This place is awesome. I got my first guitar there about a little over a year ago and have been back several times for other accessories and set ups. Staff is nice and knowledgeable. You'll get straight up answers without trying to over sell you on anything. Also they don't make you feel like "the new guy", they've been very encouraging of a new player. read more

Paid $130 for a setup and got lazy, dismissive service. From the start he brushed off my bass because it was a little beat up and an unusual shape. I mentioned adding a small weight in the control cavity to balance neck dive, and he dismissed it with, "no, don't do that, that's where the electronics are." The action was high at the nut and overall. After his "setup," it came back basically unchanged -- and now the A and D strings bottomed out at the high frets. I told him the nut needed filing; he insisted nut height doesn't affect action until I proved it. He took it back, filed the low E only, and handed it back. I had to point out again that the A and D were unplayable and send it back a second time. Even then, nothing was really fixed. End result: I lost $130, my bass plays worse than before, and I'll still have to do the setup myself. read more

Awesome staff in this place! You get great personal attention for all of your needs. Not some kids working there because it's a "cool" job. The staff are actual musicians who gig like the rest of us. Pat and the crew are honest and as nice as could be. I won't go anywhere else. read more

Pat was extremely knowledgeable and helpful. I thought I needed new strings for a better sound and feel for my guitar, but his opinion was that changing the strings would have no effect on the sound. I thought it was super nice of him to give me his honest opinion rather than sell my strings with it having no effect! Customer service was great!! read more

A gem in the middle of suburbia. There aren't many mom and pop guitar stores around any more these days, and the few that are out there cater mainly to nubes, offering only cheap guitars and small combo amps. This place is not one of those. They carry a decent selection of pedals, medium and high end guitars (like PRS), and many amps (both head/cab and combos). Definitely a place worth checking out, and handy to visit if your band is playing a gig next door at Chicago Loop Sports ;). read more

Great guitar shop Took my bajo quinto in for some action work & they did a really good job with it:) read more

I had a great experience here. I traded two guitars in and purchased one. Pat was really helpful, very transparent about the trade-in process, and threw in some polish on top of it. I will be going for here for all my guitar needs. read more

Pat has been great to work with over the years. Really helpful and kind. Jimmy does amazing work on my guitar and since discovering that magic mojo I don't let anyone else take a guitar of mine into their shop. Yes, it's a small store but the inventory is well chosen and suitable for most needs. How do you argue against Mesa, Seagull, PRS, Ibanez and such. So many gems at different price point. read more

Done with this place. Moved to Streamwood 6 years ago and have tried again and again ... and again! to patronize and support this local merchant. "Just ran out of the guitar strings you need. Come back in a few weeks." Three times in a row? It's now 12:45p on a Monday and there's no one there. Opens at 12 noon? Standing with another (ex) customer at the front door tapping. No answer. Suggestion to this retailer. If you can't keep the hours you advertise, change your hours. You also advertise World Class provider. On what planet? Never bothering to come back here again. read more

Amazing local guitar shop. Lots of gear to drool at every time I go. I've bought multiple guitars here and had a lot of guitars set up, the luthier work is excellent too and they're very honest here. Pat the owner is super friendly and knowledgeable, he has given me a lot of helpful advice, and on multiple occasions talked me OUT of spending money for something that wouldn't benefit me. I love this shop, and I'm excited every time I get the chance to go. read more

These days you have two choices: support Guitar Center, or support small businesses. For my money, I'll support small businesses. Why? Because of places like Goodtime Music. Pat, the owner, is a great guy. He always has time to discuss music or guitars with you (he's a master guitarist and also the shop luthier...that's a guitar tech), and he knows his stuff. Everyone in the shop is friendly, welcoming, and best of all--they don't try to sell you stuff you don't need or upsell you to death (like Guitar Center). I also take guitar lessons here. Colin's the man. I felt like it was time for a change from my first music school, and Goodtime had what I was looking for. Great lessons from an experienced, friendly, and patient professional musician, and for less $$ than I was paying before--what more could you ask for? Colin made my guitar lessons fun again. Best of all, I've found most of the prices on guitars here are comparable (or sometimes cheaper) to what you find online. I recently purchased a brand new Seagull S6 mahogany deluxe guitar, and it was spot-on with internet prices...plus, my $$ went to support a local small business. I'm happy. If you head over to Goodtime music, you'll be happy too. One thing to note: they don't carry drums, horns, or orchestra instruments or accessories. They're pretty much focused on guitars. But they do carry a ton of guitar accessories like stands, amps, pedals, etc, and they have a huge selection of nice pre-owned guitars. Head on over and strike up a conversation with Pat. He'll be happy to talk to you. I'm sure you'll like him and his shop right away! And if you're thinking about taking guitar lessons, try Goodtime first. I'm confident you'll be glad you did! read more

