What exactly is a music store? Obviously, it’s a place that sells musical instruments. But just like with a fish market—where you might say, “The fish at that shop are really fresh!” or “This shop has a great selection”—music stores are no different. Every store has its strengths and weaknesses, and their inventory varies.
Plus, a music store isn’t just about “buying and being done.” There’s maintenance afterward, and you’ll usually have a long-term relationship with the store—whether it’s asking for advice when you’re having trouble with the sound or trading in your old instrument when you buy a new one. Since this can even influence your future musical life, choosing the right store is crucial. That’s why it’s a bit risky to choose based solely on the price at the time of purchase. A top-notch musician chooses a “reliable music store” with a long-term perspective.
That’s true. It’s convenient for comparing options, too. Plus, stores with a large inventory have staff who’ve seen a lot of instruments, so they’re often better at recommending something that suits you. Also, the fact that so many instruments are gathered there is proof of high trust from manufacturers and customers. “Good instruments gather at good stores”—that’s the golden rule.
That’s true. But how do you gauge a salesperson’s knowledge? Ask them a difficult question? But they might just happen to know the answer. Plus, everyone has their own areas of expertise, so no matter how much knowledge they have outside your specific field, it’s useless to you. It’d just be annoying to have them lecture you at length about that. So! Try observing stores that carry a lot of the specific type of instrument you’re interested in.In the case of music stores, the staff’s hobbies and areas of expertise are often reflected in the inventory, so shops with a selection like that naturally tend to have a high level of knowledge in that genre. However, be wary of staff who start explaining things to you without you even asking—they’re often just showing off their knowledge. A quiet person might actually be the one who’s more attentive to your needs. “Judge a staff member’s knowledge by the selection”—this is the second golden rule.
Imagine this: you’ve just bought an instrument, and it stops making a sound right when you need it most!… That’s why you need a shop that provides reliable after-sales service. If you’re thinking, “It’s covered by the manufacturer’s warranty, so I’ll be fine,” you’re being naive! Picture this: you’re about to go on stage, and suddenly something goes wrong. You rush to the music store in a panic, only to be told, “We’ll have to send it to the manufacturer, so it’ll take one to two weeks.” Even if they fix it for free, that’s just not acceptable. A warranty promises free repairs, but it doesn’t say anything about “fixing it immediately.”However, instruments can suddenly stop producing sound, and considering how eager you are to practice, you can’t really leave it with them for that long. So, when you visit a music store, check to see if they have a dedicated repair corner or repair room. If the store has its own repair facilities, you might even find that “they fixed it while I was out for a smoke.” “Judge after-sales service by their equipment”—that’s the third golden rule. If the store issues its own warranty, that’s even more reassuring.
When you buy an instrument, you’ll need all sorts of accessories like cables and straps. Strings, picks, and batteries are consumables, too. So naturally, you’ll end up visiting the music store many times, but ideally, it’s best to stick with the store where you bought the instrument in the first place. You can ask them how to tune your instrument, consult them on various matters, and easily get useful information—that’s the appeal. So, considering you’ll be visiting repeatedly, you should know in advance the prices of the consumables you’ll likely be buying regularly. “True affordability is revealed in the accessories”—this is the fourth golden rule. Another thing to watch out for is “value sets” that include a bunch of items. They certainly seem like a good deal, but do they include things you don’t need? Instructional DVDs you don’t like won’t help you practice. You need to figure out if they’re really necessary.
There are still more tips for choosing a music store. I asked 100 band members. “Cheaper is better” —definitely. “Close to the station”—that might be true too. “A place that doesn’t feel intimidating”— aren’t you the one who’s intimidating? But a polite shop does give you a sense of security, doesn’t it?Also, a place that isn’t pushy. “A place near a good restaurant” —huh? Is that so? But it’s true that if there are lots of delicious-looking places nearby, you’ll have more reasons to go back. “A place with cute staff” —maybe that’s actually the most important point (lol). With so many factors to consider , “Choose a good music store based on your preferences”—that’s the final golden rule.
When you’re on a tight budget, your eyes naturally turn to used instruments. Of course, it’s nice to save money, and there’s plenty of fun in the search—you might even stumble upon an unexpected gem. On the other hand, there are stories of people buying used instruments and regretting it, so there’s definitely some anxiety involved. So here, let’s do a thorough comparison between New and the appeal of used instruments.
You might think, “Well, New is obviously better,” but hold on a second. These days, instruments from reputable used shops are in pretty good condition. Since used shops don’t have manufacturer support, they have to adjust almost everything in-house. That’s why quite a few of them employ specialized technical staff. On the other hand, with New, they usually just display the instruments as they come from the manufacturer, and if a problem arises, they send them back to the manufacturer for adjustments.Back in the day, you’d see plenty of terrible used instruments, but lately—maybe because the quality of used shops has improved—there are really more used instruments in great condition. Well, auctions might be a different story. So when it comes to condition, I’d say it’s pretty much a toss-up. The rest depends on the shop!
