Long & McQuade

I love strolling through Long & McQuade to feast my eyes upon everything I would love to purchase. They have a wide variety of everything you need. Smaller components tend to be quite expensive and it can be a little hard getting ahold of a staff member to help you out. However, the staff is always pretty friendly & helpful.

They knowingly sell Ukulele’s that cannot be tuned. They don’t have slightly weak intonation: they are a full half-​note out of tune by about the third or fourth fret.
And then: if you try to review the instrument on their website, the review never comes up. I tried to leave a review here weeks ago:
Denver Ukulele’s are fraudulent. Go elsewhere and find Mahalo or another brand that actually works. Shame on Long & McQuade.

Very knowledgeable staff, passionate about music, I don’t feel rushed while asking questions trying to figure out what the best gear suits my gig.
Well done guys!

L&M would get five stars if they had consistent service. The dudes in the financing department are awesome. Some of the guys who work in the guitar department, in particular a shorter male individual who I’ll avoid naming, don’t offer any customer service or even provide a welcoming environment, which sucks since I’ve spent thousands of dollars here over the past couple years alone.

This place is how a business should be run. So whatever is being done here… KEEP DOING IT. The staff is incredible. Every. Single. Time. Professional, courteous, helpful and kind. I almost always have a question or two when I go in and I know that the L&MQ staff will be there to shepherd me through. Could not recommend more highly. Cheers folks!

I inherited a beat up old guitar and brought it in to have new strings put on. I was interested in learning how to play it. The staff wouldn’t touch it. They sold me some strings but said that since the guitar is worthless they wouldn’t put them on it? I wanted to get some beginner guitar books as well, but since they didn’t seem interested in helping me I guess I’ll just buy them online. I left the store regretting I went inside.

AWESOME and caring staffs!
DON’T GO to Tommy Lee on Granville St.
Bad, bad, bad, customer service over there…
I was looking for a nice tweed guitar case for a love one.
The one I was looking for was not available in store…
No problem!
The guy ordered-​it online for me.
They keep me posted via email (it was a lil delay).
And they gave me a call at the second my ordered was arrived in store.
Priceless!
It was a Christmas present so much appreciated.
Will come back over and over.

If it wasn’t highly inappropriate, I would go in here and jump hug all the staff. Enthusiastically. Maybe bring beer, so we could sit around, have a pint and talk about how awesome they are.
It’s been a year since my last review, and the rental crew here has saved my butt so many times i’ve lost count. They are always insanely cheerful, endlessly patient and don’t make me feel like a total doodle when I have no idea what i’m talking about.
This past week, I threw a giant flash mob and ventured in here not once, but FOUR times in two days needing various bits and bobs, and the whole shebang cost me less than $ 100. They saved the equipment overnight when I miscalculated driving times & didn’t make it back from dinner in time to pick up and took my word for it when I said I left a mic stand I paid for at their shop (which I did, for the record).
Hand them capes folks, because they remain and forever shall be my event Superheroes.
Thanks for being aces gents! Until the next disaster!

With the demise of Ward Music (*sniff*), Long & McQuade is the new juggernaut in town.
Parking is available in the back, though there aren’t quite enough spots for the size of the store.
If you’re a musician, the clouds will part and a rainbow will appear as you walk into the store. Try not to get blinded by the heavenly glow.
The bottom floor is mostly guitars and related equipment (amps, cables etc), as well as percussion. Upstairs you will find pianos and all other classical instruments (strings, woodwinds, brass).
I was only there for a few random bits, but the staff were quite knowledgeable. Prices are mostly quite reasonable too.

