BEFORE and AFTER instrument cleaning. You will not believe!! These guys restored a 1980s Cornet that had been unserviced for nearly 20 years. Now, it looks brand NEW and it made my day! Worth the cost and the wait! There is no other option if you are looking for these services in the Bay Area! The guys here are experts! Details... they repositioned the bell and also fixed a dent there, bathed the horn and polished everything! It is Night and Day difference!! A+

I had used this place before in the late 90s and had excellent luck with both their service and professionalism. However my latest experience with them was only ok. I was told to bring my horn in September or October when the school instruments were going to be all finished. So I brought my Bach 16 in October on ther 14th and it was not completed until February. I had it re-lacquered and overhauled. I was quoted 600 to 700 dollars. They told me to call if I hadnt heard from them in awhile and I needed it. I waited a month before calling. They were very polite and professional on the phone and never made me feel like I was bugging them. When the horn was finished in February it looked and played very well. Slide was excellent. But 3.5 months is a long time for an overhaul, and the bill was 800 dollars. Now, not sure why it was more than quoted, but I think if you take that long to do the work, then the price should be as quoted. Not the worst experience, but average at best.

I have been here twice in 2019 and again in January 2020. First time was for my flutes malfunction where the keys got stuck(and in the middle of my audition for flute lessons at my university). The second time was to get my flute professionally cleaned, but more of a preventative for it malfunctioning during my performance on stage in early February. The repair people were nice and helpful. For my flute, they repaired my flute within 3-5 days guaranteed. I even have gotten a phone call letting me know my flute was ready for pick up.

Usually I steer clear of the best of anything, but the people here were the cream. I came in with my sons trumpet, the mouth piece stuck, and they unstuck it in 30 seconds, on the spot, for free, and I was gone. So fast it happened I felt almost gypped, because I didnt have time to take in the wonderfully inviting ambiance of an instrument work shop right in the heart of downtown Oakland. Beautiful. Go here for all your brass needs. Theyre the best.

The street-level door is hard to spot, so look carefully! Great repair, vendor, and sales team. I go to them for my school business and my personal business (bought a flute for my mother).

One of the best places you can take your instrument for maintenance and repair in Northern California. Its like walking into an achemists workshop and they do magical things to wind instruments. Highest recommendations.

It may look shabby but its the best in the bay area and us oldies know it

Awesome service and reasonable pricing. Highly recommend them.

The only place to go to take your instrument for repair. We are a wind instrument family - husband plays trumpet, I play clarinet, daughter plays bass clarinet (which we bought at Best!), son plays sousie. We go into the Dungeon of Best always expecting the best service and repair quality, and they certainly do not disappoint! They easily fixed my clarinet after I dropped it on asphalt, and they resautered my husbands tuning slide, rebuilt my fathers antique banjo, and regularly repad my instrument expertly. I cannot sing their praises enough!

The only reason not 5 is because they havent been able to fix my instrument yet.

THE place in the SF bay area to get your instrument playing as it should. Knowledgeable staff and very reasonable prices. They also have retail. Note this place is downstairs from the street.

Fantastic brass department. They are absolute masters at their craft.

They do a very good job, been going there for many years.

I like coming to this store to rent or get instruments fixed for my boys. People are friendly, helpful and professional.It is a great place.

Had a great experience here repairing my sons trombone. They did an incredible job.

Beautiful shop. Old world. Craftsman level workmanship.

Charming. The folks there know their stuff and take good care of their customers and their customers instruments. Hopefully I wont need to be back, but if I do, I know Im in good hands.

Always do a great job on my horn for a reasonable price.

Phenomenal work on my friends Strad!!

Thorough instrument repairs and replacement parts and accessories.

Great job repairing my clarinet, plus, quick turn around. Thank you!

Amazing place with an amazing staff

Helpful staff, thanks!