We've been a customer since we moved to the area in 2018 and have purchased much of our musical instruments and equipment from here. My son also takes guitar lessons with an amazing teacher, however lately the staff has been very disappointing because they continue to say something to the people playing the drum displays too loud. I've witnessed this 3 different times even though on their website they talk about coming and finding your creative outlet in music. I was going to purchase a new drum kit for my son but their recent approach is making me second guess it. read more

Disappointed the Naperville location no longer has the capacity to do re-strings while you wait. Will return when they do.

Worst guitar shop around. I went in to purchase a guitar. When I got to the register they said the guitar was priced wrong on the floor and it was $300 more and they wouldn't honor the price on the display tag. They had no case for the guitar. Not even a box that fit it to take it home. Slow and poor customer service. It took a half an hour to ring me up at the HIGHER price. Disinterested customer service. I buy and collect guitars and basses. Never again will I step foot in this shop. So many better guitar shops all over Chicago. Chicago Music Exchange to name one. Other Guitar Centers, like Villa Park. Plus many others that actually care about your business. Don't waste your time and energy in this awful Guitar Center. read more

I was greeted when I walked through the door with my guitar. Attentive employees interested as I came wanted to take a look at the guitar. I explained that I needed new guitar strings (I hadn't changed them in a while ) A gentleman assisted me in choosing the best strings for this guitar. I left my guitar with them for a few hours ...I When I came back, I was happy to see it cleaned up and winew strings on it for me. read more

Where was the staff!!! waited over 20 minutes to find somebody. Motivated buyer with cash in hand Just wanted a good deal. The staff did not seem motivated on selling guitars at all. Would not price match pricing from sweetwater, would not negotiate one bit. So I left. read more

Dropped off a guitar I needed help setting up. It wasn't the most expensive guitar, but I couldn't quite get it set up how I wanted it. I haven't played a whole lot in my adult life, so I am sure I came off as someone not terribly knowledgeable. This is important in a moment. The staff was friendly, and so I figured I was in good hands. I got a call a few days later that it was ready, but that "a string had broken" while they were working on it, and "that's just how these things go". Is it how these things go? I've never broken a brand new string unless I was being really abusive, tuning it way higher than it was meant to be tuned - not even when really stretching out a new set of strings to keep them in tune. Anyways - no biggie, a new string should cost a dollar or two, especially since it was most likely the high E. The rest of my strings were brand new - I had told the tech I dropped it off with that it was a brand new set of strings, and he was the one who called me back to share the news about a broken string. So it should have been just one string which needed replacing. I arrive to pick up the guitar, and the tech is too busy to talk to me. Busy day I guess. I go to check out with someone else and find out, I'd been charged for a whole new set of strings at a rate of 13 dollars. You should argue if they pull the same nonsense on you. Super shady way of eking out a few more dollars out of you. I hope it was worth it for the tech who is undoubtedly seeing little if any of that 13 dollars. What really annoys me is the fact that I had elixir strings on the guitar, which run you a cool 20 dollars. They tossed a brand new set of premium strings and charged me for the privilege of crappier strings. For the record - the work itself on the guitar was fine and as expected otherwise. read more

Julia was fr the best, love a good dap up. helped us find everything that we need as well as extensive knowledge on everything on the subject matter. perfect employee, deserves a raise as soon as possible. I am yet to receive as good service in my lifetime as this. in all of my years of living. i'm seriously so grateful for the experience. read more

Guitar Center - big muff pedal - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Aurora, Illinois

I purchased a Guitar at the Aurora Guitar Center location for my granddaughters Christmas present and while I was tuning it up I snapped the E-string. I brought it in to the Aurora location and the repairman there fix me up within five minutes and said have a happy holiday no charge. Thank you so much, that's why I do my business at the Aurora Guitar Center location. read more

