Rated 4.64 / 5 from 25 reviews
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Bronstein Music Making music is fun. So is learning music. That's where we come in. We are Bronstein Music School and we provide first-rate music classes for all ages. We serve San Francisco and the Peninsula. We offer private and group lessons, ensembles and recitals in our newly re-modeled facility in South San Francisco. Our school now includes 9 individual music studios, 2 small group classrooms, and a recital hall. It's a great place where we enjoy teaching you how to make music.
Highlights and features
  • Strings, Baritone, Trombone, Bass, Keyboard, Trumpet, Tuba, Brass, Ukulele, Clarinet, Woodwinds, Piano, Guitar, Saxophone
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Reviews (25)
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Antonio Techguruji
Apr 29, 2022
Fantastic! The doctors here at this musical instrument hospital are highly skilled. Our patient (my girlfriend's saxaphone) is all better now. Thank you doctors:-)
Viperuccia Selvaggia
Apr 07, 2022
Great place to bring your saxophone for a tune up. Staff is knowledgeable and super friendly. Prices are very fair. I would give them 10 stars if I could!
Amanda G.
Jan 19, 2022
Came here to fix my son's uke. They fixed it for no cost and were very friendly. Would come back here in a second. Very knowledgeable team.
Chloe C.
Dec 08, 2021
For decades I've gone to Bronstein(music lessons, retail, and repairs) and I will keep going here to get my saxophone repaired. Thanks to Ron and staff for repairing so quickly too!
Sam Physis
Dec 08, 2021
I mostly only need to buy guitar strings there. They do instrument repair. I fix my guitars myself, if I need parts for an acoustic guitar I'll get them from Bronstein's. Repairing an acoustic isn't all that straight forward. There are no direct replacement parts and everything's fastened with glue. It helps a lot sometimes when you can get a couple different ideas about doing something, like replacing a bridge.

Or even how to deal with the stupid pegs that are supposed to hold the strings in when they keep slipping out. One of the guys there will usually spend a few minutes with you about it.
Jay A.
Nov 06, 2021
Took my 60s classic vibe tele, which i wanted a setup with new brass saddles and convert to lefty. Also had intonation issues and a low E kept slippin off the fretboard. Jeff installed right handed saddles which i purchased incorrectly for a lefty conversion, he intonated the guitar, fixed the low e string, shaved the nut to how it should be. He went above & beyond & informed me of things I should consider, flip switch (if i wanted to) moved the stap knob which i never thought of but now HUGE diff! I just had to raise action to my liking and lower pickup height but that is jst to match my pref with my amp setup. Great Work Jeff!
Mauro Camolese
Sep 28, 2021
Jeff did a great set up on my Squire Fender Strat set up, it plays 100 times better than when I brought it in, and thanks to everybody else that works at Bronstein Music very professional. I've been going to Bronstein Music for a long time and they continue to do excellent work I highly recommend them.
Cj The Best De Souza
Aug 10, 2021
Great variety of musical instruments, very loving staff. I did rent a violin last year for my kid. I returned few days after the date and did not get overcharged.
Sam S.
Jul 16, 2021
I just got my lefty banjo restrung here and was super happy with how it turned out! I can't believe I was playing with such dead strings for so long.guess I just got used to it (pre-COVID I used to replace them every 6 months) but now my banjo looks and feels brand new. Jeff did a great job and even cleaned the fretboard and oiled the bridge (a very nice and unexpected surprise). The cost to do this was very reasonable, especially given the high-quality results I received. I highly recommend their services and will be back!
Lisa Ramirez
Jun 30, 2021
Helpful information over the phone about repairing/replacing my daughter's clarinet mouthpiece. Came to the shop the same day and the guy was able to help us on the spot. My daughter was relieved to have a new mouthpiece so quickly.
Danny Lu
Jun 25, 2021
I had the guitar set up and minor repair done here. My guitar now sounds better and easier to play. Thanks to Jeff! Excellent job! I strongly recommend it.
Pp H.
Apr 23, 2021
Good place to get your instruments set up! Brought in my Fender PJ bass to get it stringed and set up. Jeff did a great job and is hard working! They setup relatively quick considering that we're still in a pandemic. Great place, Thank you guys
Reed Kotler
Nov 29, 2020
They did a great job getting my vintage alto in good shape. After being quoted a minimum of $800 to do this work at another shop, my bill here was $180 and the horn sounds fantastic after they worked on it. They were recommended by top saxophonist Gordon Fels.
Neilson V.
Jan 04, 2020
Ron is knowledgeable and very professional. Go here and look nowhere else. aAA rated.
Terri C.
Nov 21, 2019
Recently we took our 100+ year old trumpet into Bronstein Music for repairs. Since our grandson has begun playing the trumpet at school the past couple of years, we wanted to surprise him with it for playing at home. Ron Graham fixed our old trumpet perfectly! Ron had to replace a few pieces on the trumpet and replace the handle on the case and he kept us informed along the way with what he needed to do to repair it. Ron also looked up and printed info for us on how old the trumpet really was.

