At Best Startup California we track over 300,000 Californian startups and over 1,500,000 people who hold key positions in these companies. We use this directory of startups to highlight top employees, founders and organisations we think deserve more appreciation than they are currently getting.
We’ve ranked the top 101 Musical Instruments companies in California, United States. The companies, startups and institutions listed in this article are all exceptional companies, well worth a follow. We have included links to their websites, socials and CrunchBase (if you’re interested in their financials).
We selected the organisations listed in this article based on:
- Track record
- Executive leadership
- Market share
- Innovation
- ESG rating
Our Data – We source our data from OSINT (open source intelligence) and public directories such as Crunchbase, SemRush and many more. The data from these sources should be treated with a degree of caution and verified yourself.
Top Musical Instruments Companies & Startups (California, United States)
Guitar Center
Guitar Center, Inc. operates a chain of guitar and amplifier stores.
Founder(s): Ron Japinga, Wayne Mitchell
Location: Westlake Village, California, United States
Industries: Music, Musical Instruments
Follow:
GPU AUDIO
GPU AUDIO Turn any graphics card that most PC and laptop users have into a source of unlimited audio processing power.
Founder(s): Alexander Prokopchuk, Alexander Talashov, Vasiliy Sumatokhin
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: Music, Musical Instruments, Software
Follow:
Magic Instruments
High-tech musical instruments and software that make musical expression and music creation accessible to all.
Founder(s): Andrew Song, Brian Fan, Mark Liebman
Location: Marina Del Rey, California, United States
Industries: Mobile, Mobile Apps, Music, Music Education, Musical Instruments, Software
Follow:
Sound United
Sound United is an audio equipment maker that owns Polk Audio and Definitive Technology speaker brands.
Founder(s): Darrell Issa, Kathy Issa
Location: Vista, California, United States
Industries: Manufacturing, Music, Musical Instruments
Follow:
The ONE Music Group
Using technology to improve the musical experience, we embody the concept of classic + smart.
Founder(s): Ben Ye
Location: San Francisco, California, United States
Industries: Music, Musical Instruments
Follow:
ACS Diagnostics
ACS Diagnostics is a medical laboratory which designs ECG device that includes monitors like Cardiac Outpatient Realtime, Holter monitors.
Founder(s):
Location: Irvine, California, United States
Industries: Health Care, Medical Device, Musical Instruments, Product Design
Follow:
Keith McMillen Instruments
Keith McMillen Instruments develops hardware and software technologies that allows musicians to interface with computers.
Founder(s): Keith McMillen
Location: Berkeley, California, United States
Industries: Hardware, Music, Musical Instruments, Software
Follow:
Boomy
Boomy is an AI-powered platform that allows users to create songs instantly.
Founder(s): Alex Mitchell, Matthew Cohen Santorelli
Location: Berkeley, California, United States
Industries: Artificial Intelligence, Music, Music Label, Music Streaming, Musical Instruments
Follow:
Tappur
World’s first industrial quality wearable musical instrument. Watch someone play it to believe it.
Founder(s): Lei Yu, Tyler Freeman
Location: San Francisco, California, United States
Industries: Consumer Electronics, Electronics, Music, Musical Instruments, Performing Arts, Wearables
Follow:
NiceChart
NiceChart is the world’s first customizable sheet music solution.
Founder(s): Steve Morell
Location: San Diego, California, United States
Industries: Music, Musical Instruments, Publishing, Software
Follow:
SlideWinder
SlideWinder owns, manages, and sells a portfolio of innovative, patent-pending disruptive technologies for playing musical instrument.
Founder(s): Alex Calder
Location: San Francisco, California, United States
Industries: Computer, Electronics, Music, Musical Instruments, Software
Follow:
MusicSiren
MusicSiren teaches its users to play an instrumental version of their favourite song.
Founder(s): Brett Jacobson, Kirk Salvador
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: Music, Musical Instruments
Follow:
Guitar Party
Guitar Party assists guitar players and interested parties to find songs, lyrics, and tablature services and learn to play the guitar.
