I've asked to have guitars & a pedal ordered for me, from Ax In Hand. When I went in, someone there was too busy rehearsing for their own gigs to give me any customer service. (I think the other more focused employee wanted to help me, but didn't have the "rank" to do so...) I've spent a couple thousand there, but was treated like an interruption. I'm on GI Bill & retired both, so, I've plenty to spend on musical instruments. I persisted and asked about a new guitar, again. I was told I would be called back about it, again. No one got back to me, so I bought the product on Amazon. Again. Sorry guys, I tried to give you my business. It seems you didn't want it... read more

Ax in Hand - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - DeKalb, Illinois

A few years ago I stopped in and inquired about a used Fender Twin reverb amp that I was interested in to use with my Fender Rhodes Stage Piano. The price was a little high so I asked if any components had been updated or replaced recently and he asked me to leave the store and not come back. I complied. Left with the cash still in my pocket and have never returned. It's too bad because I like stores like theirs. read more

lies Anna get it straight, you are humans doesn't make a difference male or female ur lack of respect for customer service is the issue here i got my guitar and left immediately the guitar u guitarnapped and wanted for another few days on such an easy job I would never spend another cent in that pathetic store u call Ax In Hand so there is nothing for me to do but again here we are an inexperienced team thinking they have what it takes, still bashing on their ex patron I smile it's a good day I never have to see the inside of that grimy mess of a store sorry Damon , you're a good customer service dude what happened to your daughter?? read more

You really want to like a place like this, small town guitar store and all that. But I just had repeated bad experiences for the past few years. I took my Fender Duo Sonic in for some electronics work, when I got it back there were wires sticking out of the pick guard. That is sloppy. I bought a Squire tele there and asked them to set it up for slide, one thing I was specific about was making the strings flat (like a slide would be) rather than rounded with the fretboard radius. They gave me the guitar back with the strings not flat like I asked. They just don't listen or write down orders well. Recently I took an S-style in for a set up and to get the frets polished and dressed. When I got the guitar back the frets were still sprouting and gritty. Also they restrung it improperly, one string even had a little kink in it. Just careless. The manager guy is an incredible musician -- no disputing that. I signed up for lessons. Last week I show up for my lesson. The guy is in a lesson with someone else and just keeps going. So I stand there for 15 mins -- half my lesson time over -- and he still doesn't come out. I tell the worker there I am leaving. Rather than go get the guy or whatever, she just sits there. Then I tell her to just push all my pre-paid lessons back a week. Well, I went in the following week and decided to just ask for a refund for the lessons. They give me the refund, but they don't know how to run their own cashier program on their computer, they are both googling how to do a refund. No business acumen. They aren't the only game in town -- there is another guitar store here and a music instruction school a town over in Sycamore. And lots of places in the Chicago burbs. Try a different place; don't waste time and money at this place. read more

Holy shit - It's still around?! That is awesome. I bought my first electric there (DeKalb) in 1975. A sweet Gibson SG Special cherry finish. I was in high school and they put it on layaway for me, letting me come in whenever I could to make payments and let me noodle around with it. Still one of the sweetest sounding guitars I've owned or played. Staff was always friendly, helpful, and let me just kinda snoop and poke around. Can't tell you how cool it is that they are still around! 35+ years - they are doing something right! Two thumbs up! read more

This is one of the best places to get new, used and vintage guitars and Bass' and equipment. Check this place out they have 2 location one in schaumburg on Wise Road and in DeKalb, Il on Rt.38 (lincoln Hwy). These guys are the best, family owned by 3 brothers who took the store over from their dad. They know alot and rock. read more

I've bought a guitar, an effects pedal, and other random stuff from Ax in Hand, and had a guitar repair done there. Great staff. They're very honest with used gear and repairs and don't try to rip you off. It's a nice family-owned store. I heard that they were the first guitar store in the Midwest to specialize in vintage gear. In their heyday, they were the go-to place for that sort of stuff. Which sorta leads me to my only complaint; I think their current inventory is just so-so. It's mostly mid and low range gear which is cool, just not stuff that I found particularly interesting or unique. And for a store that allegedly built their name on used gear, I wish they carried more of it. If you check in regularly, pretty sweet stuff comes in sometimes. They do have some really special guitars in the store, but they're not on display, you have to ask. read more

Great guys, great products, friendly to work with. They were able to get a highly regarded guitar for me at a very good price.

