Since 1968, a leading independent retailer of fine fretted instruments.
The Music Emporium is a collective of passionate musicians and guitar junkies, offering the finest instruments to discerning players, collectors and artists. From hand-crafted luthier-grade guitars, to rare vintage pieces, to quality beginner-level instruments, our network of artisans and a staff committed to attentive listening will help you find the perfect instrument to bring your musical goals to fruition.
Over the last 50 years, our vision hasn’t changed. While our inventory may have broadened since the days of the folk boom, our passion for curating what we offer our customers is as visible and vibrant as it was in the 1960’s. This is a store built by musicians for musicians ~ and for anyone who has a love for fine American craftsmanship.
We invite you take the trip out of Boston to historic Lexington. Stroll the Battlegreen, take in a meal at a local tavern, and then while away an afternoon at The Music Emporium. We look forward to welcoming you in our store!
The Team
Joe Caruso
Proprietor
With more than 25 years at the helm of TME, Joe has grown the shop into an industry-leading tastemaker known for its dynamic style, passionately curated inventory, and unrivaled staff. A trained guitarmaker, Joe has a breadth of experience in craft and practice that places him in the upper echelon of music retail's independent business owners.
Sales manager
Adam Dardeck
Boasting a 15-year tenure as the general manager at TME, Adam has grown our acoustic inventory by leaps and bounds; and he's the reason we're consistently recognized as the leading retailer of Collings Guitars (not to mention Santa Cruz, Froggy Bottom, and countless others).
Content Manager & Acoustic Guitars
Andy Cambria
Andy has been the main photographer & videographer at TME for more than ten years, and oversees the production of the media content you see on our website & social media channels. He's also responsible for our luthier-grade acoustic inventory (Arcara, Circa, Brondel, et. al.), and oversees the consignment & acquisition of our vintage instruments.
Electric Guitars
Eliot Hunt
In just over five years, Eliot has turned TME's electric inventory into a real-world gallery of the most highly sought-after instruments you're likely to see in your Instagram feed every day. Alongside years of experience as a touring musician and recording artist, his passion for tone and exacting standards have helped transform the shop into what you see when you walk through the doors today.
Electric Guitars & Repairs
Joe Klompus
There's likely no Boston-based musician who doesn't know the name 'Joe Klompus' as a barometer of friendliness, taste and knowledge. Joe brings decades of experience as a luthier, touring musician and guitar tinkerer to TME, where he handles our in-house repair work and co-manages the Fender inventory.
Shipping & Receiving / Ukes
Tim Mann
Tim is a TME veteran of more than 20 years, overseeing our shipping & receiving operations and the ukulele inventory. His passion for music extends to everything he does; and frankly, he's the bedrock of the shop when it comes to our own history, instrument trivia, and making sure everything gets where it needs to go.
Mandolins & Acoustic Guitars
Jordan Santiago
Jordan has the deep knowledge base and passion for playing music that have made him a natural fit at TME. He oversees the mandolin inventory and manages the flow of the shop floor -- no mean feat in a showroom packed like ours! With extensive experience in music retail and the touring world, Jordan's advice is invaluable to anyone seeking an instrument that will motivate growth as a player and enrich a collection at the same time.
Media & Acoustic Guitars
Lindsay Straw
Although she's been a fixture in our demo videos for years, it's been a joy to welcome Lindsay to the TME staff. She assists with all aspects of media production and consults with customers looking for that great fingerstyle acoustic guitar. A graduate of Berklee College of Music, the bright personality, technical skill and knowledge of tradition that have made her a fixture in Boston's Celtic music community are welcome additions to the shop.
Electric Guitars
Dan King
Although Dan straddles the line between the acoustic & electric departments here at TME (he's also an accomplished mandolin player), his knowledge of the boutique amp & pedal markets has made him a go-to guy around the shop. With time spent as a touring musician, recording studio owner, and custom pedalboard builder, Dan is uniquely positioned to guide our customers to gear that'll fit their needs no matter what the situation demands.
