It’s always fun going into this place. Not only they are knowledgeable but they treat you like family and not only a customer. And has the most talented teachers. I’ve been playing for years and every time I go for a lesson I learn alot more. Very talented and knowledgeable teachers about music theory equipment and instruments. Dont pass up a chance to go
Gd selection
3. Guitar Center
Address: 2601 W Lake Ave, Peoria, IL 61615 , Washburn , Illinois , United States
Guitar center is an awesome place to check out full demo displays for just about anything your wanting to buy.
Microphones and head sets, electric drum sets.
If you purchase certain products you get a month of free lessons!!
If you want a set of good monitor speakers try some Yamaha h7s
Excellent choices knowledgeable staff.
Great site knowledgeable staff
Sales staff is friendly and helpful, on and off. depending on the day and the person.
A mostly young staff, they tend to have less patience with older customers.
That is the feeling I get.
Still, this is a standout among the GC stores I’ve visited.
Lots of good sale specials, and a wide inventory.
Best thing is, the sales staff are UP on the Bose L1 system (I am a rep).
Most GCs aren’t as open about them, they don’t push them, since once a customer buys one, they don’t need a lot of other outboard gear to make it sound good. Hence, fewer sales after the fact.
Prices are competitive with online discounters.
All in all, a good store.
I’ve never had a bad experience at this place. Always very helpful and usually if I’m looking around they’ll ask me a few times if I need help with anything and even ask me when I come in the door. Going back today because unfortunately the clip that came with the condenser mic I bought didn’t fit my boom stand. Might buy a Gretsch I saw the other day. Over all, great place for musicians, it is my candy store.
Lots of variety in their products and great customer service
Very pleasant and patient.
With the exception of one salesman who is always helpful, I still have issues with this business in general. I say this because I’m not sure if its just the store or the way all guitar centers are but I’m not interested in paying new prices for used gear. Just because a guitar or amp or pedal has never been purchased doesn’t make it new! If a guitar or amp has been played/tested 100’s of times and a pedal has been stomped on over and over by many people, why would I pay full price for this? I wouldn’t pay new price for a car that has been test drove 10000 miles why would I buy a guitar at new cost that has visible wear on the fret board or was bought and returned and shows evidence of repairs and was obviously just hung back on the rack as a “NEW” guitar. Example, I bought a Schecter 7 string and it looked pre-owned but I was assured that it hadn’t been so I bought it, it was cheap enough. Got it home and about 3 days of playing I started to get issues with the jack so I pulled the cover off and I am very experienced in electronic repair/soldering and this had been “Fixed” by someone who obviously had 0 experience. So my suspicions were confirmed. I returned it pointing this out as why I am returning it. One day later I go back in and there she hangs…Like brand new. Every time I go in there to look at getting something, they never have anything in box, its always the display they try and give to me. I don’t want your used junk at the cost of new. I no longer visit guitar center because every visit is worse than the last and if I wanted this kind of gear I would just go to a pawn shop, Ive had better luck there any way
If you are a musician and don’t need to learn anything, the prices are OK. If you are a novice or need advice, avoid. The employees don’t engage you, don’t know much about what they are selling and the instruments are covered in dust.
This was a great place!
To bad inflation killed them
Loved the owners!!
I go wherever Renee goes…
Great Food and family staff.
Great place for good food and entertainment. The owner is super nice and always takes time to walk around and check on his patrons. Can’t wait to go back!
Food was good, server wasn’t very prompt. Waitress didnt come back in the few mins as I asked( we waited about 25 mins.). She also walked by our table a few times while we waited and others that came in after us were served food. Took awhile for our food to get to us. Maybe alot of call in orders and it wasn’t that busy at that time. The food was good , especially the meatloaf and sides.
This was our first time here under the new ownership. Overall it was pretty good. I kept 4 stars because I know they had some staff illnesses and shortages the night we went (it was posted online). And I know they’re still establishing a menu.
First off, our pretzel appetizer…. absolutely amazing! Best pretzel I’ve ever had, hands down. It was gigantic in girth and circumference. Our entire family of 4 wanted to eat the whole thing but stopped ourselves and asked for a box. It was also fantastic reheated later.
