Three brown ukuleles hanging on a pegboard display, with a colorful package in the center.

Strains Of Music, Inc.

Brands We Sell

Assorted acoustic guitars and a banjo displayed on a pegboard wall with a framed photo below.

1. Fender Musical Instruments

2. Martin

3. Takamine

4. Gold Tone Musical Instruments

5. Peavey

6. Washburn

7. Oscar Schmidt

8. Makala

9. Kala

10. Luna

11. Dean

12. Gretsch

13. Blueridge

14. Deering

15. Roland

16. Seymour Duncan

17. Boss

18. Pearl Drums

19. Zildjian

20. Sabian Cymbals

21. Dixon

22. Evans

23. Vic Firth

24. Promark

25. Remo

26. D'Addario

27. Elixir

28. Stringjoy

29. Ernie Ball

30. John Pearse

31. LaBella

32. GHS

33. DR

34. Shure

35. Presonus

36. JBL

37. Focusrite

38. Tascam

39. SE Electronics

40. Snark

41. MXR

42. Dunlop

43. On Stage

44. Rapco/Horizon

45. Hosa

46. All Parts

47. Black Mountain

48. Cool Picks

49. Fred Kelly Picks

50. Powerwerks

51. Faber and Faber

52. Bastien

53. John Thompson

54. Mel Bay

55. Hal Leonard

56. Audio Technica

57. Sennheiser

58. Vandoren

59. Rico

60. Shubb

61. Paige

62. Kyser

63. Franklin Strap

64. Levy's

65. Gator

66. Stadium

67. Gilbraltar

68. Hercules

69. Ping

70. Grover

71. Roc N Soc

72. Hohner

73. Lee Oscar

74. Suzuki Harmonicas

75. Casio

76. Korg

77. Cardnial Percussion

78. Kentucky

79. Dean Markley

80. LR Baggs

81. 1 Spot

82. National Picks

83. Golden Gate Picks

84. Clayton

Brand Categories and What They Mean

Clapton’s Cuffe boxes on a glass counter in a shop, with colorful product shelves blurred behind.

Legacy Brands


These manufacturers have long histories of consistent quality and resale value. Instruments from legacy brands often represent safe investments for players who want dependable tone and craftsmanship.
Acoustic guitar on a stand in a music shop, beside a boxed OGIG guitar set.

Modern/Value Brands


Contemporary manufacturers produce instruments that offer good playability and features at accessible prices—great for students and value-conscious players.
Brown floral-engraved ukulele on a stand in a music shop, with guitars hanging in the background
Stacked colorful ukuleles in a store display, including pink, green, and red instruments.

How We Help You Navigate Brands

Side-by-side comparisons

We bring together multiple brands for direct comparison so you can hear and feel differences.

Honest recommendations

Our staff recommends brands based on your playing context—studio, stage, classroom, or home practice.

Education on features

We explain technical differences like pickup configuration, bridge design, shell construction, and finishing processes that influence sound and durability.

Two electric guitars and amplifiers in a music store display, with a natural wood guitar centered.

Brand-Focused Buying Tips

  • Try the instrument, not just the brand name: A well-done affordable instrument can outperform an ill-fitting high-end model for your specific needs.
  • Consider serviceability: Brands with accessible spare parts and competent technician networks are easier to maintain.
  • Factor in resale: If you’re likely to upgrade, choose a brand and model with consistent market demand.
  • Vintage vs. Modern: Vintage pieces may need more repair or setup; modern models often offer factory precision and warranty support.
Two guitars on stands in a music shop, with cases and gear displayed behind them.
Cream electric guitar on a stand in a music store, with amplifiers behind it.

Consignment and Brand Evaluation

When consigning or buying a used instrument, brand recognition helps:


  • Appraisal accuracy: Recognized brands have well-documented resale values, making fair pricing easier.
  • Buyer demand: Certain brands attract specific buyer segments, speeding up sales on consignment.
  • Condition expectations: Brand standards inform whether certain wear is cosmetic or functionally significant.

Contact

Strains Of Music, Inc.

67 Academy Street, Waynesville, North Carolina 28786, United States

We update our inventory and brand offerings regularly—contact us for the latest list and to reserve time for brand comparisons.

Orange hollow-body electric guitar on a stand in a music shop, with amplifiers and shelves behind.