Musical instrument store · Pomona, CA · reviewed since 2010
iHow the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 64%73+46.4Reliability 28%72+20.3Replies to reviews 8%4+0.3Momentum penalty82−1.8Experts Score= 65Not enough data for value; its weight is shared by the others.Grade B: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.65SCORE
BGradeiLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#134 of 151 music lessonsiPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 11%
4.8★★★★★243 Google reviews · 24 photos
86%five-star reviews
4.64★last 12 monthsiAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
5.9%1–2★ in 2 yearsiShare of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
Google reviewers rate the Folk Music Center 4.8 out of 5 based on 243 reviews, frequently praising its diverse inventory of global instruments, knowledgeable staff, and welcoming atmosphere. Customers often highlight fair pricing, instrument repairs, music lessons, and community events like open mic nights as key services. However, several low-star reviews criticize specific staff interactions as rude or dismissive, while others report dissatisfaction with repair outcomes and a lack of communication regarding sales quotes.
Google rating: 4.8 out of 5 from 243 reviews (86% five-star).
Reviews on this page: 243 Google reviews (148 with written comments, 18 with photos).
Owner responses: the business replied to 0% of reviews.
Most recent review: October 15, 2026.
Service: Music Lesson serving Pomona, California.
Data from Google, last updated November 1, 2026.
Score profile vs other music lessons
Score per factor (100 = best)iEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (star average, share of 1–2★ reviews, price verdicts…); standing within the category can only raise it, never lower it.. Strongest: momentum and satisfaction; weakest: replies to reviews.
Folk Music CenterMusic Lessons median0 = centre, 100 = best
SatisfactioniSatisfaction · 54% of the scoreRecency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Folk Music Center: 73/100 on this factor. Category median: 92.B
73
ReliabilityiReliability · 24% of the scoreHow rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Folk Music Center: 72/100 on this factor. Category median: 93.B
72
Craft & serviceiCraft & service · penalty only, up to −10 pointsGoogle review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 100.–
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ValueiValue · 14% of the scoreCustomers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 91.–
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MomentumiMomentum · penalty only, up to −10 pointsPenalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Folk Music Center: 82/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
82
Replies to reviewsiReplies to reviews · 7% of the scoreHow often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Folk Music Center: 4/100 on this factor. Category median: 47.F
4
Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.
Star ratings
243 Google reviews we collected
4.8of 5
5 stars20886%
4 stars239%
3 stars52%
2 stars21%
1 star52%
Praise vs complaints
Phrases our text analysis found in 148 written reviews
94%praise
Praise7994%
Complaints56%
Topic share
How often each topic comes up in the written reviews
7topics
Staff & attitude4958%
Price & value1113%
Would recommend911%
Quality & results67%
Speed & response45%
Honesty & trust45%
Communication11%
What customers talk about
We read 148 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“Fairly priced, incredible selection of diverse acoustic instruments from all over the world, and the owner and the staff are all so warm and friendly.”
“He fixed everything for an exceptionally reasonable price.”
“RIPPED OFF!”
“This place is amazing and I would highly recommend it.”
“As a hanpdan/ percussionist player, this shop is top notch!”
“…really impressed with his depth of knowledge on banjo setup, and how quickly he was able to diagnose the issues with my banjo.…”
“There’s an honesty here that’s rare, where craftsmanship, curiosity, and respect coexist naturally.”
“Once Henry had gotten to work on my banjo, we had another phone conversation where he explained everything that he'd been able to do.”
People customers mention
Claremont12 reviews
Harper8 reviews
Village4 reviews
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
Recent reviews
MMcKoy1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 weeks ago★★★★★
Wish I could leave a 6 star rating! A friend gave me an erhu, and I took it here to have it restrung. The luthier accidentally broke off part of the head (due to poor instrument condition, it had been left in storage for a few years), and so he repaired the head, restrung it, fixed the pegs, and polished it, all at…
SStacyLocal Guide · 20 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a month ago★★★★★
I've come here for about 23 years and love this place so much. Its long and interesting history and welcoming atmosphere is so great.
TTeriLocal Guide · 5 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 months ago★★★★★
Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Amazing variety of instruments from the ridiculous to the sublime. And it's in the Claremont Village area with great restaurants and shops. Wish I lived closer.
DDive7 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 3 months ago★★★★★
Un lieu merveilleux ! Nous avons été accueillis et conseillés avec beaucoup de gentillesse. Thank you !
NNoeLocal Guide · 27 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 4 months ago★★★★★
An amazing place with plenty of different instruments. Very kind and knowledgeable staff!
JJosh1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 7 months ago★★★★★
A true gem. Fairly priced, incredible selection of diverse acoustic instruments from all over the world, and the owner and the staff are all so warm and friendly. Couldn’t recommend this place more, it’s like Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory for musicians.
Wish I could leave a 6 star rating! A friend gave me an erhu, and I took it here to have it restrung. The luthier accidentally broke off part of the head (due to poor instrument condition, it had been left in storage for a few years), and so he repaired the head, restrung it, fixed the pegs, and polished it, all at no charge! This place is amazing and I would highly recommend it.
C
Charles Wear8 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Charles has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Amazing variety of instruments from the ridiculous to the sublime. And it's in the Claremont Village area with great restaurants and shops. Wish I lived closer.
D
Dive Bacbuc7 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Dive has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
A true gem. Fairly priced, incredible selection of diverse acoustic instruments from all over the world, and the owner and the staff are all so warm and friendly. Couldn’t recommend this place more, it’s like Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory for musicians.
D
David Moses HaimovichLocal Guide · 35 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews David has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
One of the most unique music stores in LA county. Phenomenal selection of instruments from around the world. Very friendly and knowledgeable staff. They allowed me to play their dulcimers despite having no real ability to play them.
