The Early Music Shop Reviews 

1,064
TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

4.7

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Evaluating 436 reviews, reviewers overwhelmingly had a great experience with this company. Customers consistently praise the excellent quality and wide variety of products, finding them suitable for their specific needs. Many highlight prompt and secure delivery, with items often arriving sooner than expected and well-packaged. The service is also frequently described as excellent, with helpful staff ensuring a smooth ordering process. However, some customers also noted issues with delivery delays, orders not being shipped, or items arriving damaged or not as described. Additionally, a few reviewers were not happy with communication regarding order status or product availability, leading to uncertainty.

What people talk about most

Product

Reviewers highlight positive aspects of product quality, with many describing items as first-class,... See more

Delivery service

Clients share positive opinions on delivery service, with many reviewers highlighting prompt and timely... See more

Quality

Reviewers mention positive feedback about quality, with many customers expressing satisfaction with the... See more

Service

People report positive experiences with service, often describing it as first-class, excellent, and beyond... See more

Order

Customers consistently note positive experiences with order processing, highlighting prompt handling and... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I bought a Fipple recorder as part of my campaign to keep arthritic fingers moving. It’s great. Makes a good sound but best of all the holes at the foot of the instrument are perfectly placed for my... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

They carry more obscure parts and instruments that are hard to get from other places. The delivery took a bit longer than expected, but that might be just because of the current global crises, so can'... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

The recorder bag I bought was exactly as described and fits all my recorders snugly. Shipping from the UK was reasonable, and the package arrived quickly. I would buy from this company again. I... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I got in contact with The Early Music Shop and was put through to the Snape Maltings branch. The member of staff (I think her name was Esther) was fantastic! She went above and beyond to check the rec... See more

Company replied


Company details

  1. Music Store
  2. Musical Instrument Rental Service
  3. Musical Instrument Repair Shop
  4. Musical Instrument Store
  5. Sheet Music Store
  6. Used Musical Instrument Store

Written by the company

The Early Music Shop is the largest source of historical musical instruments worldwide. We are an independent music shop specialising in Early Music instruments, accessories and printed music. Our expert staff have years of experience helping you to find the perfect instrument for you!


Contact info

4.7

Excellent

TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

1K reviews

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1-star

Asks customers to review

This company invites their customers to review, whether positive or negative

Replied to 75% of negative reviews

Typically replies within 1 month

How this company uses Trustpilot

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4.7

All reviews

(1,064)

438 reviews in the last 12 months

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Companies on Trustpilot aren't allowed to offer incentives or pay to hide reviews. Reviews are the opinions of individual users and not of Trustpilot. Read more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great service

I ordered some rosin for gut strings as I needed it for tomorrow EMS sent it separately so I had it in time for the Canterbury Medieval Pageant. It arrived today and I’m delighted to find that it doubles as a frog for my medieval bow!! Great service from EMS, thank you so much!!!

3 July 2026
Unprompted review
The Early Music Shop logo

Reply from The Early Music Shop

Thank you so much for your lovely review! We're delighted we could get the rosin to you in time, and that it found a second career as a frog for your bow – that's certainly one of the more creative uses we've heard! 😄

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Thank you

Needed to find this book. You had it in stock.

15 June 2026
The Early Music Shop logo

Reply from The Early Music Shop

Phew! Glad we were able to help. It's a wonderful collection - enjoy!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Recent order of instrument

My order was processed and sent with commendable speed. Thank you for a great service. Highly recommendable.

5 June 2026
The Early Music Shop logo

Reply from The Early Music Shop

Thank you for this lovely feedback, we're glad it all went smoothly for you!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

They know their stuff

Helpful initial advice on which recorder is best to purchase and then prompt delivery. The recorder itself is a good robust initial instrument or back up piece.

15 June 2026
The Early Music Shop logo

Reply from The Early Music Shop

Glad we were able to advise you on this instrument, and deliver it promptly. Enjoy playing!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Great service, poor communication

Service was great. I just wish they had add a step into their CRM informing me that my £200+ instrument was well received via post and being add to the queue of instruments being processed. I only heard once they invoiced me at the end of the process - I had no idea of what happened to my instrument up to that time, which was quite a few days since I shipped it.

10 June 2026
The Early Music Shop logo

Reply from The Early Music Shop

Thank you for sharing your feedback. This is really useful for us to know, and I will pass it onto my colleagues who handle the repairs. As you say, confirmation of arrival and a tracker to show where it is in the process, would be helpful.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Excellent transaction thank you

Excellent transaction thank you. Item was sent immediately. Beautiful instrument. Very happy.

11 June 2026
The Early Music Shop logo

Reply from The Early Music Shop

We're glad you're happy with it. It is indeed a beautiful instrument. Enjoy playing it!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Really easy and pleasant shopping…

Really easy and pleasant shopping experience, the lute was delivered extremely quick and arrived safe and superbly packaged.
Couldn't ask for more.

12 June 2026
The Early Music Shop logo

Reply from The Early Music Shop

Thank you for sharing your feedback, which is much appreciated. Enjoy your new lute, a wonderful instrument!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Amazing shop couldn't recommend too highly…

Amazing shop couldn't recommend it too highly. Barry always does a fantastic job and they got my recorder back to me before my concert excellent service!

4 June 2026
The Early Music Shop logo

Reply from The Early Music Shop

Phew! Glad to hear it was in time. We'll pass your lovely comments on to Barry. Thank you.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Excellent service with fast delivery

Excellent service with fast delivery. The instrument is fabulous - such a beautiful tone.

5 June 2026
The Early Music Shop logo

Reply from The Early Music Shop

This is great to hear, thank you for sharing. Enjoy playing!

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