars hanging in the window almost every day. Seemed like the logical choice to make the purchase here.
I don’t know anything about guitars and I’m always afraid of getting talked into something way too expensive and inappropriate whenever I have zero clue about what I’m buying. I told the clerk that I needed a full-​sized one, for a beginner, and exactly how much I was willing to pay. He showed us several that fit the description without any high pressure sales tactics. He was totally cool and even gave some details in non-​guitar guy language that helped us make the final pick.
I have no doubt the kid will be totally stoked on Christmas morning. Nice store.

I frequent Alberta street and every time I stop by, I hit up trade up music.
they have a good selection of generally every type of musical instrument from guitars to banjos to drums to ukes and so on. decent selection of vintage and used amps as well.
the staff is really no pressure and chill.
I got one of my guitars set up here and Hans did a great job, its still plays like a dream.
check it out if you want a break from guitar center.

I give this store a big «Meh.» I go there frequently because it is the closest music store to my apartment. I suspect that many of the employees are constantly stoned, as they are ultimately unhelpful/​slow. Nothing wrong with toking, just don’t do it at work, please!
I’ve had a couple good experiences here, but just as many wherein I left empty-​handed with unanswered questions. The answer to any question in retail should NEVER be «I dunno,» but I’ve gotten it on numerous occasions and taken my business elsewhere.
Also, check your prices against other retailers online — they priced a little ¼ sized guitar at nearly double what it goes for at other retailers.
All that said — if you live in the neighborhood and need something, stop by. But be prepared to go elsewhere, and definitely don’t go out of your way to go there!

As with any used gear store, the selection is uncertain, put the values here are great, on both pro-​quality and learner-​grade equipment. A fair amount of kids’ rock stuff floats through here, and they also keep a decent line of school band staples –winds, horns, and strings. You can’t guarantee what you wanted will be there, but you can guarantee they have something you want.

I pulled out my acoustic tuned to Open D so I could practice my best Bön Iver falsetto the other day and thought: «Boy, sure am glad I stumbled into Trade Up Music 2 on that warm summer day many moons ago!»
Since I don’t get over to Alberta as much as I probably should, TUM2 (that sounds like a license plate) isn’t one of my regular haunts. But, whenever I do find myself over in their environs, I make a point to peruse. I first stopped in on the aforementioned buying spree with Tatiana M. and we both walked out with a modestly priced stringed instrument to tote onto public transit. Me a midrange Epiphone acoustic and she a Lanalai uke. Both of us were grinning from ear to ear over our new finds.
The selection is large and they have the whole gamut of noise making devices. A few really used guitars for cheaper and an array of «pre-​owned» that will make your mouth water. And drums and multi-​colored ukes and all sorts of gizmos and doodads. I spent a while talking very expensive envelope filters with one of the employees and he didn’t seem tooooo angry when all I walked away with was a uke pick and a mandolin strap. Ah for richer days. A friendly atmosphere burgeoning with knowledge and know-​how. Stop in for some strings and leave with a slide guitar.

I’ve tried writing a review of this place a few times and could not quite sum up my experience until just this past weekend.
I consider this place to be my music shop. I play guitar and every now and then want to gawk at guitar porn (such as full neck bindings, inlays, pickups, amps… pathetic, I know) usually to the chagrin of whoever I’m with.
Anyway, the staff is super friendly, won’t rush you to any decisions and are just there should you need them — perfect.
I wanted to buy a glass slide — innocuous enough — and when I mentioned that, the guy said I could just ‘slide’ behind the counter and even open up the packages to see which one fit the best.
It wasn’t much but I think offers a glimpse as to just how relaxed and open this shop is to suit your needs. They weren’t like, «Oh, you’re not here to drop a G so you’re not worth my time» kinda people. In fact, the whole transaction turned into a fun dialogue on how to use a slide… even with your strumming hand.
OK, TMI, I get it. At any rate, love this place.