Music Planet

Music shops are often hit or miss. Sometimes you find really interesting, passionate people who absolutely love what they’re doing and because of that are super helpful and friendly. And other times you find really interesting, passionate people who absolutely love what they’re doing and because of that are *ab-​so-​lute-​ly-​terrifying*.
I really needed a new set of strings. And because they seem to cost close to a month’s salary in Australia, I figured I’d save a bit on the exchange rate and pick some up in Auckland. Immediately upon walking in, I knew I was dealing with the 1^st type of passionate employee I mentioned above, and before I knew it, I just wanted to be friends with all of them. I picked some strings based on their recommendations. I lusted over a few custom left handed Martins. I snooped a little bit at the rest of the gear before leaving. Aucklanders are lucky to have such a wonderful music shop so centrally located and stuffed to the brim with the right kind of passion.

Music Planet is smack bang in the middle of Auckland’s performing arts precinct with a bunch of music venues nearby (in earshot??). Because of this it just feels like it’s in the right place. Now Music Planet isn’t a big music store — it certainly doesn’t have the floor area of the nearby Rock Shop — but that doesn’t stop it from having some cool stuff. Their particular area of expertise seems to be in keyboards, synths and DJ stuff, but they have a decent range of guitars and drums etc too so all the guitarists out there can indulge their inner Hendrix too. In my experience the staff are most helpful and let you have a little tinker with the instruments — a mate of mine had a fat jam at a keyboard here one day near closing time and the staff didn’t seem to mind at all! A small but perfectly formed music store — nice alternative to the Rock Shop.

Music Planet has always been the go to shop for me for anything musical. For one thing it’s in the perfect location, really central and easy to get to. For another, the staff are always so helpful. Whether you’re looking to by picks or a $ 6000 keyboard, they’re right there to guide you all along the way. They’ll get instruments down for you so can have a little play when you’re looking to buy.
There’s loads of great instruments there with top brands like Martin, Fender, Korg, and loads more. I love the back room with lots of DJ equipment, crazy electronic gadgets and little keyboards that make all sorts of noises
and do all sorts of things.
They are really ahead in the digital side of music but have really good traditional instruments. If you’re ever in need of anything musical Music Planet should be the first place you go!