Musical instrument store · Urbana, OH · reviewed since 2012
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%64+40.7Reliability 28%77+21.7Replies to reviews 8%24+2Momentum penalty53−4.7Experts Score= 60Not 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.60SCORE
BGradeiLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#45 of 51 musiciansiPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 12%
4.7★★★★★51 Google reviews · 9 photos
78%five-star reviews
3.50★last 12 monthsiAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
5%1–2★, last 20 reviewsiShare 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 Hometown Music 4.7 out of 5 based on 51 reviews, with the owner responding to only 4 percent of them. Customers frequently describe the staff as friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful, while noting the store offers a wide selection of instruments, accessories, and music lessons. Recurring themes include convenient local access and satisfactory repair services. However, some lower-rated reviews criticize pricing and billing practices, specifically mentioning unexpected debit fees and a lack of proactive adjustments for new purchases.
Google rating: 4.7 out of 5 from 51 reviews (78% five-star).
Reviews on this page: 51 Google reviews (36 with written comments, 1 with photos).
Owner responses: the business replied to 4% of reviews.
Most recent review: June 27, 2026.
Service: Musician serving Urbana, Ohio.
Data from Google, last updated November 3, 2026.
Score profile vs other musicians
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: reliability and satisfaction; weakest: replies to reviews.
Hometown MusicMusicians 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.Hometown Music: 64/100 on this factor. Category median: 85.B
64
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.Hometown Music: 77/100 on this factor. Category median: 81.B
77
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: 93.–
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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.Hometown Music: 53/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.C
53
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.Hometown Music: 24/100 on this factor. Category median: 42.D
24
Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.
Star ratings
51 Google reviews we collected
4.7of 5
5 stars4078%
4 stars612%
3 stars48%
2 stars12%
1 star00%
Praise vs complaints
Phrases our text analysis found in 36 written reviews
97%praise
Praise2997%
Complaints13%
Topic share
How often each topic comes up in the written reviews
4topics
Staff & attitude2273%
Price & value310%
Would recommend310%
Quality & results27%
What customers talk about
We read 36 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“Amazing place helped me sell some musical instruments fair knowledgeable great people .”
“Extremely friendly and prices and equipment is top notch!”
“I really like this place nice music store I highly recommend it”
“Nice variety and great service”
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
Recent reviews
BBillyLocal Guide · 163 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. · 7 months ago★★
I recently purchased a used guitar at hometown music and I used a gift card I received for Christmas and I used cash to cover the rest of the purchase and I thought that what I paid was a bit high but I didn't think about it long because I was excited about my new to me guitar. I was cleaning out my wallet and found…
EEricaLocal Guide · 82 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 years ago★★★★★
I love having a locally-owned music store so close! They were able to send my daughter's trumpet out for repairs last year, and it came back looking brand-new! We also love that they offer music lessons, my daughter currently takes guitar lessons once a week here! Friendly and helpful staff!
LLauraLocal Guide · 51 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 years ago★★★★★
Amazing place helped me sell some musical instruments fair knowledgeable great people .......would highly recommend..
GGloriaLocal Guide · 80 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 years ago★★★★★
Very helpful and nice selection of instruments/ accessories. They offer one-on-one classes and our teacher is great (and very patient).
VVincentLocal Guide · 58 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 years ago★★★★★
Absolutely and undoubtedly amazing quality of work on my fender Frankenstein I had work done on here! Thanks so much for your work
#LittWonOH1
PPerryLocal Guide · 55 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. · Edited 6 years ago★★★
Great music store. I was treated just like a friend not just a customer. Then I had my 12 string set up and new strings. They were going to charge me for a restring. I asked why I was charged for a job he was going to do anyway. She took the charge off.
I recently purchased a used guitar at hometown music and I used a gift card I received for Christmas and I used cash to cover the rest of the purchase and I thought that what I paid was a bit high but I didn't think about it long because I was excited about my new to me guitar. I was cleaning out my wallet and found the receipt and looked at it and I seen i was charged a debit fee for using a prepaid gift card and cash I noticed that once I showed the lady I was using a gift card her mood kind of changed and she didn't seem so excited to sell me the guitar it's not a lot of money but I don't think that it's right and I won't spend anymore money there
Response from the owner · 7 months ago
Sorry about that! I didn’t realize it, if you’d come in I’ll refund you the $8.10.
K
Kyle HeffnerLocal Guide · 20 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Kyle has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Christopher HenryLocal Guide · 115 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Christopher has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
I love having a locally-owned music store so close! They were able to send my daughter's trumpet out for repairs last year, and it came back looking brand-new! We also love that they offer music lessons, my daughter currently takes guitar lessons once a week here! Friendly and helpful staff!
A
Austin CarpenterLocal Guide · 52 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Austin has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
