From banging on pots and pans as a child to taking up the guitar during a midlife crisis, making music is so ingrained into modern culture that many people consider it a human right. Music Go Round Bradenton, owned by Melinda and David Setchel, is changing the tune for aspiring musicians by selling affordable used musical instruments and sound equipment. Melinda was a clarinet player in the high school band as well as a singer in the chorus and was a member of her college band for a brief time. Both she and her husband David, a keyboard player, worked in the medical field for over 30 years. “I was a dental hygienist, and David was a hospital administrator,” says Setchel, “and we moved all over the place from job to job as hospitals were being sold.” While living in Topeka, Kansas, the hospital where David worked was sold, and the pair began looking for work opportunities outside of medicine that would allow them to live near their extended family in Florida. They explored franchising opportunities and intrigued by the music business the couple decided to open a Music Go Round franchise. Their sons, both lifelong musicians who play guitar and sing, are also part of the business in the roles of manager and guitar technician. 

“We buy, sell and trade used and some new inventory,” says Melinda. All musical instruments—like guitars, drums and keyboards—are available, as well as professional sound equipment and accessories such as guitar straps. The majority of the stock runs the gamut from beginner to professional level, allowing customers to trade pieces in and save for more advanced gear. For example, an average beginner guitar costs less than $200, but vintage and high-end models from brands like Gibson or Fender can cost up to $3,000. “We’re very particular and we don’t want to look like a yard sale,” adds Melinda, “so we make sure that everything is clean and fully functional.” In terms of new products, the store carries Dean guitars, Luna guitars and drum percussion products, as well as Casio keyboards and Meinl percussion instruments. 

Music Go Round also sells band instruments for students and offers a buy-back program. “If the kid hates it,” she adds, “then they can return it within a year and we’ll buy it back for half the cost, which is cheaper than renting the item.” 

Aside from students who are unable to choose between lugging around a tuba or a flute, the shop also lends a hand to all musicians. “People come in to purchase their starter guitar and get excited because we can offer them a bundle package that’s less than the cost of a normal guitar,” says Melinda. Further supporting musicians’ needs, the store does onsite guitar repairs and refers customers to qualified technicians outside of the business for other instrument and equipment repairs. They also host music lessons on select instruments like guitars, drums and beginner keyboards onsite. “We hope that as we continue growing, we can get involved with community events and do more to help local musicians,” she adds.