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.
I take all of my vintage and new guitars there for set up and repairs. Chip is the best. He is the only one that I will let work on my guitars.
Awesome place!
Bob, the owner is one of the nicest guys around! Great for kids and adult beginners to full enthusiasts. The facility is great and has several acoustic practice rooms.
A week and a half later, I’m waiting on a repair that was supposed to take two days. They called on the day it was supposed to be done to say they just started working on it. Two days after that they called again to say it will be done in a week (or maybe less) due to a problem with the instrument that requires additional work. Today (a week later) they said it will be ready two weeks from the day I brought it in. While I can’t comment on the quality of the work because I still haven’t received it yet, I am disappointed with the service so far. I dislike dishonesty, excuses, and false promises. I can only hope that my instrument isn’t being butchered. I hope I’ll get it back and be able to add a positive update to this review. Unfortunately since they lied to me, I can’t trust them, so I’ll have to take it somewhere else to get it checked out after I get it back.
Update: I got the guitar back and had it checked out by a friend’s technician. He said it was in good shape, so I’ve decided to raise my rating by two stars. I won’t forget the bad communication and lack of transparency, so I don’t think I would bring an instrument here for repair a second time.
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.
sad to have to change my review but after having dealt with this store more it seemed necessary
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.
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.
7. Trader Jon’s
Address: 1514 N Cedar Lake Rd, Round Lake Beach, IL 60073 , Round Lake , Illinois , United States
Jon knows his merchandise for sure. ESPECIALLY GUITARS & AMPS. I’ve had many dealings with Jon and he has always kept his word and been fair. He’s also very pleasant to deal with and accomodating!
Found Trader Jon’s on FB Marketplace. He had the games my son wanted and got them mailed out promptly! Great service.
Love Tader Jon’s, I buy all my instrument equipment any videos there too. I also just picked up an awesome machine. He takes care of his people every time they come in and he gives them top dollar for their stuff. Always a great selection of merchandise.
nice, well organized, clean place… staff was pleasant and up front.
10 dollar minimum with debit.
Owner is very pushy trying to sell you things. After repeatedly telling him “no thanks” he just kept on bullying.
After purchasing my strings, and the very moment the door began to close behind me I heard the owner verbally insult me behind my back.
It was last month. Don’t remember what exactly was said.
Avoid shop owner.
But, despite my bad experience they do have a decent selection of guitar strings.
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.
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!
Their website requests an appointment, and as a courtesy, just give them a call or e-mail on a day/time you want to show up. Richard and Marshall are busy in their workshop with repairs and fulfilling customer orders, etc. They are most gracious of hosts fielding questions, telling you things you should’ve asked but didn’t. Getting a guitar from these guys is like buying a car from a professional mechanic. Buying a guitar from Brune is feeling confident about the product with which you walked out the store. They are both easy to talk to, they both give different perspectives on an issue or question, both are extremely knowledgeable about their luthier trade. Stores like this, that sell the caliber of classical/flamenco guitars they do are VERY VERY rare in the U.S. To have this gem in the midwest where I live is worth the drive. Buy, trade, sell with confidence here at R.E. Brune and Son Luthier and guitars!
Good guitar maker site
The best luthier and guitar dealer that I’ve ever come across. This is the place for people who love classical guitar.
12. Andre Alfonso Music
Address: 1522 N Cedar Lake Rd, Round Lake Beach, IL 60073 , Round Lake , Illinois , United States
This music store has everything you need! Cases, lessons, instructions, merch! The most professional music store ever!
This music school is an absolute gem! Andre is the man! He goes above and beyond to make sure everyone’s needs are taken care of, students and teachers alike. If you’re considering lessons make sure you swing by and check it out! There is something for everyone. All of the teachers are highly knowledgeable and experienced in their respective fields and make learning fun!
So please to know that people still care about music and others. 10/10
13. Illinois Media Group
Address: 24250 W Townline Rd, Grayslake, IL 60030 , Round Lake , Illinois , United States
Great neighborhood spot ! Great people working there !
El pan esta sabroso y los pasteles no se diga, para mi esta bien.
The bread and the tamales is not same quality, some times the bread is old and hard. The tamales is like something is missing, couple years ago it was perfect
Muy buenas tortas y gorritos y el pan
All of the enclosed cases were pretty empty. The only selection was on the cooling racks in the middle of the store, which isn’t very sanitary considering there’s nothing protecting them from everyone around. They’re just sitting out in the open on rolling racks with trays in the middle of the bakery . I bought some tamales and called it a day.
El peor lugar para comprar pasteles compre un pastel para mi hijo pague 52 por el era pequeño no me le pusieron el relleno que pedí y cuando hable una persona me atendió por teléfono muy amable me dio un crédito de 8 dólares y hoy que fui a comprar pan me dijeron que solo me podían dar 5 que porq a mi solo me falto un relleno y me trataron como si yo quisiera robar y me dijeron que debí llevar el pastel ellas creen que yo iba a dejar a mi hijo solo el día de su cumpleaños por ir a dejar su cochino pastel
So very disappointed.. I ordered over a $100 worth of tamales for Christmas Eve (yesterday) To start things off the order was suppose to been ready for pick up at 3:30pm. I called at 2:50 PM to possibly pick it up earlier,but I was told it will not be done until 4ish. I arrived at 4:15 for them again to tell me they needed another 15 minutes to be ready. Which ended up being over an hour. I received my tamales at 5:15pm. When i say I am beyond disappointed, not only because of the time but because 85% of the tamales had no meat at all. 85% was either full of sauce, half sauce or no sauce and dry of masa.I even found large cut pieces of tomatos stuffed in a few. I didn’t ask for stuffed tomato tamales.SMH $110 that went to the garbage and ruined our Christmas dinner
16. iMaster-Studios
Address: 24250 W Townline Rd, Grayslake, IL 60030 , Round Lake , Illinois , United States
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!
19. Perfektion Music
Address: 25661 W Blakely Pkwy, Wauconda, IL 60084 , Round Lake , 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.
Awesome store! Would visit again!
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!!!
20. Brothers Barber Shop
Address: 226 E Main St #1, Round Lake Park, IL 60073 , Round Lake , Illinois , United States
