-
October 2024 by Vicky K
Expert at double reeds, like oboes and bassoons. Wonderful staff. Small parking lot.
-
April 2024 by Steven
Good service
-
February 2024 by nadina mackie jackson
A dream store for any bassoonist, full of pro level and entry level equipment from tools to bassoons to music and much more. A wonderful place.
-
January 2024 by Erich Uhlman
Ordered some reeds and other things, good price, reasonable shipping, packed and out their door in less than 2 hours! Will shop again!
-
November 2023 by Lisa O.
Every time we visit my parents, my husband likes to visit Forrests Music. My husband has been shopping at Forrests Music for the last twenty years from Texas, where we live. The owner, Cynthia, is really great to work with and will let you try any of her Heckel bassoons for sale. They also sell tiny bassoon tools for only $10, which all of my husband's friends in the symphony want.
-
October 2023 by Jason Davis
I’m so grateful to live in the Bay Area, where I live within a short drive to Forrests Music! I’m a bassoonist/contrabassoonist, and John Gable does excellent repair work time and time again on both of my instruments. Forrests also has a great selection of everything a double reed player could need. Cynthia and her team are always helpful and friendly.
-
October 2023 by Monica M.
It's about time I write a review for Forrests! After years of buying sub-par student oboe reeds from the neighborhood music store I started buying professionally made reeds. For a few years I was ordering online from a conservatory musician who had great reeds but was unreliable with delivery dates -- the last straw was a missed delivery before an important gig. So I drove out to Forrests to see if they could help. I've been going to Forrests since for the last 3 years and EVERYone at Forrests is so knowledgeable and so helpful! Justin usually helps me and he definitely goes above-and-beyond to adjust my reeds and make sure I'm taking care of. But, really, EVERYONE here has been so great to me and it's such a joy to go in! My husband is a classical guitarist and he loves going with me because, even though they are mostly a double-reed shop, it's a great little music shop with a community of musicians and it's always a fantastic experience! Thanks, Forrests!
-
September 2023 by Tarek Milleron
When looking for products you know little-to-nothing about you can't beat the in-person store experience with an expert. In a short visit, we got what we needed at a good price and walked out with it in hand. Imagine that. Sure beats tracking a package and contemplating possible follow-up with customer service hands down. And we know that we can have the instrument serviced right nearby if needed.
-
September 2023 by Davey R.
I will never ever deal with another store when it comes to everything bassoon. Cynthia is an absolute gem in the double reed community, she was very patient with me trying different horns, taking them home to trial and giving me more time where needed. Got my first bassoon ever and it was such a great experience going through the process with her and the staff, and getting feedback that was just right and tailored to me specifically. When salespeople are truly fond of their wares and the cherishers of those wares, it really shows. Pricing, enthusiasm, experience and service all totally on point! Very thrilled and grateful. Would recommend, because at the costs of such things you really need to work people with integrity---Forrest's greatest asset.
-
February 2023 by Kevin Zimmerman
I'm a noob, but this place seems like an incredible asset to have in one's orbit, and if you play reed instruments it looks like a true oasis for replenishment and enhancement. I've been receiving sound advice and guidance plus getting some quality items and print materials that are helping me get my feet on the ground. My experience has been that they will take the time with you that a receptive beginner needs, and the astonishing display of tools for reed-making, for instance, leads me to believe they can assist one on very deep levels in their areas of specialization. Lessons are available: the sheet they gave me (Jan 2023) lists clarinet, sax,oboe, English horn, bassoon, flute, piano, and theory.
-
October 2022 by Diane Bromwell
I have been ordering online from them for many years. Most of the reeds and supplies are ok. I just ordered some items, including an oboe reed, that was not acceptable. It has a bad leak. I emailed them to express my dissatisfaction, but they did not even give me a courtesy reply.
-
July 2022 by cash money
Incredible and interesting place!
-
March 2022 by Sihan Oscar Zhang
Fixed a bell issue at lightning speed.
-
January 2022 by T W.
Years ago I read, perhaps in the same sci-fi anthology, a couple short stories: The Weapons Shop of Isher and Shottle Bop, both about small stores quietly selling their wares out of view of society at large, or, in the case of the former, out of sight of a powerful imperium. In this era of the high tech commercial imperium, which have helped shutter the likes of Tupper & Reed on Shattuck, or Music Center on Powell in SF (a store that sells sheet music and a few meh pianos, next to Union Square? yeah, the writing was on the wall), a place like Forrests Music is a spot that time forgot. We went here to pull out a stuck mouthpiece from a child's trumpet. After a wait to find the device, the person came in an very carefully did us a great service for free. They seem to rent a variety of instruments but their mainstay seems to be supporting the double reed community. May they keep flying under the radar. We need more in-person places like this.
-
December 2021 by Mark Mueller
Great shop on University Avenue for all your double reed needs.
