Every album you can imagine and more! We will definitely come back!
They have the hard to find records
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.
Small yet enjoyable. The place doesn’t feel like it has much personality or color, but the prices are kind and the amount of records there are very nice. One of the best places in the mall to waste a bit of time, even if you don’t particularly plan on getting anything.
Excellent collection of records and you can without a doubt find something you’ll like or some cool singles, bootlegs, etc. Beware though, the great collection comes at a premium. Used record prices are a little higher than I’m comfortable with paying. Otherwise, great selection!
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.
3. Parasol Records
Address: 303 W Griggs St, Urbana, IL 61801 , Urbana , Illinois , United States
Parasol is such a great store. The prices are very fair, and the selection is some of the best i’ve seen in the area. The owners are also nice, friendly, and will help you find anything you need. I love the atmosphere (as it is located within a bike shop,) and their discogs section is also robust and large. Give this store a try!
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!
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
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.
Not a huge selection of records, but everything is easy to look at and good prices.
We had the string quartet play for our Allerton Park, Sunken Garden wedding ceremony, and they were AMAZING! We got so many compliments from our guests about how beautifully they played.
Amanda was great to work with during the planning process- she allowed us to choose the songs we wanted played during each part of the ceremony and definitely catered to our specific style (having plenty of options for a mixture of classical and modern pieces). I truly feel that having the string quartet play added a more romantic, classy atmosphere to our ceremony and we were so happy with it! Highly recommend!
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!
5. See You CD & Vinyl
Address: 208 W Main St #2714, Urbana, IL 61801 , Urbana , Illinois , United States
See you is a great little record store located in Downtown Urbana. I will admit, it took me some time to warm up to this record store. But the owner is friendly, and the store even offers a great rewards program. This store stocks more new and modern vinyl than other stores in the area, but the experience so far has been great every single time.
Great selection and prices
A great hidden gem to check out if you’re near that side of town!
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.
Smile more about the right way
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.
6. Corson Music
Address: 71 E University Ave, Champaign, IL 61820 , Urbana , Illinois , United States
Where the working guitar players go! Dyke is the best!
Very knowledgeable
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.
Nice products but bad service. The gentleman at the counter obviously didn’t want us in the store even though it was empty.
Tried to make small talk and the guy wasn’t having it.
7. The Upper Bout
Address: 723 S Neil St, Champaign, IL 61820 , Urbana , Illinois , United States
By far, wide, and corner to corner of Champaign-Urbana, these are the guys I have trusted in years past, and I will continue to turn to for all my guitar needs. Suck at playing? The lessons are beneficial. Need a new instrument, amp, or other accessory? These guys. Need some insight or knowledge about that axe you’re curious about or where to begin? Start to finish, you’ll leave this place happy.
Trust me. This is the place to go. Enough said.
Such an amazing place with the most helpful, caring staff. Thank you for everything you do!
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.
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.
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?”
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
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
8. Private Studios
Address: 705 W Western Ave, Urbana, IL 61801 , Urbana , Illinois , United States
I recently purchased a used saxophone. It went very well and I am satisfied with my purchase.
The person (Seth) who helped me was very helpful and patient so I was able to test out the instruments so I know what I am getting at my level.
I am a beginner and this was my first expensive instrument so I had to have lots of questions. He also shared useful tips for handling the saxophone.
Thank you!
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.
We have been in here dozens of times over the last few years. Always veey friendly. Always patient and knowledgable. Employees take time with you…. you don’t feel rushed or pressured.
Nice staff, wonderful selection, higher end of the usual price range though.
It’s a good place for renting and buying instruments. They repair and provide loaner instruments.
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.
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.
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.
Absolutely the most unprofessional shop around ! Straight garbage
10. ToneGood Studio
Address: 303 W Griggs St, Urbana, IL 61801 , Urbana , Illinois , United States
90’s Daughter is one of the best cover bands I’ve heard. The only time we get to see them is when one of the bars in Springfield books them and we never miss them when they’re in town. Energetic, fun, interactive and what a great playlist. Come back to Springfield please!
Great band with awesome energy! Always enjoy their playlists!
These guys are amazing.
13. Pro Sound Center
Address: 27 E Marketview Dr, Champaign, IL 61820 , Urbana , Illinois , United States
Fantastic People. Everyone I have encountered is helpful and kind. I’m taking a group violin for beginners class and it’s wonderful. Robin is very patient and eager to help. Highly recommended!
Everyone that I’ve encountered that works here is wonderful. This center is great for children and also wonderful for adults. I have been taking a beginner violin class here for adults and find that everyone is amazing. I highly recommend this place because of the wonderful people and the very fair prices.
15. Captain Rat & the Blind Rivets
Address: 220 W Main St, Urbana, IL 61801 , Urbana , Illinois , United States
Unlike some of the other music stores in Chambana, I’ve never had an experience with a rude employee here. Quite the opposite, actually. Someone is always willing to help me find what I need, or let me be if I’m just looking around. Pretty much every worker I’ve ran into has been a genuinely friendly person. There’s always new stuff in the used gear section.
Answered every question I had. Great service and selection
I’m musician I love looking at new instruments and things that go with them
I have visited there many times and bought 2 guitars and an amplifier from them the staff are happy to leave you to browse or happy to help. They have a room to try out acoustic guitar or banjo. They sell everything from harmonica to keyboards mixer desks drums guitars and have a selection of quality second user guitars and amplifiers.
They had what I wanted at a compared price to other on line distributors, helpful staff, from the shelf to the counter to my vehicle, I will be back to this location,
Workers are great they were very helpful and informative only reason they are not getting 5 stars is because they didn’t have any left handed guitars and I was told they only keep one or two in stock at a time so if your a lefty save yourself the trip and order online you’ll probably get a much better deal on a guitar you actually want other then that I really recommend this place.
Insulting offer on one instrument, didn’t even attempt to look up the other and gave a very low price for the amp that I brought in. I’ve spent alot of money at this store and sold quite a few items there with out a problem until now. Will not be returning. Other than that, recently, The selection of used and new instruments is comical.
They always ask to get a letter from my company when I purchase items with tax exempt certificate. I gave up to buy stuff for my school at GC.
Unknowledgeable employees really hurt this store. Does not help that they seem to think it is okay to lecture you on trade ins on gear that you have not even brought in.
I think there may be some profiling and racism happening at this store. Will not be returning in the future.
Get your act together and hire the right people to work in your stores and pay them a decent wage.
You are not the same business you used to be. Such a shame
17. Exile on Main Street
Address: 100 N Chestnut St #120, Champaign, IL 61820 , Urbana , Illinois , United States
Honestly, every time I visit this shop I make a B line for the film soundtracks—which is a pretty sizable section—and I never fail to find something great. The jazz section likewise never fails to please. The owner is very friendly and will sometimes help you out with a surprise discount. I love walking in and finding out things are 30% off! Keeps me coming back to check for new used selections. Dandelion is likewise excellent for vintage clothing.
Lots and lots and lots of vinyl records. A great store. Friendly shop keeper.
Excellent place to find vinyl records. Browse to your heart’s content.
They are pretty cool! Really expensive, though. And actually overpriced in my opinion. But overall they have some pretty cool stuff to look at. Impressive collection of vinyl of CDs.
Intimate music venue (between clothes racks) good bookings, and affordable boutique.
A pinball machine adds pleasantly to the cool vibe.
Most of the Inventory is beat up and overpriced. Won’t be back.
Very overrated. Prices for new records are on the level of Amazon (before tax), and the used records are poorly graded and overpriced.
