Excellent customer services. Nic will get back to you always within 24 hours regarding your inquiry. In addition, he seemed to have endless (and pleasant) patience with my MANY questions about which harmonium was best for me, and clearly was not trying to get me to purchase the most expensive harmonium, but help me get the one that was right for my needs. In addition, the Bhava harmonium I bought is FANTASTIC. I had another one that I bought from a well known seller years ago that didn’t even compare to the Bhava I bought. I was very impressed with the sound and quality, especially for a smaller harmonium. If you are unsure where to buy your harmonium online look no further. THIS is the store. If cost is an issue I would spend a little more time saving than buying from a cheaper online seller. You will not get better quality or support than with Old Delhi Music.
Based on a friend’s recommendation I bought my first harmonium from Old Delhi Music. Nick has been wonderful to work with – he is not only knowledgeable, he is also a very kind teacher. Since I am a complete novice he has taken his time to explain the instrument to me and even sat through several skype sessions to give me some pointers. I cannot recommend him and his instruments enough.
I received a faulty instrument from these people and when I asked to return it they denied my request. Even though it was kept in a hard case which I also purchased from them. They were entirely at fault and chose to steal from me instead of being accountable.
NEVER BUY FROM THESE PEOPLE. They will steal if given the chance.
4. Corson Music
Address: 71 E University Ave, Champaign, IL 61820 , Philo , Illinois , United States
Decent selection, comparable prices to the big name stores
Got a bass bag and some strings. Still using the 4 channel mixer/amp I got from them a few years back.
Stinky, dirty place, and not friendly at all.
This place isme terrible. The owner wanted to buy some portable racks from me. So I rearranged my whole schedule because I am very busy and am selling this stuff for church. The racks were visible on photo, when I got there, he told me he wasn’t interested.
I called today to ask about get the action lowered on my guitar. Keep in mind that I am a beginner and don’t know a whole lot about this type of stuff. The person who answered the phone was far from helpful. He was condescending and rude and didn’t answer my questions. Instead he just cackled when I asked clarifying questions and responded with sarcastic answers. I will absolutely NOT be taking my business here and did not appreciate the customer service or lack thereof.
5. The Upper Bout
Address: 723 S Neil St, Champaign, IL 61820 , Philo , Illinois , United States
Upper Bout is great! It has a lively, chillax vibe and the staff really are excited about guitars and music and customer service.
Stopped in to check out their shop when visiting Champaign! Glad I did. Cool place with a nice selection of guitars. Staff was very welcoming, friendly and knowledgeable.
There’s a great reason these fine folks have nearly an average 5 star review. Super friendly, the owner is awesome, and two of the employees that I’ve meant are super cool. Good selection of new and used gear. It’s not easy to find big name brands that aren’t just budget in a mom and pops kinda shop, but the Upper Bout has plenty of US made guitars, along with more affordable over seas gear.
It’s not the cheapest to have work done there, but you pay for what you get. You owe it to yourself to drop in a say hi. Not a bad thing to say about the place. Definitely going to shop there when I’m in Champaign.
Good place to buy guitar stuff in a convenient location.
It’s kind of expensive, I paid $25 for two sets of strings when I go through them like crazy. This being the only place I buy strings nowadays I am now scared to break one!
They have loads of guitars and amps to try out, as well as mandolins, banjos and other stringed instruments, makes it a great place to learn about instruments.
I will purchase my next guitar here for sure.
Very nice store for guitar players. Not a lot of options for bass players. Store is very clean and the store has a very classy look and vibe. Very nice selection of effects pedals. I will go there again. I would like to have seen more high end 5 string basses. But, I think everyone should stop by.
Brought in a broken guitar hoping to fix it. They were quoting me 4 times the value of a new guitar to fix it and kept pushing me to just buy a new one. I ended up leaving and getting the guitar replaced elsewhere
Be forewarned! If you are anything but an accomplished or professional guitar player they may not have the time of day for you! They WILL talk down to you, and make broad assumptions of you. Without asking me any further questions, because I said I traveled a lot, had a sentimental instrument that I didn’t want to see damaged and didn’t presently have a place to store it: the assumptions changed to me being homeless and I couldn’t be pushed out of the store fast enough. Even when I asked about a simple $15 item. Oh and let’s not forget the whole the salesman is talking down to me, he grabbing expensive guitars off the wall just playing them instead of listening to my questions. Nice job Upper Bout
I put a guitar here on consignment that had a synth pickup and they straight up lost the synth. When I came in to pick up my stuff they just shrugged their shoulders like “so what?”
