Dusty Strings

I got a really nice 12-​string guitar for my birthday. Alas, it was almost work to play it. I took it in to DS and they assured me they could make it better. Man… did they ever. The playability was simply transformed and – I don’t know how it could but it did – the tone, sustain and «depth» of the guitar changed too. It is now the best sounding 12-​string I have ever heard. (Now if only I was a better player…) Anyway, I’ve been going in to Dustry Strings for years now and have never felt anything other than welcome. With this experience, I won’t dream of taking any of my other guitars to another shop. Couldn’t recommend them more highly.

I haven’t bought an instrument here, but the quality of the guitars for sale is clearly amazing and the variety of instruments is really impressive. Plus, there are a lot of locally made instruments that are unique and cool. The aspect of Dusty Strings I know better is the class offering. I’ve taken Irish music and the little group is so nice, helpful, fun and relaxed. It’s open to high and low levels and, as a weaker link, I feel welcomed without slowing down the class. When I’m ready to upgrade my banjo I will absolutely come here.

This is a great place to go if you are looking for a guitar or even lessons.

A friend of mine was having problems with the action on their guitar, so I made the adjustments myself. After getting things relatively dialed in, I took the guitar to Dusty Strings and asked them to take a look at it and give me feedback. Dan (the general manager, perhaps?) treated me so well. He enthusiastically answered all my questions, gave me feedback, and even took me into the luthier shop to talk with their veteran luthier. I left the store an hour and a half later, having only purchased a new set of strings, and they weren’t bothered by that at all. Dan even gave me some fine steel wool to polish the frets.
Also, I love seeing a music store that creates an inclusive and friendly environment for women, unlike so many guitar shops. I spoke with several female employees as well, and they know their shit. I couldn’t speak more highly of this shop!

One of the best guitar shops around — specializing in acoustics and folk instruments, but with a few boutique brands of electrics guitars, too. There is always a stock of Martins, Taylors, and Collings, and often several by custom makers — and they keep them in good shape. They also have a good selection of dulcimers, banjos, harps, etc. — even Wegen picks. They have a good repair department, and the people who work there are knowledgeable and helpful. Parking in the area can be tough, but walk a block or two, it’s a cool area.
I live just outside NYC, but I try to stop in and see what’s new every trip out to Seattle.

Dusty Strings was a really neat place. I’m sure if I actually played guitar that I would have been even more impressed, but alas, I can only play the clarinet. My boyfriend, on the other hand, does play guitar (and owns three or four), so he was super impressed by this place and wanted to go back after our first visit.
The door has a dulcimer chime that rings out upon entering — very nice touch. The way they have the guitars organized on the wall is so nice — it’s a very visually pleasing display and I was instantly drawn to it, even though I couldn’t tell you much of anything about guitars. John picked one out that he wanted to play and got right to it. They don’t care if you play anything in here and, from what I could tell, they even encourage you to do so. (They have acoustic rooms where you can privately play, if you want.)
While John fiddled around on the guitar, I wandered over to the dulcimers. I know I’ve heard of dulcimers, but I hadn’t really seen one and I wasn’t sure how they were played. A nice woman asked me if I needed help with anything or if I had any questions and I asked her about how dulcimers worked. She gave me a little mini lesson right there! She showed me how the instrument was played, how notes worked, how dulcimers don’t usually have as many notes as other instruments, so some of the half-​steps are missing, and other nifty little details. I thought that was super cool of her to give me a little breakdown of the instrument and she answered each one of my questions with ease. Now I have a working knowledge of the dulcimer and that’s pretty nifty!
John also learned a thing or two about guitars. Well, guitar manufacturers. Did you know that Collings guitars are made in Austin, TX? I didn’t! John played a beautiful Collings guitar and received a lot of information about the brand. (I don’t know how much he already knew, but I knew nothing, so I thought it was all neat information.) John also played an absolutely gorgeous Taylor guitar — I asked him to play it because I thought it was beautiful. He was impressed with the quality of both instruments and, if we weren’t traveling, I’m sure he would have purchased one.
Everyone we encountered here was very friendly and knowledgable. For those of you in the area, Dusty Strings also hosts several classes, so you can learn a new instrument or perfect your skill on an old one. There was a class being held when we visited and it was cool to get to listen in. I think that Dusty Strings is a very valuable resource for those who play the instruments they sell and the passion the employees have for each instrument is apparent. Now to check out Collings since it’s made in my neck of the woods.

My GF bought me a used banjo (I don’t play but I play a little guitar and mandolin… VERY LITTLE) and the thing would not hold a tune. I took it to a place in Everett, near my home, and they advised me to drive to Fremont and have them look at it.
Dan, the guy I spoke to, took it to the repair shop and had their technician look at it as he told me an interesting history of banjos in the United States, my brand in particular, and general stringed instrument theory. He was informed and not at all in «sales mode.»
While they were evaluating my repair, GF and I browsed the store and I handled several sexy instruments beyond my price range. A second employee answered some questions when Dan was busy.
Turns out my 1920-​something banjo was cost-​prohibitive for me to repair. Dan weighed the pro’s and con’s and did not pressure me. He went over prices of a few new banjos and just gave information; not a sales pitch.
I could tell he was passionate about stringed instruments and really enjoyed his job. He DID mention their many classes but only in passing. He did not push the point.
Based on this one visit I felt they were honest, string-​savvy, and generally concerned with customer service.
The only negative is that they do not have a parking lot and one must fight the Fremont parking squeeze to find a spot. That was the ONLY negative I found to balance out this review. They will absolutely be a resource in the future!