Founder(s): Arnar Tumi Þorsteinsson, Kjartan Sverrisson, Sævar Öfjörð Magnússon
Location: San Francisco, California, United States
Industries: Digital Entertainment, Music, Musical Instruments
Follow:
Blue Microphones
Blue Microphones creates microphones for audio professionals, musicians, and consumers.
Founder(s): Skipper Wise, ārtiņš Saulespurēns
Location: Westlake Village, California, United States
Industries: Consumer Electronics, Electronics, Musical Instruments, Wearables
Follow:
Taction Enterprises
Music Technology – Midi Control – Capacitive Sensor technology.
Founder(s): Antti Peltomaa, Autumn Jackson, Esa Viirret, Janne Kekalainen, Jukka Louhivuori, Kalevi Louhivuori, Narinder Singh, Vesa Kupari
Location: Beverly Hills, California, United States
Industries: Consumer Electronics, Music Education, Musical Instruments, Sensor, Software, Virtual Reality
Follow:
Trevx
Trevx is an music and audio search engine
Founder(s): Ahmad Mubideen
Location: San Mateo, California, United States
Industries: Digital Entertainment, Music, Musical Instruments
Follow:
Focus@will
Focus@will offers a web tool that enables its users to concentrate on their work, studies, writing, and reading by listening to music.
Founder(s): John Vitale, Will Henshall
Location: San Francisco, California, United States
Industries: Digital Entertainment, Music, Musical Instruments
Follow:
Loopport
Loopport creates and distributes loops, beats, sample patches and other musicians’ tools.
Founder(s): Max Royale
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: Music, Musical Instruments
Follow:
EverTune
EverTune offers a guitar bridge that keeps guitar instruments in tune regardless of the temperature, humidity, and other factors.
Founder(s): Brock Pierce, Cosmos Lyles
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: Digital Entertainment, Music, Musical Instruments
Follow:
Ciari Guitars, Inc.
Music-tech
Founder(s): Jonathan Spangler
Location: San Diego, California, United States
Industries: Apps, Musical Instruments
Follow:
Cerwin-Vega
Cerwin-Vega is a designer, manufacturer and distributor of a variety of audio and visual equipment, including speakers and amplifiers.
Founder(s):
Location: Chatsworth, California, United States
Industries: Manufacturing, Musical Instruments, Retail
Follow:
GarageBand
GarageB Internet music company whose goal is to identify and sign the most talented new bands, based on the collective opinion of consumers.
Founder(s):
Location: San Francisco, California, United States
Industries: Music, Musical Instruments, Virtualization
Follow:
Eastman Music
Eastman Music is a designer, manufacturer and distributor of musical instruments and accessories.
Founder(s):
Location: Pomona, California, United States
Industries: Manufacturing, Media and Entertainment, Music, Musical Instruments
Follow:
MONO Creators
MONO Creators design studio that creates high-end instrument cases, straps and accessories for gigging musicians.
Founder(s): Daniel Kushner
Location: Larkspur, California, United States
Industries: Music, Musical Instruments
Follow:
Diamond Multimedia Systems
Diamond Multimedia engages in the design, development, manufacture, and marketing of multimedia and connectivity products.
Founder(s):
Location: Chatsworth, California, United States
Industries: Computer, Electronics, Manufacturing, Musical Instruments
Follow:
Digital Music Corp
Voodoo Lab has designed and manufactured professional electronics for recording and touring musicians since 1986.
Founder(s):
Location: Santa Rosa, California, United States
Industries: Digital Entertainment, Manufacturing, Media and Entertainment, Music, Musical Instruments
Follow:
Yamaha Corporation of America
Yamaha offers a full line of award-winning musical instruments, sound reinforcement, commercial installation & home entertainment products.
Founder(s):
Location: Buena Park, California, United States
Industries: Music, Musical Instruments
Follow:
Drum Workshop
Drum Workshop was founded to supply drummers with percussion products made of the highest quality design, material and craftsmanship.
Founder(s):
Location: Oxnard, California, United States
Industries: Musical Instruments, Service Industry
Follow:
Orchestral Tools
Orchestral Tools develops professional and inspiring virtual instruments.
