The Music Gallery

I had a need to try out some Blackbird carbon fiber guitars and looked up dealers on the Blackbird site. They listed The Music Gallery as a dealer. I thought I would drive out (almost an hour drive) and check them out as I had never heard of them. I talked my brother-​in-​law to go with me (not that hard… hey, wanna to a cool guitar shop you’ve never been to? Ah… yeah, lets go!). So we made the trek from Chicago to Highland Park and at first passed up the place because it kind of looks like a house. We walked in to a really cool shop with lots of high end instruments. We browsed around on the lower level and drooled over all the Fender, Gibson, and PRS beauts. We then headed up to the upper level where the acoustics are. Matt came up to help us, and boy did he know his stuff! I was able to try out the Blackbird and got the info I really came for, but also tried out some really nice Composite Acoustics and Rainsong guitars. My brother-​in-​law tried all manner of wood acoustics as well, I think some Taylor and Martin. We then went back downstairs as my brother-​in-​law wanted to try some of the Fenders. Matt spent so much time with us, educating us noobs on all things guitar and amp and being very patient with our questions. I also had a chance to talk to Dave, who was really up on carbon fiber acoustics and has a Rainsong as his main guitar. We also met George (the Plek guy, and yes… they have a Plek machine!). At that time, although I didn’t know it, I met Frank the owner. All these guys were so gracious with their time and knowledge, they really made us feel comfortable even though we are more or less noobs and were there just looking. I mentioned the actual store resembled a house, and thats how the team there made us feel, like we were hanging at a buddies house… a house with a ton of awesome guitar eye candy!
In working with Blackbird, they told me I should work with the local dealer and that I should talk to Frank the owner at The Music Gallery. So I gave Frank a call and we talked about several things including a potential trade-​in on my Gibson EC-​20 Floret to help get me in the new Blackbird. Frank was really great and very easy to work with, a very down to earth guy. Frank listens to what his customers are looking for, and then finds out how he can help. Not only that, but since there is currently a 3 month wait for a build on the model of Blackbird I was looking for, Frank offered me his spot! That’s right, previously Frank had placed an order for the Music Gallery, and he allowed me to grab that spot which cut my wait time in half. Outstanding! That’s the kind of guy Frank is, and definitely the kind of folks that I like to give my business to. You can see that same attitude in the guys he has working for him, most of those guys have been there 5 – 10 years. They love what they do, and through Franks leadership they are an excellent team! I went back in to bring my trade-​in, and Frank introduced me to his wife as well some of the other guys. I ended up buying some picks, a guitar strap, and a capo. I have no problem giving my business to a guy like Frank and his team, they are an independent shop in a world of commercial giants. Like I said, they made me feel like an old friend and were truly interested in me, and what I was trying to accomplish. I’ll probably be going back there for an amp. Great place, excellent equipment and service. Highest marks.
I did see two reviews that were not so great. I find it hard to even imagine how those reviews could possibly happen in the store I was at with the people I met… seems impossible.

Zero stars for these assholes. Pretentiousness to cut with a knife in this place. So glad I gave them not a cent and purchased my son’s $ 5K PRS from an out of town dealer.

An easy review to write, the Music Gallery is the kind of place you love to give your business to. Very knowledgeable, friendly and happy to have you in the store. They only carry high end guitars here so keep that in mind. I love this place.

I’ve bought 10 guitars from The Music Gallery since I started playing about 15 years ago. The level of service and knowledge that you’ll find here is absolutely second to none. It’s a wonderful place to spend some time, they are very friendly and also have some of the most unique and incredible guitars you’ll ever see. I could go and on, but do yourself a favor and go check them out for yourself!

My teenage son takes relatively advanced lessons here. His teacher is very knowledgeable about more than just mechanics of playing and has introduced music theory and harmonization recently. He’s getting the best $ 35 lessons I’ve ever paid for.

Have been going to this store since the 80’s, always receive great service!
They have an amazing selection of Fender high end guitars. Not only do you get excellent prices if you bought your guitar here and want to trade it in, they give you a nice trade in value.
In the music store business it is very rare to find people this honest. I play mostly guitar but one day decided to buy a bass. There were two basses I was going back and forth between one of the bases was $ 1000 more. The sales person who was an actual bass player agreed with me that the cheaper bass played and sounded better. How many people would be this honest? His comment «we want you to feel great about your purchase». If you live in the city it is definitely worth the drive to check out this store!!!

Guitars are slightly overpriced. Nice guys work there, though.

Out of all the places in the area, you really can’t find a place with higher quality products or services. There’s a reason this place has been showcased on tv shows and magazine articles as well as the local newspaper. The staff are all extremely knowledgeable, the teachers are patient and experienced, and the owner is friendly and accommodating. Their resident guitar mechanic is top notch as well! If your looking for anything from picks to that new custom piece you’ve been dreaming about your entire life, these guys will help you in any way they can.