This review is based on online business that this business does through reverb. Bad business practice. My dad wanted to buy a guitar for christmas and found them on reverb. My dad asked to buy and he said it was sold. I saw listing was still up and asked why it wasnt sold. He said he wasnt selling to the roberts clan. I told him i found that offensive as i was willing to buy the guitar for my dad for christmas. Instead he said he was going to report us for being a scam? I run two businesses in california and have hundreds of reviews. Theres no scam other than we want to purchase the guitar. He had the guitar for $1099 on 12/12 and after me and my dad messaged about it tje price went up to $1500. Thats absurd. I understand him wanting more money but he never said that. He just said sorry its sold. And now wants more money? Assure i will be posting photos of my experience and what he said. The g&l legacy guitars are a beauty and should be shared with everyone who wants to play. Why would i message wanting details about a guitar for no reason? And this review is based on me, not my dad. My dad had to buy another guitar from a different company. read more

Have spent a lot of money with these guys over the last 5 years. Pat, Jeff, Jimmy--all of the employees there are helpful and knowledgeable and respectful to what you want as a player. Goodtime handles all my amp and guitar repairs. Their setups are around $50 but ultimately, this includes fretwork as well! What a deal! I've taken my stuff to other places over the years and been charged out the A$$ for work that I'm not even confident was done correctly. $150 for a fret level and crown is just absurd--and that was the going rate in the area! There's a lot of experience in this store, and they carry brands that they support personally, and have a wealth of knowledge and expertise thanks to that decision. Pat has, at times, even suggested I don't buy something--which is pretty nuts considering he's a retailer :) Anyway, it's my go-to suburban music store. Highly recommend it! read more

Great place to purchase any type of instrument. Have known Pat the owner and Jimmy the tech for many years. Put my full trust of my needs in their hands and have never been let down. They have sold me alot of guitars and amps. They are honest and fairly priced all the time. Trust me they are great and will never disappoint you. Bill B. Streamwood , Il 01/29/2020 read more

Excellent business with an exceptional owner. Pat will bend over backwards to work with you. As a small business owner, he has more flexibility and does not have to play by the same rules the chain stores do. Great gear, lots of pedals and a wealth of knowledge and expertise crown this store. I will be sure to get my gear and repairs done here rather than having a sales person in my ear trying to upsell a product and warranty. read more

Even if you don't buy your guitar here, I don't know of any other place that I would go to have my guitar set up or serviced. Pat, the owner, is friendly and a wealth of information, and he isn't a douche, trying to sell you the most expensive solution to your problems. Jimmy, the luthier, is a true artist at his craft, and I get nothing but compliments on the amazing setup jobs that he's done on all of my instruments. The magic that he can work on the neck and frets is beyond compare. From truss rod adjustments to delicate electronics work, to custom fabrication (adding a custom pickguard to a Höfner Verythin bass), to a basic setup...he is amazing. Goodtime, of course, also sells guitars, live sound equipment, and accessories. Running sound for my band and friend's bands, I'm at GTM all the time looking for random, and often custom, cables and accessories. Need lessons? I started on bass five years ago with lessons at Goodtime, and all of the instructors are as friendly as they are professional. i can't thank Marc Johnson enough for opening a new chapter of music in my life. Goodtime Music? My guitar and music shop for life...I'm very picky and have eclectic tastes in my instruments, and refer all of my bandmates and friends to GTM. read more

Goodtime Music - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Streamwood, Illinois

The service at Goodtime Music is by far the best I've experienced at a music store. Pat, Jeff and Jim have all done excellent work with my pedalboards, guitars and general equipment needs. Super friendly and very accommodating to all skill levels. I'm in the store pretty regularly and they're always super cool and helpful. Highly recommended! read more

Good spot for your luthier work. Had my parlor guitar in for a full setup and string change. Everything was in order. Nice folks. The gentleman who wrote up my order seemed a little distant and didn't seem to have a wide knowledge of guitars, accessories, or luthier work, but maybe he was just a cashier. It was a Sunday afternoon. The gentleman I met when I picked up the guitar was much warmer and seemed to know more about guitar specs. I believe that was Jim. I haven't met Pat yet. I'm taking off one star because 1, I had to call in to ask if my guitar was ready (it was). I'd have been happier if they'd called me and told me it was ready for pickup earlier in the day. I had to reschedule my Thursday evening guitar lesson because I didn't have my guitar. And 2, their accessories (strings, for me) are kind of limited...and they're more expensive here than usual. I also wanted a black Tusq nut and bridge, which they didn't have. But that isn't really their fault...they're a local guitar shop, not Amazon, and it worked out all right anyway. Next time I'll probably purchase my accessories on Amazon and just use this shop for the work, because they do good work and are friendly. Pros: - Open until 9 pm - Friendly folks - Good luthier work Cons: - Smaller and slightly expensive accessories selection - Communication could have been better read more