Pros: Cleanliness, Selection, Top Floor
–Easy-​to-​navigate Layout, Clean areas
–Have, arguably, the best selection of musical goods in the GVA
–Top Floor (i.e. String Department) is mostly (With exception to 1 – 2 disgruntled employees) efficient and friendly, with a decent array of supplies.
Cons: Bottom Floor, Price
–Almost the entire staff of the Bottom Floor is incredibly rude and ineffective (Direct Translation: Not helpful)
–A little pricey, when you compare to other Music Stores across North America
Note: Staff (Bottom Floor)
–A former L&M Employee mentioned to me that most of the staff, on the bottom floor, are notorious for being the bottom feeders on the employee totem pole
–Apparently, the bottom floor has developed a reputation for being consistently (Repeat: Consistently) condescending and non-​effective
–Anytime that I’ve had to deal with the individuals, below, this has proven to be true, as they are not friendly, will outright ignore you and make personal phone calls, while staring at their computer screens (i.e. *Covers eyes* «If I don’t see you, then you don’t exist…»)
–Bottom Floor Definition of Customer Service: «You’re the customer. You’re supposed to serve me. That’s what the word says, «Cuss-​toe-​mur-​Sir-​viss. Now, where’s my latte!?» (*Employee goes back to personal phone call to complain about the gig that they should’ve gotten, but fails to realize that they weren’t hired, due to unprofessional disposition*)
–Top Floor is awesome. Love those guys. Bottom Floor… not so much. (Or at all…)
–If you’re on the Top Floor, ask for Colin. Colin is The Man. He deserves a raise.
Overall: All in all, this is the place to go, in Vancouver, for your music needs. On the top floor, you’ll find what you need, fairly easily and obtain it, with little to no stress. On the bottom floor, you’ll have the wonderful opportunity to increase your patience, learn to effectively deal with difficult people, and discover the true meaning of an Exercise-​in-​Futility. Happy Shopping!

Best music store ever! Amazing staff who will answer any question you have and great prices! Location is ideal and this is the best place in town for music equipment. The rental department is very well organized and runs smooth. The prices for rentals are super decent so if you need gear or lights or anything just for a weekend or gig these are the guys! They have sales almost constantly and sometimes slightly used gear is unbelievably cheap! Once someone was late returning the equipment they got and we were supposed to be getting it next and the guys literally just opened brand new equipment for us as they understood the bind we were in. Helped load the van and we were on our way!

Long and Mcquade is arguably the second biggest musical store in town. They have a large selection of all instruments and a very approachable team of staff members who seem more like traveling musicians that all just happened to be in the same store at the same time. This is a fun place just to visit on it’s own.
The fun part of Long and Mcquade is that that storefront is really colorful and energetic. You won’t get bogged down by price tags and fancy musical instruments like what you might face when walking into a Tom Lee; and that’s what makes everything great about this place. Flashy colors, warm lighting, friendly faces walking around just playing instruments as they please. This is what a music store is supposed to look like.
To be fair, I’m not much of a musician, nor am I musically talented in anyway. I was simply there to pick up a couple guitar picks since I’m trying to self learn, but this place helped me find everything I need to motivate myself to continue practicing. Props.

I have been shopping at various Long & Mcquade locations for some time. I’ve watched them, in the past decade, slowly but surely corner the market, taking over other smaller music instrument retailers. Didn’t think it was so bad at first as i had usually had good experiences. But with the the last experience i had i’m ready to call it what it is. Its an unresponsive, uncaring monster of a business. And that has an upside and a downside. Upside is that they can out compete most other shops for price and selection. Downside is the service seriously suffers.
In the showroom they go through all the motions. They have the requisite fake smiles, but when it comes down to really dealing with customer concerns there seems to be an understanding in most (not all) of the sales reps that they don’t really have to address your concerns because for many products they are now the sole providers.
Anyways, it will be difficult on my pocket book, but i am now going to shop elsewhere, and i hope more people do the same.

This is my favourite music shop in Vancouver and Lower Mainland. So clean, big and extensive selection! Also it’s just good place to chill and browse through all things musical!
Large guitar selection, both acoustic (upstairs) and electric (downstairs), they also have drums, pianos and tons of band instruments. To top it off you have all the AVs and music you could ask for. Any price range, any make or model they have or can get for you. Also have used options which are dirt cheap (but might not be functional).
People here are exceptional, they let you try products, help you find whatever it is that you need and will go the extra mile. Everyone is extremely approachable and helpful so don’t be afraid to ask!

