Moonlight Music

Awesome job on the setup. Wonderful family run business. Happy to see the shop again. If you want to find the best go here. This is my first review. Speaks volumes to how much a local shop is not to be missed. Second setup in twenty years. Both times great experience. Check out the battle axe guitar. Cheers!

Took my guitar there to get set up properly, got it back with no improvement in terms of fret buzz and high string action. Took it back so he could fix it and still fret buzz, but in different location and the action still is high, like he didn’t even adjust it. $ 73 down the toilet. Do NOT pay this guy to set up your guitar. He should not be doing guitar repair.

I live in Encinitas and have done business at Moonlight Music forever. Russ knows a lot about guitars and if he can’t help you nobody can. I’ve seen him breathe life into instruments that have been thrashed. He is a no nonsense guy making a honest living. The rest of the family works there are they are friendly and polite. Every community needs a Moonlight Music. Check it out you will not be sorry

I was skeptical going to Moonlight Music after some of the negative reviews. My daughter wanted an electric guitar for her birthday, and I needed to buy it from a store that could also do the setup. Purchasing online was not an option.
Moonlight is the closest music store to us, so I called them to see if they carried the guitar. They did not, but they were happy to order it. I went in and paid for the guitar (it was the same price as anywhere else). It came in a few days later and they set it up. I went in and picked it up. They asked if I needed a case, amp, etc, but they were not pushy about it all. Just good business.
Overall, Moonlight Music’s prices were fair and competitive, and they were quite professional and easy to deal with. I’ll definitely go there again for any guitar needs.

As an freelance musician about the only thing to this day I still won’t DIY is repairs and adjustments on my instruments. This place will help you out. The owner is honest and super helpful.

I did not enjoy my experience at Moonlight Music. I came in looking for a single D string. I break Ds and Gs constantly and have never visited a shop that doesnt sell single strings. The guy working sidestepped my request for a string and told me my guitar looks like it plays poorly and that he could fix it for me. I have been playing this guitar for 6 years and I love how it plays. I declined the upsell and asked him again for a single D string. He pulled a box out from behind the counter and started shuffling through strings, quickly informing me that he doesn’t have any D strings. He then told me that my guitar needs all new strings and he would sell me a pack. I strongly prefer the sound of old strings and despise the bright sound of an all new set of strings. But it didn’t seem like he cared about my preferences, he was interested in making a larger sale. I declined his second attempt at upselling me something i didn’t ask for and left disappointed. I’d prefer to shop local but it looks like i’ll be heading to guitar center for my strings.

The first time I shopped here I paid full price for a practice amp. I came back the next day to return it still brand new in the box and was charged a 25% restocking fee.
The second and last time I shopped here for some smaller accessories I was charged over the vender list price.
Moonlight Music, although open 24 years has been a real disappointing experience for me.
Besides paying over list price the salesmen each time were very rude and unpleasant.
Although my choice was to shop at Moonlight Music I felt ripped off and taken advantage of especially since the items I purchased were marked up over the list price.
As for me I won’t ever return.

Can’t say enough good things about Moonlight Music. Locally owned and run by great people, people involved in the local community (business and music). Teachers are great! Band Camp, the absolute bomb. Great service, selection and price. A music store with a non-​corporate feel and attitude. A real community shop! Want personalized service, try Moonlight Music. Two thumbs up (or, to put it in Unilocal terms, 5 stars)

We were camping at san elijo and my daughters guitar string broke, Unilocaled help me find this little gem of a music store. Lots of cool vintage instruments and accessories! Great service, they even gave us directions to our next stop. I could only dream of having a music store like this in my town!

If you are a digital music person, this is not the store for you. Old amps, used guitars and a funky Leucadia-​esque vibe?, that they have in spades.
Meh.

Moonlight has really become a friendly and helpful place to shop and get advice. Years ago they were grumpy, but something changed: they actually seem to like customers now. So try them again if you gave up on them like I did.
Much better than Guitar Center.

I’ve been going here for years. I’ve bought guitars, amps, cabinets, effects, pickups, god knows how many cables, strings… My beloved Echo-​Plex came from Moonlight Music. It’s always the first place I go for guitar stuff. Knowledgeable and without the wanker BS you get with guitar center. If you go in with specific questions about things, you will always get straight answers from these guys. Support your local music stores!

When you walk into Moonlight Music, it’s like walking into Champion Vinyl from High Fidelity. This is a place where they know about music, live it, breathe it, teach it and sell it. I haven’t bought a guitar or bass from them, but they helped me with pedals, tuners, and two of my amps. They know what they are talking about, that’s why I go there. It is refreshing to walk in there especially after recently being in a Guitar Center.