My hunt for a tech comes to an end after meeting Mike. The combination of his expertise, experience, and his prices will have me coming back for more work. And he’s a cool and nice guy to top it all off. All in all, great experience, rewired my guitar and did a set up with a quick turnaround!
Michael is a pro. He help rebuild my 1971 Fender Twin with professionalism and technical expertise. I always felt confident I could trust his advice. He treated my aged Amp like a vet would treat a puppy. He gave me advice to get my 1968 Rickenbacker 330 12 back in the game.
Friendly people, who know their stuff. Wide range of instruments, plus tech wirk and lessons. A good experience!
Excellent instrument repair service. Accurate problem diagnosis. Repairs hold up. And Mike’s prices are more than fair. Worth the one hour drive from Chicago.
Mike did an amazing job restoring my 20+ year old alto sax that I let sit idle for 10 years. Now it plays just like I remembered and it didn’t cost me a fortune to restore. Thanks Mike!
Alway great serive great store
Very helpful
We went to fix, my trumpet, they didnt, they actually made it lead to a broken trumpet, now we need a new trumpet, and we dont know where to go!
7. Music Source
Address: 33113 US-45, Grayslake, IL 60030 , Long Lake , Illinois , United States
The owner is chill and knows how to fit an instrument to the player. Good atmosphere and knowledgeable staff. Be prepared though, this isn’t guitar center – only quality guitars on hand. If you’re a beginner, come here for lessons, not an instrument.
Bob is a really good guy. Knows his stuff too. The teaching is definitely top notch and where Music Source outshines.
Great store and lessons as well. My son has been in drum lessons from over a year. Tony is a great teacher and very patient.
sad to have to change my review but after having dealt with this store more it seemed necessary
Why would I come here to buy $21 Elixir Strings when I can get them for $10 on Amazon? Are these even elixirs? I am 2nd guessing because the seal was ripped and the bags are crinkled inside. I feel like I was ripped off here, do not come here for your strings maybe they are knowledgable, but definatley sketchy.
Reviews show that they are open but I cannot seem to find the correct times they are open I tried stopping in on a Saturday around 3 website and google said they were open. But they weren’t too
Was looking for a specific pair of drumsticks that I needed. I walked in and took a look at the selection they had, and they didn’t have what I needed. I asked a staff member if they could help me out and he helped me figure out what pair I needed. He happened to be the drum instructor. While trying to find the specific pair, my mother who was with me told me that he made her feel uncomfortable because of the way he acted towards her. When they “ordered” it for me and they said it’ll be here in a week.
One week later, I called to see if it had arrived. They said no. I stopped by the next day to see if it arrived and the same instructor said they’ll stop by tomorrow and pick it up for me. (From whatever warehouse they get their stuff from). The next day, guess what? THEY DIDN’T HAVE IT.
Unbelievable service. Waste of time and effort. I ended up going to A-Major Music in Gurnee. Trust me, it is worth the drive and they are MUCH more friendlier and helpful there.
I bought two sets of acoustic guitar strings for around a $20 total and later received a $140 charge from the business. Bob said he would reach out to resolve the issue but has not yet after two weeks.
Store staff are incompetent. Ordered books and instruments accessories for me but instead of holding behind the counter they just put them on the shelf for others to buy. Waited two weeks and when I got there only one of the three things I ordered was available. There is a reason mom-and-pop shops like this are going out of business. They have no customer service. Added to which the staff were rude and had a lack of knowledge that was sad.
I bought a trumpet from PJLA Music a PHAETON Trumpet PHT-2040 Black Chrome Onyx plated finish with 24 K Gold Plated finger buttons, top/bottom caps & water keys. I have been playing trumpet for 40 years and I have never had a better horn then this. I got it and starting playing and it played freely and was open and the horn allowed me to do as i wished with it and truly went over the top with its performance.. Thank you for my Horn!
12. Illinois Media Group
Address: 24250 W Townline Rd, Grayslake, IL 60030 , Long Lake , Illinois , United States
I love this place. Ms Joe is awesome and Jamie ruckstyles is an amazing violin teacher. she is so patient and caring. would most definitely recommend her if your child is interested in learning the violin or any instrument.
Get what u need fix it and play
I stopped in here a few weeks ago to pick up a capo for my classical guitar. The guy working took me right to them, talked about A-Major’s offerings and gave me a pamphlet. Nice to see a small, local music store around, and even nicer to walk in four minutes before they close and have no “rushed” feeling and hear folks in the back room playing music.
