Way less corporate than your standard guitar center, Mr. Music can help you with most of your musical equipment needs at a better price. I tend to go there when I need some strings and don't want to fight off commission-hungry salesmen. Sure, they might not have absolutely everything you are looking for, but you will definitely discover some cool things in Mr. Music that you weren't looking for.

Walking by it on Harvard Ave. the display window resembles that of a pawn shop, but don't be deceived, that's only because it's so close to Cheap Chic. The few gentlemen running Mr. Music are completely legit, offering the best selection of used guitars and equipment that I've found yet.
It's as if they took in all the misfit guitars that didn't look so good on the guitar wall shrines of Daddy's Junk Music and gave them a happy home. Also, while guitars and accessories (picks, pedals, magazines, parts, you name it) seem to be their bread and butter, Mr. Music also carries a couple fiddles, keyboards, harmonicas, pennywhistles, and plenty of stuff that I've never played before.

If you are looking for classical instruments, dj equipment, production equipment, or anything beyond what you need to start your own Allston garage band, try Guitar Center or Daddy's Junky Music. Mr. Music can't help you with drums either, but that's likely because the store is so small. But if guitars are what you need, help keep this Allston landmark alive.