The place to go for lessons, guitar repair, guitar sales, custom fabrication. Nate is the man! Such a great guy. Oswego is so lucky to have a shop like this. Traveled from Cincinnati to experience this gem.
Nate has a great shop!
Best place to take an aching axe.
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.
Derek is a great teacher and also an amazing musician. He’ll teach you everything from chords and scales to music theory to Jimi Hendrix. As a 35 year old who had never picked up the guitar before, I should have done this years ago.
Derek is a patient and knowledgeable teacher, and he is great with kids as well as adults. His experience as a composer, performer, and teacher make him the perfect person to give lessons, as he can tailor them to exactly what you want to learn. I highly recommend him for guitar lessons.
Derek has a broad music background in a variety of styles, is unbelievably patient and charges very reasonable rates. He comes to your house, works around your schedule, and is willing to take the time to transcribe your songs. He is dedicated and tailors the lessons to fit your interests and needs. I would highly recommend him to anyone in the Oswego/Yorkville area.
5. Sam Site
Address: 26 S Madison St, Oswego, IL 60543 , Kendall County , Illinois , United States
My husband and I love this store! We are in there all the time! The prices are reasonable, the amount of stuff they have is beyond amazing (we could spend the whole day in there and find gem after gem.) The store is filled with so many cool items, this includes the items that are for sale, and the display items. To the person who was crying about them not wanting to sell display pieces go back to the cave you crawled out of, stores have display items that are not for sale all the time. Maybe next time instead of being a sad boy you can just appreciate a cool collector’s item when you see it.
There is no other place like it in Yorkville, it truly is a gamers paradise!
-Mrs.Made in the U.S.A-
Alot of items, but organized chaos. Staff was extremely helpful and got what I was looking for. Even promised to get and hold a vintage game I want. Prices more than fair. Will definitely do business with in the future
great deals great people I definitely recommend it for your musical and video game needs
An incredible selection of old school games from all systems. The store is very cramped so you will have to hunt but there are gems and the owners are very friendly and try to work with you on price. No cards cash only!
It’s a mess, but if you’re looking for something & willing to do a little searching, good chance you’ll find it here. Nice owners making their small business work.
If your looking for any video game or console they will have it before anyone else
bought from here many times but couldnt return a product that was broken when i bought it. when buying here, ask to test the product first.
Really garbage and trash is strewn everywhere impossible to find anything and everything smells like cigarettes and most likely is full of roaches(Never been arrested, btw you dropped this 21 Fox Ct, Yorkville, IL 60560 )
Dont waste your time driving to the middle of nowhere just to see them use ebay to give you a price. Nothing is pre priced, so much stuff that its just in piles everywhere. Probly the most disorganized garage sale style store i have ever seen. Ill stick with goodwill and disk replay.
7. Quinlan & Fabish Music Company
Address: 291 Montgomery Rd, Montgomery, IL 60538 , Kendall County , Illinois , United States
Very good place for any music needs. I have used their services for my son’s violin needs. Courteous staff and prompt service. Well recommended for all music instruments need in and around Aurora
Marcus was awesome! He went above and beyond the Call of Duty to help me and my son out:-) much appreciated
4 of 4 kids have gotten their band/orchestra instruments through this organization – spanning 15 years. I have never been disappointed in the quality or service they provide. Their staff is knowledgeable and helpful. You can depend on this business AND you can trust them. A rare quality these days. We are lucky to have them in our community.
Very disappointed in the customer service. I received incorrect information from Quinlan & Fabish at Crone Middle School and they won’t honor what was told to me. Very over priced. Do yourself a favor and shop around.
Edit: They ended up honoring the verbal price I was quoted.
Went to my daughter’s school for “band info” night. Even with Covid, they had the kids trying out wind instruments (I REALLY hope they cleaned them properly between kids). She liked the flute and I was presented with an “agreement” for 4 month trial of $72 (reasonable) and then $40/mo for 2.5 YEARS. The guy (who never even introduced himself) tried to put an “agreement” in front of me; told me it wasn’t a purchase contract (really, then what would it be with a total price of over $1,000 on it? That price and my signature makes it a …contract…).