Founder(s):
Location: San Bruno, California, United States
Industries: Music, Musical Instruments, Professional Services, Software
Follow:
Vertex Effects
Vertex Effects is a retail company that specializes in handcraft effects pedals for guitar and bass players.
Founder(s): Mason Marangella
Location: Martinez, California, United States
Industries: Music, Musical Instruments, Professional Services, Retail
Follow:
Deering Banjo Company
Deering Banjo Company was founded in 1975 and has grown to become the largest manufacturer of American made banjos in the world.
Founder(s):
Location: Spring Valley, California, United States
Industries: Manufacturing, Musical Instruments
Follow:
Linkin Park
Linkin Park Hybrid Theory is the debut studio album basically taken live instruments and really made use of digital technology.
Founder(s):
Location: Sherman Oaks, California, United States
Industries: Media and Entertainment, Music, Musical Instruments
Follow:
NAMM
National Association of Music Merchants promotes and supports music education and music making for people of all ages and abilities.
Founder(s):
Location: Carlsbad, California, United States
Industries: Association, Music, Musical Instruments
Follow:
AED Leader
AED Leader is a world-class provider of automatic external defibrillators to businesses nationwide.
Founder(s): Brian Graddon
Location: Oceanside, California, United States
Industries: Home Health Care, Medical Device, Musical Instruments
Follow:
The ESP Guitar Company
The ESP Guitar Company manufactures electric guitars and basses.
Founder(s):
Location: North Hollywood, California, United States
Industries: Manufacturing, Music, Musical Instruments, Service Industry
Follow:
Music Store Live
Music Store Live is a musicians fuses the spirit of the local guitar shop.
Founder(s):
Location: National City, California, United States
Industries: Music, Musical Instruments, Retail
Follow:
Professional Sound Corp.
Professional Sound Corporation designs and builds audio equipment and accessories for the film and video industries.
Founder(s):
Location: Valencia, California, United States
Industries: Audio, Consumer Electronics, Electronics, Film, Manufacturing, Musical Instruments
Follow:
Big Fish Audio
Big Fish Audio specializes in creating and offering virtual instruments, drum loops and hits, construction kits and sample libraries.
Founder(s):
Location: Santa Clarita, California, United States
Industries: Digital Entertainment, Music, Musical Instruments, Product Design
Follow:
Alpha Medical Instruments
Alpha Medical Instruments is a medical equipment manufacturing company that produces introducer sets and balloon flotation catheters.
Founder(s):
Location: Mission Viejo, California, United States
Industries: Health Care, Manufacturing, Medical Device, Musical Instruments
Follow:
Kawai America
Kawai America is a musical instruments company.
Founder(s):
Location: Rancho Dominguez, California, United States
Industries: Music, Musical Instruments
Follow:
Conductant
Conductant, a small startup that focused on orchestration.
Founder(s): Bill Farner, David Chung
Location: San Francisco, California, United States
Industries: Audio, Information Technology, Internet, Music, Musical Instruments, Software
Follow:
Tiffany Music Academy
Tiffany Music Academy is an online portal that provides music, piano, guitar, violin, and songwriting classes.
Founder(s):
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: Art, Education, Music, Musical Instruments
Follow:
Sequential
Sequential specializes in the designs and sales of musical instruments.
Founder(s): Dave Smith
Location: San Francisco, California, United States
Industries: Manufacturing, Music, Musical Instruments
Follow:
LR Baggs
LR Baggs manufactures and sells acoustic guitar pickups, microphones and preamps.
Founder(s):
Location: Nipomo, California, United States
Industries: Manufacturing, Musical Instruments, Small and Medium Businesses
Follow:
Axis Percussion
Axis Percussion specializes in precision drum pedals and hardware crafting and manufacturing.
Founder(s):
Location: Carson, California, United States
Industries: Industrial, Manufacturing, Media and Entertainment, Musical Instruments
Follow:
Music Lifeboat
Making Music Education Accessible For Every Child
Founder(s): Dr. Brandon Bernstein, Julius Preite, Scott Loring, Terry Carter
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: E-Learning, Education, Gamification, Gaming, Mobile, Music, Music Education, Musical Instruments, Performing Arts, Tutoring
Follow:
Yamaha Guitar Group
Yamaha Guitar Group is a guitar manufacturing firm that offers guitar products in 3 brands: Yamaha, Line 6, and Ampeg.
