Previous E Street location. 
| Location |
| 1970 Lake Blvd Ste 1 , Davis, CA 95616 |
| Hours |
| Retail store: Tues-Sat Noon-7:00PM |
| Used gear shop: See below |
| Performance space: Check website |
| Phone |
| (530) 758-4010 |
| Website |
| http://www.watermelonmusic.com/ |
Watermelon Music is a musical instrument store in the northwest corner of Davis, at the intersection of Lake Blvd. and Covell St. They've been a fixture of Davis for 30 years, originally as 2nd Street Music (on 2nd Street) and renamed as Watermelon Music when they moved to a larger location on E Street. A contest was held to select the new name.
Watermelon Music moved to their current Lake Blvd. location in early 2017,
In 2024, the owner of Watermelon Music, Jeff Simons, wasn't able to keep running the business. It looked like Watermelon Music was going to close, but at the last minute, a plan was hatched to keep the building active and making music. A couple of the long-time employees took over the retail store and reduced the size, and a couple other
There are (essentially) four entities operating in the Watermelon Building: Watermelon Music, Friends of Watermelon Music, the Watermelon Academy, and the Melon Ball.
Watermelon Music is focusing primarily on fretted instruments and accessories. They've condensed the store down, so they're just taking up the right side of the main building. They still have a ton of parts and accessories for drums, winds, brass, and more, and they still have contracts with most of their suppliers, so they can order anything you need. They're just not keeping, like, saxophones on the wall and in stock.
They're also providing a lot of the same services they always have, including some minor repairs, equipment rental, and advice.
If you buy a set of strings at Watermelon Music, they'll install them for free, as well as clean and hydrate the fretboard.
They still have a ton of sheet music, and they're looking to clear it out and open up some space. Nearly everything is 50-70% off!
Friends of Watermelon Music is a non-profit organization supporting the Yolo County music community. They're on the left side inside the main building.
Friendsofwatermelonmusic.com, [email protected]
Friends handles all* of the used gear sales, both donated items and items sold on consignment. Their stock is always changing, but they often have violins, band/orchestra instruments, mixers and amps, tuners, just anything that gets brought in. And good deals, too.
*Watermelon Music does handle some guitar, bass, and amp consignment, but they're pretty selective.
As a non-profit organization, Friends of Watermelon Music is always looking for volunteers, whether that's helping to run events, post instruments on social media, or just sit behind the counter so they can keep the store open.
Their current hours and events are:
| Tuesday 5-7 | Guitar Circle | Open to all skill levels! They tend to pick a song or two, put the chords up and play along, maybe talk a little bit about technique or theory. $5 suggested donation. |
| Thursday 3-7 | Staff Hours | Serena usually has the Thursday shift. She plays violin. |
| Thursday 7-10 | Karaoke/Trivia Night | Karaoke used to be Fridays, it kinda fell off, but now they're looking to get it going again on Thursdays, maybe starting in late August 2025. |
| Friday 2-5 | Staff Hours | Rhys usually comes in Fridays. He plays guitar. |
| Saturday 12-5 | Staff Hours | Barry usually works Saturdays. He plays drums. |
During staff hours, the space is open so that you can browse used instruments, buy snacks and drinks, and bring in donations or consignment items. The consignment terms are 70/30 - you keep 70%, Friends gets 30% - and the part that Friends keeps can be considered a tax-deductible donation, so ask for a receipt if you're interested!
There's also a jam space in the back, with a couple basic guitars, keyboard and drum kit. Whenever the space is open*, you're free to come in and play! Donations are encouraged but not required.
*You might have to keep it quiet when there's something happening in the Melon Ball.
The Watermelon Academy is the collection of music instructors on hand. https://watermelonmusic.com/instructor.php The lesson studios are connected to the rest of Watermelon Music, to the left of the main building.
Come by or call the instructor of your choice to set up lessons! As of 2025, they have instructors for pretty much anything except banjo, so if you know someone who can teach, pass their info along!
The Melon Ball is the performance space. A proper stage, seats about 120, with speakers, microphones, and a grand piano. Contact Watermelon Music to reserve the space, arrange a performance or recital.
Open Mic Night is the last Sunday of every month! Doors open at 5:30, performances from 6-8pm. Show up when the doors open to put your name on the play list.
Media
From the Davis Dirt:
Here's an article about Watermelon closing. https://thedirt.online/watermelon-music-to-close/
And here's an article about Watermelon not closing. https://thedirt.online/watermelon-music-lives-on/