Grandson in orchestra needed a special double bass book. They had it, yeah!!! Theg are super friendly!
Quick service on my acoustic. Price for strings & service reasonable. Lady Jo was cool. Brian wasn’t very social.
I bought a pair of drum sticks. Nice people!
Almost no instruments in store. Some guitars and some harmonicas. Nice workers due
They told me that the item I wanted was in stock. When I got there it was gone. In stock doesn’t mean 1.
Not answering your phones while your shop should be open is a horrible way to run a business. There’s no option to leave a message either.
15. Mariachi Viajero
Address: 1980 Marigold Ln, Round Lake, IL 60073 , Long Lake , Illinois , United States
The guy who runs this store is very knowledgeable, friendly and helpful in finding the record you are looking for. I’m new to vinyl and this store in my honest opinion is fantastic. He even helped my wife find some hard to track down albums. Will continue doing business with this fine store likely for years to come.
Great selection of record’s. Excellent sales staff.
It is a good shop, but prices are on the higher end. They will tell you it is because their vynil is all high quality. I understand. You may pay 5 bucks instead of 1 dollar. 10 instead of 3 and so on. But I’ve bought about 5 or 6 vynil from this shop so far. Every single one has skipped. I thought it was my player. Nope. All my records play just fine. I’m starting to think this place is a bit of a scam, and am at this point no longer a customer. But even then they get 4 stars because the dude there is super nice and friendly. I don’t think he realizes he’s selling vynil that doesn’t play.
Nice store
Good selection but highly overpriced.
Overpriced
Looking for cassettes for my daughter, I asked for assistance. She, the retail sales person, simply pointed in the general direction of the cassettes and let me know, in no uncertain terms, she was unwilling and had no desire to help me find cassettes for my daughter. All of this was done while she smiled and waved her hand in a dismissive manner.
I don’t understand why a business that has several shop serving the same market, within a few miles, wouldn’t make an effort to assist a paying customer.
In conclusion; I am unable to recommend this shop.
Spent over $200 on records at this place and only 2 of the albums actually play. The rest are all scratched to where trying to listen to the music is impossible and I’m so disappointed as I really like the guy there who said he was the owner and appreciated our conversation about music however, I cannot stand behind my purchase or the quality of the records here. Will not be returning.
17. Trader Jon’s
Address: 1514 N Cedar Lake Rd, Round Lake Beach, IL 60073 , Long Lake , Illinois , United States
Wide selection of classic and modern video games, instruments, movies, and literally anything else you could want. Run by some really dope dudes who cut great deals. Definitely coming back
I absolutely love this place. They always have so much cool stuff from old to new. I received great customer service and most definitely will be going back again soon.
We recently purchased a set of drums for our son and Jon was extremely knowledgeable and helpful to ensure that we purchased the right size for our son. We had been searching for a used drum set for a few months prior and we were quite impressed with excellent price that he offered as well. We’ve shopped at his store in the past for games and DVDs for our kids and always received great customer service from everyone that we have encountered at the store. I highly recommend checking them out!
nice, well organized, clean place… staff was pleasant and up front.
Beware: Don’t purchase anything from this establishment. I live in Waukegan and traveled 35 minutes with my baby to purchase a portable DVD player because it’s easier using a player in the car when we travel. I purchased a portable DVD player that didn’t work. I called before I traveled there to tell them the a player isn’t working and the gentleman stated he was sorry to bring the unit in and maybe give store credit if it doesn’t work. I said ok ill be there within the hour. Upon my arrival a gentleman said let me take a look at it Then tried to fix it buy air blowing air sticking a pen and some silver knife instrument inside the player. He stated yeah, it doesn’t work. So, he declare it broken not playable. He didn’t offer money back or store credit the gentleman stated he can give me a few bucks off another merchandise purchase I said I really wanted the player now I don’t know how much more damage you did by trying to fix it. I said let me look around. Trying to work with the establishment so I found a 20 yr old music CD player I said I can trade he said no I can give that to you for 14 dollars so stated I paid 26.00 for a broken portable DVD player and 14 dollars for that cd player so that’s like 40. Dollars for a zenith player. I was upset. I said just give me the broken unit back.
Now, a single mom watching her pennies is out 26 dollars and so is my baby with no DVD player.
