Live Oak Music Sonora

Great little music shop. I’ve been doing business with the owner, Ron, for years. Really nice guy and very knowledgeable about musical instruments (quite a guitar player, too!). Ive been to a lot of music shops where the staff gets kinda pissy about people wanting to try out gear, but not here. Ron is happy to plug any instrument into any amp and let ya do your thang. He even sat my 4 year old behind a drum kit and let him bang away and then gave him his own set of sticks! Great prices! I buy all my picks, straps and strings from them. I’ve bought 2 Fender Strats, a couple pedals and a couple amps and got great deals on all of them. They are a licensed Fender dealer so if there’s a Fender your looking for that they don’t have, they’ll get it for you at a great price. He’s also done the intonation and neck adjustment on my Ibanez at a way lower price than anywhere else wanted to charge me. They carry lots of types of instruments and accessories. I’d highly recommend them to any musician.

Fun place to visit and play. Reasonable prices on used and new equipment. Excellent customer service. Left with a smile.

Ron was very nice! He got me my violin bow and rosin… Although it did seem a little busy so it took a little longer than expected.

This is a prime example of what music shops should be. Great customer service from someone who knows there product. Every time I am in Sonora I stop by this place to buy some strings and browse a little. Not as much product as guitar center but I feel way better supporting a person as opposed to big business.

Have you ever watched School of Rock with Jack Black? This place basically rocks as much as that movie. And even if you didn’t like the movie, the good thing is that this place still rocks everyone’s socks.
This place is guaranteed to be one of the best music shops you will ever enter in this lifetime. Not enough good things can be said about this shop solely because of the owner, Ron Brandon. He is super friendly, extremely musically– knowledgeable, and genuine. In this day and age it can be rare to come across people who pursue their dreams in life and remain passionate throughout their lives about what they first fell in love with. It is for this reason that Ron is so awesome; when you walk into the store you instantly feel comfortable and welcome, even if you are the only person in the shop. He will give you his undivided attention as you explain what are looking for, whether it be a new guitar or just a music book. He encourages you to play any and all instruments that catch your fancy, and he will guide you to the perfect one for you. One of the best qualities about him is that even if you don’t know how to play guitar or ukulele or whatever it is you’re interested in, he is patient and will enthusiastically give you mini lessons on the spot so you can get a feel for each instrument. His help goes beyond the mere interest of a salesperson– you can just feel his love in what he does and even if you don’t buy anything, you’ll walk away feeling great for having had the privilege of having met such an extraordinary person. To sum it all up: GO HERE. Whether you want to be the next rockstar or are looking for a new hobby or are just buying someone a gift, this is indisputably, hands down, THEE one and only place to go.

A great local music shop. My family has been going there for years. Bought my first bass there, had my first lessons there, bought my first banjo there, bought my first electric guitar there, if Im in Sonora this is where I go. Good selection, great service, great prices. Ron is a great guy who loves music and loves what he does. Every time I go to another music shop I compare it to Live Oak and few have ever measured up.

An excellent store run by a great guy. I have been going to see Ron for over 10 years now and never had a bad experience. Highly recommend

Live Oak is the kind of Music store that tends to encourage hands on product testing. I had been in there on and off since I moved here permanent for strings, picks, sheet music, etc., but the day that I went in with the intent of purchasing an Acoustic /​Electric Guitar, that I really felt the no pressure approach that Ron offers, when you are in that kind of relaxed setting, you can focus on the task at hand. I was there for about 3 hours and played just about every guitar in the store.
This atmosphere alloted me the luxury to choose wisely and I did, I kept coming back to the same guitar (a Fender CJ290CE). I had done my homework prior to coming and I knew that his prices were fair, I did have to special order a hard case (which turned out to cost a bit more than first quoted), however it was a well made (American Made) case and Ron did chisel a few bucks off his retail mark up.
All and all, I am happy with my purchase and Ron has made a customer for life.
Thanks again Ron,
Mike R.
Just up the Hill a bit

Live Oak Music has a good variety of new and used instruments and accessories. They have a great selection of guitars and amplifiers. My son started going there as a young teen and the owner always let him try out the guitars and amplifiers as much as he wanted. Live Oak does offer lay away on instruments so it is great for young aspiring musicians. The prices at Live Oak are competitive with stores in the valley, but you get more personalized service here.
Update 6÷28÷08
My son recently had an unfortunate accident with his electric guitar. He took it in to Live Oak Music and got it back a couple days later better than before at a reasonable price.