When you walk in the door of Tim’s Music you immediately notice that the space is open, clean, visually appealing and staffed by friendly folks. That’s the impression that owner Scott Mandeville wants people to have. He designed the space to be warmly inviting and wants his staff to understand that kindness and personal interaction are the first step in creating a relationship with each person who enters the door.
Mandeville and his wife Melissa bought the business in 2005 from its founder and namesake, Tim Lawrence. Lawrence opened Tim’s Band Instrument Service in 1977 and when nearing retirement, he joked repeatedly with his friend about buying the shop. One day, Mandeville asked, “How much?” and shortly thereafter the shop belonged to him and his wife. They kept “Tim’s” in the name, but have made many changes to the shop since then.
The biggest change was their 2009 move from the small, cave-like space on Arden Way to a larger space in a renovated shopping center on Marconi Avenue near Fulton.
It could have been a disastrous decision because the economy was at one of its lowest points, but Mandeville says that it turned out very well. Lease terms and construction rates were affordable, the site has good access and parking, and the move just “felt right; the right thing to do,” Mandeville says.
Mandeville came to the business with years of experience in music and instrument repair. His dad signed him up for fourth grade band where he played baritone because that was the instrument that the director needed.
In high school, Mandeville applied his mechanically-inclined mind to auto shop, but it wasn’t quite the right fit. He later attended California State University, Sacramento (CSUS) as a music major and then went to Allied Music Repair School where he could combine his mechanical aptitude and love of music.
Mandeville returned to Sacramento and worked for the next twenty-three years at Northridge Music as the repair shop manager and liaison for educational contracts and interaction with band directors. He was ready for a new challenge when Lawrence offered to sell him the business. Through his store, Mandeville can work toward his mission to “promote wellness in society through music education and performance.”
The shop offers a full range of services, including band and orchestral instrument rentals and sales, instrument repair, and music instruction, including guitar and composition.
Tim’s Music was the first store in the Sacramento Valley to offer ultrasonic cleaning technology. The cleaning sanitizes the instrument and removes built-up calcium and oxides in an environmentally-friendly manner.
The music instruction program is staffed by high-end working musicians. Many students who took lessons at Tim’s have gone on to big name music schools such as Juilliard and Berklee College of Music, and then on to careers in music education and performance.
Mandeville is a music educator and performer himself. He teaches instrument maintenance and method classes (for future band directors) at CSUS. He also performs in Joyous Brass, a local British style brass band.
When asked about his favorite part of his work, Mandeville says with a big smile, “It’s talking to people.” With his personal touch and friendly attitude, it’s no surprise that the store has a caring and comfortable atmosphere.
Tim’s Music is located at 2812 Marconi Ave. in the Taylor Center, across from Town & Country shopping center. The store is open on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tim’s Music can be reached at (916) 925-9160.
"Locally Owned” is a regular column highlighting local business owners — the backbone of our community and economy. Each column explores the personal story of an owner and the business he or she built.