Located right off the Main st skytrain station and Terminal ave, the Long and Mcquade building is a giant warehouse of musical tools and talents. Their staff are highly educated about music creation and production, and versed in even the most diverse of instruments or recording situations. And the deals on some of their products are amazing!
They’ve helped me out with advice on how to kill sound in a tiny basement rehearsal space, how to choose a good microphone, what makes a good pair of sticks, and what to use to keep your guitar in tune. Their staff are all really in to gear and have the imagination to make any situation work out how you want it to, and don’t even insist you buy everything in their store — there’s a reason that musicians are stereotypically broke, and it’s not this place!
I wish they had better specials like Tom Lee, but generally I will choose L&M despite Tom Lee’s longer hours. Afterall, if not for the staff, every music store is pretty much the same!

Any musician or aspiring musician should visit this Long & McQuade location; I’m serious!
Under this roof is two floors packed with instruments (from string to brass, woodwins to percussion), sheet music, complete scores, and even classrooms for lessons! The moment I stepped foot through those doors, I was entranced. I’ll even admit that my inner rockstar almost emerged to a point where I was tempted to buy a new guitar.
What makes this place thrive is the selection of instruments and the knowledgeable staff members. They often busy with inventory or tuning an instrument, but with a quick gesture of attention, they’ll be able to help and answer all your music-​related questions.
I love this place and can’t wait to return! Rock out!

Such a great music store!
For a cousins birthday present (she’s really into Taylor Swift) we wanted to get her the songbook/​sheet music for some Taylor Swift songs. She pointed out a few books she had her eye on and gave me an idea of the level of piano she’s at.
Went to Tom Lee first, couldn’t find the book I was looking for. Next to this store, and we shouldve gone here first! So. Much. Sheet Music.
I had some trouble finding where the Taylor Swift stuff was, so I asked one of the clerks. Very friendly! She pointed me to some different Talor Swift books. She asked me some questions about what I was looking for (easy Taylor Swift sheet music). She brought me some really easy stuff, and also pointed me in the direction of something more advanced. Really big help!
They did not have the specific book I wanted in stock, so the clerk went to see if it was In the back room. Turns out it was, and she rang my purchase up straightaway.
Price was a little expensive (could get it cheaper somewhere else) but overall great experience.

This place is music to everyones ears, if your making music they have it all here, huge successful rental section for bands and shows, studio speaker room, lots of instruments for sale including vintage stuff, DJ mixing section gear & set up, full on lessons available. Great location. They are priced a bit higher than most but its a one stop shop.

Long and McQuade has always treated me with great attention and respect for my needs in musical gear and given me many opportunities to check out new musical gear. They are very ready to help out and the staff are great! I would highly recommend them to all musicians – amateur or Pro.

But I’m just here for the speakers…
I like this location. It sits on it’s own solitary one-​block of land. Because it’s not in Downtown Vancouver, parking is not a problem and FREE.
The building is big, multi-​level and has an expansive line of musical instruments and recording gear.
They are major dealers so you’re most likely to find it here at expected Vancouver MSRP prices. Keep an eye out for open-​box items which vary from store to store.
Service is a hit and miss. Like any location where «artists» are employed in their own field, they have their own opinion and some can be snobby if you don’t make them feel you are really, REALLY interested in making a purchase (Like, don’t waste my time, dude! I’m composing something in my head. :P)
If you find someone who attends to you then it would be adviseable to stick to that person whenever you come back.
Honestly speaking, I’ve had the greatest service over at Tom Lee Music Store along Granville. The guys over there friendlier and are cool to chat with (although I told one to call me when the speakers came in, he didn’t. That’s how I ended up buying it instead at Long & McQuade and discovering this location).
If you end up at Long & McQuade, you’ll be awed by the amount of gear they have in a relatively high-​ceiling environment. You’ll most likely be bringing a car to load all that heavy stuff you just bought which won’t be a problem loading in their own private lot.
Musical lessons? Sure. Skytrain and a few walking blocks won’t hurt for that artist in you.
Otherwise, Tom Lee at Granville is your other option.