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Mockingbird Music is your leading resource for quality musical instruments and accessories, from guitars, amps and pedals to keyboards, banjos, mandolins and more. Come browse our on-line catalog to find what you desire. Mockingbird Music Company is a full-service music store, luthiery and school located in rural central Massachusetts owned and operated by luthiers Glenn and Barbara Nelson. You may have noticed some pretty significant changes here on our web site. That is because we're in the midst of making this website more useful to you, our customer.
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Mockingbird Music is your leading resource for quality musical instruments and accessories, from guitars, amps and pedals to keyboards, banjos, mandolins and more. Come browse our on-line catalog to find what you desire. Mockingbird Music Company is a full-service music store, luthiery and music school located in rural central Massachusetts owned and operated by luthiers Glenn and Barbara Nelson.
Joan Harrison, a former student of Tony Trischka, plays her "Mockingbird" Fanned Fret Banjo with her Bluegrass/Swing band "Too Blue". This instrument is the most comfortable banjo I've ever played. The craftsmanship is impeccable and it's tonal range inspires me to explore and expand my musical horizons.
Mockingbird Music is your leading resource for quality musical instruments and accessories, from guitars, amps and pedals to keyboards, banjos, mandolins and more. Come browse our on-line catalog to find what you desire. Mockingbird Music Company, Inc. offers 30 or 60 minute private lessons for kids of all ages, 7 - 77, on guitar, banjo, mandolin, dobro, violin (fiddle), flute, piano and drums, clarinet and sax. We also host small jams or "round robins" for registered students as well, and for appropriate levels.
Mockingbird Music is your leading resource for quality musical instruments and accessories, from guitars, amps and pedals to keyboards, banjos, mandolins and more. Come browse our on-line catalog to find what you desire. Mockingbird Music Company provides expert repair service for your instruments.
Reviews (10)
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Joseph McGill
Jun 28, 2022
Took my 72 year old Martin guitar to have the nut adjusted to eliminate some buzz at the first fret. The repair involved a shim of 1/20,000 inserted under the nut. No buzz and plays like a dream!
Richard McMullen
Dec 21, 2021
Nice place. not like a superstore. hand crafted string instruments. lessons. and repairs. other stuff as well.
Dan Israelson
Oct 29, 2021
Mocking Bird Music has been my go-to for guitar setups/repairs for several years. Glenn is friendly, reliable, a master guitarsmith, and always does a fantastic job at patching up my instruments.
Jamyn Sheff
Jun 07, 2021
I have been taking mandolin lessons from Glenn for 5 years. This is an instrument I took up without any previous instrumental or music background. Glenn is a great teacher. Although he will lead you through a progression of skills, he works just as well responding to where you want to go with your instrument. And he is incredibly supportive in terms what you are trying to accomplish and where you are in your skills acquisition. Finally, he is just fun.

Sometimes we just trade off playing the melody and the rhythm in a given song. During the five years, I've been taking lessons, I've purchased two mandolins, one of which was vintage and in very good repair. Love them both.
Anthony Cocuzzo
May 21, 2021
FANTASTIC PLACE! One of the strings on my banjo had always made a buzzing sound and I found that Mocking Bird did repairs on instruments so I emailed and Glenn Nelson was very responsive so I made an appointment to drop it off last week. I got my banjo back a few days ago and I am so impressed with the sound and the care that he took with my instrument!

He set it up so nice with new strings and went over the whole banjo. I just noticed that he did a repair to the fretboard where I have always had a chip of wood missing and he didn't even mention that he repaired it! I have not had this level of service in a long time, and what I enjoyed most was discussing music with Glenn and great bluegrass bands and tunes that we had in common. Mocking Bird is the premier place to go for all of your music needs and inquiries!
Dave
Nov 23, 2020
After doing a little searching online, I took a 100 year old banjo-uke to Glenn Nelson who, by many accounts, is THE banjo guy in these parts. He did a beautiful job on repairing and cleaning it up, as if it was his own. Really good guy, great craftsman/artist, and incredibly knowledgeable. Also a luthier who makes gorgeous instruments. Highly recommend! I couldn't have found a better craftsman.
Damir Ismagilov
Jun 28, 2020
Best music shop around New England. From the helpful staff and variety of instruments to the owners themselves. The Nelson family really tries hard to make sure that you get whatever you're looking for. It can range from simply guitar strings and accessories to private music lessons. Both Barb and Glen are inspired to teach and love what they do. You know what they say, if you love doing something you do it better! Would highly recommend to anyone passing by to stop and take a look
Sean O'Connor
May 07, 2018
Great store that sells and repairs musical instruments. Good selection of guitars, mandolin and banjos. The owner is a Luthier that builds beautiful guitars and mandolins. They also offer lessons, my son has been taking violin lessons there for years and loves it. In the summer they occasionally host open jam sessions that are a lot of fun!
Jo D.
Mar 27, 2018
I first went to the shop to have a banjo restored. The work was excellent and reasonably priced. I then started taking lessons with Glen, and joined the mockgrass group. I learned a ton and had a really good time. Barb (Glen's wife) is really caring and helpful. Glen also makes beautiful instruments of professional quality that I am not worthy of. Way more pleasant Area than going to a strip mall for a shop or lesson!
Paul Martel
Dec 08, 2017
Knowledgeable and friendly service, including instrument repair and upkeep, keeps me coming back. You won't find the bewildering selection of mostly mediocre instruments that the big stores have, but there is always a great mix of unique custom-made or consignment items and quality instruments that sound better than higher-priced name brands. If I lived closer, I'd consider taking lessons with Glenn. Love their support for the local music / jamming scene.