Midwest Buy & Sell

Buy far a must first stop for anyone buying it selling gear. Wayne is super honest and knows the latest trends in market prices to help you with a purchase or sale.
Business the old fashion way. Honest.

We live in the area, I had no idea what this store was about until driving down Irving. I saw the lights on and a ton of guitars in the window. Knowing my husband has been wanting a guitar for awhile I told him to check this place out. Glad I did, he left with a guitar and said the guy gave him great feedback on his existing guitar. In fact he’s heading back right now to buy more stuff. The prices are better than guitar center, and everyone should support a small shop over a large chain like guitar center. I also texted my brother about this place who also lives in the area and plays. Our only regret about Midwest buy and sell is that we didn’t know about these guys sooner.

Here’s that I like — This range and gun /​sporting goods store is not the cheapest, nor are they the most expensive. They sit quietly in the happy medium zone and because of this they are able to staff plenty of good ladies and gentlemen who are kind, extremely knowledgeable, and patient! I’ve been to several different shops around Chicago and by far Midwest has THE BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE. This alone is worth the medium range price tag! Not only that, they do have a lot of sales, but it just so happens the things I am after are harder to catch on sale (I expect this anywhere because I go for top end). So, after buying your new best friend you can take him or her to the range in the same building. Excellent, will be here many more times in the days to come.

Great guys– I got a better deal on a trade in than I would have at GC or CME. Knowledgeable and good service. Will definitely be back.

Don’t let the front of MBS mislead you — it’s not a pawn shop — it’s an amazing store full of used/​vintage/​new equipment. There’s a huge selection of amps, guitars, basses in that small space, along with things that you can’t find at the big box music stores — old lap steels, dobros, etc. Great prices on used equipment.
Best of all is the staff — great guys, very helpful and friendly. I went in looking for a bass cabinet to hook up to my guitar amplifier, and they were willing to move, rearrange, and connect anything that I wanted to test out. Other places that I’d gone into flatly told me, «that won’t work». At MBS, I told them what I was trying to do, they said, «yeah, that should work — let’s give it a try». Made me a great deal on the used cabinet — sounds fantastic!

Not much to look at from the outside but once you get inside you’ll be amazed at all the equipment they have in stock. I found a used Epiphone 57 Reissue Les Paul Jr. (TV Yellow) hanging above me (they’re really hard to find) and came back the next day and bought it. They reduced the price and re-​strung & threw in a gig bag for free. You may mistake the guys there as disinterested in their customers but they’re just really laid back and they all seem to love music and musicians. I would recommend this place to anyone who loves equipment and likes to be treated fairly.

0% pretentious. This store always has an amazing selection of vintage gear at honest prices. There’s always a few interesting/​rare items in the shop to check out. Not a huge selection of pedals — but they always have have a stellar collection of electric guitars, amps, and basses.

Sorry, long review,
TL;DR Got cussed out big time just for bringing in a possible trade on a purchase I was going to make.
…
This used to be my favorite spot. I bought a Riviera there a few months ago, a G&L ASAT about a year before that and a 70’s Twin Reverb there a couple years ago. Loved the place, cool down to earth rock and roller types who don’t mind stopping in back for a smoke. They actually MOVE gear too, it won’t be the same pieces every time you drop in! Now, I’m the type of guy who almost has his mind made up before stepping in the door so I just stop by for a few minutes specifically to buy something with cash in hand, not a tire kickin’ small talker, perfect customer right?
Well, not anymore, not after what happened today.
I went in two days ago and found a synthesizer (CZ3000) and made my mind up to buy it. But, I figured I’d see what they’d give me on a trade in for a nice synth that I never use (Roland D50) and asked. One of the fellas said «Yeah, we used to sell those used for around 4 to 6 hundred but you have to come back Monday when the owner is here.»
Cool, so I extend my rental car one more day, grab a few hundred bucks out of the ATM so I can buy the Casio even if they don’t want the D50, and make the trek up from West Town. I walk in, the same fella points me towards the owner.
He says «Are you looking to sell? I don’t really do these keyboards anymore»
.Even though there’s about 10 in the store, one of which I’m going to buy. I say, in haggling fashion, «Well, maybe a trade in or cash.»
.He instructs me to put the keyboard on top of an amp to show him and replies «How much you looking for.»
.Well, it’s 2015 and the only way to gauge market value of old synths is ebay so I casually said «Um, they go for 4 to 6 hundred on ebay» expecting him to reply with the usual ‘I can only sell it for such and such’ low ball offer, which I would have been okay with because I liked the place.
HIS RESPONSE: «I don’t even want to look at it, get it out of here» as he walks away then yells «I won’t give you ten ****ing dollars» then continues «I’m ****ing sick of this ebay ****» «These people and their ****ing keyboards.»
I didn’t ask for that, didn’t even commit to selling. I really just wanted the Casio at the slightly high price they were asking so I wouldn’t have to deal with craigslist or ebay myself. I just picked up the heavy D50 and walked out without playing his game. I’m upset I recommended this place to all my musician buddies in retrospect, obviously I won’t affect their bottom line in any way but oh well, it is what it is. Can’t go back after that.