He supplied oil for the trumpet as well and instructions for our grandson to oil it after each time it's used. I feel that Ron Graham definitely went above and beyond to make our trumpet in great condition to give to our grandson. I would highly recommend Ron Graham at Bronstein Music with any future repairs on any musical instruments. Ron is honest, trustworthy and has great pricing.
Mei-Ying W.
Sep 20, 2019
Bronstein Music was highly recommended by Haight Ashbury Music Center for helping to set up my son's new trumpet. Prior to driving to South San Francisco, I had attempted to see if there was a closer music store in the city that could meet the need; I visited two other small shops and came up short. I am SO glad I visited Bronstein as the staff was very helpful and went out of their way to clean the trumpet.

I wound up picking up slide grease and a music stand while I was there too. While I was there, several people popped in to pick up rentals and to meet with staff about other instruments. Next time I visit Bronstein Music I will bring my son too - he'll love it!
Corrina C.
Aug 03, 2019
Brought my daughter's low end student trombone for a repair before school resumes in 3 weeks. Extremely difficult to find someone who has the expertise or stock on hand to do repair on a trombone. Many other instrument rental places relys on repair technician to come by once a week. Not the case for Bronsteins. Due to construction in the area, it was a bit difficult for first timer like me to locate the store front.

Once inside though, I know this place is no joke. The store is set up to repair a large array of musical instrument. My 6th grader told Mr. technician the cork piece by the water key is split in half. He took hold of the trombone, 5 minutes later, we had a new cork piece in place. He even advised my daughter to wipe the slide with cloth each time before applying grease to prevent buildup.

Such kindness and knowledge. Hopefully not too many future repairs, but I do know when it is time to buy a new trombone, I would rather spend more at a local store and get advise from the experts.
Tim P.
Apr 16, 2019
.the clarinet plays great! And the new mouthpiece, I should say the new old mouthpiece, is really good and loud and in tune. My compliments for your good work! I use their repair expertise for both my school instruments and increasingly for my own top end instruments. Jeff and Ron are really excellent repair people!
Mick S.
Nov 16, 2016
I wanted to like this place since it is a small independent shop. But the arrogance and stubbornness of the owner simply cannot be ignored. We went to the store to rent a cello, which they did not have an appropriate size for our daughter. Instead, we opted for a viola. They made us agree to a 3 month minimum rental, which is not a huge deal, but they won't let us exchange it if she can't use it during her music lessons.

My biggest problem with this store is their very outdated and unusual requirement of a credit check to rent an instrument. This is absolutely ridiculous. In spite of having used a credit card with more than enough available balance on just that card to buy 30 of the violas outright, they still insisted on a credit check. I have stayed in hotels with more value in the mini-bar alone than the value of a brand new viola by simply putting a credit card on file for incidentals.

