Top 25 musical instrument in Chicago
Chicago, a vibrant city known for its rich musical history, is home to numerous stores and institutions specializing in musical instruments. From guitars and drums to pianos and trumpets, the "musical instrument landscape in Chicago" is diverse and inclusive, catering to musicians of all skill levels and interests. Whether you're a beginner looking to explore music for the first time or a seasoned professional seeking top-of-the-line gear, Chicago's musical instrument scene has something for you.
- 1. Old Town School Music Store
- 2. Evolution Music
- 3. Guitar Center
- 4. Chicago Music Exchange
- 5. Rock N Roll Vintage & Synth City
- 6. Tommy's Guitars & Trading Posts
- 7. Flatts and Sharpe Music Co.
- 8. Flatts and Sharpe Music Co.
- 9. Midwest Buy & Sell
- 10. William Harris Lee & Co.
- 11. Carl Becker & Son
- 12. Ceasar's Music of Illinois
- 13. Performers Music
- 14. Austin Music Center
- 15. Black Bobbin
- 16. Shake Shop
- 17. Chicago GuitarSpace
- 18. DF Music Inc
- 19. Third Coast Guitar and Amp Repair
- 20. Specimen
- 21. Mid-Town Instrument Rental
- 22. La Voz Hispana
- 23. Disco City #7 and Video
- 24. Coulsons
- 25. Gamble Music
1. Old Town School Music Store
Expert staff and community music school
The Old Town School Music Store offers an extensive range of acoustic instruments suitable for musicians of all levels. The store is known for its low-pressure atmosphere, which allows customers to take their time and find the perfect instrument. The store's inventory includes Pete Seeger's banjo, a testament to its commitment to providing high-quality instruments.
2. Evolution Music
Expert advice, community events, and vintage gear
Evolution Music in Chicago stands out as the best music store in the city, offering exceptional personal service and attention that is unmatched by other music stores. Over the past decade, the reader has visited numerous music stores in Chicago and often felt out of place due to the snobbish attitudes of the staff. However, at Evolution Music, the experience was entirely different.
During a recent visit, the reader's son was looking for a guitar, and the shop's personnel were incredibly helpful in answering their questions and providing guidance on selecting the necessary equipment. Moreover, the reader's son is currently taking guitar lessons from Soren at the shop and enjoys it every week. The reader highly recommends Evolution Music and its personnel on Fullerton Ave in Chicago.
3. Guitar Center
Expert repair services and music lessons available
Guitar Center Central Chicago offers a wide range of musical instruments, equipment, and accessories to help music enthusiasts explore their passion. The store caters to various musical styles and preferences, ensuring that everyone can find what they need to bring their musical dreams to life. The store carries a vast selection of guitars, among other instruments, in stock at any given time.
The sales staff at Guitar Center Central Chicago may not always be the most enthusiastic, but overall, the store receives positive reviews. Some salespeople may prefer to be elsewhere, but this is not uncommon in specialty stores. Despite this, the store's extensive selection and range of products make it a go-to destination for musicians and music lovers alike.
4. Chicago Music Exchange
Knowledgeable and passionate staff
The personnel in charge of the music store are supportive and encouraging, allowing the author to experiment with different musical instruments without any pressure or criticism. Even when the author had a new part installed on their guitar, they did not hesitate or feel uncomfortable about potentially damaging the instrument.
The guitar's sound and character changed after the new bridge installation, which was an expected outcome for the author. The author seemed to have a positive experience and was open to the modifications and improvements that can be made to their guitar. Overall, the author values the freedom and support given by the music store in exploring and customizing their musical instruments.
5. Rock N Roll Vintage & Synth City
Unique selection of synthesizers and other rare musical instruments
Chicagoland is home to a renowned synthesizer boutique and restoration shop, established in 2015. The store offers an impressive selection of gear, including a wide range of vintage guitars. Martin acoustics and various new equipment are also available. One of the unique aspects of this store is its extensive collection of Hofner basses, which is harder to find elsewhere. In addition to guitars, they sell drums, but only Ludwig models.
Visitors to Chicago should not miss the opportunity to explore this store's offerings. Its parking options have improved compared to its previous location. Despite having a smaller space, they still manage to offer an impressive variety of items, from vintage guitars to new gear, and Hofner basses to Ludwig drums. The store's commitment to providing quality synthesizers and gear restoration has made it a must-see destination for music enthusiasts and professionals alike.
6. Tommy's Guitars & Trading Posts
Friendly and knowledgeable staff
Tommy's Guitars is a small, unique guitar shop that offers a wide variety of instruments and even has an amp room downstairs for plugged-in testing. The shopkeepers are knowledgeable, passionate, and eager to help, creating a great environment for browsing and trying out different guitars. The shop is highly recommended for its excellent customer service, honesty, and patience, making it a great place for musicians in the area to shop for their musical needs.
The author had a very positive experience at Tommy's Guitars and enjoyed playing some unique guitars while browsing many more. They were impressed with the helpfulness and enthusiasm of the shopkeepers, and appreciated the opportunity to test out instruments in the dedicated amp room. Overall, the author highly recommends Tommy's Guitars for their exceptional customer service and great selection of guitars.
7. Flatts and Sharpe Music Co.
Expertise and personalized service
Flatts and Sharpe Music Company is a family-owned music store that has been in business for decades, despite starting out in a small town and later moving to a large city. They offer a wide variety of musical instruments and have a well-informed staff that can assist customers in making the right choice.
During my first visit to Flatts and Sharpe, I was impressed by the extensive selection of guitars and the helpfulness of the staff. They took the time to understand my needs as a beginner and provided me with valuable advice on how to care for my new instrument. The knowledgeable and friendly service I received made my first guitar buying experience a memorable one.