A friend and I came here on a weekend so he could buy an amp, pedal and look at some other items. Staff was helpful & knowledgeable (but initially tried to steer him to the costliest product in the case regarding effect boxes); they were also stretched rather thin on a Saturday afternoon. This place has all kinds of instruments, from the huge wall of guitars to the room full of every kind of imaginable percussion. Need an amp, strings, picks, straps, stools, and so on? Yup, it's here. They also do packages of music lessons, not just guitar but things like clarinet and sax as well. As stated, this place was hopping on a weekend: serious musicians as well as a swarm of about a half dozen young kids running all over with no discernible parental guidance. Given my choice in the future, I would try to come on a week day for less madness. read more

Guitar Center - Mahalo! This was going on while we were shopping - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Aurora, Illinois

Don't trade in your instrument here. You won't get a fair deal. They kept me waiting 40-45 minutes while they tried to figure out the right reference guitars online, waited for input from another store and had the guitar tech look at it. Then they told me there were fret problems (there weren't) and they would be expensive to fix. They offered me $500. I turned it down. "You won't do any better at any of our other stores." I took it to the Chicago Music Exchange and got $1400. Also Guitar Centers, regardless of location, don't seem to put any effort into making even the simplest adjustments to used or new guitars. I bought a guitar at Joliet that needed a neck adjustment. The high notes were strangled/dead. I took it into another GC and they fixed it in 10 minutes. Very helpful. It begs the question why it wasn't done before selling it. I had similar issues with the Chicago store. If it wasn't for their selection and the fact that they're located everywhere, I wouldn't deal with them at all. read more

Customer Service is a crap shoot here. It always depends on who you get. They used to have an employee who always made sure the guitars on the racks had clean strings on them and were in tune. He was the only one who did this and took it upon himself anytime. He had free time to make sure he was keeping up with the cleanliness and care of the instruments. I haven't seen him there in a while. I've been a musician since I was 14 and played and professional level bands. When I go into a guitar store and there are guitars that are priced in the upper hundreds and thousands and the strings are dirty... Might as well just be honest and say filthy and out of tune. It's discouraging because you do not get the full impression of the instrument. The last time I was there, which will be the last time I was there, I asked an employee would just spent the last 15 minutes socializing with another employee, why the strings were dirty especially on the more expensive instruments that I tried. I tried. He told me he was too busy to do it and he was the only one there that did anything like that and he had too many other responsibilities and walked away without saying anything else. If you're too good for your job, you don't deserve it. And I guess this guitar center is too good to have me as a customer. I'm sure there are many other musicians out there who have been frustrated and discouraged by the same attitude and lack of attention to cleanliness and detail with these very expensive instruments. read more

Excited about the curbside pick up option. Ordered an expensive instrument. Gift. Fighting the tail end of COVID. Followed all of the online directions to the letter. Sitting on curb 25 minutes as system says be there shortly. Then...getting your order. So masked up and in I go. Guy at register does not even look up. Real classy! Not. Two guys behind...not even a hello as they chat. Finally a guy comes up from the back of store and asks if I need help. To make a long story shorter...his phone was on charger and nobody monitoring the pickup. Says I could have called. What? Not my fault! Then asks if I want him to carry the moderately heavy instrument to my car after I explain....I have COVID loud enough for kids and parents to hear. I am 66 years old. I was disrespected multiple times. The guy from the back did apologize...thus the one extra star. This was May 2, 2023 at 4:30. So you all know who you are and get your s$$t together! read more

This is a good guitar center. Manager was attentive and helpful, stand out employee was Julia, extremely knowledgeable about pedals and amps and was really funny and incredibly helpful. Used amp selection was really good, with the best and consistent pricing I've seen in any GC. Great taste in used guitars available, with really fair pricing too. Most of the time GC is way overpriced and often labeled wrong. I'll go by this GC as often as I'll go by CME. 5 stars for this GC. read more

