Awesome place. Colin was a great teacher for my kiddo.
Beautiful
Great guys, set up my Floyd perfect!
The man I talked with there was very friendly, and extremely knowledgeable.
A gem in the middle of suburbia. There aren’t many mom and pop guitar stores around any more these days, and the few that are out there cater mainly to nubes, offering only cheap guitars and small combo amps.
This place is not one of those. They carry a decent selection of pedals, medium and high end guitars (like PRS), and many amps (both head/cab and combos).
Definitely a place worth checking out, and handy to visit if your band is playing a gig next door at Chicago Loop Sports ;).
Really great place to find top notch guitars and amplifiers. They sell guitar parts, amps, lights, basses and acoustic guitars. And offer guitar lessons
Certainly not what you’d expect you’d paid for.
I had brought two guitars there. One was an Anniversary Edition SG with a Min-ETune (Tronical) robotic tuner on it. I bought it used and intended to keep it as a collector’s item. The other was a brand new Diamond Series C1 Schecter which will be a second issue.
I didn’t know what had been done previously to the SG, so I wanted a full setup. My strings, moving from 10s to 9s, action, intonation… the works. I’d do it myself but I don’t have the time. So I chose to pay to have it done. My regular guy was a 40 minute drive away and had retired, so I was looking for a new relationship with someone else that would do a nice job on my guitars and would treat them as if they were their own.
I specifically asked if they were familiar with the Min-ETune and how to string it. Of course they did! Bottom line is I got it back and thought I had bought a piece of junk because it just would not stay in tune. The action was fine so I cased it and put it away for safe keeping. I recently pulled it out as I do to clean, tune and maintain my guitars and reassessed what was causing it to not stay in tune. The E string popped out of the tuning post. It was not wrapped and locked correctly. Neither was the D string and this after I was told they knew all about the Mini-ETune and how to string it. So I restrung it myself. I cleaned the fret board as is standard procedure in a setup and found the neck was filthy. There were string scars on several frets I had to properly clean as well. See the picture. “Seriously?” They didn’t even clean it.
After I did it myself it stays in tune perfectly as I expected it would. I’m not even going to bother checking intonation on it. I’m sure it isn’t there.
They were nice to me and all but must have made the assumption that I was not any kind of musician or guitar tech and that I would not recognize that there was no true setup done on this at all.
I would have taken it back to them, and I’m sure they would have fixed the issue. I’m sure that is what they would rather I do. But then nobody else would know the experience I had there or what to expect.
The Schecter? It’s brand new. Same BS. I’m not concerned about cleaning, it is brand new. 10s to 9s. Action is fine, intonation is way off. Only one string was almost there and the rest were not even close. I guess I will have to do that one myself too after paying to have it done.
Bottom line is that you pay for a setup and all you get is a stringing and action setting. Hmmm. In my opinion, not worth the price I paid.
Hey, they have a nice quick turn-around though. I can see why.
Sorry guys, but get your $#!* together if you want a bunch of return customers. These are a musician’s tools and expected to be in top condition. Honestly, I would not go back and would rather wait for it to be completed at Guitar Center.
Edit:
I know you would have done something had I brought it back. Should I really have to bring it back? Should I really feel the need to check the work that was to be done? Didn’t I avoid doing all that by bringing it somewhere? Should I pick it up to play it and everything above open is flat? I’ll admit being harsh about it.
Put yourself in my shoes and work on your guitar. Do you tweak the intonation or say that it is within 5 cents so that’s good enough? I really don’t care to take my guitars out in the elements unless absolutely necessary and wasting time and gas driving it back and forth is unacceptable to me.
Perhaps I should have just brought my tools with me and checked it before it even left the counter. Perhaps a white glove to see if the fret board had truly been cleaned and conditioned. But I didn’t expect I would need to.
I know that you guys have the ability and that if you have guitars of your own that they are tweaked right on after 25 years of doing this. I’ve been playing for over 40 years and I only get better at it.
If all the things claimed to be done were done, why did I find them to not be done?
Horrible. They worked on my amp and it took over a month and after getting fed up and chewing them off they gave me the bill…. it cost me the same as the amp was worth. These guys are shady as hell. Stay away.
DO NOT GO TO THIS WEBSITE AND BUY STUFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
☆☆Scammed website.☆☆
DO NOT GO TO THIS WEBSITE AND BUY STUFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
4. AKV Piano Services
Address: Bartlett, IL 60103 , Bartlett , Illinois , United States
If you like antiques, specialty items and ice cream; this is go-to place. Especially at holidays and special events.
Love the bunnies outside! Lots of unique little shops and the ice cream is very good. A fun little place to visit
This place is filled with gems in all the nooks and crannies! Cute clothes, seasonal items, local honey. You can get a massage, grab some baby clothes and get an ice cream.
Be sure to check out the barn in the back. Filled with antiques and redone furniture. Great place!
Love the boutique, but the antiques were sparse.