Just bought a Blackbird Nylon from Frank. I looked everywhere for one until I called The Music Gallery. I did everything over the phone because I’m in New York. This could not have been a better experience. From discussing the instrument to receiving it earlier than expected, everything was perfect. Even though I’m halfway across the country I can’t imagine getting an instrument from anyone else in the future.

had a deal lined up to buy a guitar and they sold it out from under me.

This shop has the nicest selection of guitars I have ever seen. It’s like walking into a guitar museum! It makes sense because they have been open since the seventies. The staff is very knowledgeable and easy to talk to. I’m taking guitar lessons from Matt. It is pretty noticable how much the lessons are helping me. Matt shares the same enthusiasm that I do when it comes to playing. He makes the lessons interesting and fun. Mostly my wife is just excited that I don’t play the same blues riffs over and over. Matt also has given me lessons on Pro Tools and recording techniques. I highly recommend you check this place out.

The staff is extremely knowledgable & their inventory is great, what more could you ask? I recently purchased a guitar from this shop, and spent three days trying out guitars until I decided on the right one. Along the way, my sales manager Dave helped me with suggestions & empathized with me on why I disliked certain guitars.
The store sells it all, but I think their biggest selling point is the selection of Fender Custom Shop (Team & Masterbuilt) guitars. There is a bigger selection than I’ve seen at any other store, and they’re not afraid to order guitars in colors other than black and blonde!

Just a great shop with awesome staff. Gave me a GREAT DEAL, and a very fair trade, on a beautiful LsL Bad Bone. The best first class selection of guitars in Chicagoland, without a doubt.

This place is amazing. From the school/​academy and the programs they offer for kids and adults alike, to the variety of products in the store. They have an amazing selection of electric and acoustic guitars including some lefty’s! Gibson, Epiphone, PRS, Fender (& Fender Custom), Rickenbacker, Taylor, etc. They are by far the best guitar setup and maintenance shop I’ve ever experienced. They even have a plek machine and someone that actually knows how to use it! The service from owner Frank and his top notch team including George and Chip make you feel part of the family whether you’re in the store, on the phone or online. This place is highly recommended for all things guitar.

This review is a bit out of the ordinary for me but important. I purchased my first guitar here when I was in 6^th grade. It was a very cheap electric guitar and I learned to play on it. That was in the late 80’s, I’m in my 30’s now. There are a few reasons to come here instead of somewhere like guitar center or some other wal mart type guitar superstore. The same people working there when I got my magnum no name guitar are still there to this very day. These people live for music gear. The guitar tech is possibly the best to ever touch my Les Paul or PRS. I will never bring them to the fly by night once a week show up tech for guitar center again. A guitar is an instrument which requires precise set up before being handed over to an owner. You will not get that at most music stores, definitely not guitar center. So the hundred bucks you save buying there will be spent twice over setting up the guitar properly. Prices are high here but they carry top shelf equipment. I just prefer to shop somewhere where the people actually know what they are talking about. When I was a kid I purchased a distortion pedal from them, I kept changing my mind and bringing it back to them after the grace period because I didn’t like the sound. The dark haired man who still works there was getting annoyed and rightfully so, but he kept doing the exchange for me with no charge. I still feel bad about that.

Terrific place for music lessons. My son really is enjoying his guitar lessons here.

With today’s business environment of consolidation of fragmented markets, a lot of smaller music stores are exiting the industry and giant retailers are entering the industry. There are some great merits these big players bring to the table but «personal services» area is obviously lacking. Therefore many experienced musicians have this nostalgia of their local music store where they know you and what gears you use etc… Highland Park’s Music Gallery is exactly this old school «local» music store and much much more!
I was introduced to this store from a friend who is walking the fine line betwen a guitar enthusiast and a madman a couple of years ago. I am not going into the history of the store or anything, but when you walk into the store, you know this store has been around for quite some time.
If you are a Fender guy, your eye-​balls would not move from the left side of the store. You will see all the high end custom shop models including much desired Masterbuilt Series (not one or two… but MANY) hanging on the wall for your viewing and playing pleasure.
If you are a Gibson guy, head right. 59 Reissue Les Pauls, Murphy-aged…etc they are all there.
After looking at all guitars on the wall, you probably would have a stiff neck by now… Now’s the time to look below and you will notice that you just passed by all the fine amps such as Mesa Boogie, Matchless.
You will not find $ 200 guitars at Music Gallery. They cater towards serious enthusiast who don’t mind paying extra $ for good quality equipment. If you are looking for $ 99 electric guitar package, please visit your local Guitar Center/​Best Buy.
Last but not the least…
Frank, the owner of Music Gallery, is the nicest person that I’ve met in the musical instruments industry. When you want a new piece of gear, that’s all you can think of… I know, been there, done that… However, don’t neglect the «buying experience.» Once you deal with Frank once, you will be Music Gallery fan for life!!!