I hit the brakes; no way am I paying a thousand dollars for anything my kid needs to keep safe, clean and protected… He actually got an attitude, huffing and ripping up the paper. This is thru the school so shame on them too but I walked in for a 10yo to try an instrument so she could join band with her friends and found myself with a washed-up-car-salesman-trying-to-sell-me-a-timeshare feeling. Oh, and lets not forget the “book”, “music stand” and “cleaning cloth” that were…you guessed it…EXTRA $!
The specialty knobs I ordered were outstanding! Once on my radio, I can’t tell the reproduction from the original!
I was planning a trip to the area on unrelated business and decided to purchase the Zenith while at it. Seller was available on short notice for the hand off. Everything went smooth. Took the radio home and set it in my living room. It sounds great for an 80+ year old radio.
There is not a scratch in the cabinet, it looks great!
Full satisfaction and pleasure to do business with you.
I searched high and low for a Les Paul guitar and RCS had the one that filled all my desires. Thanks for the great deal on this guitar. It was packed really well and arrived with a perfect set up ready to be rocked. Thanks Jim for your fantastic service. I highly recommend Rock City Sound.
Great customer service! Guitar arrived packed correctly. Thank you!
Jim was fantastic to deal with. Guitar was expertly packed. Don’t hesitate to make a purchase with him!
11. Instrument Exchange
Address: 17 N River St, Batavia, IL 60510 , Kendall County , Illinois , United States
Fantastic place for string and brass and woodwinds Tom was friendly and I had a wonderful time .. School is right around the corner and this is a great place to start!
Knowledgeable, helpful, patient and friendly
I got a nice snare drum with a case, stand, and sticks on a budget price!
I liked it! I went in with a broken bass we bought there and he let me trade it out for another that wasn’t broken. I think the owners nice and helpful. 4 stars definetly!
I bought a trumpet here a few weeks ago. I tried negotiating on a few trumpets and he said he was ” firm on his prices “. That’s a reasonable answer, so I stopped questioning his prices. I was naive to look up the trumpet I had purchased AFTER my two hour ride home. To my surprise this man made a 100% profit. Yes, he sold it to me for twice its worth as a a new one. That’s IF he bought it new, but he mostly likely bought it off someone for a few hundred dollars and created a bigger profit for himself. He has no shame in selling it to me and ripping me off as he was all smiles when I left the store with the instrument. Horrible place to shop. If you do shop here, look up the instrument you are getting.
Traded in 2 X $100 guitars and paid an additional $250 for a used guitar that I just found out costs about $200 new. “Buyer beware”…yes, I should have done my research, but shame on a music store that would overcharge someone just getting into music, after convincing them a mediocre guitar was a good mid tier deal. I literally just got laughed at when I tried to sell the guitar for half of what I paid for it.
Went in looking to trade in two instruments, one of which had never been played worth at least 200 dollars and the other at least 300 and he offers me 200 for both. Do not expect to get anything in terms of reasonable amounts of money because this was a joke.
12. Music & Arts
Address: 385 Illinois Rte 59, Aurora, IL 60504 , Kendall County , Illinois , United States
Great people to work with. Helped our son pick out and test a trigger trombone. Reasonable prices.
The employees and manager at this business are very helpful and professional. I appreciate that they are taking extra precautions to keep everything clean and safe.
Kid takes lessons
I needed oboe reeds and some practice booklets. They had what I needed and have a small variety of instruments available: clarinet, various saxophones, flutes and piccolos, and some stringed instruments.
Not bad and I’m pretty sure they have a website too with a large inventory.
Cool little music store with the two most friendly ladies there to help
School closed due to COVID 19 , but they charge money from credit card every month and no way to make this cancel.
