Musical instrument store · Buffalo, NY · reviewed since 2021
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 69%92+63.7Reliability 31%89+27.4Experts Score= 91Not enough data for value, replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.91SCORE
AGradeiLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#87 of 187 music lessonsiPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 54%
4.9★★★★★93 Google reviews · 24 photos
98%five-star reviews
4.88★last 12 monthsiAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
2%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.
Customers frequently praise the store's knowledgeable staff for providing patient, low-pressure assistance with instrument selection, rentals, and lessons. Recurring themes highlight competitive pricing compared to national chains, quick turnaround for repairs, and a family-oriented atmosphere that supports beginner development. One criticism involves an online order cancellation where the seller disputed the listed price and sent persistent follow-up messages, contrasting with the generally positive in-person experiences.
Google rating: 4.9 out of 5 from 93 reviews (98% five-star).
Reviews on this page: 93 Google reviews (88 with written comments, 6 with photos).
Owner responses: the business replied to 81% of reviews.
Most recent review: November 3, 2026.
Service: Music Lesson serving Buffalo, New York.
Data from Google, last updated November 13, 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: reliability.
Music Lovers ShoppeMusic 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.Music Lovers Shoppe: 92/100 on this factor. Category median: 92.A
92
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.Music Lovers Shoppe: 89/100 on this factor. Category median: 92.A
89
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: 92.–
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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.Music Lovers Shoppe: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
100
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.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 46.–
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Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.
Star ratings
93 Google reviews we collected
4.9of 5
5 stars9198%
4 stars11%
3 stars00%
2 stars00%
1 star11%
Praise vs complaints
Phrases our text analysis found in 88 written reviews
99%praise
Praise12799%
Complaints11%
Topic share
How often each topic comes up in the written reviews
7topics
Staff & attitude5039%
Price & value1915%
Would recommend1915%
Quality & results129%
Speed & response129%
Communication86%
Honesty & trust86%
What customers talk about
We read 88 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“Very helpful staff, willing to work with customers and great selections.”
“Even when she had an accident with it, Jimmie gave me a reasonable price for it to get fixed.”
“No pressure to purchase and would recommend to anyone looking for repairs or a new instrument”
“The woman working was really nice and offered great service.”
“The work is quick quality and I don't have to deal with Guitar Center EVER again.”
“He explained everything to us, showed us how to work our sax, how to care for it, and included my 9 year old son (who will be playing it) on the entire process.”
“He is patient, professional and you can tell that he genuinely cares about his customers.”
People customers mention
Jimmie19 reviews
Jimmy14 reviews
Rochester5 reviews
Blvd3 reviews
Eastman3 reviews
Greg3 reviews
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
Recent reviews
Nathan11 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 weeks ago★★★★★
Amazing service. Gave us plenty of options for my kid’s flute and recommendations based on experience and a desire to help. No pressure to purchase and would recommend to anyone looking for repairs or a new instrument
Nathan5 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 weeks ago★★★★★
Great shop, especially for rentals. Jimmy was able to help me find some difficult to find gear. Highly recommend!
Kay2 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★★★★★
Great customer service. Helped me pick out a starter guitar, made sure it was tuned and that I was all set to start learning!
Melissa11 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★★★★★
Jimmie is the best! So helpful & friendly. Rented 2 instruments and it was quick & painless. Would definitely recommend!
Matthew8 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★★★★★
What an experience we had last minute with Jimmy. Talk about customer service. What an asset he is to Music Lovers! Thank you Jimmy for taken care of us last minute!
Raymond1 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 months ago★★★★★
Been taking lessons for almost two years. Absolutely love learning with JJ. He is patient and knowledgeable. Highly recommend Music Lovers Shoppe.
Bought a guitar on Reverb for $250 plus shipping. They cancelled the order and said "Sorry, this was supposed to be listed for $350." I look at the new listing. It's listed for $399. That's called LYING.
EDIT: The business sent me a long string of psychotic messages overnight and this morning. First, they said it was supposed to be for sale for $350. Then, they "offered" it to me for $350. Overnight. By the time I saw the string of messages this morning, it was listed for $399. Then, when I said I was going to leave a bad review, they said they had pulled the listing because it sold privately. The listing was still up. Without me replying to this string of messages, they then switched to emotional manipulation for holding them accountable for their phony reasons for cancellation.
Just be honest and say, "Oops, we didn't realize you'd buy it quickly. Must be its worth more, so we're going to rescind the sale because we want more now." At least you save face.
Response from the owner · a week ago
Mike. We apologize for your experience online. Our team offered you 350.00. We always honor what we offer our customers. We are not in the business to deceive or mislead.
Nathan Bozman11 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Nathan has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Amazing service. Gave us plenty of options for my kid’s flute and recommendations based on experience and a desire to help. No pressure to purchase and would recommend to anyone looking for repairs or a new instrument
Response from the owner · 3 weeks ago
Nathan. Thank You so much for the positive review. It was our pleasure to accomidate your family. Looking forward to doing business w/ You!
Nathan Miller5 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Nathan has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
What an experience we had last minute with Jimmy. Talk about customer service. What an asset he is to Music Lovers! Thank you Jimmy for taken care of us last minute!
Response from the owner · a month ago
Thank You so much for the Positive Feedback. You are Most Welcome?
Raymond Ramirez1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews Raymond has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Yes! Just go. I did all of the research for you. The prices are the best in the area and the customer service is absolutely outstanding. We worked with Jimmie who has been in the business for a long time and leads with his passion for music and creating new musicians. He explained everything to us, showed us how to work our sax, how to care for it, and included my 9 year old son (who will be playing it) on the entire process. I left feeling comfortable in our decision to rent from Music Lovers Shoppe.
XMX9895 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews XMX989 has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Jimmy and the staff at music lovers in Rochester ny are always supportive. It’s great to see they offer the store as a place to play live music! The buffalo store is just as good!
