My name is Diego Escusol. I ́m a Spanish songwriter that has been living in Illinois for a while. I was in need of recording a CD with Spanish songs for kids that I wrote for a project that began to be developed in the USA, called “Vientos del Aula”.
I was lucky to have the opportunity to record my songs in the professional recording studio Starbell Hatchery. John Hegner is an excepcional professional, able to adapt every of my needs for an outstanding recording. His dilated experience as a musician and a technician goes along with a charming recording space that will make the delight of every musician.
All the equipment used during the recording were of an outstanding quality and this makes a difference in the final result.
In addition, the recording studio is located in an enchanted environment that offers the necessary peace and quiet to facilitate the musician a real touching performance.
John Hegner is willing to give you advice at suggestions at all times and he is involved in the recording with the same dedication that the client. This is something hard to find and this is why I would really like to have him and Starbell Hatchery studio in Spain.
Anyway, I know that in the USA I have found the perfect recording studio and a friend that will take care of everything to obtain the maximum quality in any project.
Thank you, John! Diego Escusol
I can’t say enough great things about Rockford Trumpet Studio. Logan is an AMAZING teacher! It’s clear he truly cares about helping his students improve and takes his time to ensure they get the most out of every lesson. My daughter’s playing abilities have improved SIGNIFICANTLY since working with him. She looks forward to every lesson and has developed many new skills and techniques, which have helped her achieve several goals within (e.g. section leader, 1st chair trumpet, ILMEA, Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra). Highly recommend for anyone that really wants to take their playing to the next level.
We had Logan out to work with the marching band brass players, and wow, what a difference he made in just over an hour of teaching! He’s personable, positive, and builds really great rapport with students to get them improving and having fun in the process! I would highly recommend him to any high brass musician as a private teacher.
My son has grown so much taking lessons with Logan! He has confidence in his playing now and has since made the RSYO. So happy we found Logan!
8. Drugan’s Drums and Guitars
Address: 1577 S Cora St, Des Plaines, IL 60018 , Capron , Illinois , United States
got what I needed, salesgirl was sweet and knowledgeable, and I was done in minutes.
Great prices on new products since they have a policy of price match, however the behavior behind the scenes is not so great. the IT and check out takes way to long. all in all i do go here, but only if i have to get something new i cant find anywhere else.
We were impressed with the enthusiasm, knowledge and service-oriented approach of the sales staff. The only part we didn’t like was the evidence of the sort of “would you like fries with that” sales training that has become so evident in so many sales situations. It’s OK to mention all the extra doodads that we might want, in case we really didn’t think of it, but please, don’t push.
Recently, my wife made a purchase/layaway which could’ve been disastrous for me. After making the deposit, she returned later only to discover that her purchase (my Christmas gift) had not been properly inventoried and they were out. Distraught and in tears, the manager remembered that they had one previously on display that was in-back. Not only did they salvage the purchase, but in addition, they gave her a stupid discount that was too good to believe. I’ve been shopping here for years, these guys were awesome. I will always shop here and recommend them for going above and beyond….at Christmas.
High prices. One of the managers was rude and lied to me on purpose.
I’ve always had a super good experience with Sam Ash specifically this one at Buffalo Grove. I’ve taken/ sold multiple instruments here throughout the years after upgrading and wanting to get rid of my used equipment. I’ve never had any problems (until now) and the staff had always been kind and had always taken care of me. Today I came in to potentially sell one of those said instruments, when I was immediately degraded by management. Not only was I told that the make and model of my bass was not correct information, I was also told that my price range was off and that I needed to do research before trying to sell my instrument…….
I have been playing bass for 18 years now, so to have someone who doesn’t even play, or know anything about basses (he straight up told me he was a drummer and didn’t know a lot about bass) tell me that I am wrong about my own instrument was completely degrading and frankly insulting. He even made a point to tell me that he’s been working in the instrument retail industry for years now, and would know if my bass should be priced higher. I made several attempts to correct him about my instrument, all of which he did not listen too and didn’t even make the attempt to validate. It’s really hard as it is to be a woman in music, so to come here today and be completely degraded and treated as if I had no idea what I was talking about by the staff, was just so beyond insulting and aggravating.
