When you search for an Idaho Falls music store or music store in Idaho Falls, you are not just looking for instruments and accessories. You are looking for people who know your community, understand local music programs, and are invested in your success as a player, parent, or educator.
Chesbro Music Company has filled that role for East Idaho since 1911. Founded in Idaho Falls and still headquartered downtown, Chesbro has grown from a single storefront to a nationally recognized manufacturer and wholesaler of instruments, accessories, and sheet music.
Today, Chesbro is a woman-led business with a long legacy of female leadership at the CEO level and women serving in key governance roles on its board. At the same time, the company continues to innovate through its own brands—especially Teton Guitars, a Chesbro-owned manufacturer and supplier of acoustic instruments loved by players across the country.
Add a convenient downtown Idaho Falls location and a full online storefront, and you get the best of both worlds: local, human service plus modern digital convenience.
Why Local Matters
There is a big difference between buying from a local Idaho Falls music store and dropping a generic order into a nationwide website.
1. Your dollars stay in East Idaho
Every time you choose Chesbro, you are supporting local jobs, local tax revenue, and local music programs. Chesbro has been part of the fabric of Idaho Falls for more than a century—supplying schools, churches, private teachers, and community groups with everything from band instruments and sheet music to strings and sound reinforcement.
2. You get real expertise, not just star ratings
Walking into Chesbro’s downtown store on West Broadway means you can speak with real musicians who live and play in the same community you do. Whether you need help choosing a first band instrument, dialing in the right amp, finding the right set of strings, or picking out recital music, you are not guessing—you are guided.
3. Support for schools and young musicians
Chesbro has a long history of supporting school music programs that goes back to its early years, when the company helped launch band programs in local communities before public schools took over these responsibilities. That tradition continues today through instrument rentals, repairs, and a deep sheet-music selection that supports band, orchestra, choir, and private study.
4. Convenience you can actually feel
A centrally located music store in Idaho Falls—at 327 W Broadway St—means parents can swing by after work, students can stop in after school, and gigging musicians can grab last-minute cables, reeds, or drumsticks before a show. With on-site repairs, rentals, and knowledgeable staff, you get far more than a shipping confirmation email.
When you add Chesbro’s online store into the mix, you can research and shop from home while still supporting the same local business that anchors downtown Idaho Falls.
A Brief History of Chesbro in Idaho Falls
Chesbro Music Company was founded in 1911 by Horace Chesbro in Idaho Falls. In the earliest days, Chesbro delivered pianos throughout rural Idaho by horse-drawn wagon. The company quickly became known for helping small communities access quality instruments that would otherwise have been out of reach.
During the 1920s and 1930s, Chesbro expanded its offerings, helping launch school band programs and introducing the rural Northwest to recorded music with early phonograph technology. Even during the Great Depression, the company stayed open, working with customers on credit and trade so they could keep playing and teaching.
The company also grew as a wholesaler, supplying sheet music and instruments to other dealers, and by the mid-20th century, Chesbro had become one of the leading music wholesalers in the United States.
A defining characteristic of Chesbro’s history is its consistent female leadership. After the death of company president Henry Chesbro in 1953, his mother, Ella Chesbro, took the reins as CEO. She was followed by her granddaughter, Joan Chesbro Griggs, and the company has continued under woman leadership ever since—more than six decades of women in the top executive role.
Industry trade publications have repeatedly recognized Chesbro as one of the top suppliers in the music industry, and in 2011, Chesbro celebrated its 100-year anniversary with honors from NAMM and other industry partners.
That history is not abstract. When you walk into the iconic Chesbro building anchoring downtown Idaho Falls, you are stepping into more than a storefront—you are stepping into more than a century of music history and community service.
Looking to the Future: Local Service Meets Online Convenience
Being a trusted Idaho Falls music store for more than 100 years does not mean standing still.
Chesbro has invested heavily in this new website, giving customers a modern, convenient way to shop while keeping the company’s roots firmly planted in East Idaho.
On the online storefront, you will find:
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Guitars, basses, banjos, mandolins, and other fretted instruments
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Band and orchestra instruments and supplies
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A deep catalog of sheet music for guitar, piano, band, orchestra, choir, and more
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Audio gear such as mixers, microphones, headphones, interfaces, pedals, and PA systems
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Accessories, cases, stands, tuners, merch, and more
The advantage for local customers is clear:
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Browse inventory and compare options from home.
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Call or visit the Idaho Falls store for in-person advice on what you see online.
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Support a local, woman-led business while enjoying the same click-and-ship convenience you expect from large national retailers.
Whether you prefer to shop in the physical store on West Broadway or through the online catalog, you are still working with the same Chesbro team that has served East Idaho’s music community since 1911.
The Sister Companies Chesbro Owns
One of the biggest reasons supporting Chesbro matters is the company’s role as a manufacturer and brand owner—not just a reseller. When you buy certain instruments at your local music store in Idaho Falls or from dealers around the country, you are often buying a product created, managed, or distributed by Chesbro.
Teton Guitars: A Chesbro Original
Teton Guitars is the flagship brand owned by Chesbro Music Company. Designed in Idaho Falls and inspired by the nearby Teton Mountains, Teton builds acoustic guitars and ukuleles that are known for their tone, playability, and value.
Teton has been making instruments since 2010 and has grown into a respected choice for players who want a serious acoustic instrument without the boutique price tag. When you see a wall of Teton Guitars at Chesbro, you are looking at a brand that is part of the same Idaho Falls company you are choosing to support. Every Teton you purchase helps sustain local jobs and local expertise.
Morgan Monroe
Morgan Monroe is another Chesbro-owned brand, focused on bluegrass-oriented stringed instruments such as banjos, mandolins, and related models. These instruments are designed for players who want traditional looks and tones with modern reliability—perfect for everything from front-porch picking to stage performance.
Eddy Finn
Eddy Finn specializes in ukuleles, offering instruments that are approachable for beginners but satisfying for more advanced players as well. When families come into Chesbro looking for a first instrument that is fun, portable, and budget-friendly, Eddy Finn ukuleles are often part of the conversation.
Tanara
Tanara is Chesbro’s line of acoustic and electric guitars, aimed at students and developing players who need reliable instruments that make it easier to learn and improve. Tanara’s goal is to put quality guitars into the hands of new players without the frustration that often comes with bargain-bin instruments.
Collectively, these sister companies make Chesbro far more than a typical retail music store in Idaho Falls. Chesbro is part of the design, manufacturing, and distribution chain for instruments played across North America. When you support Chesbro locally, you are supporting the engine behind brands that help musicians everywhere.
Calls to Action: Stay Connected with Chesbro
If you care about supporting a historic, woman-led Idaho Falls music store that continues to invest in both local service and global brands, staying connected is simple:
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Follow Chesbro on Facebook for updates on new gear, local events, and education resources.
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Follow Chesbro on Instagram for product highlights, store photos, and behind-the-scenes content.
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Follow Chesbro on TikTok for short-form demos, tips, and fun music content from the team.
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Subscribe to Chesbro on YouTube for exclusive performance videos, product reviews, and entertaining shorts.
Whether you are shopping online with our brand new website or walking into the iconic building in downtown Idaho Falls, choosing Chesbro Music Company means choosing a music store that has been committed to East Idaho since 1911—and is still looking ahead to the next generation of musicians.