I was looking forward to the tacos they seem to post about all the time, only to be told they’re only a special on some nights. So, I ended up getting the tenderloin (something I don’t normally get) mainly because my picky palate didn’t like much else on the menu. My tenderloin was a bit different than what I’ve had other places, and I ran into a few bites that had what seemed like chewy fat or skin that I had to spit out. I’m also used to it being crispy and it wasn’t. The fries seemed very under cooked, to me.
My husband got some sort of meat dinner platter. He really liked it. Zero complaints. He would give 5 stars. He liked his mushy fries. Lol.
The kids menu is rather lacking. My son didn’t want any of the kids choices… so he got a cheese burger but then claimed he didn’t like it. I ended up eating half of it and wishing I ordered the burger instead of my tenderloin. Lol. It was good and juicy, just lacking flavor in my opinion, but that could be because he ordered it pretty plain. My daughter got the kids chicken nuggets and also wouldn’t eat her chicken. She ate her fries though. And my son ate some fries, he normally never eats fries, he appreciated they weren’t crunchy.
I seem to be out numbered on not liking the mushy fries.
Overall, it was a very mixed opinion night. The pretzel was weirdly the saving grace.
We’ll be back some time to give it another go.
Food was good service excellent only criticism ribs were alittle over cooked and bark alittle to thick for my taste over all would recommend.
Not very happy we got there at 6 o’clock got sat down and the waitress left us. Then she preceded too see someone else took their order drinks and food. Then someone else then took their orders and still we were sitting. There was no menu or no water. We sat for 15 minutes. She kept going by us never acknowledge us finally after 15 minutes. We left was very disappointed because I heard that. The food is good we went somewhere else won’t be going there again.
6. Guitar Junkyard
Address: 1049 8th St, La Salle, IL 61301 , Washburn , Illinois , United States
Always nice, knows his stuff. And his shop is cool to look around at all hes collected over the years
The owner is an amazing man who really knows what he’s doing when it comes to replacing guitar strings and turning your guitar back to the way it’s supposed to be turned
I cant say enough about this place. Terry is an awesome guitar tech and the vintage relics and guitars he has in there can keep you busy all day. Also usually there are local musicians hanging out and the music related conversations at guitar junkyard is a great experience as well.
This place is lined with guitar stuff from floor to ceiling. It has about everything you need for a guitar instrument. The guy was very helpful.
Visiting the guitar junkyard is always fun new instruments talking with Terry getting my guitar sound awesome it’s a pleasure too.
Due to health issues store is closed so I can’t read it
Not my favorite but only choice around
7. Music Makers
Address: 346 E Main St, Galesburg, IL 61401 , Washburn , Illinois , United States
Recently, I had an issue with the sound chain in my studio setup, and couldn’t figure it out for a week. Finally I called Music Makers, where I bought the USB interface. Dave lent a mic to me, which proved it wasn’t my mic being a problem, and then Steve advised me on checking the drivers. Bingo. Problem solved.
Thing is, they’re all really smart and nice people. They actually care. About you, and about sound. They’ll listen to you.
Stop in to look at guitars and instruments. You’ll find real deals and good advice. I’m so grateful today. Thanks Dave!
Friendly helpful folks
Had a guitar repaired. Excellent work.
They fixed my bass but I felt like it could’ve been done a lot quicker for what was charged.
Super nice store and very helpful always
Been going literly for 20 years. Decent service. Nice ppl. Definetly has everything a musician would need.
These guys are crooks. Everything they sell is overpriced, and their services are terrible. I went in to install a new bridge pickup for my electric guitar, and they quoted an unreasonable price for the job. Since I was already there I figured whatever, go ahead. They estimated the job would take about 24 hours to complete. Little did I know “24 hours” meant a month and a half to them. I’m not even kidding. Every time I went in to the store to check, they yelled at me and said “there’s a guy who comes in to do the work, but he’s been just swamped lately. He’ll get it done when he gets a chance”. So 1.5 months later I receive a call, and it’s finally done. I go to pick up my guitar, and plug it in to one of their amps to check out how it sounds. It sounded like something was damaged in the guitar. I told them that there was something seriously wrong here, but they said it’s probably their amp and I should go home and check it out. I went home, plugged it in and it was messed up. It literally sounded like metal springs grinding against each other. The strangest noise I’ve ever heard from a guitar.
