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The Upper Bout
4.9 ★★★★★ 203 Google reviews · Guitar & music store in Champaign, Illinois
Music store specializing in guitars, amps, and pedals, with setup and repair services.
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
- Lessons lessons come up in reviews and the store's own info — call about openings, instruments taught, and rates before the first visit
- Today see hours ·
- Phone (217) 607-8132
- Website theupperbout.com
Hours
| Monday | 11 AM–6 PM |
| Tuesday | 11 AM–6 PM |
| Wednesday | 11 AM–6 PM |
| Thursday | 11 AM–6 PM |
| Friday | 11 AM–6 PM |
| Saturday | 11 AM–6 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
What's on the wall
“They have also set up an acoustic-electric bass that I bought secondhand, and it sounds perfect after having been neglected for years.”
“I was in there to feed the embers of my daughter's interest in an electric guitar, and Ricky's wealth of knowledge of guitars fueled my own interest!”
“They have also set up an acoustic-electric bass that I bought secondhand, and it sounds perfect after having been neglected for years.”
“I have brought many guitars there to be set up to lower tunings, I’ve had pickups swapped out a few times, and even got a great deal on a Marshall 4x12 cabinet.”
Brands they deal
What players say again and again
“I have brought many guitars there to be set up to lower tunings, I’ve had pickups swapped out a few times, and even got a great deal on a Marshall 4x12 cabinet.”
“I was in there to feed the embers of my daughter's interest in an electric guitar, and Ricky's wealth of knowledge of guitars fueled my own interest!”
“The super friendly staff will take good care of you!”
“I have brought many guitars there to be set up to lower tunings, I’ve had pickups swapped out a few times, and even got a great deal on a Marshall 4x12 cabinet.”
From the reviews
Amazing owner. I was in there to feed the embers of my daughter's interest in an electric guitar, and Ricky's wealth of knowledge of guitars fueled my own interest! I think he's a treasure and a wise guide if you are on a musical journey. He's sincere about just helping to spread the art.
Extremely nice store. They have a good variety of guitars they sell, whatever level player you are there's something for you. The salespeople are really honest (and friendly and helpful) as well, they won't try to sell you the more expensive item, they'll give u information about everything, let you try it out then…
Best higher-end acoustic selection for miles and miles....plenty of electric stuff, too. They set up all of their guitars before they even hit the floor; no clunkers here. Friendly staff, in-house repair. This is a great guitar store.
I’ve always had a great experience with The Upper Bout in Champaign. The staff is easy to deal with, and every guitar purchase or trade I’ve made has gone smoothly. I’ve also had my guitars professionally set up here, and they always get the job done right.
Lessons at The Upper Bout
Reviews and the store's own info mention lessons at The Upper Bout. 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 on hand for exactly this reason.
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