When I want to treat myself, I take a ride to Banbury Fair. The main shop has absolutely gorgeous and unique clothing and jewelry. I usually find a treasure to bring home from the antique barn in the back. Their items are way cool and reasonably priced. Added bonus: the owner plays the best background music. I always compliment her on her music playlist! I highly recommend this great place for a local venture. Only bad thing: personally, I don’t like the way their rabbits are kept. They are confined in small dirty cages. The turtle they had was in a filthy tank. Great idea to have the critters for the kids to see, but need to be more sensitive to animal needs. Unfair to the animals to sit in a small cage day after day. (sorry, I’m an animal lover)
Fun place nice clothing. Great candy shop. Nice Antiques
Owner has a rabbit in a locked cage outside in near 100 degree weather and obviously has no care in the world for the well being of this rabbit who does not have long to survive. Disgusting.
Nice shops. I would have given more stars, but I was just absolutely appalled by the animal situation in the back! There were two bunnies in okay conditions, but their cages were filled with poo. Then there were two turtles in an aquarium that was also filled with feces, has a very small amount of water, no heating or cooling in high humidity and 90°F weather, and there were so many rocks in there that they could barely stay in the water no matter how hard they tried! The most appalling part was that the huge filter had fallen and made it so that the two of those very large turtles were stuck in about half a foot by a foot space and could not move! The aquarium was also just terribly small, far too small for them!!! I spoke to one of the shop owners who was very helpful, but there was nothing she could do because the owner of the building who owns the turtles was not even accessible! I would like, though, to make it very clear that the shops were very nice.
They have a domesticated rabbit locked outside in heat over 100 degrees for people to see. It’s animal cruelty and for that reason I won’t patron this store and you shouldn’t either. Concerns have been brought up to the owner to only be dismissed and ignored. That rabbit will die if it is not brought in out of the heat.
6. Fat Cat Custom Guitars & Repair
Address: 57 Douglas Ave, Elgin, IL 60120 , Bartlett , Illinois , United States
One of my guitars is an old Ibanez and its electronics hadn’t worked in decades. The metal parts were corroded and I didn’t know if it would ever be playable again. I brought it to Fat Cat and Scott fixed it up and got it working for a very reasonable cost. I’m so glad I can actually play it now. I can’t wait to bring it to jam night tonight and show it off! Thanks Scott!
Great service!
Fat Cat Custom Guitars are the best with their service and price. I am extremely satisfied and happy with my refretted Fender Stratocaster. If I could, I would select 6 stars!
We needed guitar lessons and found A&A through a friend. Tom is a great teacher. His students range in age. We picked Tom because he does not exactly go the traditional route for teaching. He targets the students interests and selects material accordingly. We highly recommend Tom and A&A.
From 1994 to 2012, the best teaching years of my life were at A&A. I taught piano and voice over those years starting from beginner level to intermediate. My students usually participated in numerous recitals I ran at local nursing homes as well as the school recitals 2X a year. We as a teaching staff strived for a quality education for our students. I’m retired in Central Ohio now, but truly miss my days, students and co-teachers from A&A. Rock on let the world hear MUSIC!
Top notch teacher. Alexander Purim has taught me more than all my prior teachers combined. Highly recommended.
Great teachers!
I had a teacher her name was Natalie, we went for vacation for 5 weeks and we scheduled a class and when I texted her to confirm the lesson 2 days previous to start the lesson again, she just told me that she couldn’t teach anymore and all her slots were booked. No one has called me to set a new teacher, it was very rude.
I’ve called multiple times and even left a voicemail to inquire about having my piano tuned, not only did every call go to voicemail but they never returned my call after I left a voicemail. Poor way to run a business…
9. La Monarca MG Inc
Address: 2019 Irving Park Rd, Hanover Park, IL 60133 , Bartlett , Illinois , United States
Bruce Zale of Excel Piano Service tuned my piano to perfection and now my piano sings like a songbird. I am extremely satisfied with Mr. Zale’s expertise in piano tuning and he really took his time to do an impeccable job. I will have him on my speed dial and hope to see him again in six months. I give him A+++ on his work product.
Bruce, has been tuning the 7 foot Yamaha C7 grand piano at my professional recording studio in Chicago (SHIRK studios) since 2014. He does excellent work and my clients always compliment on how the piano sounds and feels, especially after he’s just tuned it. Bruce is prompt, takes his time and gets it right every time. He’s a wealth of knowledge when it comes to pianos and piano servicing. I always enjoy learning about my piano and the things we can do to make it even better. It’s great to have a piano technician of his caliber just a phone call away. He’s a class act and offers great service. Hire with confidence!!!
Bruce is fantastic! Been tuning all the pianos at Hoffman Estates High School for over 10 years, and takes great care of the instruments. Hire with total confidence. Amazing professional who always gets the job done right, and has even recommended other piano pros for cosmetic work outside his area.
13. McDonald’s
Address: 791 Illinois Rte 59, Bartlett, IL 60103 , Bartlett , Illinois , United States
Quick lunch place, just fries now are like if you have ordered a kids meal on a regular meal.
