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!
Have had an awesome experience for gutair lessons in Mchenry County. Everyone is friendly and helpful. The pricing is very reasonable. 5 stars!
Great place to take lessons!
This little place is a gem to any serious musician. Top of the line gear in stock, and inventory and prices you would never find at a large retail chain.
A very helpful and knowledgeable staff. A relaxed atmosphere with some really great looking guitars.
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.
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.
4. Musicians Discount Store
Address: 27990 N Converse Rd ste a, Island Lake, IL 60042 , Oakwood Hills , Illinois , United States
I live right down the road and saw their store on my way home from work. Stopped in for some picks and to look around. They have a huge variety of stuff in stock for such a small shop, prices comparable to Amazon/Musicians Friend etc.. and both people there (wish I got the Lady and Gentleman’s name) were incredibly friendly. I will definitely go here the next time I need something. Support people like this!
Very friendly and knowledgeable
Great store. Amazing guitar selection and knowledgeable staff.
I’m sure this place is great but I wish I didn’t have to make an appointment just to look around. Not a great business strategy in my opinion.
Horrible experience. They don’t care about their customers. First, took 4-5 business days to ship. Then product was defective but they said it was fine. Returned the product and had to fight to get a refund and then they charged me for original shipping which was free in the first place. Never again.
Legitimately told you a price then followed it up with a cheaper price if “you take it home today”.
5. Piano Trends Music Company
Address: 35 Berkshire Dr, Crystal Lake, IL 60014 , Oakwood Hills , Illinois , United States
Awesome shop and great service– our parents love the attention to detail and the wholesome approach towards arts education!!
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!
I have known Tim for many years. His experience alone could be an encyclopedia on good business practice but his love and passion for the music industry is extraordinary. I count Tim in my top 10 of people I would like to mirror.
Friendly service. A wonderful local business.
Very nice selection.
Worst place ever. Waist of time and money. I would not recommend this place. Stay away from this place.
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
Had a nice conversation with Marshall about the feasibility of a headstock repair on a classical guitar. He was very knowledgeable on all aspects including the provenance of this 30+ year old instrument. It was a real pleasure speaking with him and appreciate his generous sharing of his expertise.
Marshall (and Richard too) are easy going, helpful and generous with their time. They have dozens of high quality guitars for sale, they repair and set up guitars and other stringed instruments (I was there for a home-made ukulele today) and they build their own classical guitars. This is a first rate shop with first rate guitars. Marshall and Richard are knowledgeable and easy to work with.
Good guitar maker site
8. Perfektion Music
Address: 25661 W Blakely Pkwy, Wauconda, IL 60084 , Oakwood Hills , Illinois , United States
Been dealing with Shel and Alan for 13 years.
Hands down the best distributor I’ve ever worked with.
By far, the highest margins for the retailer in the business.
I used to buy a lot of smalls from Musicorp (doesn’t everybody?).
Increased my margins substantially by switching to Perfektion.
Same quality products for much, much less.
Credit terms are flexible and available. All you have to do is keep your word and pay, and the possibilities are endless.
I’d give Perfektion 6 stars if I could.
I have been dealing with Black Mountain Music for over 4 years now and I guess Scott Johnson the owner of Black Mountain Music closed and switched over to Perfektion Music as a representative at some time last year. And now I guess Scott Johnson is no longer representing Perfektion Music either. Now the truth is that I have never dealt with Perfektion Music directly and I understand if they do not know me nor my store. I guess the strange part of this is that when I asked if I could get a 30 day net. payment plan like I had with Black Mountain I was told they couldn’t find where I had done business with Scott Johnson before. Then the person on the phone asked me if I could call his grandfather in Texas as he is down there for the Winter. I find it strange that a company would need me to call their grandfather, who essentially is on vacation to find out if I can get credit with them. I would think they would have denied me or had me fill out some paperwork. I am not sure I want to do business with a company that has no one at the helm on a regular basis and has to ask a customer to call someone not on the premises. I would think they would have at least called the grandfather himself and had him call me, but it sounded more like he wanted me to ask permission for him to do business with me. Interesting!!!
9. Cassandra Strings, Inc.
Address: 215 S Main St, Algonquin, IL 60102 , Oakwood Hills , Illinois , United States
I love this store. Service does not have competence, they are the best. I recommend them!
Closed until 31st for summer vacation
Great service!
My son’s Scott Cao violin needed a new bridge.
Cassandra said the original bridge was expensive and that she would replace it with the exact same one.
SHE DID NOT!
Well, when we picked up the violin it was not the same bridge.
The bridge she used did not have a name on it.
It was much larger than the original.
She also said she removed the name on the bridge!
I asked her how do we know you didn’t use a cheap $5 bridge?
She along with the other staff said they never use $5 bridges.
The receipt read:
MATERIALS: $5
LABOR: $45
Lying and cheating people only can hurt their business.