When I took the guitar back to them, they were incredibly rude and told me it was not their problem and the pickup was broken. So I was out $130, and left with a broken guitar. I ended up having to spend another $200 to get the whole thing back to playing condition.
I learned my lesson, and have warned all my friends against this store.
Last five years I have purchased several guitars several by I’m talking around 10 I walked in to this music store a lady did not even ask me how they can help me all she said was what are you looking for looked around for awhile noticed that the pricing was a little bit outrageous. But the main thing was the woman that put the sour taste in my mouth by acting like it was a bother for us to even walk in the store. Oh well their loss my game I’ll continue purchasing equipment from American music supply Sweetwater. Won’t go back
unfortunate, but i’d had a guitar in storage for a year and the fret board was a disaster.they did an excellent job cleaning that, however, they took it upon themselves to badly alter the guitar without asking us despite us being there and only explained what they’d done after it was too late. another thing about these “fixes” was that they didn’t address the problem at all! they said the action was too high the lower you got on the neck so they shaved the frets?? they also took some off the bridge, though only to the top, not where the strings rest in it. i’m a novice so i didn’t catch this in store, just paid for strings and cleaning and alterations for $40. value of guitar negatively impacted & i paid for it! nice and nice sounding 20yr old, semi acoustic fender. such a shame, and as i said before i was in store and they didn’t ask! i would get my strings changed there again, though stressing that nothing else be done without consulting me
8. King Music Inc
Address: 670 W Broadway St, Bradley, IL 60915 , Washburn , Illinois , United States
Nice instructors and very helpful staff for a music illiterate mom…
Always a great experience, great people!
My son loved starting his drum lessons. Everyone at King music is very personable and helpful.
Ryan Legget was extremely helpful and made sure that our order was correctly processed in every way. Even while executing his daily duties he took extra time to find my daughters proper book for her lessons. Sorry it took so long to patronize your store. You guys are the best are around for a reason!
Being new to Bourbonnais, I signed up for music lessons in the store and scheduled lesson times. I received a note from the instructor informing me that time was double booked. Worked out a new schedule with the instructor (starting next week). I don’t have any other experiences with Kings at this time.
Very friendly people.
Small selection of instruments. Facility to small.
Trash
Absolutely terrible first of all their guitar tech is either rude or racist either way he basically wouldn’t take accountability for his mistake accused me of lying just to look stupid when I was prooven right never apologized I was told I would get a refund if something sold to me was not the right size well it wasn’t I ended having to come back three times after they finally took a measurement and guess what no refund for the first defective product because they don’t do that after an employee told me they did every single one of them was rude all of them should be fired if you’re black just go to guitar center straight up
9. Oregon Music Garage
Address: 1000 W Washington St, Oregon, IL 61061 , Washburn , Illinois , United States
Owner was very nice to chat with. It’s a very nice made new building. It reminds me of a fire station, but the owner constructed at himself. They have everything from $30 ukuleles all the way up to almost 10 grand guitars. Cool to see small music stores, making it in the small towns.
This place is absolutely amazing, and should be on your list to visit! This iconic shop is known nationally and internationally, and the owner is a delight, who’s personal tale is as exceptional as his collection of ukuleles and other instruments – and he might actually know everything about ukuleles! Very fair prices, excellent instruments, tuners, sheet music and cards, in fact everything you need to play a ukulele, from beginners to advanced musicians! Highly recommend!!
What a fantastic shop! John really knows his musical instruments, especially Ukeleles and Guitars. Great store, make sure to stop by the Ukelele Station America. Love this place!!
10. Hudson Vinyl
Address: 121 E Lake Ave, Peoria, IL 61614 , Washburn , Illinois , United States
Great place for classic rock vinyl albums. Plus all types of antique toys, furniture, home decor and so very much more. You can spend hours in there and not see it all. Fantastic place to shop. Customer service is great
Great booth!! Plenty of music for every taste. Prices are reasonable as well. Go check it out!!
