5 Music Stores I Recommend for DJs, Producers & Musicians
Every musician/dj struggles to find the ideal music store to buy their music gear. I narrowed down the best places based on my peers and I experiences. Buying music gear is one of those things where experience matters. Whether you’re looking for a new DJ controller, mixer, microphone, studio monitors, headphones, speakers, keyboards, or recording equipment, I’ve learned that it pays to shop around before pulling out your credit card. Prices, financing, availability, shipping, and customer support can all be different from one retailer to another. Here are five music gear stores worth checking when you’re ready to upgrade your setup.
1. zZounds — Great for Payment Plan - If you like shopping online and want a huge selection of instruments, DJ equipment, recording gear, and accessories, zZounds is one store to have on your list. Their mailing address is 8 Thornton Road, Oakland, NJ 07436, and their customer service number is 800-996-8637. I like zZounds because the website makes it easy to compare equipment and check out different options before buying.
Website: www.zZounds.com
2. American Musical Supply (AMS) Great for Payment Plan — AMS is another major online destination for musicians, DJs, producers, and live performers. Their address is 8 Thornton Road, Oakland, NJ 07436, and the customer service number is 800-458-4076. AMS carries everything from DJ and live-sound equipment to guitars, drums, microphones, recording equipment, lighting, and keyboards. They also advertise financing options, free shipping on many orders, and access to gear experts.
Website: AmericanMusical.com.
3. Musician’s Friend Create Deals— Musician’s Friend has been serving musicians for more than 40 years and offers a massive selection of instruments, accessories, recording equipment, and performance gear. Their mailing address is PO Box 7479, Westlake Village, CA 91359, and their sales and service number is 800-449-9128. The company also offers Gear Advisers who can help shoppers with product questions.
Website: MusiciansFriend.com.
4. Alto Music — For musicians who like having the option of dealing with an established music retailer with physical locations as well as online shopping, Alto Music is worth checking out. Its Orange County store is located at 180 Carpenter Avenue, Middletown, NY 10940, with the phone number 845-692-6922. Alto Music carries a broad range of musical instruments, pro audio, DJ equipment, recording gear, and accessories.
Website: AltoMusic.com.
5. Sweetwater Great for Payment Plan — Sweetwater is one of the biggest names in online music equipment, particularly for musicians, producers, recording engineers, DJs, and studio owners who want access to product information and personalized assistance. Its retail location is 5501 US Hwy 30 W, Fort Wayne, IN 46818, and its main phone number is 800-222-4700. One of Sweetwater’s notable features is its Sales Engineer system, allowing customers to speak with a gear specialist when they need help choosing equipment. USE DISCOUNT CODE code FALL15
Website: Sweetwater.com.
Bonus
Guitar Center — If you’re looking to buy and sell music gear, Guitar Center is definitely worth checking out. They have locations across the U.S., making them convenient if you prefer walking into a store, trying equipment in person, or trading in gear you no longer use. You can find everything from DJ equipment and speakers to guitars, keyboards, microphones, recording equipment, and accessories. The one thing I’ve noticed is that their deals aren’t always the best compared with some online retailers, so it pays to compare prices before buying. However, if you have a Guitar Center near you, the convenience of being able to see the gear, test it, trade in your old equipment, and take something home the same day can make a big difference.
Website: GuitarCenter.com.
The next time you’re ready to buy music gear, don’t just search for the first product you see. Compare the same piece of equipment across several retailers, check availability, look at shipping and warranty information, and consider whether financing or customer support matters to you. For DJs and producers especially, the right gear can make a big difference in how efficiently you work. These five retailers—zZounds, American Musical Supply, Musician’s Friend, Alto Music, and Sweetwater—give you several places to start your search before making your next music gear purchase.
The Best Music Stores Near Me.