Of course, having a warranty is reassuring, but as I mentioned before, a warranty isn’t a panacea. So, focus on whether the after-sales service meets your needs. For example, when it comes to repairs involving the circuitry of an electric guitar, a repair technician at a used instrument shop can often handle it just fine, so speed might be more important.With a manufacturer’s warranty, the instrument has to be sent back to the manufacturer, so retailers might not get involved—whether they can check it right there on the spot is a major factor. On the other hand, when it comes to software updates for DTM equipment, they’re often managed via IDs and passwords, so used gear is often out of the question; in these cases, New having a warranty is definitely an advantage.
"Is it broken?" "Will it break right away?"
It’s definitely a cause for concern. And it’s true that some items are actually broken. But conversely, it’s also true that New items aren’t guaranteed to last forever. In other words, whether something breaks or not isn’t a matter of whether it’s New or used.Plus, with used items, some have a track record of being used without breaking down up until now, so if you can spot those, you might be able to predict their future reliability to some extent better than with a brand-new New, which is a complete unknown. Well, since it’s pretty hard to judge that accurately, it’s still important to choose a store you can trust. Ultimately, the issue isn’t whether it’s a New or used, but whether you’re buying from a trustworthy store.
“I fell in love with a rare color at first sight and bought it used—now everyone’s jealous.”
This happens all the time with used items. Even people who’ve been dealing in used goods for years are sometimes surprised to find something and exclaim, “Did this color even exist!?” It’s not just about the color—the odds of stumbling upon something truly rare are high! The fact that you can’t find it anywhere else is a big plus, too. Plus, it’s interesting that these kinds of items are often surprisingly affordable when bought used.
"It’s great that I can use it without worrying about things like eating pizza!"
Whether pizza, beer, and instruments are the stars of the party or not, you can’t truly enjoy yourself if you’re constantly worried about getting them dirty or scratched. The fun of buying used gear is adding your own memories—scratches and all—to instruments you can use without a care. When I spilled beer all over my Les Paul the very day I bought it, I thought from the bottom of my heart, “I’m so glad I bought this used…”
You might think secondhand shops are intimidating at first, but once you step inside, it’s like a treasure hunt! You might even find yourself having so much fun that you lose track of time…That Effector you always wanted back in the day, or that guitar your friend had in middle school. You might even find yourself taking an unintentional trip down memory lane. Since every used item is one-of-a-kind, each one has its own story. Plus, well-worn instruments are just cool! These days, there are even News out there with scratches added on purpose. But when it comes to scratches , the real deal is secondhand. Natural scratches are the coolest.
Once you’ve had a good look around and enjoyed yourself, try striking up a conversation with the staff. At secondhand shops, the staff can be older and seem a bit unfriendly, making it hard to approach them, but since they’re doing this out of passion, they’re actually really nice people. Plus, since they’re identifying this many used items every day, their knowledge can be absolutely incredible. They’re veterans of the trade, after all. If you happen to hear some truly insightful advice, you’ll feel like you’ve hit the jackpot just from that alone.
Things have really become convenient these days. Since secondhand items are often one-of-a-kind, finding them is all about timing—but now you can even check for those opportunities online. It’s an amazing era we live in. One site you definitely need to check out is the website for “THE Used Musical Instrument Store,” located in front of Shin-Okubo Station on the JR Yamanote Line.
With a massive inventory of over several thousand items updated daily as soon as they arrive, just browsing this site alone offers plenty of opportunities to discover something special. What’s more, you can see detailed photos from every angle—front to back—and even watch real-life videos, which is amazing! It really feels like you’re looking at the actual item. It’s perfect for you if you’re too busy to go out and hunt for instruments.Another amazing feature is their column. This is seriously awesome! It’s packed with a massive amount of information—about guitars, Effector, and more—and it’s totally for hardcore enthusiasts! Just reading this will give you an edge over your rivals! At the same time, their beginner-friendly series is easy to understand and well worth reading. If you already know about this, you’re so cool!
“I found a cool used guitar, but I just don’t have the cash…” I totally get it. Being in a band really costs a lot—studio fees, travel expenses, and all that. Band members are amazing; they’re often struggling just to make ends meet, let alone buy instruments. THE Used Instrument Shop is on your side. We all love instruments—we’re in this together. So if you’re thinking, “I want that instrument, but I don’t have the money…” feel free to ask us for advice.They’ll give you all kinds of helpful advice, like how to trade in your current instrument to get a better deal. We have specialized staff who inspect thousands of used items every year—from guitars, of course, to amps, PA systems, wind instruments, and even violins—so no matter what you have, we’ve got you covered.
Even if something’s old and you’re thinking, “I wonder if this is even worth anything…,” they’ll take a proper look at it with a professional eye. After all, everyone here loves instruments, too. If you have any unused instruments or gear, give them a call. And even if you don’t have any immediate plans to buy an instrument, this shop can still help you out. If you’re not trading it in, they’ll buy it from you outright for cash. It’s great that they pay you right there on the spot.It’s a lifesaver when you have a sudden gig and are worried about making ends meet. Plus, Shin-Okubo is the heart of Asian cuisine. There are tons of cheap and super delicious spots, so it’s a great idea to grab a bite to fuel up while you’re there.
So, let’s check what gear you have on hand.
Aren’t there still some hidden treasures lying around your room?
If you have something big like an amp that you can’t bring in right away, just send a photo, and they’ll email you an offer.