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Guitar Center
4.2 ★★★★☆ 705 Google reviews · Guitar & music store in Algonquin, Illinois
Plan your visit
- Repairs & setups a repair bench comes up in reviews and the store's own info — call ahead for turnaround, since good techs run a queue
- Buys & trades used gear they buy, trade, or consign used instruments — bring the case and any original parts, and expect trade credit to beat the cash offer
- Lessons lessons come up in reviews and the store's own info — call about openings, instruments taught, and rates before the first visit
- Instrument rentals rentals mentioned — the usual route for band & orchestra season; ask about rent-to-own credit
- Today see hours ·
- Phone (847) 658-6981
- Website stores.guitarcenter.com
Hours
| Monday | 11 AM–7 PM |
| Tuesday | 11 AM–7 PM |
| Wednesday | 11 AM–7 PM |
| Thursday | 11 AM–7 PM |
| Friday | 11 AM–7 PM |
| Saturday | 11 AM–8 PM |
| Sunday | 11 AM–7 PM |
What's on the wall
“I tried to talk her into starting with an acoustic, but the young lady knows what she wants.”
“I decided to trade my old electric guitar for an electric acoustic.”
“I'll send pics of Daniella's setup after her bday on the 26 of this month.”
“My son has been taking drum lessons with Caleb, who has been amazing.”
“My son has been taking drum lessons with Caleb, who has been amazing.”
Brands they deal
“He got me hooked up with a Fender Squire Stratocaster, a super sweet amp, and threw pretty much everything else in for free.”
“Bonus: they have a signed Eric Clapton Gibson Les Paul there and I have the pics to prove it.”
What players say again and again
“I'll send pics of Daniella's setup after her bday on the 26 of this month.”
“My son has been taking drum lessons with Caleb, who has been amazing. A very patient teacher, who is truly passionate about playing drums as well as teaching them.”
“I have been shopping at the Algonquin store now for 22 years every time I step foot in the store staff is welcoming.”
“My son has been taking drum lessons with Caleb, who has been amazing.”
From the reviews
My daughter wants an electric guitar for a while now. I tried to talk her into starting with an acoustic, but the young lady knows what she wants. I was helped by a great guy, I'm sorry I forgot his name but I'm certain it starts with an "N".
Had a great experience shopping for an electronic music controller and a harmonica. Had GREAT sales help from a young lady in keyboards that went the extra mile to help me learn about features and capabilities of the device. When it came time to buy, the manager Jonathan was unbelievably polite, patient, and helpful.
I decided to purchase one last guitar before I get too old to play. I decided to trade my old electric guitar for an electric acoustic. Needless to say, I took my time and tried several before choosing a Taylor. The salesman that helped me was very patient and pleasant to deal with.
I have been shopping at the Algonquin store now for 22 years every time I step foot in the store staff is welcoming. Daniel the manager. Always goes above and beyond. Ever since he has taken over that store the ambience and the atmosphere has changed for the positive.
Selling or trading gear at Guitar Center
Guitar Center comes up for buying and trading used gear — confirmed on their own site. Two things make the trip go better. First, bring the whole package: the case or gig bag, the original tremolo arm or bridge parts, the paperwork if you have it — a complete rig is worth real money more than a bare instrument, and it saves the back-and-forth of "can you bring the case in?" Second, know that trade credit almost always beats the cash offer, usually by a healthy margin — if you're upgrading anyway, price your old gear as a trade against the new one before you take cash. Either way, expect the offer to be below what the gear sells for on the wall; the gap is the store's margin for setup, warranty, and sitting on it until the right buyer walks in.
Lessons at Guitar Center
Reviews and the store's own info mention lessons at Guitar Center. If you're signing up a beginner (or restarting yourself), a quick call ahead answers the three things that matter: which instruments they teach, whether the schedule has openings at the time you actually need, and what a first lesson costs. There's no wrong first guitar — a good teacher will happily work with whatever you walk in with, and a shop that teaches usually keeps affordable starter instruments and rentals on hand for exactly this reason.
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