Chicago Music Shops

I am not familiar with any local shops in that area. However, there are several Sam Ash and Guitar Centers pretty close.

There are Guitar Center stores located in Naperville (on RT.59) and Villa Park (on Roosevelt Rd.). Sam Ash is located in Lombard near Roosevelt Rd. There is also a HIX Brothers Music store in Naperville a couple of miles south from the GC.

I would love to hear any suggestions for smaller, locally owned stores in the area.

Depends on what you're looking for... the best shop around (in my opinion) for acoustic instruments is Tobias Music in Downers Grove - they don't sell any electrics, and specialize in the high end.

I also think they do the finest acoustic repair work in the entire midwest... when my Martin needs work, there's no one else I trust it to.

If you're looking for vintage, on the N side of Chicago is a shop called Guitar Asylum. Chicago Slim (the guy in the Hohner harmonica hall of fame) owns the place. He's an odd gent - I haven't talked to him in years, so I don't know if he still uses a casket for a coffee table in his house, and keeps odd hours, so it's best to arrange an appointment, I think.

Other stores in the SW suburban area are spotty for instruments - some gems, some junk. I've probably been in every Mom & Pop shop in the area (I live in Woodridge) so if you have someting specific in mind, let me know.

Not in your preferred area, but I recommend Guitar Works in Evanston. Terry Straker (owner) is an acoustics and vintage specialist who also runs a great repair shop. GW carries a good, interesting range of affordable to unaffordable acoustics and electrics.

Guitar Works

When I lived in the area, nearly 20 years ago, the late Jethro Burns (mandolin, Homer & Jethro) used to hang out there.

That is a good shop - on Chicago & Main I think? It's just 45 miles or so from me, so I don't get there too often. Another pretty decent one in that NE Chicago area is Flatts & Sharpe on Sheridan Road.

I haven't shopped around a lot, but I bought my electric (Epiphone LP) at Hix Brothers on Randall Road in Batavia. I thought they had a decent selection for a beginner like me, but I don't think they had much high end stuff. They also have a location in Naperville, but I've never been there. I got my Seagull acoustic at Roselle Music on Irving Park Road. Again, they didn't have a huge selection (I had pretty much decided on the Seagull, anyway), but the people there were really nice.

I was in a small shop in LaGrange last month. I don't remember the name or the street, just that it was by the railroad tracks. I found them in the phone book.

It's a small shop with mostly entry level and mid range guitars. Alvarez is their main acoustic line. I played one and was impressed for the price. Not much selection of amps and gadgets. Good staff that was very helpful and friendly.

I know of two, Axes Music in Frankfort, IL. http://www.axes-music.com and Hidden Music in Palos Hills. I haven't been to Hidden Music in many years but I hear that he is still there.

I was in between sales calls about a year ago and stumbled into a place called Tommy's Rock and Roll Cafe at 2500 W. Chicago on the near north west side. Phone 773-486-6768. web tommysguitars.com

You can get an Italian Beef and look at old guitars. Not any new ones that I recall, but it was really a neat place. It is an old building with several rooms and is sort of the anti Sam Ash.

ed

I bought my Gibson R7 at http://www.napervillemusic.com and got a very good deal.