6. The Music Shoppe Inc.
Address: 27 E Marketview Dr, Champaign, IL 61820 , Philo , Illinois , United States
Made an online purchase of band shoes for my child… needed them quick. Sent a text message view their website to check how quick they could ship. They responded within minutes, before the store even opened. They told me the shoes were in stock and would ship same day. Awesome service.
The best music store in Champaign-Urbana! Staff is consistently friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable about the products and music in general. I’ve been going to The Music Shoppe for about a decade and have yet to have a negative experience. Highly, highly recommend them over chain music stores—the service is absolutely unbeatable.
They also are trans/non-binary-friendly! They noticed that my name had changed when I was checking out and updated it on my account without me even having to ask first.
Today I bought a ukulele and a tuner for my daughter. The Music Shoppe staff were great, I love shopping at stores with great customer service and knowledgeable staff. There was a nice selection of selection of ukuleles, straps and cases. Thank you Music Shoppe staff!
Nice staff, wonderful selection, higher end of the usual price range though.
The Music Shoppe has always provided quality service. We have purchased one instrument from them, but had other instruments serviced. They have knowledgeable staff and I have never been disappointed with any repair or maintenance work they have completed. They bent over backward once to help us in a pinch.
My only complaint is that they are so busy with schools, it is hard to get personal instruments in. (They told me 3 weeks before they could even look at my daughter’s instrument.)
These people are consistently quality professionals. Over the last 5 years I have trusted their service and have not been disappointed.
It’s a good place for renting and buying instruments. They repair and provide loaner instruments.
Absolutely the most unprofessional shop around ! Straight garbage
I went to get my clarinet fixed and they tried to up sell me on getting all my pads fixed and thought I was a child and were annoyed I came in the store when I came to pick it up. I will not be using these services again because of the horrible service I received from the workers.
I went in to have my saxophone serviced. The saxophone I play is pretty nice. I mentioned that I played it in marching band and the woman belittled me for playing a nice instrument in marching band. Sorry I don’t have an unlimited supply of saxophones.
7. Philo Wine Experience
Address: 207 Washington St, Philo, IL 61864 , Philo , Illinois , United States
Little poker gaming room. Has a bar with beer and wine, and 2 bathrooms.
Friendly staff. Good local wines
Had to find time it was fun
Nice, quiet place to go and sit with friends and enjoy a glass or two of great wine and conversation
Didn’t even stop! When I walked in the bar in town . I told the ladies I didn’t even stop because it looked like an old car wash they started laughing and said it was! Don’t bother driving out of your way for!
8. Piano Warehouse
Address: 28 E Springfield Ave, Champaign, IL 61820 , Philo , Illinois , United States
I worked with Amanda in setting up Vine Street to play for my wedding ceremony. She was awesome. She always responded quickly and was able to address all of my questions and concerns. The prices were very reasonable and all of the guests loved them! I am so happy I chose them to play on my special day. Definitely worth it!
Vine Street Ensemble added such an elegant touch to our wedding ceremony and cocktail hour at Allerton Park. My contact person was Amanda. She was kind and professional throughout our planning process. Vine Street Ensemble has such a nice variety of classic and modern pieces that are sure to compliment any wedding ceremony style. They were very accommodating when we asked them to play “All of Me” by John Legend during our unity ceremony (a piece they didn’t offer). I highly recommend them for your wedding/event!
Vine Street Ensemble performed at our wedding and reception on 9/15/2018 and were amazing! Their choice of music definitely put the icing on the cake of our beautiful day! We received a lot of compliments on how beautiful the music was all evening!
10. River’s Piano
Address: 2207 Rebecca Dr, Champaign, IL 61821 , Philo , Illinois , United States
Absolutely cooler than cool! I go here all the time to get my vinyl fix. There’s a lot of history in this place that you don’t get anywhere else in town. Great finds, great prices and a wealth of knowledge. They also have a great video collection, and some of the coolest synth wave 80’s sci fi magazines that are a joy to be able to thumb through in person. Go there now!
Best record store in town, bar none. Sure, maybe it doesn’t have the selection of, say, Exile on Main Street, but there’s still a darned good selection (with new stuff always coming in), the records are in good shape, and the prices are outright bargains. If you only have the chance to stop at one record store, make this the one — you won’t come away disappointed, especially if your tastes skew toward the retro side of music.
This place is wonderful. And when I say that, I am being completely serious. The guy there was very nice, the prices were wonderful, and the selection was marvelous. I got a rolling stones vinyl for $2.50 (the cover was kind of destroyed but the music is what counts), and the total for four discs (genesis, elton john, rolling stones, white nights soundtrack) was only $20! Will definitely be coming back!
Has tons of records, pretty neat place
Not a huge selection of records, but everything is easy to look at and good prices.
