Called the store to see about how I might learn to play with arthritis, they were pretty busy and…read morethe phone rang a ton meaning they were swamped. The guy that answered was Dan and he was super helpful, you know they were ruined with calls and customers with how long it took to answer but he acted like he couldn't be more happy to be of help. A+++ I'll go out of my way to buy any gear here as a result. There was nothing for the guy to gain and he acted like I was buying 100k worth of gear. Good hire GC!

I ordered a bass guitar online, the delivery driver dropped it as he was dropping it off. I went to…read moreguitar center Algonquin, they went above and beyond to get me a replacement. Best location I've been to so far!

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.

Cassandra strings is a wonderful store for stringed instruments. We stumbled upon them via the…read moreelementary school, when it came time to rent an instrument for our son. They were one of 2 choices for cello rental and luck of the draw, we picked them. From what I've read, many of these rental companies are dis-honest. Not so with Cassanda Strings - very reputable, providing great quality and customer service at a fair price. We have been with them for 2.5 years and have no complaints. They are also able to provide info on local string music teachers to those who are interested. Yes, I recommend them. Yes, I return to them.

Great place to go for rental or purchase of string instruments and lessons are great too!!read more

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

My daughter has been taking voice lessons from Jamie for the last 6 months. The improvement she…read morehas made has been AMAZING. We took voice lessons from someone else for 2 years, and they wound up moving away so we had to find someone else. What a waste of 2 years! She has taught my daughter more in 6 months then we got for 2 years. My daughter loves working with her because she makes it fun, but productive. Not only does she work on singing, she helps with acting, and auditions. All around, she is WONDERFUL! Highly recommend her.

From the owner: Singing and Acting as well as Public Speakingread more

Mary Jo is more than we could have asked for in a piano teacher. She is a great piano teacher:…read morekind, engaging with our children, encouraging, fun, and punctual. She quickly assessed the skill level and attention span of our children and established appropriate lesson plans for each. Most importantly, our children are learning to play the piano and loving it!

Mary Jo is awesome. I heard she is great with kids and beginners, but I know she is fantastic with…read moreadvanced amateurs like myself. She not only helps with technique, but she is great at digging into and explaining the nuances of interesting pieces, helping you bring them alive, if you want to go beyond mechanical playing. She's very friendly, supportive, professional, flexible, and reliable. I can't but recommend her highly for adults.

Piano Trends is so great, they hooked me up with a piano and lessons; great service, nice people.read more

I'm impressed with Piano Trends. Their staff is helpful and very knowledgable. I am presently…read moretaking lessons with one of their instructors and am very happy with the instruction I am receiving. Their selection of instruments is very good, and they have a nice supply of used pianos in stock, as well as a good selection of sheet music. The owners of the shop obviously care about their customers, and are active in the community's music scene and with charity events. An earlier reviewer stated that they are a great place to buy and consign, but then spent the rest of her review refuting her first comment. I am very certain that no one in this shop would ever lend out a consignment with an aim of "increas[ing] the chance of damage..." Sounds like sour grapes over the fact that no one wanted to pay what she thought her instrument is worth. A piano may appraise for a lot of money, but it is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. That's a bummer, but a simple fact of life. And obviously the piano was not lost if it sold. I generally don't like stepping on someone else's review, but in this case it seemed necessary.

Awesome program with great management! Would encourage anyone who plays music to join!!read more

Our children have taken lessons with Miss Anita for a few years and absolutely love her and the…read moreprogram! She is an excellent cello and piano teacher. Kids are looking forward to one day being part of the McHenry County Youth Orchestra!

My toddler is part of one of the early childhood classes at Encore. I highly recommend checking…read morethem out! Miss Allison is so great with the babies and toddlers. Once a week, my toddler is engaged in music and dance-- I love it and so does she!

My 11 year old daughter loves taking classes here. She had taken both violin and piano. Her…read moreinstructor is amazing. If you want a highly talented teacher who will have patience, understanding, and warmth, Tom Voss is the teacher for you. As long as he's teaching here, we will never go anywhere else.

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?