Founder(s):
Location: Calabasas, California, United States
Industries: Manufacturing, Music, Musical Instruments
Follow:
Strymon
Strymon is a creator and US manufacturer of high-end music electronics, and a division of Damage Control Engineering.
Founder(s):
Location: Westlake Village, California, United States
Industries: Electronics, Manufacturing, Media and Entertainment, Music, Musical Instruments
Follow:
Tangible Instruments LLC
Tangible Instruments is the producer of Arpeggio, a mobile device for musical artists to create melodies.
Founder(s): Charlie Lesoine, Max Rosenzweig, Nicholas Morrow, Viktor Metelev
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: Collaboration, Consumer Electronics, Hardware, Music, Music Education, Musical Instruments
Follow:
Waveforge Music
Waveforge music is is specialized in various styles of contemporary electronic music located in Walnut.
Founder(s):
Location: Walnut, California, United States
Industries: Media and Entertainment, Music, Musical Instruments
Follow:
EastWest Sounds
EastWest Sounds is a developer of virtual instruments, sounds and software development.
Founder(s):
Location: West Hollywood, California, United States
Industries: Information Technology, Music, Musical Instruments, Software, Virtual Reality, Virtualization
Follow:
Umlaut Audio
Umlaut Audio develops and retails customized virtual instruments and sample libraries for artists.
Founder(s):
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: Music, Musical Instruments, Retail, Virtual Goods
Follow:
Music Go Round
Music Go Round sell and buy musical instruments and musical gear.
Founder(s):
Location: Stockton, California, United States
Industries: B2C, Internet, Musical Instruments, Sales
Follow:
Image Dynamics
Image Dynamics is a manufactures and retails speakers, subwoofers, amplifiers and its components.
Founder(s):
Location: Ontario, California, United States
Industries: Electronics, Manufacturing, Musical Instruments, Retail
Follow:
Starr Labs
Starr Labs is a manufacturer of electronic products like wireless airpower, controllers, clippers, MIDI keyboards and guitars.
Founder(s):
Location: San Diego, California, United States
Industries: Consumer Electronics, Electronics, Manufacturing, Musical Instruments
Follow:
ProAudioLand
Pro Audio Land is a wholesale dealer that offers premier musical instruments, amps, effects, and pro audio gear.
Founder(s):
Location: Torrance, California, United States
Industries: Musical Instruments, Retail, Sales
Follow:
Nady Systems
Nady Systems has been designing, manufacturing, and marketing wireless and pro audio equipment.
Founder(s):
Location: Pleasant Hill, California, United States
Industries: Electronics, Manufacturing, Musical Instruments, Wireless
Follow:
Songbird Ocarina
Songbird Ocarina delivers hand-crafted ocarinas that include zelda ocarina, 12 hole ocarinas, and songbooks with worldwide shipping.
Founder(s):
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: Creative Agency, Handmade, Music, Musical Instruments
Follow:
Soundpandas
Audio equipment reviews
Founder(s):
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: Music, Music Streaming, Musical Instruments
Follow:
Stewart Audio
Stewart Audio is a singular focus has been making a difference in sound reinforcement company located in Sonora
Founder(s):
Location: Sonora, California, United States
Industries: Consumer Electronics, Electronics, Musical Instruments
Follow:
3rd Power
3RD POWER produces a wide array of guitar amplification products, including amplifiers, speaker cabinets, guitar pickups and pedals.
Founder(s):
Location: Mountain View, California, United States
Industries: Manufacturing, Musical Instruments
Follow:
Halo Custom Guitars
Halo Custom Guitars is an e-commerce platform for buying musical instruments.
Founder(s):
Location: Cupertino, California, United States
Industries: E-Commerce, Made to Order, Music, Musical Instruments, Sales
Follow:
Skip’s Music
Skip’s Music is a full-service music store.
Founder(s):
Location: Elk Grove, California, United States
Industries: Audio, Music, Music Education, Musical Instruments
Follow:
CMH Records
CMH Records is a music industry, that releases diverse styles of music including string quartet tributes, punk, metal, and lullabies.
