Artichoke Music

The first day I walked into Artichoke music I was greeted by friendly and helpful staff. I heard the sounds of a song circle going on in the back room. When I inquired about what I heardI was given a private tour of the facility. I'll bet I've been back a hundred times where I have met wonderful friends, taken music lessons, purchased musical instruments, and become a part of a unique, accepting, friendly musical community. more

they are EXTREMELY rude, regardless of whether or not you've got children with you. they act as tho' it's a shrine that they are tending and not a music store that they are running for profit. it's not as tho' they have really stunning instruments... some of their stuff is nice, some is really nice, much is average. their ""exotic instruments"" are generally overpriced simply because they're a less common instrument, not because they're of a high quality. they'd probably even make Pete Seeger feel unwelcome. Pros: unusual instruments, mountain instruments Cons: rude staff, overpriced instruments more

I was very excited to see the store after hearing about it on the kboo bluegrass show. My five year old son and I drove from Vancouver to check out Artichoke's instruments, and look into purchasing a banjo. My son enjoyed getting to experience all of the different sounds of the beautiful instruments in the store. I was however incredibly offended when I pulled down a youth sized guitar for him to strum, and the owner interrupted a song he was playing on the ukuklele to remind me that ""you know that is a thousand dollar guitar."" I was so offended. I told him that was an incredibly rude thing to say and that he had just lost a customer. His response was ""That's fine."" I would suggest taking your business somewhere else. Especially if you have a child, as they don't seem to be very kid friendly. more