Consistently great especially the associates.
Very polite and professional.
McDonald’s is McDonald’s fast food
Is a Delicious
Convenient but definitely a training location at times…they have to learn some how i guess…most there are great though at times your like really man…..hope is harmony.
I still love you Chicago based Mc Donalds!-especially for bringing back the H-C lava Orange!!!!! You still have my love! all I need is your Happy meal and I’m finding childhood peace again lol Thanks for bring it back!
Very poor, Took forever for large cup of coffee, inside mind you, no one in line, taking care of drive threw customers
This place sucks. Staff are rude and act disrespectful when you ask them to repeat what they said because they murmur into the mic. If you hate the drive thru, get another job instead of taking it out on people.
Horrible people that can’t use a recipe to make coffee and then they lie about it. I am hoping contacting corporate helps them fix their issues
14. May’s Lounge
Address: 211 S Main St, Bartlett, IL 60103 , Bartlett , Illinois , United States
Thanks to Art who set the perfect atmosphere for each player. We had a great time. Art was always available and gave the perfect amount of interaction. The lounge is very clean. The machines were wiped down after each use.
Great staff, cheap beer, tight slots. Hopefully next time a win.
I’m only leaving a 2 star review because I used to go to different locations every other day or few days. Every Sunday was $1 mimosas. I loved it so much I would have several. Sometimes a few in the afternoon and several later on. I love the games and service is ok for the most part. But I used to only go for the mimosas. And now that they are ALWAYS full price ($7 per glass!!!!) I may choose not to go anymore.
15. Kerygma Piano
Address: 164 Division St, Elgin, IL 60120 , Bartlett , Illinois , United States
Been in this place 3 or 4 times. Every single time I’ve the people in the store are super helpful. I’ve had my strings changed on a couple of different guitars here and they are always so courteous and quick. They always make time to answer any questions and absolutely no pressure to buy. Makes me want to go back. Please check them out.
The employees are kind and helpful!
Clara was absolutely wonderful!!
I had a really great experience- I haven’t touched a violin in six years and was a little nervous and shy about potentially renting one.
Clara was so thoughtful and kind with walking me through the experience and the benefits and pros and cons. Not only did she take the time to walk me through the basics of being good to go, she tuned my violin!
It was brand new and very loose so I would’ve not been able to do it at all by myself- and they were almost about to close but she had such a kind attitude and was very helpful and made sure that I was ready to go before setting me on my way.
She is an absolute gem!!
Do you guys also have arranger keyboards?
Good customer service
Brought my Horn in for a small valve string that came undon. Cost me about $171! DONT COME HERE! very overpriced for a basic service.
Their phone and chat customer support service is terrible. If you need help with orders or billing you are out of luck.
19. Goodwill Store & Donation Center
Address: 1420 Illinois Rte 59, Bartlett, IL 60103 , Bartlett , Illinois , United States
At the BArtlett goodwill and donation center customers look at diffrent things to buy like clothings and dvd tapes and cooking supplies. The staff is always friendly.
Love to come in here, always find something that works for me.
I like the Bartlett goodwill its always clean and organized staff is nice l always buy stuff each time l visit
No puede uno ver relajadamente ya que solo puedes estar media hora .
All depends on luck indoor garage sale
Organized
It’s a shame to see how this store is being managed, stuff in buckets all over the floor, items thrown on shelves, clothing on the floor…etc…it used to be a well organized pleasant place to shop, not anymore…l live in the area and talked to many people that stopped going there because it looks like a garbage store.
Wasnt too interested. Worse than a flea market. Very disorganized. Need someone with marketing experience to correctly display merchandise. I’ve been to many many 2nd hand stores, or thrift stores which showed the effort that was made to display merchandise in such a way to get you to want to browse. Very disappointing experience.
Prices have gone up.
20. Music & Arts
Address: 907 W Irving Park Rd, Itasca, IL 60143 , Bartlett , Illinois , United States
Music & Arts Itasca is awesome! Shannon, Trevor, Jason and Jeff were all available in helping me with all my questions regarding my new instrument. Their service was impeccable, and I’m looking forward to visiting the store frequently! Thanks so much!!
I’ve been coming here for lessons for my 3 children, multiple purchases of trumpets, clarinet, flutes and accessories.
This location is the best for both lessons and sales. The staff is extremely knowledgeable and friendly every time I need help whether in store or phone.
If you need anything musical, come here first! I’ve worked with the manager Jeff, and Trevor, Joel, Melissa, and Max and they are all so helpful for even my most selective tastes.
Love it, staff there are really nice.
Very expensive in repairs.
Thank goodness for the skilled instructors! I wish EVERY SINGLE CALL WAS RECORDED. Honesty is no longer a policy here.
The worst costumer service . Jeff ” the worst manager” I have seen in my life . He is a very big liar. He doesn’t know haw to treat the costumers. His phrase was I am the boss. My daughter has been doing piano lessons for two years there, never had a problem with any other manager . But Jeff is the worst employee over there, He thinks he is the boss he can make the rules.
