Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Trusted Music Store in Grass Valley Since 1975
Established in 1975, Foggy Mountain Music has been a cornerstone of Grass Valley's musical community for nearly five decades. Our founder, Mary Ellen Sorci, built this business on a foundation of deep musical heritage passed down through generations. We specialize in curating an extensive collection of musical instruments that extends far beyond conventional offerings, including guitars, drums, keyboards, banjos, ukuleles, horns, and harps. Our mission centers on fostering creativity through personalized service, helping musicians at every skill level discover instruments that resonate with their unique artistic voice. Rooted in a family legacy of musical excellence, we honor the contributions of Mary Ellen's mother Marilyn Doty Sorci, a renowned violin prodigy, and her father Joseph Sorci, a celebrated woodwind player from the big band era.We operate as more than a retail space - our commitment to building lasting relationships with customers has created a vibrant community where music enthusiasts connect and grow. Our physical store at 104 West Main Street serves as both a retail destination and cultural hub, while our 24/7 Reverb online store extends this experience globally. Through music lessons, equipment rentals, and instrument repair services, we support musicians throughout their artistic journey. Our working hours reflect our dedication to accessibility while maintaining quality service, operating six days weekly with extended availability through digital channels. This combination of tradition, expertise, and innovation continues to make Foggy Mountain Music a trusted partner for musicians across Northern California and beyond.
Services
Musical Instruments
Music Lessons
Equipment Rentals
Instrument Repairs
Online Store
Details
- Year established: 1975
Highlights and features
- We offer over 45 years of combined musical expertise from our family legacy
- Our inventory includes rare instruments not found in mainstream retailers
- We provide personalized guidance for finding perfect musical matches
- We maintain a 24/7 online store for customer convenience
- Our staff includes professional musicians with teaching experience
Services
Musical Instruments
We offer an extensive collection of musical instruments ranging from standard guitars, drums, and keyboards to specialty items like banjos, ukuleles, horns, and harps. Our inventory caters to musicians at all skill levels, featuring both mainstream and hard-to-find instruments. This diverse selection ensures customers discover equipment matching their unique artistic needs while benefiting from our staff's generational expertise.
Music Lessons
Professional teaching staff provides in-house music instruction covering piano, drums, guitar, and vocal training. Our instructors combine teaching experience with active performance careers, offering practical insights to students of all ages. Lessons accommodate various skill levels from beginner to intermediate, with flexible scheduling options available through direct contact with each instructor.
Equipment Rentals
We provide professional audio equipment rentals for performances including lighting systems, mixers, microphones, and amplification solutions. Our rental inventory supports both small and large-scale events with options ranging from basic setups to advanced configurations. Competitive pricing and quality equipment ensure musicians can access necessary gear without long-term investment commitments.
Instrument Repairs
Our repair services cover acoustic and electric guitars, basses, ukuleles, banjos, mandolins, and various stringed instruments. We handle standard maintenance plus specialized electronics repairs for amplifiers and effects pedals. Pricing starts at $35 for basic repairs with variable costs based on instrument complexity and required work, ensuring quality service for both common and unique instruments.
Online Store
The 24/7 online store extends our physical location's offerings through Reverb.com marketplace. Customers access the same quality instruments, audio equipment, and accessories with detailed descriptions and high-resolution images. Secure payment processing and global reach allow convenient shopping while maintaining the personalized service standards that define our Grass Valley location's reputation.
People
Mary Ellen Sorci
Founder
Established Foggy Mountain Music in 1975, continuing a family musical legacy from her parents Marilyn and Joseph Sorci. Combines decades of industry experience with personal customer service approach.
Jody Sweet
Piano Instructor
Professional pianist with extensive teaching experience in Nevada County. Performs regularly in Lake Tahoe area and offers piano/keyboard lessons for all skill levels.
Ryan Everson
Drum Instructor
Active drummer with local band Cherry Rats, specializing in teaching younger students. Brings practical performance experience to lesson instruction.
RJ
Guitar & Vocal Instructor
Former youth group guitar teacher with worship band experience. Offers lessons for all ages covering electric/acoustic guitar and vocal training.
Questions
What are Foggy Mountain Music's operating hours?
We're open Monday-Friday 12:00-6:00 PM, Saturday 12:00-5:00 PM, and closed Sundays. Special holiday hours may apply.
Do you offer music lessons for beginners?
Yes, our instructors teach all skill levels including complete beginners. Lessons available for piano, drums, guitar, and voice.
Can I rent performance equipment from your store?
We offer sound system rentals including mixers, microphones, amplifiers, and lighting equipment for live performances.
Do you repair all types of musical instruments?
We specialize in stringed instruments and electronics repairs. Services include guitar setups, amplifier repairs, and effects pedal maintenance.
Is online shopping available?
Yes, our Reverb online store operates 24/7 featuring the same inventory as our physical location with secure payment options.
What makes Foggy Mountain Music unique?
Our family musical legacy, diverse instrument selection, and personalized service create a distinctive experience combining tradition with modern convenience.