Three Wave Music — Local services in Midland Park

Three Wave is just absolutely incredible, there’s no other word to describe it. I had first visited the store 4 years ago, before I had really gotten into synths/electronic music, and was solely playing guitar. I was still absolutely blown away by how much history, as far as vintage synths, drum machines, organs, that I’d only seen in books or had heard about. I ended up leaving with a Roland JU-06 that day. This past Saturday, I took the 15 minute trip there with my sister (who’s not a musician at all). I had gotten into the world of synths, analog, digital, mono, poly, modular, semi modular, and drum machines, and had been tirelessly learning new things about my Moog Grandmother, Mother-32, DFAM, Korg Minilogue, OP-1, was in the process of building a modular synth, and as soon as we got there, that feeling of magic hit again. My sister walked around in awe, as I a looked at modules with the young guy working behind the counter(I thought he was maybe Sam’s son?) Anyhow, not only was he incredibly helpful, friendly, knowledgeable, but he encouraged me to try any module I was interested in, showed me how a modular synth I was interested in worked..I ended up leaving with 2 Make Noise Modules, a Make Noise 0-Coast desktop modular synth, a blank hp plate for my skiff, and a couple packs of Make Noise hot pink patch cables(I love those hot pink cables..lol) . My sister and I got home from dinner afterwards, and he had thrown in a ton of different stickers in my bag, Moog, Endorphin.es, Make Noise, a bunch. I have not had such an incredible experience at a shop (especially high end music gear shop) that was that incredible in so long, I honestly cannot remember. Friendly, Helpful, they take time to answer any questions, don’t rush you, make you feel unwelcome, or judge you, thinking you’re not gonna buy something , quite the opposite. Their prices on new equipment are comparable with any well priced large music equipment dealer(I buy a lot of equipment from Sweetwater, and Three Wave’s prices are the same) , and I would even go further , saying that their prices on vintage pieces (at least some popular pieces like the Juno or the Roland TR-808, which I asked the prices of, were not shocking in the least, as they were cheaper than a few places online that I’ve seen them sell ). If you are interested in any time of equipment, new or vintage, that is used in electronic, hip hop, production, are into building modular, or just wanna see some incredible music equipment history, there is no better place that I know of. I will be heading back this coming weekend to pick up a new module (their modular selection is absolutely unreal, and the companies they carry are all listed on the site, along with all kinds of cases, cables, power sources..) and hopefully will get to spend some more time trying out some new modules that I’m interested in. Three Wave has definitely become my #1 go to place for all things synth. There aren’t enough great adjectives to describe this amazing place. Definitely make the trip if you’re interested in checking it out. You will not be...

Breaks my heart to write this review as I have love for the people who organize and run such an incredible store. For context I have been going here for over 5 years and never had a complaint. Sure repairs would need fixing and ppieces on hold would be out of stock when I arrived but that’s just how it goes. I love the older gentleman and his knowledge of myths as well as the bearded fellow. This story ultimately starts with a mistake I made upon checking out. As you know if you have shopped there there is always a selection of pamphlets big and small by the checkout desk. You will also know that organization is not a priority for them. Before I leave I grab one of what I believe to be some kind of folk music pamphlet. Satisfied I begin to drive home and around 20/30 minutes later I get a call: “you have to pay for that you took it without paying” thinking that he’s talking about the groove box I just bought I said I already did and then he said “the sampler” at which point I realized my grave mistake in accidentally taking a purchase able item instead of a free on. For those who don’t know the knew TE sampler is practically light as air and paper thin, I didn’t even feel a thing in the box. I was met on my return back 10 minutes after the original call saying that he had called the cops, a development which I believe to be overkill, excessive and dangerous. I have been the victim of police brutality in the past and the prospect of walking into a room of cops with stolen goods was not something I was willing to do. I left the gear in my car and returned inside to speak to the employees and face the music, however I realized there were no police inside. Immediately I tried explaining my mistake and how sorry I was and why I had been scared of the police but was simply met with disregard and belittlement. I was primarily talked to by the two younger men and did not get a chance to speak to the owner, clearly at the influence of the younger workers as they would repeat “don’t talk to him” despite him turning around. Three Wave I am so sorry. I made a mistake and when I tried to make it right I was placed in a position to put my safety first over my responsibility to you and I’m sorry. I accept your lifetime ban and wish you...

Three Wave Music is worth a trip to check out the vast collection of synths. Sam, the proprietor, is a nice guy and will gladly let you try out many of the machines.

Unfortunately, I have had more than one bad experience leaving my synths with Sam for repair. Out of 6 keyboards I left with him only 2 were fully repaired. A Chroma Polaris came back worse than I left it (albeit with a replaced membrane panel, but with worse problems overall) and a PolySix went unrepaired for reasons unclear. Still had to pay around $500 for both.

The real reason I am writing this review is when the Prophet 600 I left with Sam came home with me unfixed, I discovered that 6 CEM "Curtis" chips had been removed from the unit and the screen and sequencer was rendered useless. No wonder he offered to buy it from me ($50) every time I called. I immediately called Sam and he pleaded ignorance. To his credit, when I finally went in to pick up the next round of synths for "repair" I brought the 600 with me to show him and after some pleading he replaced the chips (although since they came from a little plastic box full of them, I suspect they were not my original Curtis chips).

Sam did a good job with my Farfisa Compact and an ARP Omni. Not so good with an Acetone combo organ, Chroma Polaris, Korg Polysix, and Prophet 600. Poor communication, high prices, shady practices, and apparent incompetence makes me urge you not to leave your equipment behind at Three Wave...