Musical instrument stores cater to musicians and music enthusiasts by offering a wide range of instruments, accessories, and equipment. 

General Music Stores are the most popular, selling guitars, amps, ukuleles, and keyboards, as well as accessories and sheet music. Some of them have minor repair facilities, lessons, and performance spaces.

Specialty music stores focus on a particular style of instrument, such as violins, wind instruments, and more. Specifically, in Boston, you will find many music specialty stores near the Symphony and Conservatory. These stores take care of the specific needs of classical musicians and their instruments.

Boston has a number of smaller Luthier shops that are experts at repairing, restoring, and even building new instruments. Luthiers are highly trained in their craft and are able to set up instruments to get the best sound and playability from even a mass-produced instrument.

 

General Music Stores in Boston

Guitar Center    National chain of music stores offering guitars, keyboards, amplifiers, percussion instruments, pro-audio and recording equipment and accessories. Directions: Back Bay, Danvers, Natick, Braintree

Guitar Stop    Family owned and operated music store with guitars, ukuleles, amplifiers, accessories including repair and lessons. Store has been operated by the same family for 60 years. Directions: Cambridge

Main Street Music    Established piano store offering acoustic upright and grand pianos, digital pianos, organs, accessories, rentals, repair services, and music lessons. Directions: Waltham

Mike's Monster Guitar    Vintage guitar store offering expert guitar sales, repairs for guitars, bass, banjo, mandolin, ukulele, and most stringed instruments as well as guitar and bass lessons. Directions: Cambridge

Mr. Music Guitar Center    Long established music store with new and used electric and acoustic guitars, basses, vintage and collectible instruments, amps, keyboards and accessories. Directions: Allston

 

Specialty Music Stores in Boston

Flutistry    Musical instrument store offers comprehensive flute sales and repair. Provides expert advice specialized master classes, lessons and coaching in one-of-kind 1,600 square-foot space, complete with a 60-seat concert space. Directions: Back Bay near Symphony

Johnson String Instruments    Largest string instrument store in the Boston area offering violins, violas, cellos, bass and guitars. Performs expert instrument restorations and appraisals as well repairs, bow rehairing and repairing. Extensive rental program. Directions: Newton Lower Falls

Jovial Cellos    Musical Instrument store offering European top-notch cellos, violins, violas and bows. Founded by accomplished Romanian-born cellist Mihail Jojatu, he aims to bring the work of the best European luthiers from the past and present here to Boston. Directions: Back Bay

Maestro Woodwinds    Long established musical instrument store offering woodwind instruments such clarinets, oboes, flutes and saxophones. Clients include professional and amateur musicians from New England Conservatory, Berklee College of Music, Boston University, Longy School of Music, and many others. Directions: Newton Lower Falls and Show room in Back Bay across Symphonie

Music Emporium    Boston's premier guitar store, specializing in boutique and vintage acoustic & electric guitars, mandolins, banjos, and ukuleles. Established in 1968. Offers new and used instruments as well as expert repair and tuning. Directions: Lexington

New England Violins    Musical instrument store specializing in Violins, Violas and Cellos. Expert advice, repair and setup with large selection of fine and modern instruments to choose from. Provides on-site facilities to play and try out at your own time. Directions: Back Bay near Symphony

Virtuosity Musical Instruments    Musical Instrument store specializing in wind instruments such as brasswinds like trumpets, horns, trombones and woodwind instruments such as clarinets, flutes, oboes and much more. Expert staff offering advice, repair and tuneups. Directions: Back Bay near Symphony

 

Luthiers and Instrument Repair Shops in Boston

Broadway Strings    Luthier who builds, repairs and restores string instruments such as violins, violas, and cellos. Directions: Arlington

Stubblebine Lutherie    Luthier specialized in repair and restauration of vintage acoustic and electric guitars, mandolins and violin family. Directions: Somerville