Mass Street Music

Musicians in this part of the country all know the refrain:The finest shop for stringed instruments and accessories in Kansas City and Topeka is in Lawrence. The finest music shop for stringed instruments and accessories in the Midwest is hands down, Mass Street Music.Oklahoma City, Denver, St. Louis, Des Moines, Lincoln, Dallas, Chicago, Minneapolis... nothing finer than right here. There are only a small select number of stringed instruments stores in the U.S. that rank in the league of Mass Street. How do I know? I run the oldest and longest running stringed instrument web site on the internet. It's my job to know who's great, who's good and who's pretending.I've been coming here to grab picks, strings and miscellaneous gear since the day they opened 30 years ago. They have the most talented instrument repair staff in the Midwest which is even more important to professional and semi-professional musicians. I'm the latter, and having luthiers you can trust with an instrument that's like a part of your family is critical. As a fellow supporter (through my business) of the musical arts in the city I appreciate Mass Street Music providing financial backing for events like the annual Kansas State Fiddling and Picking Championships. They're also a supporter of touring artists and offer frequent clinics that are of interest to a wide range of musicians. This is more than just a retail store, it's an important part of the musical community and *the* place you want to shop in the Midwest for a guitar, uke, banjo, mandolin, bass and other stringed instruments.

Old-school Lawrence residents pride their city on resisting the chain store Borg. And while the north end of Mass has somewhat lost that fight, the other end still has its hometown charms, including Victorian homes, beautiful trees and original stores like Footprints and Mass Street Music. Mass Street is for serious musicians. But they seem genuinely interested in answering questions for novices like me, too. Their prices are steep, but tapping into their staff's assistance and knowledge is priceless.Besides its respectable inventory of new instruments, Mass Street also sells one-of-a-kind collectibles, some of which run $5000 and up. At this price range, you not only need knowledgeable salespeople; you need to know the collectibles market yourself. Antiques Roadshow, anyone?

My Martin D-28 was broken. They fixed it and brought it back to new playability and it sounds like the day I bought it. Did the repair for a very decent price. I'm very happy with the personal service they have there. It's a landmark in Lawrence. One of the coolest stores I've ever been in. People are knowledgable and friendly. I buy local and I would not go to any other music store in Lawrence to purchase a musical instrument. Mass street music has got it covered. Very pleased with my experiences there.

The employees truly know what they are talking about and have always helped me find exactly what I need. Excellent service and competitive prices.

Lady was nice and restrung my guitar whilst I played Juicebox on bass. 85 word limit 0350365

You have to understand life . . . respecting tradition and knowing and honoring your personal passions.Joe Bonamassa pretty much summed it up, when he spoke about his wildly out of control "Guitar Safari" shopping missions, with words to the effect "the guitar is pretty much JUST a guitar. . . the wonder lies in the story behind the guitar. The most salient example is the guitar that Bonamassa bought that was a cheap, low-quality instrument that was years old, beat to heck and had those plastic chrome stick on letters with initials. "I know nothing about this guitar, but I had to have it . . knowing that someone REALLY loved it". That's the way things are an the enduring small independent music store is no different than a guitar. It has little to do with the brick and mortar but is the collective passion, love and spirit of the people there.Music stores . . .Stan Jay with Mandolin Brothers (the only place I have seen Joni Mitchell and George Harrison in the same store . . an old house) and places like Arthur's Music Store in Indianapolis (opened since 1952) are legendary. Among their number is Mass Street Music in Lawrence, KS. I first learned of Mass Street, when my oldest son (the one in the family who was gifted with genuine talent - likely from hours of emulating Joe Pass) was a student at Kansas University and we'd wander in from time to time.Back in those days, the folks were pros and we were warmly greeted. In 2023 the staff are pros and we are warmly greeted.I wandered in a couple years ago and told them "I have a musical problem". They offered to help and asked what it was. I told them I had driven from NYC to Kansas to see my mother, had an empty Subaru Outback sitting our front and a credit card that I'd never used. They offered to help and made certain, with an incredible Fender Telecaster, that my return trip to NYC was not a dead head mission.Driving by Mass Street without stopping would be like a Catholic going to Rome and not visiting the Vatican.I stopped last week to say hello and visit with Brian, a self described pedal guru and font of musical knowledge. Before leaving we took a picture together in the store. It was a fun photo but only my guitar aficionado son replied with . . . yeah, yeah . . got picture . . tell me about the receipt in your hand.Opps . . . I was leaving with a key element to my amp collection that I'd just never acquired a new Fender Deluxe Reverb, hopefully the Hand Wired Edition. Once again, getting back to the YELP review . . . the service, hospitality, product knowledge and chance to learn are what differentiates an independent, passion driven, music store from the online or box stores.Thanks to the staff and if you are buying from their website of if you are in, or passing through Lawrence, you will be cast from the music faithful if you miss stopping at Mass Street Music.NOTE: Because Yelp will think I am one of these guys Brother or indebted to the owner . . not so. I am a knolegable customer and player who knows excellence when I see it and am eager to share with similarly addicted musicans.

Finest guitar I've ever bought.Brian was extremely helpful. They had a nice secluded room with tons of live amps. The guitar played immaculately in the store, save for a slightly dry fret board. After being in Guitar Center, and noticing their guitars essentially just hung on the wall without any attention, being able to play a guitar in store - with the assurance of the fact they had in house luthiers, really enabled me to make a purchase I'm happy with. Incredibly happy with.I don't write reviews online. I felt compelled that I needed to write this one, because I had spent so much time at other guitar shops looking for the right purchase for the right price. I'm ecstatic with my new Gretsch Electromatic!

I recently emailed MSM and inquired about an Eastman Mandola. I got a quick reply from Eric that was accurate and professional. I talked with him later on the phone and then placed an online order for this instrument. I was traveling, and wanted them to hold this for a few weeks, which they did without hesitation. [There were limited numbers of the instrument in stock, so I paid for it, and it was held as specified]. When I was ready to take delivery I talked to Sue in shipping who was wonderful and helpful. The instrument arrived exactly on time and was packed incredibly well. The experience with MSM from start to finish was excellent in every way. I would highly recommend this company. Many Thanks to Eric and Sue

Absolutely fab place to go for ukuleles and guitars! Super friendly and helpful staff! They listened to my 10-year-old say what she would like and didn't patronize her...which happens a lot at some places. Highly recommend!

I have purchased a couple instruments from Mass Street Music, both high end. They are fair and honest, which is as high a praise as I can give. They know their products and the industry. I have also had my dried out Martin D-35 fixed by them and they did GREAT. Repair shop is top notch. Obviously, if you want to go to "stringed instrument heaven" go to Mass Street Music.