LOVE this shop! New things all the time!!! Everyone is always super nice!!
Good place to get some old stuff
Awesome place love the ppl that own and run it
It’s always a good vibe walking in
Fun antique store with variety of items. Cute little cafe.
11. Washburn
Address: Illinois 61570 , Washburn , Illinois , United States
12. Mike’s Brass & Woodwind
Address: 3607 N Chapel Hill Rd, Johnsburg, IL 60051 , Washburn , Illinois , United States
This place is phenomenal!!! Took a flute in to get it repaired. The shop is well organized and easy to find. The employee at the front desk was very courteous and knowledgeable. Dropped it off and got a phone call only 2 hours later to hear that the repairs were complete. The repairman was amazing. I would greatly recommend and will be returning for all my instrument needs.
Brought my wife’s clarinet in for a repair after decades of neglect and Mike took his time and clearly knows what he is doing and it as now as good as new. I’m so happy to have this resource in this area.
What a great experience! I’m so glad my daughter’s school decided to partner with Mike’s. As the first woodwind in a all brass family, Mike was willing to take the time to explain right from the beginning how to assemble the flute. It’s a great deal, and a bonus to work with someone you can stop in and talk to conveniently if we have any questions. Thank you!!!
From the moment I stepped foot into the store, I was greeted by a warm and inviting atmosphere. The staff at Mike’s Brass and Woodwind were not only knowledgeable but also genuinely passionate about music. Their dedication and expertise were evident in every interaction, making my experience truly memorable.
What sets Mike’s Brass and Woodwind apart from other stores is their commitment to personalized service. The staff took the time to understand my specific requirements and guided me in choosing the perfect instrument that matched my skill level and musical preferences. Their attention to detail and willingness to go the extra mile made a world of difference in my decision-making process.
Furthermore, I was pleasantly surprised by the store’s dedication to ensuring the instruments are in top-notch condition. Each instrument was meticulously maintained and showcased its true potential. The store also provides a wide range of accessories and spare parts, ensuring that musicians have everything they need to enhance their playing experience.
The combination of a welcoming ambiance, a vast array of instruments, knowledgeable staff, and a commitment to excellence makes this store a treasure trove for music enthusiasts.
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!
13. Tobias Music
Address: 5013 Fairview Ave, Downers Grove, IL 60515 , Washburn , Illinois , United States
Great customer service and very generous with their gifts along with their lovely Taylor guitar. They kept their promise and the guitar arrives in pristine excellent condition. Tobias Music Fine Guitars is the place to shop for your guitars and among many other unique instruments. Great professional conversation in handling with price arrangement. The overall experience is satisfaction and appreciation for their help to musicians in the Chicago area and the United States over 40 years. Thanks
Always a pleasure at Tobias
Wide selection, great communication, fantastic service! Gem of a music store and genuine people. Check them out don’t be surprised if you find yourself wanting to stay awhile. Great guitar tech service with Third Coast on hand and wide variety of great instruments
They are more of a acoustic guitar place not really a place for bass players .
***EDIT***
So, I am knocking down my review from five stars to three; due to my most recent experience a couple months after the first one. So I reached backout to buy another guitar (place order) as I really wanted an AD22e or another model I can’t remember, but after confirming they could place the order I let them know that I wanted the AD22e and to provide me the full price so we could close the deal and they went silent, mind you I didn’t even get a copy of the receipt from my AD27e that never came which I had also requested from the last conversation.
I did finally get my guitar ordered but I had a national retailer place the order. I was disappointed I didn’t hear back from Tobias Music about completing the purchase and obtaining a copy of the receipt for my AD27e that never came.
** original **
Just bought an AD27e (Taylor) from them after finding it for sale online. it was a great buying experience. I’m a lefty, buying guitars online is the norm, and most of the time guitars I buy take a day or two to pack and ship. we had a few emails back and forth and they were quick to respond and very professional. These guys had it packed and shipped the same day, and I didn’t place my order until after lunch; that’s service.