Great little store! If you like late 70s and 80s alternative/classic rock, this is the place for you! They have a relatively small collection(I sifted through most of it in an hour) but you’ll find some pretty great bargains. It’s hard to find stores these days where the prices for used records aren’t jacked up to ridiculous prices and this place manages to have a great selection at affordable prices for a vinyl enthusiast on a budget.
15. Piano Network of Champaign
Address: 1914 Round Barn Rd D, Champaign, IL 61820 , Philo , Illinois , United States
I bought an Artist Yamaha C6 Concert Grand from currrent owners Matt & Larry Waldhoff, which I love and still play every weekend at the Possum Trot Supper Club. I purchased it in 1997 when they were with Samuels. Fortunately they asked me in March of 2016 to help represent Piano Network a great new store in Champaign. I am proud to work for them, offering World Class Yamaha Pianos, Allen Organs,and high quality and guaranteed gently used instruments.
A pretty decent store with both acoustic and electronic ones. The sales person Tommy was responsible and the electronic piano I bought is good so far, and the price was very reasonable.
16. Earth Analog
Address: 7 N Bourne St, Tolono, IL 61880 , Philo , Illinois , United States
Like record shops of old you can spend hours flipping through the bins, and a whole floor of $1 albums can’t be beat.
Great collection of vintage records and CDs. Owner is interesting to talk to and very knowledgeable
Nice big and bright location makes it easy to look through their large inventory. A must visit for any music lovers in the area!
Cram packed. Great, endless selection where you will find something. But a little pricey.
Record Swap offers used vinyl of varying quality at collector prices. I was hoping to pick up a few classics on vinyl at reasonable used prices, but what I found instead was a selection of classic albums for $15-25. I like buying vinyl, but I’m not a fanatic and there is absolutely no way I’m paying $15-25 for a well-worn LP when I can buy a brand new CD for $10-15.
Sadly, you won’t find any bargains here. Basically, if it’s a classic album, you’re going to pay extra for it. Even the most ubiquitous, widely available ABBA album is going to run you $6-10. It’s simply too much when I can go to Exile on Main (also in Champaign-Urbana) and find it for less.
The shop is dumpy and the owner is as apathetic as it gets. He’s not a pretentious record store worker; he just doesn’t care if you’re there or not. This is not a huge deal for me. Really, it comes down to the prices. It’s as if the owner thinks everything he buys is Near Mint and priced accordingly (plus a markup for popular albums), when most of the records are Very Good at best.
Some of the DVDs were pricey
Prices are pretty high. If something isn’t priced they look it up on Popsike and offer it to you at that price. You won’t find bargains, but I found a couple disks worth keeping.
18. Larisa Chasanov Piano Studio
Address: 405 Paddock Dr W, Savoy, IL 61874 , Philo , Illinois , United States
Aside from being a virtuoso herself, Larisa is also an amazing teacher with the most delightful personality. I picked up piano again in my 20s after learning for 5 years in my childhood.
I studied with Larisa for less than a year. During that time, I learned a wide range of music spanning from the Baroque period to the 20th century. She sets high standards for her students, but never intimidates. Instead, she inspires me with her passion and motivates me with her attentiveness to details.
The lessons themselves are highly informative. Larisa is exceptionally good at explaining concepts that are rather abstract, including Rubato, Dynamics etc. She provides easy-to-understand clarifications on those concepts, which she draws from her decades of experience in professional performance. Larisa guided and pushed me to levels that I never imgained I could achieve. I believe anyone who has a heart for piano can benefit tremendously from taking lessons with Larisa.
i have never had a class with Larisa, but she is my grandma! i bet her classes are great.
Best piano teacher in town! Every lesson with her is a blessing! ❤️Highly recommend!
Loved going here!! The prices aren’t marked up and the owner is super enthusiastic about all kinds of music, and he has a lot of knowledge about a wide variety of genres and artists!
Owner is pretty cool and always has great recommendations. Good variety of old and new with different formats. Cassette, CD, and Vinyl.
Smile more about the right way
One of the best record stores in C-U. They have a pretty decent-sized collection. A majority of it is stuff that you’d never buy and the stuff you would buy is a little on the expensive side or gone by the time you get a chance to stop by. The owner, Jesse, is super friendly and very willing to help you out, negotiate pricing, and even order a new record for you if you want. Overall, the place is an average shop but the friendly staff is what keeps me coming back.
The employee was very rude. The front cafe employee told us we could go back in the record store but there was a note on the door saying “be back in 5 minutes” the door was open and we walked in and just looked at some records. The employee then walked back in and rudely told us he was closed. We apologized, he said nothing, and we left feeling very unwelcome. If the store was closed, the door should not have been open and the sign should have said CLOSED, back in 5 minutes. Seems like a nice store, but will not recommend due to the rude encounter.