Come to think of it, I have rented $60,000 wheelchair vans with just a credit card stored on file. The owner's reluctance to get with the times and arrogance about how his business has been around since the 1940's may ultimately cost him his precious business. Larger businesses that were around much longer have fallen (Mervyn's 1949-2008; Gottschalks 1904-2008; and Levitz 1910-2008 just to name a few).

You usually come to mom and pop stores to support local business and get superior service, not to have your intelligence insulted. The only reason I am giving this place two stars instead of one is that the salesman, whose name I didn't get, was very nice and knowledgeable. My family have purchased many instruments from other places (guitars, trumpets, trombones and pianos), but we will not likely purchase anything more from this place. If my daughter decides she likes the viola, we will purchase one elsewhere.
Jennifer O.
Sep 18, 2016
#117/2016 We're lucky New Traditions' PTA has many dedicated parents working on fundraising events that allow the school to have a music program. That, of course, doesn't extend to our public elementary school having a lending library of instruments. That responsibility lies with the parents. With a list of stores advised not to be much help since all public schools quickly wipe out inventory, Yelp, baby.

So motor to downtown South San Francisco to a lovely, longtime business, Bronstein Music, celebrating its 70th year in business. They explained their buyback program which allows you to rent an instrument or keep it at the end of the school year. They'll buy it back for the original price less $150 for a school year's rental. It's a good way for your kids to try something new with all the risk absorbed by Bronstein's. How can you not win? Actually, I won twice: I talked my child out of taking up the trumpet. There's just not enough Execdrin in the world for that, honey.
Susan D.
May 13, 2016
Cute little local music store with knowledgable, friendly staff. Private lessons available as well as new and used instruments. Music and sheet music.
Victoria L.
Jan 27, 2016
My review is primarily for the lessons, but a little for the store as well. My son has been taking piano lessons for almost 8 months. He's 9. I should mention for a fair review that I am an experienced piano and voice teacher. I wanted my son to start lessons on a positive and fun note - not with mom bugging him. I felt this might be a good spot to learn. 8 months of lessons, every week for 30mins.

The child still cannot read notes/music. It's all by finger number. He enjoys his teacher, but she has very little interest in talking to me - even just a hello. With so little progress, I found it necessary to pull him out. I'm disappointed with the lesson quality. The store seems to have good service depending on who is working there. I've found it hit and miss.
Sandoval J.
Jun 13, 2015
I've brought my pair Technic 1210 turntables here for repair a couple of times now and couldn't be happier. Jeff in the back is a great guy and and takes pride in his craftsmanship. I realize turntables might not be the first thing you think of when it comes to instrument repair. Yet my turntables are always made to feel welcome amongst the saxophones, guitars in the shop.

Twice I've brought my tables in. Once for a replacement of RCA cables (including the circuit board), and recently to unfreeze the tonearm height assembly. Jeff is always a good sport about using the YouTube links I provide as reference, when I think others would only be to happy to blow off the extra information as unnecessary. I think that is what makes me so comfortable and happy with the service here. They care and take pride in what they do. I totally recommend!
Josh L.
Dec 10, 2014
Came here the other day to buy some Vandoren Saxophone Reeds and saw a good selection of reeds. The pricing was comparable to what you would find online which was definitely a plus. Side Note: I used to come here in the late 90's and since then the store has changed (smaller sales area and more focus on lessons). It looks like they still carry a good selection of woodwind necessities ranging from entry level to high end.
Infodiva B.
Sep 08, 2008
Thank You Guitar Repair Man for fixing my 1st First Guitar. My brother gave it to me when I was 14. I have had it all these years and it was alittle beat up. A few parts had to be made to replace some that were cracked. I paid and excellent price. I was eying an Ovation Acoustic Electric capable guitar but it was sold by the time I came back to pick up my repair job. Excellent place for Brass, Woodwind and Hard-To-Find instruments. The music school is popular and busy. Easy parking.