The Music Store

This location is really a necessary respite from your iTunes shop. Other Songs has a multitude of records and CDs that seem to be way better personally compared to what they do in pixelated structure on personal computer displays. If you need any help, there’s a really laid-​back vibe to the store and, while the employees are all really nice and clearly know their stuff, they don’t awkwardly follow you asking. Must be back in here.

Went in to get a new tuner for my jangly old acoustic guitar. The owner is really friendly and sold me on a new tuner as well, which has worked out great. Will definitely be coming back here, solid neighborhood music shop.

I have no idea why this place has decent ratings, the selection of instruments, and accessories is on par with pawn shop quality and selection.

I love this place. The guy is genuine and does a good job.
The work is done fast and I don’t considered it expensive.

Highly recommend. John is a fair and great guy to do business with. Check in often as they have a nice rotating inventory of guitars amps and keyboards of all makes and price ranges. I have purchased cables, amps and accessories there and the owner will do things like trim cables etc as needed. This place has a personal touch seldom seen in this day and age. Check it out. A Chicago Classic in my opinion

I’ve been coming to The Music Store for about 4 years now. A friend introduced me to the place and I’ve been coming back ever since. This is a no-​frills establishment for musicians who want honest recommendations and prices. I’ve gotten multiple guitars repaired here (setups, rewiring, etc.) for a fraction of the price that other places charge. The owner, John, will always give you solid advice since he’s been in business for decades. He could easily be like other places and overcharge you for a repair or an old set of speakers, but instead he provides honesty to keep his customers coming back. I’ve never bought any gear from this place but most of it seems like good values for the condition it’s are in. If you want a sexy show room full of over priced vintage gear, this place is not for you. For anyone else, do business at The Music Store. You won’t regret it!

Bad quality guitars everywhere in this store. You will regret buying one! They are the worst guitar I have ever seen.
Go to other stores and compare them definitely

I love this guy. I love this store. He has repaired a number of guitars and amps for me – always done right, fast, at a very reasonable price, and ready when promised. I’m lucky it’s here in the neighborhood!

This place is a cool little hidden gem where you can get a guitar or amp fixed for a very fair price. The owner, John, is one of the nicest and most down to earth people out there. The store has a variety of instruments and P.A. systems that range from beginner to pro level models. Another good thing is that you can buy/​sell/​trade/​consign and John is willing to work with you on any of it to make sure you’re happy. He really bends over backwards for his customers. I’ll be coming back for any future repair needs, and probably also just to hang out and talk shop since it’s right around the corner from my place.

Came in here expecting it to be a decent guitar store based on the reviews. What I saw was a dingy place with no room which made it very uninviting. Half of the stuff looked broken and prices were put on things sparingly. There’s not even room to try stuff out. The place needs a overhall on product placement.

The Music Store is still open for business. There are great deals on all store owned items. Repairs, free estimates, the place is great and the owner is a very nice guy.

Absolutely love this place. The staff is always very helpful and knowledgeable and the prices are always good. I normally get a good deal on used stuff and discounts when buying multiple items.
The location itself is very small and everything is all over the place which makes it hard to tell some of the stuff they carry. However, the staff knows the place like the back of their hand and can tell you if they have what you are looking for and will normally offer to order it for you if its not in stock.
I have purchased several things on separate occasions and have always had a good experience.

The guys in here are very friendly with NO ATTITUDE!!! They are cool about returns and usually recognize you if you come back. Brian the luthier is very thorough and careful with your guitars. I have had my bass and classical guitar worked on and was very happy. The electronics repair guy was very fair and honest. I love supporting small businesses like this.

There are many other places where the stores resemble the «Land of Oz» and where you will be given an equal amount of dignity and respect according to how much you convince the help you have to spend.
The Music Store is not hangout for den mothers or for parents whose children have outgrown them. If you are there to assess the scenery, ask yourself this one question, «Whats it supposed to look like?»
I trust any shop that looks as if there is an abundance of business, the lack of a maid, and all sorts of various projects scattered everywhere you look. This tells me that there are repeat customers, that these guys will not any item go out unless it is fully operable and safe, and that a word of mouth about the quality of service is responsible for the looks of any professional shop.
I do not trust any business where the same merchandise is still on display, where all you see is the help cleaning the windows, and when the manager appears to be in a hurry to get you in and out in the same manner of a fast food restaurant.
Next case; you don’t wait to jump on stage for the first time to begin rehearsing your lines. The music store knows what to do, if its worth it, and they will even explain how a less expensive musical instrument will suit your needs better than a more expensive musical instrument.
I would suspect that the staff at The Music Store wants to make sure you continue to get the most joy instead of becoming bored and in the end your musical instrument will be put away and gather dust.
The Music Store is a rare find in Chicago, and not only that but the staff are all native Chicagoan s, something which is hard to find these days. Finally, I consider the owner to be one of the best teachers I have ever been privileged enough to learn from. I have yet to walk out of this store, without leaving with some new knowledge.
I would tell anybody who needs music, musical instruments, repairs, or some real advice about musical matters to call The Music Store, or to stop in for a visit.
Joe Stray Wolf Peppy Zamora
Chicago, Illinois

I love this place. A guitar shop without attitude! That in itself would score 5 stars. But the loving, knowledgeable, repair service would get it another 5 if that were possible.
Just picked up my 33 year old acoustic guitar that was badly in need of an overhaul. (Action adjusted, nut replaced, bridge and loose bracing re-​glued.) The guitar is a joy to play. Sounds and feels brand new.
Great prices on strings as well. Great place!

«The Music Store» ‘s always the first place I go. They’re small, & might not have what I want, but when they do, it’s a good price & the best service. It’s more like taking a guitar or amp off your friend’s hands than a typical retailer: They’ll tell you the good & the bad about an instrument. If you don’t see what you want, ask anyway, & check again later: These guys have their eyes open for deals, & have lots of friends in the business: With a small store, they sometimes have to“pass” on a piece if they think it’s just gonna take up valuable space, even if it’s a great bargain. Tell’m what you want, & don’t be surprised if they find it for you.

This place is a bit on the pricey side. I stopped her after a pawn shop trip to pick up a fix-​er-​upper guitar to get some supplies to fix it up and the prices were pretty steep compared to most competitors.
The store is also appears crammed and unorganized and gives you the sense of being trapped in a small area facing only the staff — pretty weird.
All that aside, the staff is knowledgable and friendly so the service is excellent.

I referred a friend to The Music Store for rental of sound equipment for an outdoor show last year. They were able to get exactly what they needed and the staff was very helpful. My friend could not say enough good things about them. I know this place because my daughters took lessons there years ago. The staff is very knowledgeable and friendly. I know they are great at finding solutions for their customers. They sell instruments, books, sheet music, have an instrument repair shop and I’m sure they still offer lessons at good rates. Also, the street parking is good around this area.

Best store ever: D I got my violin fixed there due to old broken bridge; the bridge is the nicest I have ever seen and he made it more sturdy, and the post flying out because I must have really made the violin mad some how by trying to restring it oops. Also my husband has bought recording gear there which he loves! They are great and super friendly :)
I recommend going there for the fixings :)

One of the last family owned and operated music stores in Chicago.
New and used guitars, amps, drums, brass, accordians and PA gear. They also offer expert guitar and amp repair as well as consignments and they pay more than most other stores. It’s hit or miss as far as selection goes. Trade-​ins come in every day so you have to check in often for the latest deals. Repairs are resonably priced and usually done in a couple days. I’ve bought, sold and traded several guitars and amps there. There are no better deals in the city. I always check there first and you gotta love the Sanford and Son décor.