Chicago Music Store

Really knowledgeable staff, great prices, good service dept. It’s a funky place with lots of character and history. You never know what treasure you might find! Definitely worth supporting.

Really bad customer service. I ask the guy at the counter for viola strings and he brings me a set or red label strings. I ask him if he has any dominant strings and tells me they don’t make them for viola. I know this isn’t true because I’ve bought them in the past but he insists and that there is no way of ordering any. I then ask about bow rehairing and am told that they don’t recommend it unless I have an expensive bow… I have an expensive bow and that’s why I asked. He then sends me to his manager who tells me the same thing. The manager then attempts to give me the name of someone who can but forgets and just tells me to look it up online. One of the worst music store experiences I’ve ever had.

My experience: Good prices, poor customer service.
‘Needed a mic and speakers for a private event. Their rates were reasonable, so i picked up the equipment on rental. The staff was friendly and helpful with selection of equipment. Day of the event: the cord for the speakers was so loose it kept disconnecting a few times a minute. The guest invited to perform tried a few times and then gave up causing huge disappointment to the invitees and embarrassment for the host. The whole point of a sound system was lost.
When returning equipment i complained about this matter and wondered why I should pay for faulty equipment. They checked and admitted the problem was there. I would have been fine with an apology and offer of even a partial refund for equipment that just didn’t work. I was extremely disappointed when they told me flatly they have a «No refund on rentals» policy.
I wished them well and that was the end of my experience with this store.

I went in to browse, and found that they opened up the upper floor to the public. How cool! There are so many interesting instruments! If you are a nerdy musician, take a look here! They also have some interesting second-​hand sheet music for reasonable prices. Good stuff.

My eldest daughter is a violinist and ran out of rosin. In previous years, it was provided by the school, but no longer. My husband and daughter were immediately waited upon and given the rosin she needed. The sales clerk mentioned a more expensive product, but didn’t push it at all. The customer service was great and they were in and out of the store in minutes. The next time we have any instrument needs, violin or guitar (which my youngest plays), we know where to go.

I live nearby, so Chicago Music is a pretty convenient location for me. I hope they burn down. I’ve been in there three times and each time I find myself with an increasing level of rage in response to their customer service and most importantly, their products. The capo I bought royally fucked up my guitar, giving it a nice set of indents and scratches up the neck. The string I bought from there… fucking twangy bullshit. I was recommended the «light» guitar string (they told me it really meant «medium») when I didn’t know what level was currently on my guitar. Well, «light» is is a synonym for absolute fucking shit, apparently. My $ 800 acoustic now sounds as though I purchased it from Target with $ 68 dollars and the child like hope of sounding just like my #1 idol, Miranda Lambert. I have a quick fucking question for the staff of this place, why are you recommending shit products to me? I’m coming to you with the hope of improving my sound, not so that you can patronize me by selling me the «beginner» gear. I’ve been playing guitar for 8 goddamn years… sorry that by being a female and asking for your genuine recommendations you take that to mean that I’m incompetent and can’t tell the difference anyway. Shouldn’t you be up-​selling? Shouldn’t you explain the differences between products? Shouldn’t you listen to my particular needs as a musician? Apparently not. I hope the gentrification of downtown Tucson puts you out of business.

I called the store to ask if they would mind helping me tune my guitar. I’m a student at the University of Arizona & I needed it for class. I figured someone who works with instruments all day would be able to help me tune my guitar in a few minutes, no big deal. But the guy who answered the phone was not friendly, rude, & flat out told me «I’m not interested but I appreciate your call» in the least convincing way possible & slightly sarcastic. I asked if he was sure, & he just repeated that he wasn’t interested. I would give this place zero stars if I could.

I went in there today to look around after seeing the reviews and reading the filtered reviews as well. I was actually next door at their sister store, Music Land, looking at and purchasing sheetmusic. I didn’t see any «dusty, dirty» store at all. It is an aged building, but it was clean.
It doesn’t have the inventory that Guitar Center has, but the prices were in line with Guitar Center’s. I checked a few items like the Peavey 20 USB Mixer and the Toca Synergy congas with stand. The prices were identical to Guitar Center’s. The staff seemed friendly. I didn’t ask them any questions, but I’m sure they would be helpful.
They do carry some items and instruments that Guitar Center does not, I guarantee that. It is an interesting store to check out.
If their prices are the same as Guitar Center’s, then I recommend supporting a local business (which offers instrument repairs, gives lessons, and supports the music programs in the area’s school districts) over a national chain.

Chicago store has greatly improved there service, appearance and most importantly business practice in the last few years. Even going as far as removing the owner as the «Boss» and establishing a New General Manager to take care of things, Fairly and competitively. i strongly recommend anybody that has not been in for a while to stop by and give them another shot. Support your Local Businesses!

Friendly staff. I ended up with a new in box crate power block.
unfortunately it was DOA when i got back to SD. managements response was initially quick. (we were going to get it fixed under warranty.) i tried back a few more times and got workers who had no idea about the problem.
i could have tried harder but so could they. so 3 stars.
browsing around there is a treat though so i’ll probably be back.

This place is honestly so dusty and disorganized I couldn’t tell if I was in a music store or a thrift shop. I suppose if you are willing to sift around for a purchase then you wouldn’t mind shopping here but they are not exactly a bargain either. We have been in here several times and although I don’t like salespeople hounding me, I have never had one here ask me if I needed any help or greet me for that matter. Three stars for the cool displays that they put up and the atmosphere inside which although minus the dust, can sometimes be charming as it is like being in an attic.

this book should be judged by its cover. you kinda gotta wonder how a bunch of musicians could even stand to work in an environment that lacks any enthusiasm towards the instruments themselves. everything is piled on top of each other and covered in dust.
i wouldn’t even buy picks here.

Cool place! It’s kinda like someone’s large dusty attic that they have randomly piled musical instruments and equipment in. There was a vacuum cleaner sitting next to a display case, I asked if it came in the key of «G» which got a laugh from the guy at the counter. A little dusty, but still pretty cool in my book.

This place is like the bad used car place your dad warned you about. I could tell you 4 or 5 stories about the owners and there general business practices… but I dont want to bore you. Lets just say the take great family pride in «getting over» on a customer. They have been in business for 40 years because they own the building. Every musician in town knows not to go in there. They rely on selling horrible instruments to first time buyers (students) for list price or over. Also people from mexico come up and pay list also, they dont know better and paying list price is better than prices in Mexico with duties down there. Shame on you Mark, Joe and uncle. when you all pass on there is a place in hell for people that take advantage of the week and meek. Good luck there.

I bought my first violin here as a kid. They have great deals on music and instruments of all kinds. The store is a little dusty/​dirty but it’s still a pretty cool place. You can find great deals here.