Once again it was time for a new keyboard. I did my research and found the one I wanted (a well respected name in KBs) at both Sweetwater and Guitar Center. I chose the Aurora store since I had been there many times before. The KB I wanted was listed on their website as an open box (which in the past has been no problem) so I ordered it to be shipped to the store. I made the 66 mile round trip, picked it up and took it home. Big mistake not checking it out at the store. There were parts missing and three keys and selection dial that did not work. Back to the store. I got no hassle, no questions, nothing but apologies for the problem and my wasted time. Ordered a NEW one. When it came in I first checked that all the parts were there. OK so far. I took it home and played it that evening. Very nice. At the rehearsal the next day 11 keys stopped working. Back to Aurora. And once again nothing but apologies for the problems I was having. In the end I settled for a Roland that is excellent and does everything I need and more. At every stage in the above I dealt with Jeremiah. From him I received the best customer service I have ever had in any company. Once again he gave me only sincere apologies for GC's mistakes and my wasted time and gas. When I assured him that none of it was his fault he replied " you may have to deal with the problem but I am the face of Guitar Center. " Like it was his responsibility alone to make things right. And he did. I could have not been happier with the service and the deal he gave me. When I have musical needs in the future my first stop will be the Aurora/Naperville IL store hopefully on days Jeremiah is working read more

Unethical. Here is why: This past weekend I stopped to purchase a guitar. I was looking at CV strats, but I saw a mid 90s MIM strat that looked just like my first guitar. It looked like it was in good condition and the price was reasonable. So I took it over to the guitar tech there in the store. I asked him to test the truss rod, makes sure it worked and was not stripped. Well, he tried it several times and the truss rod didn't work. The tech said: "Don't buy that one. Truss rod is broke." I said, "What should I do with it?" He said: "Put it back on the for sale rack. All we can do it try to sell it. Replacing the neck would cost more than the guitar." So they are going to sell this to someone who doesn't know any better, even though they know the guitar is ruined. Not good business practice. I went to another intrument store and bought a CV strat right after this. GC lost me as a customer. read more

Purchased a new Martin D-18 and the sales/service staff were knowledgeable, prompt and attentive. Matt did a great job setting up the instrument to my specification. The manager approved a couple of accessories at no charge. Overall, a great experience. For those that find the service to be poor, my advice is don't waste the shops time, come there to seriously evaluate your purchase and actually buy something. Its not a hang out, it's a business! read more

Guitar Center - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Aurora, Illinois

I personally had a great experience at this Guitar Center. It was the first time I had purchased a guitar and accessories before. Though the specific guitar I was looking for was purchased by another customer the night before, the staff was super helpful in guiding me through shipping another one from a near by store. The product came in beautiful, just like they said. I felt like the staff really sought me out in making sure I had everything I needed and didn't take advantage of my "newbie" status. read more

I contacted the business right after they responded to this review and they never got back to me. My one star review stands. We switched to school of rock. They're more flexible when things come up, they offered a scholarship and my kid performs live with the band every semester. read more

just called guitar Center for the third time spoke to a guy named Zach was finally able to assist me and find a credit when no one else before did. great job just so glad I was able to get help from someone so helpful. thank you, Zach. read more

Hope everyone's doing great, today I called this Guitar Center over an electric guitar I was interested in. As a guitar play that's only ever play acoustic guitars I had lots of questions. The representative named Carlos was extremely informative and clear about the electric Guitar I was interested in. So if anyone need advice or have questions make sure to contact Carlos. read more

Thanks again Joey for the best customer service, professionalism, and helping me find my acoustic electric guitar. I'm very excited!

I went there with intentions of putting a decent amount of money out for a guitar purchase. Went on a Thursday around 1:30 pm and they we not busy. Went back to where the expensive guitars were and walked around for a bit. Couldn't play any as they were locked up. Went to the front desk where two employees were chatting it up, not work related. I asked if either knew much about the higher end guitars. One pointed at the other, and that guy said he really only knew about electric guitars but that he would come try to help. He spent about 5 minutes with me and was not helpful at all. I was looking for a guitar with a narrower neck and he just had no idea. In the meantime another lady approached him, asking for assistance as no one had helped her and he left me. Said he would be back. About 30 minutes later I approached the counter where he was standing again. Not waiting on anyone. I told him I was disappointed that he didn't return to help me. He just shrugged his shoulders. They didn't really want to make a sale and that's okay. Won't go in the store again. It was disappointing for sure. read more

They did an excellent job setting up my guitar. I have a guitar with a Floyd Rose bridge and hate messing with those things. I could not get the action right without getting fret buzz. They took care of it in a couple of hours. read more