10. Piano Social Directory
Address: 35 Berkshire Dr, Crystal Lake, IL 60014 , Oakwood Hills , Illinois , United States
Rocco is an absolute expert percussionist. My son has been taking lessons with Rocco for over a year now and has greatly improved. Rocco is very easy to work with and understands how to get the most out of his students, challenging them and holding them accountable. Highly recommended!
Just got our custom drum set from Rocco Z Music and it looks AWESOME!! Thanks for all the time and effort. It’s perfect.
Rocco z was amazing at my wedding. All around a wonderful dj inside and out. He made everyone get up and dance and played all the music like I asked. I would recommend him 100%.
Hasn’t returned any emails or phone calls. Answered the phone once. Said he’d get back to me after the school season started. Crickets
Very satisfied. I had a trumpet repaired there recently, and they did a great job. Mike explained what needed to be fixed and gave me a price upfront. Job was completed a week early!
I highly recommend!
He fixed my granddaughter’s viola right away and offered viola classes for a very reasonable price. So very pleased with the service.
My child learned fast and they are always very helpful with anything we need.
Alway great serive great store
You would of thought they would be more customer oriented. They didn’t seem interested that we even came in.
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!
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!
16. Pearl Street Music LLC
Address: 3421 Pearl St, McHenry, IL 60050 , Oakwood Hills , Illinois , United States
Small, intimate music store run by some really awesome people. Fair prices, decent selection, friendly service… there’s not much more you could want!
Three of my kids take music lessons here as well (guitar, piano, drums) and I couldn’t be happier!
Very helpful and kind staff.
Awesome staff, guitar lessons rock!
good prices on used drum gear. would like to talk to the owner who’s a drummer. the young man that works only on Friday isn’t knowledgeable about all the inventory. don’t pop in if you’re in a hurry. nice place.
I had a music lesson scheduled for 1/8/20 at 6:30pm I had a morning Dr.s appointment in Milwaukee The original scheduling would have allowed me plenty of time to got to the store. unfortunately The Doc found something worrisome and need me to stay for tests that is when I called to try and reschedule and this saga began. This store literally stole 3 lessons worth of my money with out remorse…because I had a medical emergency!
It is very unfortunate that this store is not run like a local business servicing their neighbors. I have been going to Pearl Street for years. I have bought several instruments and accessories, including a previous owners personal guitar. I nave taught myself a bit and can play a bit but I decided to get some polish with lessons. I bought 5 lessons and took one that night is was great. The teacher was awesome. The following week I had an appointment in Milwaukee but was scheduled to be home for my lesson. Well the Doc found some stuff that need further attention. I called The store to reschedule my appointment but the told me I would be charged full price. I explained to deaf ears about the issue, nope, you lose the lesson, You can start back up with your remaining lessons next week. I don’t care about the money but when a small, local business is this inflexible with it’s neighbors then would rather go big box and get the pricing.
So I got a call from the store and The owner tells me there is no refund or reschedule. I had asked him to refund the remaining balance on my account he said that I have to give 2 weeks notice. so he now has taken 3 lessons fees for absolutely no services rendered. In the Us code it is defined as theft.
Please see attached voicemail transcript to see how this store treats a medical emergency.
Here is the voice mail transcript from ken the owner (I believe).
“Hi this message is for Gary this is Ken Pearl Street music um on the oil over here and __ signed up for lessons with Nate and then um we paid for the month and then you didn’t show up today I heard you want to refund because you were upset um about um our policy um but we have a contract that you signed so I mean you know about ___ policy it says it on the contract right on the contract it says anytime student _______ _ lesson then um you don’t get a refund for that lesson iMessage within 24 hours and um yeah that’s just how that works um it’s in the contract we can email you the contract that you signed ____ that says that that’s fine if you want um and if you wanna refund um for the rest of the lessons for the month um it also says on your contract that you need to put in a two week notice when you wanna quit so you would always for two more lessons anyway so I would say why don’t you just finish out the month and if you want to put in your two week notice um starting today that’s fine um but yeah he signed a contract um that you’re fine with canceling the same day and not getting credit for it and ___ also signed a contract I said you have to give it two ____ notice before you quit so um yeah those are store policies if you can give us a call back or you can email me Pearl Street music at att.net if you have any other questions or concerns um if I have your email um I’ll look and see if I have your email I can just email you the contract that you signed OK and we’ll talk then thank you bye-bye…”
You lack the charm of a neighborhood business.
Brought my new guitar in for a set up. Assured that it would be done right in 2 weeks. Called after 2 weeks and was told they hadn’t even started on it. Will never shop here again. Couldn’t be more disappointed.
Only been at the store 3 times. 1st visit was ok. 2nd I asked for a guitar cable to try out an amp. The owner refused to provide one even though I said I would keep the volume down. 3rd time I was allowed to play a guitar for a while at low volumes, then the owner rudely placed his hand on the guitar and said “You need to leave.” What’s the point of having a business if you don’t allow customers to try out your instruments? I will never do business with them again and will happily give my money to another music store.
