About Dusty Strings
Locally-owned music store & school in Seattle, Washington since 1979
For more than forty years, we've been the Pacific Northwest’s premiere dealer of high-quality acoustic and electric guitars, mandolins, banjos, ukuleles, amps, pedals, folk harps, hammered and mountain dulcimers, accessories, books, and much more. Our instrument and accessory lines are thoughtfully curated and represent the highest quality in artisanship at fair and affordable prices. Every instrument is hand inspected by knowledgeable staff before it is listed for sale.
We also have a bustling music school – both in person and online, including private lessons, group classes, workshops and jam sessions – and we offer instrument rentals, too!
What's special about us?
We're here to help! Every day, we come to work passionate and enthusiastic about helping every customer with their needs. If you have a question at any time, you can stop by or reach us at music@dustystrings.com or (206) 634-1662.
Hand-Picked
The instruments, accessories, and books we carry are items we're confident in offering because we use them ourselves and stand behind them. We are also believers in a hands-on experience. While we do sell our instruments online, nothing beats being able to play, hear, and compare them in person.
More Than a Store
Between the school, repair shop, rental instruments, jam sessions, workshops, and so on, we have a ton of different resources to help folks reach their goals along their musical journey. We take it as our responsibility to help people make music a part of their lives, and we find great value in that.
Real People
We don't work on commission, and our goal is always to help each customer find the best fit for their situation. Sometimes that's a rental rather than a purchase, or a setup and some lessons rather than a new instrument. We prefer to be encouraging and helpful instead of pushy and salesy, and we like to listen before we speak.
Expertise
We are the ultimate music geeks. We may be a little bit crazy, but we're your kind of crazy! Music is a fundamental part of the life of each staff member, and we're here to help you make it part of your life as well by sharing our enthusiasm and personal expertise without judgment.
Homegrown in Seattle
- 1979: Ray and Sue Mooers and partner Randy Hudson launch the Dusty Strings Dulcimer Company, handcrafting hammered dulcimers in the basement of their Ravenna house
- 1982: Dusty Strings moves into the store's current location in the heart of Fremont, continuing dulcimer production and adding a tiny showroom
- 1985: Harps are added to the menu
- The showroom starts to expand into a full-fledged acoustic music shop, adding guitars, banjos, books, records, and cassette tapes!
- 2001: Harp & hammered dulcimer production finally outgrows the Fremont space and moves to Interbay
- 2008: Dusty Strings Music School officially opens
- 2016: School renovations add more classroom space and lesson rooms
- 2020: Online lessons offered