I live in Tacoma so I don’t get to Dusty Strings as often as I like. But when I do get there I’ll hang out for at Least a couple of hours. Best selection of High end Acoustic Guitars in the State. There was a Collings DS1 that was my Favorite. When it came time to make the Purchase/​Trade transaction was smooth and Low Pressure. The Staff, which are always knowledgeable, Friendly & Helpful, have always impressed me and when the time came to make the purchase I was even more impressed. Thanks Dan & The rest of the Crew at Dusty Strings you’ve got a Happy customer and Collings owner here!

I love Dusty Strings! Today I picked up my banjo from the shop after installation of railroad spikes. They did an awesome job. Watch out world, this banjo can play in just a few more keys!
I also needed some help learning how to change my banjo strings, which they say helps to keep the thing in tune (not that we’ll every know). Morgan spent 30 mins with me giving an awesome impromptu tutorial. For the first time in my life, I didn’t draw blood while changing any strings!
Thanks you guys!

These folks are a joy!
I bought a guitar on layaway and was treated wonderfully all along the way.
Nice selection of real guitars, not just the stellar brands.
Nice staff, nice atmosphere…

First of all, Dusty Strings has one of the most amazing selections of some of the most beautiful (mostly) acoustic instruments of any store I’ve visited.
Add to that the fact that all of the guitars hanging on the wall have been set up and are kept in tune (unlike most other retailers) and the amazingly friendly, helpful and knowledgable staff and you’ve got a serious winner.
On many occasions I have walked in just to browse and I have never been made to feel uncomfortable or needlessly pressured by overly pushy sales people.
Most recently I took my Ibanez acoustic in to have the action adjusted. It’s a lower end guitar and not worth the cost of any major repairs so they just adjusted the truss and checked a couple other things to get it back to decent playing form. All for no charge at all.
When finances finally allow, this is DEFINITELY where I’ll be purchasing my first Taylor and maybe a Seagull or Art & Lutherie before then.

Dusty Strings is all about Dusty Strings and not about the customer. I made a purchase/​trade deal with them over the phone only to find out after driving 200 miles that there was no deal at all. I left the place $ 800 more poor than I thought that I was when I entered. Normally, no big deal but I expected some flexibility given thatI spent $ 8,000 at the place within the last 12 months. My recent experience was my last as a return customer.

I’m not sure why people say this place is hard to find? Its right there on Fremont Ave, you walk in, go down the stairs and voila — its right there. I went in to get a strap button put on and a truss adjustment for my Martin. Staff was very nice, took care of it while I waited, which was quick! I wish I would have known about this store when I bought my Martin, they have good selection. Will definitely go back.

Without any musical experience I wanted to learn how to play the ukulele. I signed up for lessons with Steve Einhorn and I have had 3 great lessons. Steve has been a great instructor, honoring my personal style. The shop has comfortable and private space for lessons. I’m still going to lessons once a week!

When it comes to acoustic instruments, I don’t go anywhere else for repairs or purchases. I trust them 100% with all my instruments.

My husband was looking for his first guitar with no experience or knowledge in guitar/​string instruments. We walked in with a million questions and walked out with a million + one answered. The staff members here are passionate about music and instruments, not about selling you their latest and greatest products.
After chatting with someone for about 15 minutes, he took all the guitars we were looking at, set up a nice sound-​proof room for us to test out the Seagull, Martin, and Taylor. Not once did he bother us or try to sell a certain one to us. I love that!
Their instruments are high quality, they have a wide selection of the best brands.
Although we didn’t purchase our guitar there because of the higher-​than-​others pricing–
We did walk out of there enlightened and very happy.

I Like Dusty Strings alot. I like that:
— it’s in a hidden basement space with high ceilings
–it has plenty of practice rooms that let you try out he instruments in a quiet, private space
–the staff is hands off but there if you have questions
–they have a great selection of every kind of instrument: Martin, Taylor, Collins, G&K, Harps, Banjos, percussion, Uke’s.
–I like the dulcimer that strums as you walk in the door
–I like that the salespeople are very knowledgeable and play themselves
–The repair shop is excellent, I had my Taylor set up there and they only charged me for the strings because they said «they had never seen a guitar like mine before and it was a pleasure to work on”-thanks!
Any musician worth their salt should check out Dusty Strings and I’ll see you there.

Went here for new fiddle strings and found exactly what I was looking for, though there were few (very few) options.
From what I could tell there were a great number of guitars, banjos, mandolins, hammer dulcimers available and the place had a really good vibe. The cashier handed me a flier and invited me to join them for a bluegrass jam session later this month since I’m new in town from Missouri, where that style of music is a little easier to come by ;-)
All in all, great place. Will definitely go back and recommend friends looking for guitar-​related items.

I have been getting my acoustic instrument geek out on at Dusty Strings for years now. Whether I am shopping for a new guitar or mandolin or just stopping in to drool near the wonderful selection of handmade instruments or the CDs and music books; the staff has always been warm, welcoming, and knowledgeable. Most of them have a pretty easy sense of humor as well which always makes a visit to the store fun.
On my most recent visit I was making my way down the stairs not knowing that they were about to close. A member of the Dusty Strings staff was just heading out to lock up. He was kind enough to let me in despite the fact that it was essentially closing time. As a result, I decided to purchase my first ukulele! The folks closing up didn’t rush me a bit and were kind enough to answer my questions. This kind of service will keep me a loyal and happy customer long into the future!
Dusty Strings is a great spot for veteran pickers as well as first timers looking to launch their journey into music! See you there!

This place makes me want to learn how to play lots of fun instruments.
Awesome stocking stuffers.
Friendly staff.
COOL HARPS!