For a Goodtime call: GOODTIME MUSIC !!! I cannot say enough about Goodtime and what they have done for me. My '78 Les Paul Custom (original owner) got massive moisture (not water) damage. After my restoration of the cosmetic issues which included body finish and most of the metal except for the tuners, it was so out of playability, that I didn't think I would ever be able to save it. This guitar has much deeper meaning to me than just a "Paul Custom" and I was not giving up. After speaking with Pat, and then Jimmy, the luthier, I felt I had a chance to save "Pauly" (my only guitar that ever got a guy name...) The result: BETTER THAN ITS BEEN SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Jimmys work, which included truss rod adjust, fret leveling, fingerboard dressing, pickup height and pole piece adjustment, installation of a new Tone Pros bridge, along with notching the saddles for my Elixir '10's preference of strings. All in a weeks time ! This guitar now plays and sounds better than any guitar I've ever laid my hands on !!! Aside from the emotional value of never letting go of this particular guitar, I would not sell or trade this instrument for ANY other. Jimmy, you are the BEST ! Since Paula (Pauly became Paula after the transgenstrumental surgery) now resides in my son Kyles studio, I desperately needed a new one. I now own a 2015 Les Paul Custom (in wine red like the '78) that is going to Jimmy to work his magic. You have to understand that I set up and do all the work on my own including for friends. I'm not a pro however, and after Jimmys magic on the '78, in both restoring AND making it play better than it ever did, I'm SOLD !!! read more

Purchased a 2006 Fender Classic Player 60s Stratocaster from Goodtime Music on Reverb.com. Customer service and satisfaction guaranteed? Not so much. Upon receiving the guitar and playing it for a couple of days, I noticed that the frets had been redressed to the point where I could not bend notes, and to where the frets were squared off, with no "meat" on the frets. They are lower than the height of vintage frets, and the playability of the guitar is lost. The point of the Classic Player 60s Stratocaster, is that its super fast playing guitar with a 12" radius neck and medium jumbo frets. It appears that the fret wear was to the point where they redressed the frets so much that at the point of which they had to dress them, new frets should have been installed. I have requested a return and have been denied. So the customer service side of the transaction has been terrible. The sales side of the transaction was excellent. Please read below. Sales side of the transaction was excellent: I worked with Pat and the sales process was excellent. He answered all of my questions and provided extra pictures to ensure my satisfaction. The price was good and shipping was supper fast. Also, the guitar received a set up and fret redressing prior to being sold. read more

I have been going here since I was a kid. The owner is super knowledgeable, and helpful. I have bought several pieces of equipment here and never had a bad experience. The tech is also A+ read more

great day sunday , went to guitar store and bought a PRS from Jimmy and He took the time to take guitar in back and reset it up and put on strings that I use for no extra charge (AWESOME CUSTOMER SERVICE ) He said its what they do at Goodtime and man I Love this guitar and thanks Jimmy SEE YOU GUYS FOR NEXT ONE read more

These guys are fantastic! Bought my guitar from them years ago, took lessons there and trust them completely with my equipment when repairs are needed. A true one-of-kind guitar shop. Nothing corporate about them. That's why I love recommending them. read more

This is truly the best shop around. The staff is super helpful and friendly, and I can always count on getting the best deals around. The amount of quality product available is hands down the best in the fox valley. I heard about this store on 103.9 The Fox, and I am sure glad I did! Supporting local businesses is definitely the thing to do, and these guys are awesome at what they do! read more

I have been shopping there since 1994 and purchased several guitars as well as amps and accessories. Pat and Jimmy are the best! They are the most helpful and knowledgeable staff around and take care in helping you select the correct instrument and accessory for your need. I have been in the music business and toured with bands all around the world and I literally have not found any one store as competent as they are for all aspects of guitars. I would highly recommend them if you're looking for purchase or repair of any guitar or accessory. read more

Mark L. found them because they are a G and L dealer. Bought my second G and L (USA) from them. Also take my other electrics and acoustics to them for set ups and string changes. GREAT Shop. Also recently upgraded to a Mesa head and Cabs from the shop. Great selection, Great service. Best Guitar shop in the Chicago area. read more

Unfortunate experience. The owner was very disrespectful toward me and my family. He was all smiles when I was looking to purchase. But after I made the purchase and trusted my instrument with them for the setup, he did not take ownership of damage caused by the tech. I assume it was accidental, but the inability to admit the mistake was troubling. Pricing is also high, which is maybe understandable for such a small shop. Though he did seem dumbfounded that one would want to compare pricing with other shops in an attempt to get a fair deal - fairly standard practice dealing with instruments. That should have been a red flag. But really disappoints, is the lack of character shown and inability to do the right thing when things go wrong. Do not trust your instrument with these folks. Probably fine if you're just buying strings or picks. read more

I really wanted to like this place. Unfortunately, my instrument was damaged while it was in for service. Instead of making it right and gaining a customer for life, the owner decided to argue with me and deny that his technician caused the damage. Very disappointing. read more