About

Terry Carter standing in front of a wall of guitar picks at Terry Carter Music Store

Our Story

Terry Carter Music Store exists to inspire and support musicians worldwide.

It started in 2018 as a side effect of teaching. I'd built Uke Like The Pros into one of the most-watched ukulele education channels online, and when KoAloha Ukulele approached me about selling their instruments, I said yes — email orders, PayPal invoices, shipping boxes out of my own house.

By 2019 that had grown into a real online store, with brands like KoAloha, Kala, and Ohana. Then 2020 hit, musicians everywhere picked up an instrument for the first time, and we moved into our first 1,500 sq ft warehouse just to keep up. In 2021 we opened a 5,000 sq ft storefront to match the growth.

In 2022 we rebranded from store.ukelikethepros.com to Terry Carter Music Store, reflecting a broader vision for where this was headed. And in 2023, once it was clear our customers were all over the world and not just San Diego, we made the deliberate call to go back to online-only — put our energy into shipping fast and pricing fair for musicians everywhere, instead of splitting focus with a physical retail floor. That's still our model today, and it's the one built for how our customers actually shop.

Meet Terry Carter — The Musician Behind the Mission

I'm Terry Carter — a San Diego-based musician, surfer, songwriter, and creator of terrycartermusicstore.com, ukelikethepros.com, and rocklikethepros.com. With over 30 years as a professional musician, educator, and Los Angeles studio musician, I bring that experience to every part of this store.

Terry Carter at NAMM with his book, Do-It-Yourself Ukulele, published by Hal Leonard

Professional Music Career

My career includes collaborations with music industry legends:

  • Weezer
  • Josh Groban
  • Robby Krieger (The Doors)
  • 2-time Grammy winning composer Christopher Tin (Calling All Dawns)
  • Duff McKagan (Guns N' Roses)
  • Grammy winning producer Charles Goodan (Santana/Rolling Stones)
  • Los Angeles Philharmonic

Media & Content Creation

I've written and produced tracks for major commercials (Discount Tire and Puma) and television shows, including Scorpion (CBS), Pit Bulls & Parolees (Animal Planet), Trippin', Wildboyz, and The Real World (MTV).

As an educator and content creator, I've:

  • Self-published over 20 books for Uke Like The Pros and Rock Like The Pros
  • Filmed over 50 ukulele and guitar online courses
  • Generated millions of views across social media

Educational Background & Teaching Experience

I hold a Master of Music in Studio/Jazz Guitar Performance from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor of Music from San Diego State University, with emphasis in Jazz Studies and Music Education.

My teaching experience spans:

  • University of Southern California
  • San Diego State University
  • Santa Monica College
  • Miracosta College
  • Los Angeles Trade Tech College

I started this store because I got tired of recommending gear to my students and then watching them get sold the wrong instrument, at the wrong price, by someone who'd never played one. Every product we carry, I'd hand to my own students.

Today we've helped outfit more than 30,000 musicians with instruments and gear, backed by thousands of 5-star reviews from real customers (read more here).

What We Offer

Today, Terry Carter Music Store provides one of the largest selections of musical instruments and gear online, including:

  • Ukuleles & Guitars — From beginner-friendly to professional models
  • Accordions, Mandolins & Banjos — Instruments for every musician's journey
  • DJ & Recording Equipment — Perfect for home studios and performers
  • Drums & Percussion — Everything you need to keep the beat
  • Accessories & Essentials — Strings, picks, cases, straps, tuners, and more

Why Choose Terry Carter Music Store?

  • Musician-Led — Founded by a professional musician and educator with 30+ years of industry experience
  • Trusted Brands — KoAloha, Kala, Ohana, Martin, Fender, Gibson, Guild, Cordoba, Kamaka, Kanile'a, Romero Creations, Flight, Lava, and many more
  • Worldwide Community — Serving customers across the globe
  • Expert Guidance — Personalized support from a team that knows musicians, backed by decades of studio and teaching experience
  • Passion for Music — We live and breathe music, and we want to share that with you
  • Free shipping on orders over $149
  • Free lessons with every order — a free month of Uke Like The Pros Platinum membership (ukulele, baritone, guitarlele) and a free month of Rock Like The Pros Premium membership (guitar), because gear is only half the equation

Brands You Trust, Gear You Love

We're proud to carry the most respected names in music. From legendary names like Martin, Fender, Gibson, Guild, Cordoba, KoAloha, Kamaka, Kanile'a, and Romero Creations to modern innovators like Flight, Lava, Orange, Blackstar, and Shure, we offer instruments and gear for every level of musician.

We also feature Vosta, our exclusive in-house brand, designed with musicians in mind — blending quality craftsmanship and affordability.

Other brands we carry include: Anuenue, Blueridge, Kentucky, Pono, Deering, Sterling, Jet, Casio, Willow Creek, Risa, D'Addario, Ernie Ball, Fishman, Dunlop, Pioneer, Aria, and Goldstar.

Join the Terry Carter Music Store Family

What started as a small ukulele experiment has grown into a trusted home for musicians everywhere. Our commitment is the same today as it was in 2018: to provide exceptional instruments, expert service, and a supportive community.

With decades of professional music experience, studio work with Grammy winners, and educational expertise from top universities, you're not just buying an instrument — you're gaining access to a lifetime of musical knowledge and passion.

👉 Discover your next instrument at https://terrycartermusicstore.com