This place is awesome. I got my first guitar there about a little over a year ago and have been…read moreback several times for other accessories and set ups. Staff is nice and knowledgeable. You'll get straight up answers without trying to over sell you on anything. Also they don't make you feel like "the new guy", they've been very encouraging of a new player.

Paid $130 for a setup and got lazy, dismissive service…read more From the start he brushed off my bass because it was a little beat up and an unusual shape. I mentioned adding a small weight in the control cavity to balance neck dive, and he dismissed it with, "no, don't do that, that's where the electronics are." The action was high at the nut and overall. After his "setup," it came back basically unchanged -- and now the A and D strings bottomed out at the high frets. I told him the nut needed filing; he insisted nut height doesn't affect action until I proved it. He took it back, filed the low E only, and handed it back. I had to point out again that the A and D were unplayable and send it back a second time. Even then, nothing was really fixed. End result: I lost $130, my bass plays worse than before, and I'll still have to do the setup myself.

I had an issue with the G string on my Les Paul, where it sounded dead. I took it two other local…read moreguitar stores and they said that was just how a Les Paul it is. I disagreed. Stopped by Dr. Woods on a whim and mentioned it to Jeff, he said bring it in. He looked and listened to the Guitar and said he could fix. WOW, next day service and $20.00 later the issue is resolved. He recut the nut slot, adjusted the bridge and noticed the high E was a little dead as well and recut that nut slot as well. I cannot recommend them enough. Jeff listened to my concern and did not just pass it off.

I stopped in today with my grandson and traded in his A style mandolin on an F-style Kentucky…read moremandolin and baggs pickup, I was impressed with the selection of guitars and the great service, I wish I lived closer, I'd shop there every time over GC. Thanks Gents Two happy customers.

This place is definitely worth the hype! Their customer service and repair is super fast and…read moreaffordable! The shop has an amazing selection of guitars and rare collections. Lastly their vast knowledge really helps you feel comfortable about your decision if you choose to buy.

the very best guitar shop I have ever dealt with ! and I've been around and had many other places…read moreto compare to. Paul and his people are superb. I couldn't be happier. honest people with fair prices and perfect service. you can't say more than that. Susan from Prescott Az

Bill Crowley's Guitar Shoppe is the go to place for lessons and guitars. You won't be disappointed…read more He will guide you in your choice of instrument and style that you wish to play. It may be a small store but Bill's expertise is HUGE! I've been playing / learning acoustic and electric for a few years and Bill will encourage you and gently challenge you so you can explore what you wish to learn. His prices are competitive and you will get the advice and help that many other stores fail to provide. Bill has an extensive range of guitar skills and if you've had the opportunity to see him playing you'll know what I mean. Don't think about learning the guitar, go to Bill's and start now!

Crowley taught me how to play guitar and it was the right way, he's a true master with a lifetime…read moreof experience

Several month ago I had an Elektron Digitakt serviced at this store. There was a small mix up…read moreduring the repair, manager Andrew Marrah went above and beyond to ensure the device was returned to me in perfect working condition. I cannot overstate the professionalism of Andrew Marrah and everyone at Synth City. I would trust this store with anything regarding my gear, they will make sure to treat you well and with respect. 10 out of 10 hands down.

I went into this shop with a friend of mine. He tried out some Les Paul and other fender guitars…read more This place has a nice collection of vintage instruments and equipment.

Buying Jon a professional level guitar!…read more What an amazing experience. In this day of mass manufactured instruments, it is a rare and wonderful site to see someone who actually hand crafts guitars. Mr Brune has been doing this for many years - he proudly displays the first guitar he made as a teenager out of his parents dining room table... The space is really interesting - you walk into a hallway where he has his office. Off to the left is the display room. He has four or five display cases, each one with guitars of a different price range. He carries not only ones made by his hand, but those of other Luthiers from around the world. Each guitar he carries he knows the story and history. While my son was trying various guitars, he gave us a tour of his work shop. We walked through a door into the back and entered a tight space where he had guitars stacked up for repair and a few machines. This in and of itself was impressive. We said it was a cool workshop and he laughed and said this was not his workshop. We went through another door into an enormous space filled with lots of different types of wood and equipment. There were guitars in various stages of being built or repair. His son, a violin maker, shared the shop for some of his work. This was an incredible experience for anyone who has an interest in music.

He is a fantastic luthier and has incredible knowledge on acoustic guitars. He had fitted strings…read morefor my flamenco guitar. He recommended a mix of strings which made the guitar sound with clarity and depth.He also constructs his own guitars ranging from classical to flamenco. I have seen other types of guitars.He can also do work on your guitar if it has problems. Most classical/flamenco guitars have been manufactured in China or Japan. Even the spanish guitar companies like Cordoba famous with the gypsy kings and Manuel Rodrigues Spanish guitars outsourced their manufacturing to places like China. Yamaha flamenco guitars have their manufacturing base out in japan. There are luthiers (guitar craftsmen) that make real handmade guitars that sound so much better. RE Brune is one of those craftsman that can give you a real handmade guitar and not those guitar center chinese made ones. If you are a serious musician, consider RE Brune as a luthier for your new guitar.

Excellent music store! Honest, helpful and very knowledgable in all areas of musical instruments…read more Sell great reasonably priced great sounding guitars , mandolin's, and banjos ! Replaces guitar etc. strings for you or repair minor problems with musical instruments or will give you Referal to someone who will. Very kind, patient, compassionate, helpful staff. Music lessons on most instruments and voice lessons. Restrung and fixed neck of my guitar so easier to play in my 70s with my arthritic fingers. Very honest. Talked me into fixing my guitar rather than buying a new one! Great store! A real gem in the Northwest suburbs! Remember to turn into road off of Barrington road and turn into commons parking lot to gain access to store. Visit for all your music needs or to learn to play a new instrument! Truly, Liza Johnson

Meh. The guy at the counter talked down to me when I inquired about music lessons and rates…read more Considering the place was completely devoid of customers, one would think he would be happy with possible business. In addition, I didn't find the selection of guitars and accessories to be spectacular. In the future, I'll head to Minstel Music in Niles. I've not had good luck with a few of Barrington's small businesses. Maybe these people are rich and buy these businesses on a lark, and have zero desire to make profits. Who knows?

I love it! I was…read morelooking for public gardens to visit a month or two and learned about this one. I don't get to Elgin often--I think I've been here twice, maybe three times since I've lived in Chicago. But I knew it would be on the way back from Galena so I wanted to stop, and it was easy enough to find (with GPS, obviously!). The garden is the epitome of community effort. What was once a vacant lot in Elgin is now an extensive and beautiful area, replete with beautiful botanicals. The city donated the lot, and the community put in the sweat equity. An elementary school plants annuals... annually, and schools are involved in educational endeavors here. It's truly a thoughtful design, taking into account the area, native species, and working with the ecosystem. There are several stone benches in the garden as well as a wooden bench. In addition, in each of the collections of flowers are signs with information about different types of butterflies. It's pretty and tranquil, and worth a visit if you like green spaces. I hope these community beautification projects catch on. It would be nice to see some more informal green spaces in Chicago, too.