Founder(s):
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: Electronics, Independent Music, Music, Music Label, Musical Instruments
Follow:
Studio Construction Services
Studio Construction Services is a producers,composers and record labels to consult, design and construct facilities.
Founder(s):
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: Construction, Music, Musical Instruments
Follow:
RhythmStrummer.com
RhythmStrummer.com offers online acoustic guitar lessons for beginners and intermediate players.
Founder(s): Steve Baughman
Location: San Francisco, California, United States
Industries: Music, Music Education, Musical Instruments
Follow:
San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra
San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra is a nonprofit organization that offers digital broadcast series of orchestra bands.
Founder(s):
Location: San Bernardino, California, United States
Industries: Music Streaming, Musical Instruments, Non Profit
Follow:
Antiquity Music
Professional Virtual Instruments for Composers and Musicians
Founder(s): Mitchell Manger
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: Music, Musical Instruments
Follow:
Dana B Goods
Dana B. Goods is a supplier of musical instruments and accessories.
Founder(s):
Location: Camarillo, California, United States
Industries: Media and Entertainment, Music, Musical Instruments
Follow:
Peak Music Stands
Peak Music Stands offers compact and portable design of musical equipment.
Founder(s):
Location: Cerritos, California, United States
Industries: Music, Musical Instruments, Service Industry
Follow:
Musical Surroundings
Musical Surroundings manufactures and supplies high-performance vinyl and analogue playback equipment and accessories.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Manufacturing, Musical Instruments, Wholesale
Follow:
Mesa Boogie Hollywood
Mesa Boogie Hollywood offers an impressive collection of world-class guitars, basses, boutique pedals, and high-end accessories.
Founder(s):
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: Musical Instruments
Follow:
SpeakerCraft
SpeakerCraft is a manufacturer of architectural loudspeakers and complementary audio products for entertainment industry.
Founder(s):
Location: Carlsbad, California, United States
Industries: Digital Entertainment, Manufacturing, Music, Musical Instruments
Follow:
Hapi Drum
Hapi Drum is a designer and worldwide supplier company located in Oakhurst.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakhurst, California, United States
Industries: Musical Instruments, Personal Branding, Retail
Follow:
Roger Linn Design
Roger Linn Design engages in the design, manufacture, and sales of high-tech products for musicians.
Founder(s):
Location: Berkeley, California, United States
Industries: Electronics, Manufacturing, Musical Instruments
Follow:
Tritones
Tritones is a retail company that specializes in musical instruments distribution service.
Founder(s):
Location: San Jose, California, United States
Industries: Music, Music Education, Musical Instruments, Retail
Follow:
PianoDisc
PianoDisc is a music store that offers a wide range of piano systems, prodigy, pro record and iQ player application to its customers.
Founder(s):
Location: Sacramento, California, United States
Industries: Music, Musical Instruments, Professional Services
Follow:
Snap Judgment Studios
Snap Judgment Studios is a mixes real stories with killer beats to produce cinematic,dramatic,kick-ass radiocompany located in Oakland.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Media and Entertainment, Musical Instruments, News
Follow:
Glee Music Academy
Glee Music Academy is a music school.
Founder(s):
Location: Lake Forest, California, United States
Industries: Education, Music, Music Education, Musical Instruments
Follow:
Xotic
Xotic manufactures and exports custom guitars, basses, pickups, amps, AC, RC, BB pedals, and accessories.
Founder(s):
Location: Van Nuys, California, United States
Industries: Audio, Music, Musical Instruments
Follow:
Tim’s Music
Tim’s Music to protect the Musical instrument .
Founder(s):
Location: Sacramento, California, United States
Industries: Music, Musical Instruments, Service Industry
Follow:
Boldface
Gig bags and backpacks with custom printed, personalized, interchangeable “faces”.
Founder(s): Randy Fenton
Location: Redondo Beach, California, United States
Industries: Consumer Electronics, Musical Instruments
Follow:
Lowrey
Lowrey is a musical instrument manufacturing company.