Some employees are nice like the guy in drums but others won’t even give me the time of day. I go in with my boyfriend all the time and they will talk to him but ignore the crap out of me. They kind of treat me like I fallow him and his friend around and don’t play anything. When in reality I play bass in a band and I’ve played a wind instrument for 9 years. Other than the guy in drums no one has ever asked me anything about music, what I played, or if I was looking to buy anything. I work in customer service and this is totally not how it should be done.
10. Piano Trends Music Company
Address: 35 Berkshire Dr, Crystal Lake, IL 60014 , Capron , Illinois , United States
Very kind and helpful, great products, responds fast, great prices, great costumer service!
Thank you for the beautiful horn for my 6 year old daughter she loves the trumpet and i can’t wait to hear her play happy birthday in salsa style thanks again bro
I had Piano Trends move a piano to my home. Tim was extremely responsive and professional in setting up the move. Demitri (sp?) and another gentleman (the movers) were very polite and quick! No damages to home or piano. I highly recommend!
Very nice selection.
Friendly service. A wonderful local business.
Bought a beautiful piano paid cash … husband walked out needed money for kids paid piano trends to sell for me they refused to answer or send money I even paid for them to pick up in same town for 300. Now and then they refuse to respond to me
Worst place ever. Waist of time and money. I would not recommend this place. Stay away from this place.
11. Consolidated Music Inc
Address: 125 Barrington Commons Ct, Barrington, IL 60010 , Capron , Illinois , United States
I think I’ve purchased five guitars from Jeff and Consolidated Music. The service is top-notch and Jeff couldn’t be a nicer, more honest person. My only complaint is, the guitars sound so much better when someone else is playing it. I get a lot of requests when I play but I continue to play anyway.
Great long time local business providing your musical needs school band to rock band and beyond!
A great place to take lessons and buy or rent instruments! They are friendly, full of knowledge about all things music and provide fantastic service.
12. Goodtime Music
Address: 3 W Streamwood Blvd, Streamwood, IL 60107 , Capron , Illinois , United States
I’ve been going to Goodtime for over 25 years. This is the best service and expertise out there. I can buy guitars lots of places but I don’t know if they’re going to stand behind their products. Pat stands behind every sale and is a wealth of knowledge. Pat and his team work on all my guitars. He built a PA system for me. You won’t be disappointed.
Great guys, set up my Floyd perfect!
THIS IS A GREAT SHOP! I have been playing guitar for 30+ years and have been in nearly every guitar store in the Chicagoland area. From Rock Wharehouse, Sound Post and Guitar Shack in the 1980’s to all the big box shops and the boutiques since then. Pat and the guys at GoodTime are caring, honest folks who truly put the customer first. Never is a question received with an eye roll – they always make sure they help. Recently I had Pat construct what can easily be described as a “pro pedal board”. Besides looking completely awesome, it performs as it should – PERFECT! The attention to detail, craftsmanship and communication along the way while it was coming to life made for a great experience. Pat didn’t miss a single detail – he built and wired my board as if it were his very own. Thank you Dr.Frankenstein – ITS ALIVE!!!
Check out GoodTime Music – Make the trip – you wont be disappointed.
Great selection
Really great place to find top notch guitars and amplifiers. They sell guitar parts, amps, lights, basses and acoustic guitars. And offer guitar lessons
This is not a music store it’s a guitar store
Drove a considerable distance to Goodtime Music as I’m interested in an guitar that they happen to have. Got there at 11 am only to find they open an hour latter at 12. Although that’s their choice and I should have checked, who opens at 12 noon? Well we waited around till noon and still no one shows up. Hung around till 12:30 … still no one around. We left as well as several other people waiting in the parking lot.
Who would buy an expensive item from these guys? Service, support etc.?????
Either they have NO regard for their customers or they are out of business. Given that the windows contain a quarter inch of ice I’m assuming the later.
I had three guitars strung up with new strings before I moved from IL, one of them was a Yamaha classical guitar. I was having all my stuff put in a moving container right after that so I did not get a chance to tune them up for a while. Upon starting to tune up my Yamaha after I was settled I found that the high E string was not put on correctly, on the tuning peg and on the bridge on the box of the guitar. I found when applying tension on the string to tune it up, first it was slipping on the peg then it popped through the bridge hole. It turns out there was only one small knot made at the bottom of the string. For so called professionals, they don’t even know how to string up a classical guitar correctly. I should have done it myself in the first place, however I was so busy preparing to move I thought I would let them do it. Waste of money.
good place if it opens in time. 12 pm don’t hold your breath maybe 1pm maybe 2pm
13. StringWorks
Address: 327 Franklin St, Geneva, IL 60134 , Capron , Illinois , United States
I initially purchased an Amazon 4/4 violin and then began reading Olaf on YouTube. His theory is to purchase what you can afford but don’t purchase a violin that will fight you because you won’t have fun playing it. I kept watching Olaf and he made sense with humor so that moved my needle away from Amazon. I wanted to find a local luthier and violin sales shop closer to Green Bay Wi and I found Stringworks whose mission sounded like Olaf’s. I ended up ordering one of their instruments. I would have bought one from Olaf but he’s in Australia. I look forward to my new discovery… God bless you all. Jeff
I’m a beginner violinist and Evan, one of the staff members helped me pick out my first violin. He was professional and encouraging. StringWorks builds their own stringed instruments so you are supporting a Geneva locally owned and operated business by shopping here.
Evan is a very resoectful guy, I came in with hundreds of questions from strings to technique…. he took so much time with us and offered much help! He’s a great guy, with lots of knowledge and wonderful to work with!
You have to come to this shop!
Nope! I am going to let the pictures speak for themselves. This was supposed to have been worked on by the head luthier, took 3 weeks to arrive, AND cost $1,500! looks like a junior high project that would have gotten a poor grade. I could not ship it back to them fast enough! Utter trash.
So very disappointed. I guess they are lucky that I am not reporting them to the BBB.
14. Fat Cat Custom Guitars & Repair
Address: 57 Douglas Ave, Elgin, IL 60120 , Capron , Illinois , United States
I’ve taken three guitars into Scott over a span of the last ten years or so. I’ve been greatly satisfied with his work every time. Scott is professional, knowledgeable, and a excellent luthier. Anytime I know I’m going to need some guitar work done hands down I’m going back to Scott at Fat Cat Custom Guitars & Repair.
Scott the owner, helped me out to resolve an issue and did it right then! He’s my go to guitar repair guy!
I’ve used quite a few handful of guitar service/repair shops in both the city and the suburbs over the years, and Fat Cat is hands down the best. Exceptional knowledge, superior service, great setups, and refreshingly fair pricing. I’d give six stars if I could.
15. Art Tunes
Address: 606 N Division St, Harvard, IL 60033 , Capron , Illinois , United States
This store is a fun stop. The owner is very friendly and full of clever quips that add to the experience! There’s plenty of silly items to check out here.
I am so glad I stopped by going through town. So many cool things to see, great art, gift shop, instruments, and the owner was great to talk with. I will stop back again!
Dale is a “RIOT”
& WITTY too !
This place smells,I think it’s the dirty guy in there.GROSS!!!
I can’t rate it, because I don’t remember going there?
16. PM Music Center
Address: 4411 Fox Valley Center Dr, Aurora, IL 60504 , Capron , Illinois , United States
Great staff, easy process of getting instrument. Recived call back information prior to visit. Great prices. Highly recommend
My daughter likes her music lessons here.
Amazing experience in the guitar and drums
Good
Great place with very friendly staff members. They’re always willing to help. I used them for instrument rental for a couple of my kids.
Very friendly and welcoming place. Had an issue with a repair but they corrected the problem. Took more than stop to resolve the issue, so 4 out 5 stars. Would still recommend and will continue to shop here.
17. Harvard Discount Tobacco HUB
Address: 24 N Ayer St, Harvard, IL 60033 , Capron , Illinois , United States
10/10 I recommend this store they got a lot of flavors. Sam is the best.