This establishment is unreliable for truth and understanding toward it’s customers. Please if you purchase a product get a terms of agreement policy. I got nothing no receipt and no terms of return policy.
SHADY SHYSTERS!
Way over priced on almost everything I looked at a Sony stero and bought a new one the same thing for 20$ more then his used price
Has a good selection but everything is either ebay priced or higher and it’s a pawn shop…what’s my incentive to buy here over ebay especially with a terrible return policy. Also probably half of the video games they display in their case are reproduction cartridges that are way overpriced. They display them right next to the authentic games so if you were new to collecting you may end up buying a fake game here. Other than the owner Jon, the staff is not knowledgeable on products or pricing. This place could be great but they are not very fair or honest and for that I would avoid this place.
Great guys, fantastic business practices. Love the quality of products and dont even get me started on the music. Out of this world. Would give 100 stars if possible.
Best Beats best music
19. Dr Woods Guitar Emporium
Address: 304 Lincoln Ave, Fox River Grove, IL 60021 , Long Lake , Illinois , United States
Fantastic fast service on my broken Gibson classic, which had a severed head for the 2nd time. I would argue that the finish is cleaner and smoother than the fix previously, and the playability was just like new.
They also have an impressive set of gear from tube amps, used stuff, and even a crazy Dean flying V looking thing that I can’t wait to wail on next time I stop in for some gear.
Lastly, my toddler thanks the fine maestros at the store for not calling the cops on her for walking out with about 10 packs of strings without anyone knowing (obviously returned).
5+ stars
Great store, the best service anywhere, decent prices. Buddy is a great guy.
Buddy is the best guitar teacher on the planet He is great with kids and teenagers. He makes learning to play fun
Buddy is an expert musician. His advice, insights, and customer service are worth the visit. I support this local shop because they offer value that I can’t get from the web or a large chain.
Very friendly, asked for advice on a project gave great direction. I will definitly come back to give them my business.
A very helpful and knowledgeable staff. A relaxed atmosphere with some really great looking guitars.
I debated posting a review or not, but I think I should if it’ll keep someone from having a bad experience. First off, the employees are super kind people. Couldn’t be happier with the staff. But unfortunately the work I received on my guitar was really poor. Took a guitar there, first time bringing them one of my instruments. Was told I could expect a turnaround in under a week. Ended up waiting almost 2 months. Honestly not a big deal, happens a lot with instrument repair. Got the guitar back. Took it out to play it and the truss rod cover is missing. Find it in the case and put it on. Turn the volume knob, it falls off. Have to spread the top of the pot and reinstall it. Start playing and there’s a weird oscillating noise from the amp. Find the output jack totally loose, have to take off the cover and tighten it. Screws for the cover are stripped in the body. This is a new guitar by the way. Notice the G string sits higher off the neck than all the others, very noticeably. Figured they would fix this when doing a setup but I guess not. Had to file the saddles out myself. Should have just done the job myself at this point. Ended up taking the guitar apart to make sure the wiring wasn’t as bad as the assembly and setup. Got it playing good now, but after paying for someone else to do it and then having to do it myself, it wasn’t worth it. I figured the extra time taken would have meant it was 100% ready to go when they called but apparently not. This was a mid range guitar so I’m not terribly upset about it, but if it was something really nice I would have definitely been upset. Take this into consideration before dropping off your favorite axe. Hope they learn to slow down and do quality work.
I called 45 minutes before they closed and was there about 25 to 30 minutes before they closed to get a guitar pick the lady with a dog looked at me walking out locked the door and got into her car and left mind you there was still about like I said 25 to 30 minutes left so if you’re gonna close at 8:30 put it on your page on Google that closing is at 8:30 and I’m still gonna buy a pick tomorrow because you’re the closest but that will probably be the last time I’m there and I will be returning the saxophone either Friday or the third
Its a long story. In the end it was a bad experience.
I think if I didn’t check up with them things could have been much worst.
I’m not doing any business with them and advise the same.
My son had a ball seeing Nanny Nikki!! It was so interactive and fun. All the kids were up singing and dancing. Afterwards, my son asked when we could go see Nanny Nikki again!!
She performed at our grand opening event a day the little ones loved her! She was responsive, professional, and gave great performance.
So much fun and interactive – for both kids and adults …I find myself singing and dancing along!!! My son adores Nikki and we frequent her shows. Definitely worth the drive/cost for her classes!!!