This place is amazing. There’s a huge selection of instruments at every price point. I’ve bought (or brought a friend to buy) a great acoustic, a solid electric, a cheap yet very workable bass, an amazing 70s bass amp, a few mics, guitar pedals, little tube guitar amps…
The staff is friendly and knowledgeable without trying to upsell you. They are my first stop for any guitar/​bass purchase!

A friend brought me to Midwest Buy and Sell in search of a cheap used bass since I’m just starting to learn to play. We were warmly greeted when we walked in and when I articulated my VERY low budget for a decent bass, the owner didn’t blink an eye. Instead, he found me four great options in my price range. Then, we were given plenty of space and time to play around with them and settle on one. When I did make a selection, the owner have it a quick tune-​up and threw in a bag for free!
In addition to the fantastic service, they had a wide range of rock and roll instruments and amps… and the owner is willing to make you a deal. Great place… I will definitely be back and recommend it to musical friends.

Helpful, friendly people at Midwest Buy & Sell and just like the name says, they buy and sell guitars, amps, and all kinds of musical stuff. If you can’t find what you are looking for, they will try & help you find it. Fun place to see what they’ve got, merchandise comes in often. Definitely worth checking out!

Had my first experience at Midwest Buy & Sell yesterday, and I am extremely satisfied with my purchase. Came in with my Tiny Terror looking for a cab to match, a 1×12 or 2×12 maybe. I was shown a few options and encouraged to plug my head into each to see how they would sound. I ended up picking out a small tweed 1×12 reasonably priced at $ 179. On checkout, they knocked it down to an even $ 150 just because I asked. The guy at the counter even tested the ohmage of the speaker for me so I wouldn’t have to take the cab apart to find out (the Tiny Terror has multiple output options, so definitely vital information to have).
I spent some time perusing their stock a little before leaving and was impressed to find some higher end guitars on par with what you might see at CME or Make ‘n Music. As used music stores in Chicago go, MW B&S occupies a unique and happy medium between the higher end vintage guitar places and the junk shops that only carry beat up epi’s and squires. Be warned though, if you’re looking for anything apart from guitar and bass, not the really worth it.
I only wish they were a little more centrally located so I could check in on their inventory without having journey all the way to Irving Park and Austin.

I bought a few guitars and some pedals here as well as some trades. The guys at the counter are cool and very personable. Never had any problems thus far. You can find some one of kind stuff here. Best purchase here was my Gretsch 3161 that I purchased for $ 300 after selling another guitar. It came with a hard shell case and is one of my favorite guitars.

Wayne looks out for his customers and knows guitars. Pricing is always fair, and almost always negotiable (the limited new selection isn’t always negotiable, and I assume this is due to manufacturer related pricing issues). Selection is always good, but always call ahead if you’re looking for something specific.
I’ve bought 7 guitars from MBS in the last 9 years. Cost has always been below market value.
The best guitar shop in Chicago for a vintage Marshall or Gibson.