They also took the time to dial the guitar in; it came with the action set and was tuned ready to play out of the box. Paul did a great job and really made this buying experience easy, and hassle free. I’ll have to check back often to see what other lefty guitar they get in. If I have the chance, I will buy from them again.
14. Sam Ash Music Stores
Address: 1139 S Main St, Lombard, IL 60148 , Washburn , Illinois , United States
Wonderful people , very helpful staff and the manager Mr Hodari always ready to help , God bless the staff , keep it up guys
Great staff & inventory. I’ve been coming to this location for over 15 years.
They have really nice people there that help you out
Efficient low stress
Great service each time I go there.
During this period of time I believe its more important for business’s to be more on there game and friendly.
I suggest Sam ash over guitar center any day
I took two bass guitars for repair to the store in Lombard IL, was told that I would get a call with an estimate within 3 days , Then I was told that my stuff was sent out to a third party company because they did not have parts but an estimate would be provided to me shortly , to make a long story short, I never got an estimate nor was asked to approve anything before my stuff was fixed. almost 4 weeks later I got a call that both items had been fixed and that it would cost me almost $200.00 for both, went to get my stuff and found out that the battery door had been broken on one of them and the other bass has a faulty battery connector that was not fixed, I found out about it when I got home ..it took almost 4 weeks to get my stuff and the store did not even take the time to test them to make sure they were working. Need something fixed and done the right way? Better do it yourself because these guys won’t help..
They cancelled my order because they did not like my address.
Still they charged my credit card and are of no help in reversing the charge!
Horrible customer service, sold me a guitar worth over 600 dollars they say it was on special for 377 dollars never told me why I did not notice the damage I got home try tuning it and I noticed a crack and the tunner off the guitar
Went back they try to blame it on me asked me if I’ve dropped it told the how I just bought this! told me they did not have the same guitar they wouldn’t be able to honor the price so they just return my money and showed me the door like nothing happened. Be carefull they will sell you damage products and not even tell you.
Dont go there.
15. Evolution Music
Address: 9024 W 159th St, Orland Park, IL 60462 , Washburn , Illinois , United States
I love the whole idea behind Evolution Music. I bought my first capo here for a guitar I already owned –honestly don’t know much about playing yet, but the guys were very helpful and friendly! I plan to purchase a ukelele in the next few weeks. 🙂
Very friendly staff, large selection, fair buy sell and trade
Bought a nice used snare for a reasonable price. I will be shopping here for great deal on used parts
They claim to Promote your band but all they do is take your money. Only promotion is facebook and there are only bands liking there page. No local advertising in newspapers etc. that would take money from there pockets – beware of Evolution Music or at least look into them before you go.
Very shady business! Takes payment for item and does not ship it. They have a reputation of doing this to others. I had to open a dispute in order to force him to give me my money back. Would not recommend sending them any money as myself and others have been scammed by this person.
Terrible experience, treated so poorly. Bought online and never again, aren’t to be trusted.
16. Sam Ash Music Stores
Address: 1305 W Dundee Rd, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089 , Washburn , Illinois , United States
I love going here to try instruments and browse and the open mic every Wednesday at 7:00 pm. The employees are awesome people. I only have one con and it’s the long checkout process.
I went to Sam Ash today for two reasons.
First I wanted to get an opinion on a vintage Gibson I have that needs some restoration work and second to look at some new guitars.
I met up with Doug in the guitar section of the store (Buffalo Grove, IL) and I have to say working with him was a 5 star experience. I’m just getting back into playing guitar after decades away. I had many questions and Doug answered all of them. He was very patient with me (I’m also somewhat hard of hearing. Duh). He hooked me up with a new Yamaha acoustic/electric that was just what I had in mind for a new guitar. He also gave me some good info on how to proceed with my vintage Gibson.
I can definitely recommend Sam Ashe in Buffalo Grove, IL. Ask for Doug.
Jeff L
Matt and Brandon were/are outstanding associates. They met all of my needs product wise and financially. My customer serivice experience was absolutely perfect. Tod the store manager, another wonderfully customer
Oriented guy. Pleasure to do business with.
Along with Billy Handy Jr.
Mike the drummer was so helpful!