After 2 weeks of waiting for 2 masks that I ordered for our horn player, I finally called to get the status. I was told it was still being processed! I told them that was unacceptable after 2 weeks and that the order should have been after 2 weeks. I told them to cancel. The first CSR told me that she would cancel it. I asked for a confirmation number or email. Could not provide it. I asked to speak to a supervisor. She said there were none available She hung up on me. Called back again. This CSR told me he would cancel (proves the first request was not made). He also said that he could not provide a confirmation but would have an email sent. Very rude people and non helpful. Do not order from them!
Highway robbery. None of the music stores charge security deposit except this place. And it has been more than a month I am trying to get my security deposit back. Every call they have different story. And you have to wait long time to get customer service representative. Very shady company. It is like you buy something from TV commercial and trying to reach them after you return the item. I don’t suggest this place at all. Check other music stores and go there afterwards.
13. Harmonie
Address: 14621 Meadow Ln, Plainfield, IL 60544 , Kendall County , Illinois , United States
Went to buy a new flute. Good selection. Knowledgeable and attentive staff. Will return for all our music needs
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.
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.
15. Patrick’s Music Corner
Address: 24012 Lockport St, Plainfield, IL 60544 , Kendall County , Illinois , United States
Patrick is a wonderfully gifted musician and teacher. He has created a very welcoming environment at his studio for all ages to learn and improve. I have been a musician for many years and in my first lesson with Patrick after playing a little he knew exactly what I could work on to improve. I would not hesitate to reccomend him to any of my family or friends or you reading this review.
I am currently still learning guitar with Patrick. He is an extremely helpful and patient teacher. I really enjoy learning here and continuing on my guitar journey with the help of Patricks music corner!
My daughter is currently taking vocal lessons with Jess. I highly recommend her as a vocal coach. She is very patient and encouraging to her students. She always has a very positive attitude towards her students and takes the time to explain the different vocal techniques to ensure understanding in order to help students achieve their musical best.
Mario does great work in a timely manner. He really spends the time to answer questions, and takes the time to get to know his customers. I’ve been taking my guitars to Mario for two years now, and have recommended multiple people who’ve been nothing but happy with his work.
I was referred to The Guitar Workshop by a musician friend a couple of years ago. Since then, they’ve provided quality set ups on 5 guitars for me so far (4 electric 1 acoustic), filed down some nasty fret ends, replaced a few pick ups and even helped straighten out one particularly bowed neck on a P bass I had lying around that I thought was beyond repair. Mario is honest, courteous and a consummate professional that will take the time to answer your questions and explain thoroughly, what you precious instruments are in need of. Thanks for all you do, Guitar Workshop/Mario!
Mario did an awesome job setting up my Gibson Les Paul! I never had a setup done and (I know I sound like a noob but I’ve played guitar for like 17 years) I’ve never heard of doing it. I always just pulled the guitar off the rack and played it as is. I bought the guitar used and it didn’t seem right to me so I looked into it and that’s how I learned about the setup. Found Mario through a Google search to find a guitar workshop instead of Guitar Center and he had great reviews. I brought it over and he asked some questions and I picked it up a few days later. He got it back to me faster than I thought it would be. I plugged her in and she plays like a dream! Never had a guitar play so smooth.
Great place for guitar repair.
Small local, full service repair shop. Nice owner. Spent time with each guitar asking questions about what I wanted and took notes. Turn around time is a bit long, but that means alot of people think the work is worth the wait.
18. J&B Music
Address: 3512 Caton Farm Rd, Joliet, IL 60431 , Kendall County , Illinois , United States
The best place in the local area for vinyl and music lessons.
Fantastic service by true music professionals. I would recommend all friends and family to J and B.
I was recommended by a friend to have my son take drum lessons from BJ at this studio. For 4 years he’s taken drum lessons and we’ve been more than happy with everything. The owners, teachers, and people behind the desk truly care about the students and parents. My son has really connected with BJ and has learned so much. I would highly recommend BJ to anyone that wants to take drum or piano lessons.
Stopped at the store while in the area. The young man behind the counter was very nice and helpful. The selection was diverse and I found a few things to take home.
Good store! I go for the vinyl which is mostly used with a small selection of new releases. I can usually find good deals on good condition, bit off of the radar titles. Good staff and new discount program
