All Around the Town: Vez Guitar Academy

By Glenn Barnett

It turns out that Alhambra is a music town. The Parks and Recreation Department hosts summer concerts at Alhambra Park, while versatile chef Bill Yee hosts monthly concerts at Sage Granada Park Methodist Church. In February, the Alhambra Latino Association promoted young musical talent at our three high schools in their Celebrating Our Cultures Festival.

Long-time residents of Alhambra will remember the all-inclusive Pedrini Music Store. For 63 years, it served Alhambra’s music needs, selling instruments and accessories, sheet music, lessons, and LPs. When it closed in 2001, the Pedrini family continued serving our community as a place for lessons until 2018.

That brings us to today. A Google search of nearby music stores reveals several outlets selling instruments, lessons, professional support, music, and dance studios.

This month, let's focus on one such store, a successor to Pedrini. The Vez Guitar Academy and Music Store at 34 W. Main Street continues to serve music lovers in their Alhambra store and across the country with online shopping.

The Vez experience is like Pedrini for the guitar. Owner David Vez, who grew up shopping at Pedrini’s, emulates that fabled store with full service for guitars and their owners. Customers include beginners and well-known musicians. They sell acoustic, electric, and bass guitars, banjos, ukuleles, accessories, sheet music, and amps. Before they put instruments on their shelves, they conduct thorough inspections by their staff, who are all trained musicians.

Before you purchase an instrument, you are encouraged to ‘“try before you buy.” They also offer repairs for your guitar, plus lessons for individuals and for musicians who want to form their own bands. They can even build custom guitars from scratch.

Vez Guitar is always looking for venues where its newly formed bands can play. Most recently, they were represented at Alhambra’s Lunar New Year Festival. They will be seen again on stage at the Alhambra Police Department’s Night Out Against Crime.

Do you want your guitar customized? They can personalize your instrument! Each instrument purchased comes with an introductory first lesson.

David Vez holds regular events at the store to demo products, musician meetand-greets, and workshops. He sees all of his services as a “part of our commitment to making music accessible and fostering a vibrant music community in Alhambra.” Drop in at the store and see for yourself.