8. Flatts and Sharpe Music Co.
9. Midwest Buy & Sell
Friendly and helpful staff, community-oriented atmosphere
A small guitar shop located on Irving was discovered by someone who lives in the area, who had previously been unaware of its existence. The store is filled with various guitars, which attracted the attention of the person's husband who had been wanting to buy a guitar for some time. After checking out the store, the husband left with a new guitar and positive feedback about the store's knowledgeable and helpful staff. The prices at this small shop were also reported to be better than those at Guitar Center.
The customer service at this small guitar shop was highly praised, as the person was able to get a better deal on a guitar trade-in than they would have at Guitar Center or Chicago Music Exchange. The staff was described as knowledgeable and providing good service. As a result, the person mentioned that they will definitely be returning to the small guitar shop in the future. Supporting small businesses over large chains like Guitar Center was also emphasized.
10. William Harris Lee & Co.
11. Carl Becker & Son
12. Ceasar's Music of Illinois
Expert repair service, knowledgeable staff
Caesar's Music of Illinois has received positive reviews from its customers, with an impressive 4.2 star rating based on 51 reviewers' opinions. Many customers have praised the business for its outstanding service, which has contributed to its positive reputation. Additionally, Caesar's Music of Illinois offers competitive prices, making it an attractive option for customers seeking affordable options for their musical needs.
The business's commitment to good service and affordability has been reflected in the reviews, with many customers highlighting these factors in their feedback. For instance, customers have noted the excellent service provided by the staff, who are knowledgeable and helpful in assisting customers with their musical needs. Furthermore, the business's competitive pricing has also been appreciated by customers, who have found the prices to be reasonable and affordable. Overall, Caesar's Music of Illinois has built a strong reputation for its commitment to providing good service and affordable prices, which has been reflected in the positive reviews and feedback from its customers.
13. Performers Music
Expert staff, repair services, music lessons
Performers Music, situated in the Fine Arts Building on Michigan Avenue, is a classical sheet music store that serves professional performers, educators, and learners of all levels. The store's inventory includes a range of sheet music, primarily centered on classical pieces, but also encompassing jazz, vocal standards, and showtunes. Additionally, the store stocks various method books and studies.
Beyond sheet music, Performers Music provides an array of recorders, recorder music, and musical accessories. These supplies range from instruments like stands, stand lights, reeds, lubricants, strings, and mutes, that cater to various musical preferences and needs. Overall, Performers Music offers a comprehensive selection of music-related items for classical music enthusiasts, educators, and students.
14. Austin Music Center
Expert instruction and repair services
The owner of the repair shop is knowledgeable and kind, providing excellent service for trumpet repairs. They charged reasonable prices and returned the instrument in great condition, playing magnificently. A second review highlights the shop's rental service, describing it as easy to use and affordable. The shop offers free repairs for minor issues, making it a reliable choice for musicians in need of rental instruments.
In summary, the repair shop has received two positive reviews for their quality service and reasonable prices. The owner's expertise in trumpet repair has left customers satisfied, and their rental service is also highly recommended for its ease of use and free minor repairs. Overall, it is an excellent choice for musicians seeking reliable musical instrument repair or rental services.
15. Black Bobbin
Cozy and welcoming atmosphere with friendly service
16. Shake Shop
Handcrafted drinks and local sourcing
Shake Shop, a popular establishment in Logan Square, Chicago, Illinois, is known for being a used musical instrument store. Its offerings include guitars and provides repair services for musical instruments. In addition, Shake Shop operates as a record store and used book store. The store is located at 3247 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, and has received an impressive average rating of 4.9 stars from 96 reviews.
Further details about Shake Shop's hours, phone number, and directions can be found online. The store can be found under various categories such as used musical instrument store, guitar store, musical instrument repair shop, record store, and used book store. Its hours of operation are 12-7pm Tuesday to Thursday, 12-8pm Friday and Saturday, and closed on Sunday and Monday.
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17. Chicago GuitarSpace
18. DF Music Inc
19. Third Coast Guitar and Amp Repair
Decades of experience in the music industry
This business provides excellent service and expertise in repairing musical instruments. One customer spoke highly of the service they received, as they were able to bring an old guitar back to life. The staff's knowledge about musical instruments is impressive, making it a great place to get repairs done.
A bass guitar was brought in for repairs, and the customer was extremely satisfied with the result. The staff's expertise allowed them to do a great job on the repairs. It is highly recommended for anyone in need of musical instrument repairs to visit this business. Their knowledge and skill in fixing instruments is top-notch, making it a reliable choice for musicians.
20. Specimen
21. Mid-Town Instrument Rental
22. La Voz Hispana
Support local businesses, authentic Latino products
La Voz Hispana is a reputable retailer of Latin American musical instruments, offering a wide selection to choose from. The store has been a staple in the community for over six decades, providing customers with high-quality products and exceptional service. The knowledgeable and helpful staff at La Voz Hispana are passionate about music and are always ready to assist customers in finding the perfect instrument to suit their needs.
La Voz Hispana's extensive collection includes a variety of musical instruments and accessories, such as guitars, drums, and percussion instruments. Whether you're a seasoned musician or just starting out, La Voz Hispana has something for everyone. The store's long-standing history and expertise in the industry make it a trusted source for musicians of all levels. Whether you're looking to purchase a new instrument or upgrade your current one, La Voz Hispana is the place to go for all your musical needs.
23. Disco City #7 and Video
24. Coulsons
25. Gamble Music