Typically my experience is good here but this time was terrible!!! I came here to buy drum sticks for my son. It was like a ghost town! No one helped for God knows how long!! Legit been waiting for 10 minutes!! A cashier was helping someone and then got carried away with customer. Everyone else was in hiding. Anyway, long story short, I found someone and he helped me. But today's customer service was poop. read more

That was my first time in a guitar center before. They helped me out on which kind of guitars are great for beginners and some used ones. I ended up buying a used schecter in great condition. GREAT SERVICE read more

If I wanted STONERS as my sons music instructor then I would've asked for it but NO I want professional musicians.... this place is ridiculous and over priced! Worst place to bring your children to learn how to play music! If you're a parent that cares about their children then STAY AWAY read more

I'm a beginner for the guitar so I don't know much. I bought a nylon stringed guitar and didn't love it so I went to this guitar center to trade it. They didn't offer much but the girl at the counter (she has short hair and was wearing a beanie), cleaned my guitar and then offered me suggestions on how to make the most money off it. Unbelievable customer service. Thank you! read more

I took a chance ordering a guitar online from Guitar Center(Not Aurora/Napersville). I say took a chance because GC online has quite a few mixed reviews. About 3 days went by, and became concerned. No communication whatsoever about the guitar being shipped. I started to feel like I made a mistake purchasing through GC online, and the bad reviews were there for a reason. Another thing that bothered me was I went on Ebay and ordered a standard truss rod cover AFTER my GC purchase, along with an item from another seller and received both those items before ANY communication from GC about my order :-/ Becoming more concerned, I reached out to GC online though through their support chat. I was told by the rep Stephen, they were trying to find a store to ship it from throughout their chain. Looked like it would be shipped from Miami, he said. He was very polite, and professional. However, in this day of inventory control systems and technology, I was starting to believe they didn't even have the model anymore(2016 model)? I mean, this was going on for days and there wasn't any communication from them. Also, he could not confirm they were even shipping it from there. About a day later, I received a voicemail from Bridgette at their Napersville/Aurora, Illinois location. She asked for a call back, and to ask for her, or Richard(as she would be off duty soon). I called and spoke to Richard. He confirmed the guitar was ready to go, and inspected it for me. Richard answered all of my questions, as well concerns that I had about the condition and playability of the guitar. I did not want to get a Gibson with a defect, as there are quite a few that slip past quality control. Richard reassured me all was well before the guitar was shipped. I was feeling better after speaking with him. Online instrument purchases can often be a crapshoot, and many wise people are totally against it. In this case though, I'd like to thank Richard and Bridgette for the communication, professionalism, integrity, honesty, and great service. The guitar arrived packed well, as advertised, and ready to go. Safely arriving to NY. Thank you both for the great service, and I truly hope that your boss realize that you are both assets to Guitar Center. Your professionalism was a complete 180, from the online site. read more

I've shopped this location many times, and usually I tell people do your research before you come in. Most often, the help can't help you with specifics. My last purchase was an $899 Epiphone Prophecy Flying V. It was a brand new instrument. After I completed my purchase, I asked if they had the shipping box that the guitar came in. I was told no, they compact the boxes and throw them out once the guitars go on the wall. Maybe that's true, but over the past year I purchased two Gibson Les Paul's from other GC locations and was always offered the boxes the guitars came in along with the cases. I offered to purchase a gig bag to carry the guitar home in. I was told they don't stock gig bags for 'exotic' shapes. I had to take my new instrument home with no protection (I guess shame on me for not planning ahead and bringing a bag with me, but it was an impulse buy). Luckily I had a blanket in my car that I was wrap the guitar in. I went to order a hard case for it, and was told they were on back order, and put me on a list to get called when they got them back in at the warehouse. Never got a call, and within a couple of days, Amazon delivered the exact same case in one day. read more