Yes it is still in town but it's not the Axe in Hand of your youth. I too remember climbing the decrepit stairs. The smell of old wood and cases. The vintage guitars on the walls. No, that Axe in Hand is long gone. Now it's lower end budget guitars in a modern storefront across the road. I really miss the old shop. That was an amazing place. When the owner passed years ago his kids sold off all the good stuff and started over with gear aimed at the starter player. read more

We love Axe in Hand! We have been going there for many years. The young men that own it are honest and are so knowledgeable about the equipment they sell. We bought a electric guitar @ guitar center for our then 12 year old son. After driving an hour not once, but too many times for the guitar we bought with a warranty. We took it to Axe in Hand and they repaired it for free. They were local, they actually fixed it and they did it for free!! Needless to say our son is now eighteen. in the last six years we have made Axe in Hand our place to go. We have bought a bass guitar, a drum set, anything that goes with these items.Also if they don't have it They will hunt it down!! All work has been done there. We have made friends and have shared many laughs. If you are looking for a place to shop where you will be treated the way you should. You need to go to Axe in Hand You Will Not be disappointed! read more

Was in talks with the owner about buying a half-stack. Price was steep and when went to test it out wasn't working. To my knowledge the tubes were shot but it is tough to trust someone charging top dollar for something almost in an "as-is" condition. When I became skeptical about the head I asked to purchase the cabinet instead and was greeted with a bit of a sour grapes type of attitude. The cabinet was then not for sale without purchase of the head. Owner is a good guy but that thing is going to collect dust without proper maintenance to sell it. Not going back anytime soon but not suggesting everyone avoid it. read more

Ive been dealing with Ax In Hand for over 20 years. And this is a top notch music store. Having been in the buisness over 30 yrs their dad built up an awesome buisness dealing with quality Fender guitars and other variouse guitar manufacturers such as Reverand,Gibson,PRS etc. They also deal in vintage guitars and at any given time you never know what gem may be hidden in their inventory. They frequnt guitar shows and also buy from private sellers. They hold a very high leval of excellence in what they sell and buy and how the customer is treated. You leave feeling as if they care about what you buy and if you return. They listen to your needs as a buyer and seller and try to fit your need as honestly as possible. I have even been talked out of a purchase because they are so atuned to customer needs and experience tells them that I wojuldnt have been happy with that particular item. And they are right on the money. Larry their Father would be proud of how they have carried on his name and buisness. Their dad had a huge influence in helping Fender start what is now their custome shop. The low key atmosphere should not detour anybody from stopping in and doing buisness, Whether it be in store or online they are the best in the buisness. NO you may not see 500 models of the newest guitar but I can say this what you get wont be junk, no hidden defect and they will see to it your not disappointed. A must shop place for any guitarist or bassist. read more

Very disappointed. Called to give these guys business to work on a vintage guitar. Was told that the one guy that might care to take the job on (simple neck heat press on a 1931 National--75 bucks at any competent repair shop) did not work on the premises and needed to be contacted to see if he could be bothered to do the job. When I asked to get his number to discuss the job I was considering allowing him to do on a prized guitar of mine, I was asked by the kid who had answered the phone how much I thought my guitar was worth. When I answered "about 2500 dollars" I was told that the repair guy has worked on guitars worth at least 50,000 dollars, implying that my vintage National was far down the list on this important guy's repair resume. What a load of crap. For a shop which supposedly has built a rep on vintage gear you'd think they would have a guy around who could fix the stuff. And as far as being considerate to a customer who would like to entrust a shop with a vintage guitar the customer service is total crap! I will never recommend this place. read more

i know the founder from years ago. very nice, very reasonable guy. i been going since i was a kid. always felt welcome, always got a good deal. wide selection, very clean, knowledgable in repairs, guitars and more. its simply an awsome established store. highly recomended. read more