The store seems to always be in disarray. Every time I go there, the place is a mess, and I can’t tell if I’m looking at new or used items. The prices are usually reasonable on most things.
Recently, my wife made a purchase/layaway which could’ve been disastrous for me. After making the deposit, she returned later only to discover that her purchase (my Christmas gift) had not been properly inventoried and they were out. Distraught and in tears, the manager remembered that they had one previously on display that was in-back. Not only did they salvage the purchase, but in addition, they gave her a stupid discount that was too good to believe. I’ve been shopping here for years, these guys were awesome. I will always shop here and recommend them for going above and beyond….at Christmas.
I called ahead of time for a product. The associate assured me they had it and reserved one. When I got there, they apparently “sold the kit reserved for me” and I had to spend more money than I had budgeted. there was no discount offered or anything. I am thinking they said that just so they could get me to spend more money.
Some employees are nice like the guy in drums but others won’t even give me the time of day. I go in with my boyfriend all the time and they will talk to him but ignore the crap out of me. They kind of treat me like I fallow him and his friend around and don’t play anything. When in reality I play bass in a band and I’ve played a wind instrument for 9 years. Other than the guy in drums no one has ever asked me anything about music, what I played, or if I was looking to buy anything. I work in customer service and this is totally not how it should be done.
High prices. One of the managers was rude and lied to me on purpose.
17. RBC Entertainment
Address: 2010 E Bishop Ave, Peoria, IL 61614 , Washburn , Illinois , United States
Jeff is amazing to work with. Affordable rates, good music and personable DJ. My wedding had no alcohol and he still got most of the guests out on the dance floor. Would definitely recommend. My only critique would be to play a few more slow songs so people get a slight break from the full-on dancing songs haha. Otherwise, great experience.
It was a great experience.
Best place ever
18. Guitar Center
Address: 5425 E State St, Rockford, IL 61108 , Washburn , Illinois , United States
The people here are very helpful and are very knowledgeable.
I made a mistake a few days ago and gave a review to the wrong Center..
Time to make things right. Big shout out to JORDAN for always showing me love when i or my family and i go there. His customer service is exceptional, always patient, kind, helpful and knowledgeable. Most importantly, i/we always feel welcome. That’s why i had to give this review. He definitely has experience for those looking to learn a thing or two about playing guitars, as he is the lesson’s creator for the classes that they give. Customer satisfaction on 10. I come in not knowing a thing and leave knowing dozens in just minutes… The next time i come in knowing a lil more from the suggestions Jordan gives to read up on or youtube search and when i come back knowing more he gives me even more knowledge. Dude’s a G.O.A.T. Btw… Free beginner lessons on Wednesdays
(and Sat, if I’m correct.)
I appreciate you Jordan as well as the rest of the great staff at G.C. on East State St., in Rockford,IL. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ #winning
Good selection great service!
Nice store. I bought a couple guitars and a keyboard here. Store manager helped me set up my guitar!
They have a big selection of stuff
Dealt with a smart man that had the answers we needed. Showed us multiple options in different price ranges and worked with us to find the best possible option!
I have had far too many terrible experiences in the past with this store. I once had to contact the regional manager on Twitter to resolve the pathological lying of their employees. You know it is bad when most of them have no idea how to use most of the equipment there and have no passion at what they do.
They are usually rude and unattentive. The fact that it took them until 2018 to finally add microphone boom stands for desks shows how incredibly behind they are against their rivals such as Amazon. It costs $90 for a mic boom for a desk meanwhile I can buy one online for $20-$30 in superior quality.
Because not only did I seriously overpay for most of these items here they aren’t even tested and are never on display. You literally pay double the price here and it isn’t even worth the risk half the time. They don’t even compete their prices against other retailers.
This is why online video reviews are superior because they actually fully test the equipment. The fact that a good portion of their equipment requires computers to run their software and hardware in which their employees have zero experience in.
Walked in with an unlimited budget for a guitar. 3 employees ignored me without so much as a “Hello”. I spent 10 minutes in the acoustic room. Still no help. BTW, I was the only customer in the store. My money left with me and I will never go back to Guitar Center.