About Gear Music
Our Story
Gear Music is an independent music store at 324 Kerr Street in the heart of Oakville, Ontario, serving musicians across the Greater Toronto Area in-store and online with shipping across Canada.
Owner Dave Goodyear started his career in music retail in 1989 at the Hi-Note. In 1996, he opened Gear Music on Kerr Street — drawn to the street's roots in the arts community and driven by the belief that musicians deserve knowledgeable, personal service. With the addition of Manager Scott Apted, they've built a loyal clientele over the decades who value real expertise and follow-through. Andrew Aldridge brought deep knowledge of effects, pedals, guitars, and amps — he continues to tour and record, and has been enlisted by Roland to create presets for their products.
Music Lessons
Lessons have been part of Gear Music since day one. All of our instructors are adults with degrees, diplomas, or recognized professional experience — and we believe private one-on-one instruction is the best way to build real musical skills and a genuine connection to music.
Repairs & Service
Instruments need care, and we take that seriously. With decades of experience, Gear Music handles most repairs in-house with some of the best turnaround times in the country — so you can get back on stage quickly and affordably.
We've had the privilege of working with some well-known artists over the years, but every customer gets the same level of attention and care — whether you've been playing for thirty years or you're picking up your first guitar.
Gear Music is proud to be the exclusive Oakville dealer for many prestigious brands including Fender, Gibson, Gretsch, Martin, Yamaha, Roland, and more.
Over the years, Gear has been recognized as the Top Music Store in Oakville and for Best Lessons — but what matters most to us is giving back. Through donations to local charities, longstanding relationships with Oakville schools, and welcoming dozens of co-op students over the years, we're committed to helping grow the experience of music for everyone.
Whether you visit us in person or shop online, we'll help you find what you need with the kind of personal service that only an independent music store can offer.
Gear Music Staff
What Our Customers Say
Hi Scott, ITS HERE!!!! Already!! Just wanted to let you know it was here and again, I can’t thank you enough! I just spent the last hour playing, holding and just adoring this beautiful guitar. Absolutely happy with the purchase and incredible help, service and speed of delivery… like WOW!.. I hadn’t even talked to you yet at this point yesterday!! Blown away and super happy over here! I have two more guitars on my ‘must have’ list so when I am in the position to jump on either of them I will definitely be checking in! Again, THANK YOU! Thanks so much. I really didn’t think I would be able to get this model so this is just the best day, I have to tell you. Made my year for sure! All the very best to you and yours Scott and all the best to everyone else as well! Bye for now and talk to you again I’m sure!-TM
I just wanted to say thank you to Gear Music for making my online purchase very hassle free and satisfying! The item was delivered very quickly and I certainly can’t complain about the price. Great work, I’ll be buying from you again in the future.-EZ
Thank you!!! I've ordered a few items now from Gear Music and am VERY impressed by how fast they arrived, and well packaged! Thanks for your excellent customer service - you guys rock :)-RT
One of the best experiences I have ever had buying a guitar on line thank you so much Gear Music-DB
This place rocks! Decided I wanted to get into guitar and was having a hard time finding the model I wanted, but this place had it at an amazing price. Also the customer service is above and beyond. I placed my order on the weekend expecting not to see anything for a couple days in terms of shipping. But instead, on a Monday, I got a call and they were at my front door with my equipment. Blown away! Thanks again, I would highly recommend anyone to check out Gear Music.-GL
Thanks Dave. SO glad I opted for a Canadian business with real people who actually respond.
-KH
You folks run a great shop, and I have to say compared to some other shops (those run by equipment snobs), you folks are unflaggingly helpful and treat all customers like they mean something (other than revenue). Well done and keep it up.
-HH
Just to let you know the guitar arrived yesterday, and it made it safe and sound (was almost completely in tune when I took it out of the box). Many thanks for getting shipped quickly!!
-EK
Hi all! I recently purchased a VOX Valvetronix VT80+ guitar amp at Gear. I love my new amp and am very happy with my purchase. The staff at Gear (Scott) was very helpful, friendly, and had a ton of knowledge about all their products. Go shop there for all your music needs!
- MM
Completely blown away! You can't find what you stock in very many if any other music shops. The staff is great and know their stuff . Was the 170 km drive worth it? How about yes! I'll see you real soon. Thanks for taking the time to chat and swap stories .
- FM
Hey Scott, Chris, and Andrew. Thanks so much for the invite to meet Peter Stroud it was absolutely amazing. I know why we keep going back to Gear Music for all our purchases, the staff there has treated us like royalty. I'm not kidding there is a genuine sense of customer care and respect there that is so rare these days. Again thanks you all so much, it was a great evening of fun. I have attached 3 pictures for you. I shrunk them to web size, if you'd like a full size version suitable for printing let me know. AWESOME NIGHT!!!! See you guys soon, I need strings hahaha and it's always worth the road trip.
- GG
Just wanted to thank you and mark for the good service and quality work done on my guitar. It means a lot to me and appreciate the time and effort that was put into the repair. You have a great store as well by the way. Good staff and good product. Thanks again.
- S
