Boston's Best Music Shops

Many retail music shops in Boston carry sheet music, CDs and other small but necessary music-related accessories. Then there are some specialty music shops in and around the city that cater to musicians, novice and experienced, who are looking to buy or rent a musical instrument or equipment. These are the musicians who are looking for a stronger commitment in their music purchase. Some musicians are also in search of professional musical instrument lessons. Boston music shops are diverse enough to fulfill everyone's needs in instruments, accessories and lessons, whether for purchase or rental.

South Shore Music/DiCenso's Drum Shop
13 Washington St. 
Weymouth, MA 02188
(781) 331-3333
www.southshoremusic.com

South Shore Music started as a small music lesson studio in 1968. As time passed, it was evident that the studio's students needed a retail resource for musical instruments and accessories. South Shore Music added a retail component to answer this need. In 2005, DiCenso's Drum Shop, which offers drum lessons, equipment and service, was added to the store's repertoire. This combined retail establishment, in which South Shore Music and DiCenso's Drum Shop sit side-by-side, offers competitive prices and excellent service for all things related to music.

Mr. Music
128 Harvard Ave.
Allston, MA 02134
(617) 783-1609
www.mrmusicguitars.com

Mr. Music opened in 1973 as a small, local retail music shop. It has since evolved into a haven for new and used guitars, both acoustic and electric, basses and vintage and collectible instruments. Mr. Music also has a wide collection of amps and accessories from which to choose. The store's website has attracted customers from outside the Boston area, especially for their wide selection of guitars.

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Rayburn Music is a full service shop in the heart of the city. It is located near the famous Symphony Hall, the home of the Boston Symphony and the Boston Pops. Rayburn Music specializes in symphony instruments; woodwinds, brass, guitars, basses, harmonicas, percussion instruments and keyboards are available in this retail shop. Rayburn Music sells, rents and repairs all types of musical instruments. They also have some hard to find and previously owned instruments for sale.

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Scituate Music Company is located in a quaint, suburban seaside town just south of Boston. The knowledgeable staff guides the consumer to the best product choice to fit his or her needs and budget. Scituate Music Company houses over 800 guitars, basses, banjos and mandolins on site. The owner also offers lessons, including drums, and repairs, as well as the retail component.

Piano Mill
295 Centre Ave. (Rte. 123)
Rockland, MA 02370
(781) 982-8880
www.pianomill.com

The Piano Mill is a family-owned and operated business. They sell every size and type of piano from entry level to concert quality. There are also used, vintage and restored Steinway grand pianos available. A rent-to-own program is available for those who are not yet ready to make a purchase commitment. Mr. Music also offers full piano restoration services, including piano moving and tuning, as well as music lessons. Piano rental is an option. The over-the-top choice is a 9-foot Liberace Baldwin SD10 bejeweled piano direct from the Liberace Museum. The rental price for this piano includes round-trip delivery and tuning.