Guitar Stores in Des Plaines, IL
Des Plaines has 3 guitar stores — including 2 that buy used gear, 2 with lessons, 2 vintage specialists, and 1 with repair shop. Listings are ranked by what players say (rating weighted by review count) and show live open-now hours and who buys used gear, so you can pick a shop and go.
Algonquin Records
4.5 ★★★★★ 74 reviews
This longtime store with a vintage vibe features new & used LPs, primarily from rock genres.
Drugan's Drums and Guitars
5 ★★★★★ 43 reviews
By-appointment shop offering a wide range of used musical instruments.
Evolution Music
4.9 ★★★★★ 31 reviews
Specialty store selling used and new guitars and other instruments, along with repairs and lessons.
Good to know in Des Plaines
For a setup or repair work, the shop with a bench here is Evolution Music.
Hunting vintage? Algonquin Records and Drugan's Drums and Guitars are the vintage & rare specialists in town — evidence from the shop's own site or player reviews.
Selling or trading gear?
These shops buy or trade used gear — evidence from the shop's own site or player reviews, not a guess. Bring in the one you don't play; store credit usually beats the cash offer, and calling ahead with the make and model saves everyone time.
- Drugan's Drums and Guitars ★★★★★ 5 (43)
- Evolution Music ★★★★★ 4.9 (31)
Getting started?
These stores offer lessons — for kids, adult beginners, and players knocking off rust. There's no wrong first guitar: rent or buy the instrument, get it set up, and book the teacher in one trip.
- Drugan's Drums and Guitars ★★★★★ 5 (43)
- Evolution Music ★★★★★ 4.9 (31)