Founder(s):
Location: Rancho Dominguez, California, United States
Industries: Manufacturing, Music, Musical Instruments
Follow:
Vallejo Symphony
Vallejo Symphony is an orchestra association that facilitates orchestral performance, pops, subscription concerts and music direction.
Founder(s):
Location: Vallejo, California, United States
Industries: Association, Music, Music Education, Musical Instruments, Training
Follow:
On A Higher Note
On A Higher Note, LLC is a premier distributor of high-end audio components in the United States and Canada.
Founder(s):
Location: San Juan Capistrano, California, United States
Industries: Audio, Manufacturing, Musical Instruments
Follow:
Regard Music
Regard Music provides lyric reprints, mechanicals, derivative works, synchronization licenses, and public performances services.
Founder(s):
Location: Sherman Oaks, California, United States
Industries: Media and Entertainment, Music, Musical Instruments
Follow:
Singing Serpent
Singing Serpent provides original music and sound design, final mix for broadcast, and music supervision and licensing services.
Founder(s):
Location: San Diego, California, United States
Industries: Broadcasting, Music, Musical Instruments
Follow:
Goto California
Goto California is a supplier of the voice coil, coils for multi-media application, die-cutting, clean heating system and square wire.
Founder(s):
Location: San Diego, California, United States
Industries: Audio, Manufacturing, Media and Entertainment, Musical Instruments
Follow:
Peace Drums
Peace Drums manufactures and supplies musical instruments such as drums, tambourine and timbales company.
Founder(s):
Location: City Of Industry, California, United States
Industries: Manufacturing, Musical Instruments, Product Design
Follow:
Twisted Tools
Twisted Tools is an e-commerce company for software instruments and sound libraries.
Founder(s):
Location: San Francisco, California, United States
Industries: E-Commerce, Musical Instruments, Software
Follow:
JK Sound Inc
JK Sound Inc is Provides Premier Audio Visual Installations for the Community of San Francisco.
Founder(s): Joe Klinger
Location: San Francisco, California, United States
Industries: Musical Instruments
Follow:
Scenefour
Scenefour is a musical instruments company that specializes in the construction of collaborative art projects.
Founder(s):
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: Media and Entertainment, Music, Musical Instruments
Follow:
Trident Audio Developments
Trident Audio Developments is a digital entertainment company that specializes in audio development products.
Founder(s):
Location: Gardena, California, United States
Industries: Audio, Digital Entertainment, Music, Musical Instruments
Follow:
Polyverse
Polyverse is a customized music instrument and tools company that offers synthesizers, digital music instruments, and manipulators.
Founder(s):
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: Music, Musical Instruments, Professional Services
Follow:
Carol McComb Guitar Workshops
Carol McComb Guitar Workshops provides online music, guitar and singing lessons.
Founder(s):
Location: Palo Alto, California, United States
Industries: E-Learning, Internet, Music, Musical Instruments
Follow:
STOKYO
STOKYO is a e commerce company.
Founder(s):
Location: Gardena, California, United States
Industries: E-Commerce, Internet, Musical Instruments
Follow:
Digital Sound Factory
Digital Sound Factory creates and distributes high-resolution, royalty-free audio sound downloads for users of computer software.
Founder(s):
Location: Soquel, California, United States
Industries: Musical Instruments, Software
Follow:
Steinhausen
Steinhausen is an ever evolving developer of fine timepieces, menswear, accessories, and luxury items.
Founder(s):
Location: Valencia, California, United States
Industries: Fashion, Jewelry, Musical Instruments
Follow:
Sheptone
Sheptone works without compromise, one at a time, with the materials, time, and intent to achieve the ultimate tone.
Founder(s):
Location: Julian, California, United States
Industries: Media and Entertainment, Musical Instruments, Sales
Follow:
McKinney Associates
McKinney Associates is a company that sells audio-video equipment and provides installation services.
Founder(s):
Location: Hayward, California, United States
Industries: Audio, Consumer Electronics, Musical Instruments, Sales, Video
Follow:
GoDpsMusic
GoDpsMusic specializes in musical instrument kits customizable to each individuals needs.
Founder(s):
Location: Thousand Oaks, California, United States
Industries: Music Streaming, Musical Instruments
Follow: