Premium music shops of Holiday Shores: Our Top-13 selection

Absolutely fantastic music store. I wanted to buy another guitar and the staff was very knowledgeable and helped me make a decision. They were not pushy and clearly like to teach. It’s what I needed.

I enjoy going to Mojo’s over any other music store. Great owners and staff with top tier customer service. Honest and knowledgeable. They personalize a sale more than any other place I have done business. They always do right by the customer.

Extremely helpful staff and great selection of instruments!

Lots of inventory and they are willing to deal

Fun shop for sure! Eye candy hanging on all the surrounding walls. The shop’s main focus is guitars so it’s definitely the place to go if that’s your go to instrument. Workers are knowledgeable and always very helpful. It’s no breaking news that guitar shops tend to give off awkward, intimidating vibes (understandably so when you visit any shop with high pricetagged merch) and I do have to try and hide my feelings of squirminess while there, but I enjoy going and will continue to.

After years of taking time off from playing music, band break up really made me step away, I’ve decided to look around for a new guitar and rig, have gone to Mojo’s, have purchase three terrific instruments from them in the past 15 years, never had a bad experience, today, however, was not the same. I walked into a store deflated of its prior pulse, I was seen and ignored, walked around looking for what would be my next stage guitar. Two employees, yet no time to greet, or attempt to make a sale, to show products, I even made an attempt by asking what’s new, even then not a singular spark of interest in my affairs with them was of significance. I walked out of there for the last time, sad to see such a place become so cold and uninviting.

I went in to get my guitar repaired, the staff members sat at the counter and talked and ignored me for several minutes. Then after they finally looked at my guitar it turned out to be a very expensive repair so I decided to just buy a new guitar. One would think this would be cue to start selling a guitar, instead they ignored me some more and made me feel awkward for playing any guitar they had. So I went to swing city music right down the road and they instantly came to help and found a guitar that was right for me.

Swing City Music in Collinsville is a local treasure!

​​I am ashamed to say that while I was once loyal to Drum Headquarters on the Missouri side, for the last several years my schedule has made it highly convenient for me to go online and order gear, sticks, what have you. ​​Even though I work less than a block away from this location, I hadn’t dealt with Swing City in many years since it was at the old location.

​​I recently got into more of a recording project and I know nothing about home recording, mixing, monitors, etc. So I have visited with Art at this location now a couple of times. I want to stress here that after my recent experience of trying to learn about and purchase a wireless in ear monitor for studio and stage, I will no longer order ANYTHING from the big guys.
​​One look around this store and I realized how wrong it was of me to EVER give my money to the Sweetwaters of the world and why it is so important to shop local for music gear if you have the opportunity. At this location, people are taking lessons, kids are learning to play, local artists music and merchandise is available for purchase, local shows are promoted and on and on. There are so few opportunities left in our area for any sort of music “scene”- places to learn, play, hone your craft, etc. but this is one of them and it is important that we support it. ​​

Art and Art Sr. and their team explained mixers, in ear monitors and different aspects of recording and sound to me, etc. clearly so that I could understand what was best in my situation and they didn’t treat me like a dummy for being a 44 year old musician who should already know this stuff by now. They didn’t try to sell me a bunch of stuff I didn’t need AND as an added bonus they beat SweetWater’s pricing on everything without me even bringing it up or asking ( I would have paid more for the free education that I got from these guys). ​​Strongly recommending that everyone go here. They have an outstanding selection, great service (not a snobby guitar shop atmosphere), and they can get you what you need if they don’t have it. Thanks for reading. Hope this helps!

Very friendly and knowledgeable staff.

Every time I have gone to Swing City, they have greeted me with a smile and ask me if they could help me. When I say I know what I’m looking for, they do the best thing a customer service employee could do: they trust me to look around by myself without them breathing down my neck. I’ve had that issue at many music stores over the years, but they respect personal space and allow me to look around as much I want.

In addition, their prices are on par with the lowest you’ll find online. In my experience, I’ve bought guitars, pedals, drum equipment, and lights from them and they always give me the correct price. No price match or anything, but everything is priced exactly how it should be.

The nicest and most considerate employees work at the Edwardsville location and I haven’t had a bad experience yet in the six years I’ve been going there.

Disclaimer: this review is for Edwardsville store. I haven’t had the same experience at the Collinsville location, but I am still giving them the benefit of the doubt before I write a review about them.

I love Swing City Edwardsville!

Staff is nice. Small store, but if they don’t have it, they order it and get it to you within a couple days.

Probably my favorite guitar shop

Two location. If they don’t have what you need here try the store in Collinsville.

Was at the Edwardsville store this afternoon and one of the employees was very unhelpful and rude. Instead of helping he just told me everything was out of my price range. He doesn’t know me or how much money I had in my pocket. Will never go back!.

I use to be an avid customer. But I am growing more and more frustrated with the management. I feel like I’m going into a sleazy used car dealership most the time and I am treated like a waking wallet. I’ve bought some guitars and amps there, so I am (or was) returning customer . The employees act fake and I feel like everyone is treated like they are a child. I was going in there to look around if there was any new stock, the employee kept on hovering and was forcing me to play the instrument I didn’t want to try.
Honestly, go to mojos. This place is as unpleasant as a guitar center

Had a wonderful time here. I don’t have the faintest idea what these other reviews are talking about and they feel like they were definitely a personal attack. The service was great and funny, the selection is killer and there were a lot of really cool items in shop. No smell other than incense which were fantastic. Ill be coming back and ill bring a group with me.

The record store Edwardsville has needed for a long time. Great curated selection of rock / alternative / punk / metal but they have it all! The knowledge & experience in what they are doing is obvious. Welcome in our area is an understatement ! !

Had a fantastic time here, these personal attacks are crazy and completely inappropriate. My service was awesome, the store smelt great and there was a fantastic selection. Ignore those idiots and check this place out, it was well worth it

Nice little shop if you have a 50 dollar bill in your pocket. Majority of his stock is remastered which is not “real” experience of listening to say KISS Alive on vinyl. Buy from eBay instead or Rich in Collinsville.

I stopped in just passing through town. Being a collector, I google search for record shops anywhere I’m at. There was a decent selection for a smaller shop. I thought prices were especially reasonable on used LP’s. I walked out with a few more pieces for my collection. I will definitely stop in again.

Cool little record shop. Hard to find from the front of the plaza. Music was a bit too loud. Organized well and clean. Staff was friendly and recommended other artists based on my purchase. Would rate higher but employee did not wear a mask or even attempt to take any precautions.

Unprofessional and rude owner. Take your business elsewhere

Upon entering this establishment, I was greeted not with friendly Hello’s, but by hurling insults and vinyls at my me. Knocked the front wheel right off my baby’s stroller. Unsafe environment.

Would NEVER recommend. Awful owner. Just simply unprofessional

Also- I have visited, this review is based on PERSONAL EXPERIENCE. Thank you. Your response is unnecessary.

I love these guys they will get you anything you need ….unbelivable customer service!

Super cool store, family run, personal experience, would definitely recommend for all music enthusiast alike.

Excellent one stop shop for all your guitar needs. Scored an awesome gig bag at a reasonable price as well as a decent starter Austin amp. Stan the Man was more than helpful and went above and beyond to take care of my purchases as well as answer my questions. It’s customer service attitude makes you feel at home. A very under appreciated local music establishment that makes you want to come back the next time around which I will be doing.

Very helpful with questions i had.

Very helpful and experienced

I’ve known Jonathan, Debbie and Mike Vorce for a very long time. They’re wonderful people who will do what they can to make your visit successful. The lessons are fun, they’re flexible with your scheduling needs, the prices are fair and they’re knowledgeable about the music business. One of my favorite places to go.

Great place to get your instruments to have layaway and they have plenty of musical things going on

Staff is friendly and ready to help!

Very nice selection.

Best studio experience in town!!

Really nice studio at an affordable rate! Also They have instruments, tools and help you with your music quality and sound! I Definitely Recommend!!!
-Kid Fop

These guys are amazing! They showed up for my wedding not even knowing if they were going to get paid by the person I hired who contracted out to them and still made my wedding an amazing experience! We appreciate them so much!

I have always found the staff very friendly and knowledgeable. I look forward to my lesson each week. I recommend them to anyone who is interested in taking lessons or looking for a new instrument.

Really helpful. Understands the goal that we are trying to accomplish and I had great suggestions on how to make it happen.

George, the guitar tech was excellent and a huge help in fixing my guitar. I took it the the big box store out of town and they couldn’t figure out my problem! George was most helpful and I am a customer of their’s now for life! All the staff was helpful!

A good old school music store.

It’s a really good place. Sorry, we were the ones that crashed intk the building

My experiences their have been very bad. Only 2 people in the store know anything. The owner who name is Art is a complete and total jerk!!! Don’t expect him to respect you unless you are spending loads of Cash. His workers are nice. The store though just feels dusty everytime I walk in their. This has been my experience. Use to like them now Im just fed up with customer service. They do have rare gear tho. Which for me is why I liked visiting their.

This place is so bad I’d rather go to guitar center and I hate guitar center. They are fine if you’re just going for lesson but if you’re doing any type of business seriously save yourself the trouble and go to any other local store or guitar center.

They hate drummers. Lost a sale because they were condescending to a young man I was with. We’ll be taking our business elsewhere.

Was told this was the best place for instrument repair, so I loaded up my son’s sax and made the trek from Highland before work. When I arrived they were not open and wouldn’t be for two more hours! However, a nice gentleman saw me pull in and came out to tell me they are working on having this corrected on Google and invited me inside to have the repairman look at the sax anyway. Quick turnaround and the sax is in tip top shape for a great price. To top it off, the staff who were present when we picked it up were very helpful showing us what we needed to buy without selling us stuff we didn’t need, and even showed my son how to use the reed for the first time! We are just starting for the first time with a fifth grader in band and our younger son won’t be far behind. We will definitely be Halpin customers for lots of years.

Great Store, Great Staff, Great Products, Great Prices. Thank you again, Halpin, for all of your help !!!!!!

Pulled up and they werent open yet. Employee was washing windows outside and offered to take care of us. Have always supported Halpin and will continue.

Had just what I went for

Good people and great service and prices

A friendly place.

It seems as though the technicians that repair instruments can’t repair the instruments correctly without having to send them out for repairs. The customer has to tell and show what exactly is broken or needs repairs. Th oo bad they are the only musical instrument repair shop in Alton

Never open on weekends! When do these people think musicians play and need gear??

3 weeks, to have simple repair done. Repair tech in Centralia is discriminatory against people with disabilities, and is a hateful man. He refused to work on my horn after it had been in the Centralia shop for two and a half weeks. They never called me about anything, I had to call them every time to find out any information about my horn. Left several messages that was never returned. Ended up having to have my horn worked on in the Alton shop, I had to to drive TWO and a HALF HOUR OVER 200 MI and pay full price for a repair with no discount even after the tech in Centralia was belligerent and derelict in his responsibilities to fix my sax after it was there for over 2 NEVER AGAIN

Well I consider it great with what he does very educated think he has his masses you’ll give a five-star rating every time you go to him that’s for sure he does nothing but the best

Very informative and adjusted my guitar perfectly to my playing style while also fixing annoying string/fret buzz problems making my new guitar fully show ready thanks Guitar Butler

He did a very well done and personalized service. He took the time to explain and ask what I wanted. I really appreciate his hard work and expertise. He did a wonderful job.