Alto Music of Dutchess County

My BF brought in an expensive guitar where as he said, the nut snapped off when he was trying to adjust the trust rod (truss rod?). He was searching all over for a guitar luthier in the area, and I told him to just go to Alto to see if they could salvage the guitar, since he buys things from there all the time. Luckily, he spoke to their repair tech, Vinny, and it saved him from having to ship the guitar to Gibson for who knows how much. Vinny was honest and said that it may take a few months to get it repaired right. Well when the guitar was finally ready, he was called to pick it up, and although it wasn’t a cheap repair for him, his guitar had shiny brand new frets and looked better than before any damage was ever done. Vinny showed us both pictures of the process, and only by seeing the pictures were we able to see just how complex the process was. By the way, my bf told me the guitar plays and sounds better than ever before, and you can’t even tell that a major repair was done. So for any guitar players out there who need a simple setup or major surgery done to their guitar, you would be nuts NOT to take it to Vinny.

There was a Fishie out of water today big time at Alto Music. Me!
I had been intrigued to have a look at their new digs and today found reason to visit. I needed guitar strings. Not the type David Gilmour probably has by the truckload in one of his hangars but some very rudimentary (read cheap) strings to make some gifts for some of my clients. Something that Jackson Galaxy would deem worthy enough for his guitar case… Purr-​haps even cause a little whisker trauma???
The salesperson, a lovely young lady (boy I sound old) was very helpful and patient with me as I had no idea for even what I was asking. She was spot on and I left with exactly what I needed. In fact, every sales associate was friendly even though I tried to throw one of them off by asking for a sitar. They had one!
Along with many electric and acoustic guitars, amps, cases, everything for the axe connoisseur and wannabe they had flute sheet music, cellos, ukuleles (Ivy!) and even concertinas!!! And they do rentals for speakers and such which I did several years ago for an event when I ran a playlist from my iPod. They were great then too and that was the old place. Their new location is no doubt a dream come true* and if you are interested in things with strings it is a definite go. And ingredients for cat toys too? Hello! =^.,^=
:))),
* The building they are now in used to be a Gateway store (Gate-​what?) and had sat vacant for many years so props to them for repurposing and utilising a building that was very much in need of some life and love. And it is right across the street from Palace Dumplings, too. Music and dumplings? Yes, please!

I think its the Kids that work in there that completely turn me off to shopping there. They are rude. and have NO customer service skills. I’m not a hard customer. but anytime I shop with them, I find myself frustrated.

Alto has been in this area for a long time and the reputation is golden. The employees are very knowledgeable with the entire stock. I have done business with them for years for two reasons:
1) My DJ partner and I rent speakers from here when we have gigs and they actually give us great prices because we use them so much. I’m talking KING SIZE speakers that make your teeth hurt when we’re doing our «Turntables on the Hudson» thing.
2) The ONLY retailer in the area where I can get loop cds for Sony Acid Pro. They usually have to order them but they get in my hands pretty quick. Most places won’t order them. They used to stock a good amount here but not so much these days.
I agree with Eric R’s every word about this long standing «icon» in our area. Good prices and good employees make Alto a cool place to visit. You can at least go and play with the DJ turntables they usually have set-​up.

Went to pick-​up a guitar for my son and not knowing a damn thing about instruments I suspected we were doomed and we were sure to be taken for a ride since I probably had sucker stamped on my forehead.
They have a very small storefront in an a very small mall type parking lot so you may miss them if you don’t keep an eye out for them as you drive by but when you get inside the store is rather long going pretty far back. They seemed to have everything under the sun from guitars, drums, flutes, pianos, etc.
The best part of our experience were the employees. Not only were they helpful, they helped us pick out a budget yet reliable guitar for a beginner (my son) and they tuned the guitar for us free of charge (whereas it should have cost us money). The sales guys certainly seemed honest and were very helpful.
There are not many musical instrument stores like this in the area and where you could very well be at their mercy these guys instead provided top notch service. I definitely would recommend these guys.