Thomas Musical Instruments

“Good honest service! If only I could find someone equally good on this side of the Santa Cruz mountains, but it is worth the drive. If I call ahead, John takes the time to repair my sax, clarinet or husband’s horns on the spot when possible.  He knows what is out there, gives conservative, honest answers, and I always feel like I’ve rec’d a lot more than I paid for – John is very generous with his knowledge and expertise.”

— Sarah G.

“I first began coming here when I started the clarinet in the 6th grade 15 years ago and John and the staff were very nice and helpful then and always have been. John shows his love for music and does quality, honest work.”

— Justine H.

“John knows his stuff and is one of few in the area that can do some pretty serious repair/mod work on brass instruments, while also doing a great job on more mundane cleanings and tuneups.”

— George D.

“So, I give John Thomas 5 stars for his repair work because he totally saved my skin! A pad fell out during a musical rehearsal, and he promptly took it in the next day and fixed it on the spot in addition to fixing another loose pad he found. So many thanks, John for being my go-to repairman!!”

— Tennessee O.

“Last week one of my wife’s saxophone students had a problem with his sax.  She referred him, as she does all her other students, to John at Thomas Musical Instruments for the repair.  The student’s mom was a little skeptical because of the inconvenience and expense of driving from Saratoga all the way to Santa Cruz – even worse, making another trip two weeks later to pick up the sax when it’s finally fixed.  At least that’s what she expected.

The word came back: “He fixed it on the spot while we waited, it only took him twenty minutes, and he only charged us $10 for the work!  Or: and the charge was super reasonable.”  This is typical:  Quality work, done quickly (either on the spot or on the promised schedule), at prices that are extremely fair.  His customers are always surprised and delighted.

He has serviced my wife’s saxophones and flute and clarinet, and my trombones.  (I watched him earn her trust with his work on several other instruments before she let him near her rare vintage pro-grade alto sax.)  He’s the go-to guy for several friends’ brass and woodwind instruments.  Also sells new and consignment instruments… Always exemplary work and business practices.

John and his technicians are musicians too, and when they blow even just a few test notes through an instrument it’s obvious they have talent way beyond mine.

Back to my wife’s student and his mom:  Since they had a few minutes to look around the shop, and the student had already been interested in doubling instruments, they bought a flute while they were there.  He brought it along to this week’s lesson for my wife to see, and of course it was of fine quality and in excellent condition, better than you’d expect for a used student-upgrade-level instrument.

Way to go John!  That’s the way to run a business!”

— Bob S.