Music One Workshop — Attraction in Kalispell

If you’re in Kalispell and looking for a guitar, stop what you’re doing and go see Larry and Serra. This isn’t just a music store — it’s a memory factory.

I wasn’t just shopping for a guitar with my dad. We were on a mission to create a moment — something meaningful. A full-circle memory, 24 years in the making.

Back in 2001, my dad and I got guitars together. Like millions of dreamers, we barely made it past the finger pain stage. Fast forward to 2013, I pawned both those guitars to cover a gambling debt (hey, no judgment). That was the end... until 2025.

This year, I decided to finally learn for real. I picked up a cheap Denver acoustic and started grinding — 1 to 3 hours a night chasing four chords and the truth. YouTube, sore fingers, and a whole lot of humble strumming. But I was in it.

Then came the boys weekend to Montana. I brought the beat-up Denver with me. After one heartfelt, off-key jam session, my old man looks at me and says, “I’m buying you a guitar tomorrow. You sound bad.” 😂 I laughed and said, “It’s not the guitar, it’s me.” He shot back, “Yeah, but a new guitar might help.”

Enter Music One Workshop, the Kalispell gem owned by Larry and Serra for 42 years — 38 of those on Main Street. And after our experience, I TOTALLY know why they’ve lasted.

We explained the mission: This wasn’t just a purchase. We were finding my Forever Guitar. Laura got it immediately. She sat me down and patiently handed me guitars to feel, play, and connect with. We spent nearly two hours in pure guitar heaven.

At first, I thought I found it — a gorgeous Taylor mahogany. But then, like a scene from a movie, Laura handed me a Paul Reed Smith SE40E. Spruce top, ebony fretboard, bone nut and saddle, and those iconic PRS bird inlays. I looked up at my dad. We both just knew. That was the one.

This wasn’t just about specs or sound. It was about soul.

So here’s the deal: If you’re buying an instrument, go anywhere. If you’re creating a memory, go to Larry and Laura at Music One. They helped me find a guitar — but more importantly, they helped me find a moment with my dad I’ll never forget.

Thank you, Serra and Larry. You gave me more than a guitar. You gave me a story I’ll...

2 brothers run this place. One is super cool. The other has been crushed by a life of music that failed to elevate him beyond the agony of working retail. I often wonder as I browse the store if he ever knew the pure joy of music? I've been coming to music one for 15 years, I've never even seen him smile. I can't tell if he has more contempt for his job, or for his customers.. Last time I asked him a question about some equipment, he glared at me for a minute before he replied. I wanted to give him a hug. He looks really stressed out. I hope he can see through his own agony and realize the joy that his products bring others! Smile George! Music is fun dude!

There other brother is super cool! he's worth putting up with grumpy pants once...

I brought Larry a guitar that had been custom made for me a few years back. Although the tone was beautiful, it never played the way I knew it could, and the pickup the builder had installed was unbalanced in its sound. I am a Canadian, and It felt more than a bit odd leaving my guitar in a different country for an unknown period of time, but something about the shop and Larry felt right. Two weeks later I picked up my guitar - it was more than I could have hoped for. Larry had built a new bone saddle to bring the pickup to life, and adjusted the action as if he knew exactly how I played. I will happily endure the five hour round trip to have Larry work on all my guitars. Thank you. Dave,...