Best dispo store in town
Reasonable price! Good customer service! Nice owner! Free pool table use for customers!
Best shop in town as they have almost everything we need …cbd, kratom ,pipes, E-cig many more ..free pool table ….customer service is the best
Okay place
Great alternative if you don’t want to pay the higher prices for your cigarettes at other places.
Other than feeling a little creepy to walk into, it was a good store. Good prices, nice staff behind the counter and the store did not reek of bad cologne/perfume and stale tobacco.
Put the bang on me never again will I go their severely over charged me.
I waited there for 40 minutes today watched 19 customers come and go. I even called about 20 times and the guy with the tobacco chew on his teeth who is usually there answered and mumbled something so I waited. This guy also switches up the prices on products to put money in his own pocket during the pandemic he tried to sell me on my brand of cigarette saying they’re taking it off the market and he wanted to charge me a dollar more a pack for it. And the tobacco by the bag is always out of date and very stale however it’s regular price. Hey owner of the store wake up you’re losing a lot of money. This has happened many times when I come there this guy doesn’t come in until 1030 11 o’clock. I just called at 11:23 and there was no answer. When product is $.50 off Manufacturing coupon on the box. He won’t give it to you. I had to fight him to get the manufacturing coupon of $.50
They said they are open until 11pm and they were closed by 10:30pm. I drove 30 minutes from Clinton WI just for it to be closed. You need to update your hours!!!!
18. Music & Arts
Address: 1476 E Golf Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60173 , Capron , Illinois , United States
Demont Guitars is amazing. I need a set up, not only does Nate do a good job but he makes me feel at home..all nice warm and fuzzy inside. But overall Demont Guitars is for everyone who plays guitars!
I was there the morning right after it caught on fire, hard to review this place since it was being cleaned up. Just to be fair i gave it 4 stars
Only gave a star review because I was busy at the time. Now that I have time, *clears throat*…
Nice little store tucked away in a place nobody would ever think a guitar shop would be. It is full of vintage and newly made (Guyatone) guitars, basses and amps. They have so many guitars for sale! If you can afford vintage prices, do shop here! (They also have a Reverb page, iirc)
Made my first purchase, but unfortunately it turned out the item had been listed with an incorrect price. Was disappointed, but I was notified and the refund was issued quickly at least.
Update: Had a representative reach out a week later attempting to buy off my review with an undisclosed discount. When I explained that I could not in good morals accept that as the review was fair and the time to do the right thing had come and pass they explained that they could not afford to honor the mistake ($50 difference), all the while offering a discount which could well add up to the same amount, or more at the end of the day making the explanation somewhat nonsensical in that case. It’s an unfortunate circumstance to be sure as the mistakes keep snowballing and I very much enjoyed everything I had read and seen from them prior to this.
Very unprofessional. Nate seems to act like a know it all, but could use a few lessons.
20. Musicology
Address: 452 N Pine St, Burlington, WI 53105 , Capron , Illinois , United States
Great store, excellent service. My 8yr old is taking guitar and vocal lessons with Mykel and 11yr old just starting vocal lessons. They both love it!
This is actually a great place to get really good gear at for fair prices and the staff are down to earth and super helpful.
I’ve been playing many years. Tried all the luthiers in SE WI, I put musicology right at the top of the list. I had two Ibanez guitars that needed repair. Got them back and they were repaired PERFECTLY! To the point where I turned around and played a gig with one of them right after I picked it up. Extremely fast turn around and at a fair price. I highly recommend this place if you need guitar repair/setup.
Decent prices for a store front, we’ve spent some money in there. Nice and clean. But the guy who’s always working, I’d imagine the owner, isn’t a friendly guy whatsoever. Try to have a conversation with him and it’s like he’s annoyed that you’re talking to him and not spending money. Think we’ve spent out last dollar there. Was stoked for Burlington too.
We went in to look at guitars they had not been there when they where set to open and when they finally did the only thing they asked was what are price range was and showed what instruments where in the range and than walked off to tall with anouther employee about cats.