Worst hours

I bought a Les Paul Studio here about 6 years ago. I couldn’t afford the Standard. At the time, I was so sick of my crappy Squier Strat (1^st guitar) & I wanted to rock out like Jimmy Page and I was not into getting an Epi.
I paid cash and the owner was flexible with the price and threw in a cheap case, too. I couldn’t be happier with the service or my guitar. I’ve only avoided the place because I know when I go back, I won’t be able to walk out empty-​handed. This place is awesome!

I don’t know how many times I’ve been here in the past but I have not bought a thing yet and it has nothing to do with the store. It’s all me and my indecisive nature when it comes to buying equipment. It doesn’t help that every time I go there, I’ll find multiple pieces of equipment that I want that I’m sitting there contemplating. guitar…or amp… which do I get? Out of frustration I walk away with nothing. I found a nice Fender Stratosonic there that I passed up and regret… I found a nice Gibson 6LS there that I passed up and regret… I found a couple nice amps I walked away from as well…
Probably not a great drum store, but if you’re looking for amps or guitars, basses, this is the place. Very friendly people.

I don’t know what happened, but the last time I was here, the dudes who were working were down right personable and awesome.
I own a late 70’s Marshall and my band is starting to tour a little bit more, so I wanted to get an amp that would be less likely to «grow legs» at a show in the middle of nowhere. I found a used Marshall JCM 2000, an amp that sounds great but has little worth on the resale market.
The guy who helped me gave me the ins and outs of the amp, pointed out all the work done on it and even told me to «make an offer» since their prices allow for wiggle room. I went in with a price in my head, offered it and got it. Haven’t been disappointed in the amp or my most recent MBS experience. I’ll definitely be back again when I’m ready to buy another guitar.

As a female musician I really appreciate that these guys don’t give me a second glance when I walk in. They assume correctly that I’m a musician there to buy instruments (and not to follow my boyfriend around), which is drastically different from the way I’m treated at CME and more so at Guitar Center.
That aside, the shop and it’s owner are really and truly great. My first big purchase there was a Fender Deville which they gave me for a ridiculously good price (I love that beast of an amp!!!). I’ve since gone back for an Fender Esquire with an added Glendale pick-​up (crunches like a Tele), some pedals, and a bare-​bones drum set. Every time I go in that place I find a sweet gem!!!
In addition, their customer service is beyond compare! I’m trying to find a specific used guitar and they’ve offered to keep an eye out for it at trade shows to snag it for me.
Plainly: These guys are down-​to-​earth, honest, and genuine guys who love music and instruments, support musicians and really want to give you a good deal. The store offers unique finds and if they don’t have what you’re looking for they will offer to hunt it down for you. What more could you ask for in a music shop???
Just a note: They are not open on Sundays and have slightly odd operating hours during the rest of the week – make sure you check before you head that far out west!

Bare bones store, and a great place to go if you are looking for used musical equipment: electric bass, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, stand up base, banjos, mandolins, violins etc. Also amps/​heads. Place lets you browse and touch, and won’t drive you crazy asking if they can help you. If you want help, ask and they help. Staff are friendly, and are willing to chat and share what they know, and don’t know. They took the time to look thru books and ID the bass my son was hot on.
Don’t expect details on obscure items — they get in what they get in, and won’t know the history, or even much about the item in general if it’s something a bit off the beaten track.
Another reviewer noted you need to go in armed with some knowledge — I do agree with that. Does sound like they are willing to hold instruments for a short period of time — so you could go home or to the library and search for reviews online before purchasing (or bring internet browsing phone, and look up what you need at the store).
We found what we needed — because it was refinished (but very playable) it was a great price (¹⁄₃ of an original finish for same) — we walked out happy.
Note: Make sure you are happy before you buy — no return policy, unless something is actually wrong with the item. You buy it, you keep it. (I suspect there may be some flexibility on it.)
Also — had more used pedals than I’ve seen elsewhere, at better prices than I’ve seen elsewhere. Some new stuff — clips, slides, cables — all priced right. Worth the 45 minute drive for us to go there a couple of times a year.
Marking this review as «inexpensive» — but it’s all relative — saw a bass in there priced at $ 2000 and the one beside it for $ 200… both were potentially good deals for the right buyer. :-)
Would I recommend: yes.
Would I return: yes