The Music Playce

I took in a new guitar I had purchased on line, that my experienced guitar playing friend had told me was not holding a g string in tune and recommended I return it. The tech there looked at it and said for the price of a tune up and some new strings my guitar would do me just fine. The estimate was about 60ish dollars, if I were to mail the guitar back, the cost would probably be 30 with insurance. I decided to have the work done, but the strings he recommended for beginners would not be in till the next week, he recommended I take it home and practice with the it the way it was till the strings came in. He could have very well told me my guitar was junk and sold me one of their guitars, but he didn’t! My respect and gratitude will be undying to the music playce! It is refreshing to see an honest business still exists!

I started going to the Music Playce in 2003 for guitar lessons with the incomparable Mr. Gary Stewart at a young 13 years of age. I must say, as a quiet preteen girl, I could have felt very uncomfortable in what could’ve easily been a «boy’s club». However, the Music Playce has always been encouraging and supportive of all players, no matter your age, gender, or ability level. This and it’s Ubiquitous Music initiative set Music Playce well above any other shop. Now 24 with a Bachelors of Music in hand, this will always be my go to spot for every guitar need.
The guys and gals who’ve worked here through the years have always been friendly, professional, and quick to share their expertise, especially with young, impressionable teenagers. I have seen many a young person (myself included) enter the music playce with a timid interest for music and leave a confident and well prepared musician.
I also want to commend Sam Roberson on continuing Jack Brooks and the Music Playce’s legacy of excellence. I could not have picked a better person for the gig. The Music Playce is in good hands for years to come.
Skip Guitar Center and come here.

Recently I acquired an early 80’s Orlando Guitars Classical that was in horrendous condition. Dust in every crevasse, a fret board coated in dirt a few millimeters thick, spider webs inside and out, dog hair basically held the bridge in place from what I could tell and the tuners were dingy and barely movable.
I decided, «I really don’t want to bring this thing inside my house lest I contract a disease or cause my cats to urinate all over the house in fear of the wood beast that I have dis-​entombed from yonder grave.» I’m certain we’ve all had that thought cross our minds once or twice. Am I right?
So, I took it to The Music Playce, having seen an ad in craigslist. It’s a local shop and I like supporting local shops.
Upon entrance I was greeted and welcomed into a nice little shop with an assortment of guitars, basses, amps, drums, etc, etc. They took a look at my guitar right away and let me know the ins and outs of what it needed to go through to be considered a musical instrument once again. I learned something and I really appreciated that.
I left it in their hands for barely a few hours before they called me. I thought, «well here it comes. They’ll tell me they did everything they could but couldn’t save it. It died in anesthesia so it was painless.» But to my surprise they sounded happy and notified me that it was done and ready to pick up anytime. I was sure this was a mistake and they called the guy who’s guitar was being worked on ahead of mine. I went in anyway.
When I saw the guitar they assured me was the one I dropped off. I couldn’t believe it. I wasn’t about to buy a new guitar I just wanted my old one back, but THIS WAS MY GUITAR! It looked like it had been born again! The tuners were clean and swirling like spiral galaxies. The fret board was so clean I could tell it was not made of compressed Indian clay and horse manure as I previously thought. It was a beautiful rosewood! The bridge must have been shaved and wiped because it was no longer hairy and disgusting. It gleamed like a radiant sword. All of the spider webs were absent, possibly after they used a napalm spray to rid the critters from their nests within the interior of the guitar body. The body was shinning too. The dust had cleared! I could see wood grain!
A regular day for them was no less a miracle to me. This guitar plays like I just picked it up brand new from the local Temple of Doom (Guitar Center). I can now proudly continue my attendance at the local college to learn how to appreciate and play my classical without all the freshman laughing at me like it was orientation at Jr. High all over again.
Thanks The Music Playce!
Fin

The Music Playce is one of the best music stores I have ever been to. The man in charge is Jack, and he is one of the coolest guys you will probably ever meet. Not only is he an expert in all your musical needs, he is also a very nice man. I have taken a few of my guitars to have work done on them, and they always get the job done with little difficulties. This store is not just another guitar center, it is a place for musicians to be able to get whatever they need and leave with a smile on their face. The store is the perfect environment for any musician or anyone who would like to start learning about the amazing world of music.

NEW OWNERSHIP! Brought in my guitar for repairing a switch and Sam told me exactly what was wrong with it and explained what needed to be done. I also had my guitar setup as well. picked up the Guitar today and it sounds and plays great. The repair and setup was very very very affordable. I will be taking all my guitars to Sam. If you have any questions about repairing or getting a guitar setup be sure to talk to Sam.

This is my go-​to place for repairs, set-​ups and strings. The service is awesome, and the store is staffed by musicians, not salespeople. I am reluctant to ever recommend a place but the Music Playce is one that I do not hesitate to send band-​mates to.

This is a musician’s music store. Simple as that. Sam is doing such a great job since taking over for Jack. Their prices are reasonable, but what really brings me in is the customer service. They always go the extra mile and they know what they’re talking about. Classes are fantastic, especially their ensemble groups. You really get to be a musician! I love their philosophy of putting together people of different experience and skill levels, as the rising tide raises all ships. And its a great place to just hang out and talk music. A real destination.

Jack runs this shop, which supplies new and used equipment, mostly guitars, and has teachers for music lessons. I started coming here a year ago when Guitar Center started giving me grief about getting my guitar strung there. Something about liability… give me a break folks… you’re a Guitar Center for pete’s sake. Anyway this shop has been stringing my Epiphone with Ernie Ball strings and I have never been happier. If you want your guitar to sound good, go to this shop and request Andrew to string your guitar. He’s a young kid who knows his stuff. My guitar strings would break all the time right after being strung at Guitar Center. I don’t know what this kid does, but my guitar sounds awesome after he strings. He does some extra maintenance and the price is very reasonable. Support this small business… BTW Jack is very involved with the City of Escondido, and is involved in some program to get gang members and delinquents to learn music. The community involvement sets Jack apart from your anonymous Guitar Center folk.