This is a store built by musicians for musicians ~ and for anyone who has a love for fine American craftsmanship.
We are a collective of passionate musicians and guitar junkies, offering the finest instruments to discerning players, collectors, and artists. Our expertise centers around hand-crafted luthier-grade guitars, rare vintage pieces, and quality beginner-level instruments.
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 the instruments we represent is as visible and vibrant as it was in the 1960’s.
We invite you to visit us, just outside of Boston, in historic Lexington, MA. Stroll the Battle Green, 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.
General 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).
Media/Web Mangement, Acoustic & Vintage Specialist
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 Department Manager, Web/Marketing
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 website and 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.
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.
Mandolins & Acoustic Guitar
Ian Goldstein
Now in his second stint at TME, Ian's tenure at the shop dates back to 2001. Ian has returned to guide the mandolin department once again. Fluent in Spanish, accomplished on the mandolin, oud, and guitar, and holding a PhD in Music from UC Berkeley, Ian is our resident global music expert, with an interest in everything from traditional Arabic music to The Black Crowes. Ian's patience and broad knowledge base have him uniquely positioned to assist both our international clients and the student who walks through the door looking for that inspirational first instrument.
MEDIA & CONTENT
Jacob Kleinberg
A recent graduate of Brandeis University, Jacob assists with all aspects of our product photography and media production here at TME. Don't be charmed by his good humor and quick wit if you see him working around the shop: he's got lots to do!