Ok, so here's the deal. I stopped out at this guitar center in Naperville because I happened to be driving past it and I've been looking for a specific acoustic guitar. From the moment I walked in with my son (age 2) I received nothing but cold glares from most of the employees. Those that weren't looking at me as though i was the most dismissible human being on the planet had that nervous look in their eye that said "Oh Christ, I hope he doesn't let the rug rat touch any of our stuff" While I recognize that their cooler than thou airs, their tattoo designs (dude, this one's Chinese and it means...) and their ironic faux-hawk hairstyles are as mandatory for employment at guitar center as is the omnipresent lack of knowledge about the product lines they represent, I'd probably be able to swallow the whole bitter pill a little easier if they weren't in NAPERVILLE. Seriously kids, you're not in 1992 Seattle or 1972 Manhattan. You're in Naperville. 5 years ago your store was a corn field and you were in Jr. High. At any rate, I walk into the acoustic room and was greeted by a nervous little guy who asked if I could be helped. The exchange went a little something like this: Me: Yeah, I'm looking for a X series 000 or Orchestra model Martin with a cutaway. Nervous little guy: Uhhh? Me: One of the Martin's with the HPL back and sides and a spruce top NLG: Dude, I don't think they make those Me: Dude, they do. NLG: Well if you dig those, have you tried Taylors? Me: Yes I have, and I assume that means you don't have the Martin NLG: You should try a Taylor. Me: I have, and if you don't have the Martin, that's cool. Just say so. NLG: Because the Taylors are really awesome. Me: Ya know... I think we're just gonna look around... someplace... else. After that, I brought my son into the drum room. He'd been so patient up to that point that i was going to buy him something as a treat, a little egg shaker or some other rhythm instrument. I found exactly what i was looking for (child sized plastic maracas) on the counter, and grabbed a pair for my son and another for his cousin who we were on our way to go visit. I stood at the counter for 5 minutes while the guy behind the counter carried on a conversation with another guy behind the counter about all of the cool things they were going to add on to their drum kits when they saved up the dough. About 45 seconds into my wait one of them approached the computer on the counter to look up a part number for the dream kit they were gonna build and i interjected with "Can I just pay for these?" His response: "Dude you gotta chill, I'm right in the middle of something" We walked out, but not after putting the maracas back where we found them. I'd hate to make anyone there do anything that resembled work. I'm generous like that. read more

Normally I hate Guitar Centers because they employ cut throat salesman who know nothing about musical equipment, view you as a quick sale, and provide terrible customer service. This particular guitar center is different and a diamond in the rough.... I have been to this store numerous times and I've been very impressed! Everyone who's helped me in this store has either been exceptionally knowledgeable regarding the products they've shown me, or immediately directed me to someone who is an expert on any respective product. They've spent time with me answering my questions and didn't blow me off when other customers entered the store like I've experienced at other guitar centers. I have to give props to Alex Benitez-he sold me some fantastic equipment and was honest and thorough throughout the entire process. If you want some great customer service, speak with Alex. He's a straight shooter.... read more

I will never like shopping at a place like this. A place that takes money out of the hands of the local mom and pop stores. They force brands like Fender to not allow anyone within a certain mile range to sell their products. That being said, just like every other Musician out there, I've had to shop here for somethings. I don't blame that on the individuals in the store. Not the people selling stuff. I blame it on their corporate, so I'll just judge them by what I've seen. Jeremy is a great guy. If you need something, he's a great resource. Also I've taken classes here on how to use Garage Band, that were 100% free and 100% got me creative again. So, mixing the good with the bad I will say they get 3 stars. They serve a purpose I wish we didn't need, but if you do need them.... they usual can get the job done right. If you know who to talk to. read more

At the time of this writing there are three reviews for this Guitar Center. Two reviewers gave it only one star, and one review gave it four stars. I'm going to give it two stars for the following reasons: The customer service is beyond bad. It SUCKS. What makes the customer service so bad? Good question. a. . It is obvious that the staff works on commission, and that they are far more concerned with making a big sale, than getting the customer what he / she wants at the best possible price. As evidenced by the attempts to upsell to more expensive items that most people do not need. When they try to upsell they will say things like "This is the industry standard." "This is a piece of equipment you can grow into." "This is what I / my band uses." "There is more prestige with this brand." I could go on but I'm sure that you get the point. I feel that when a customer walks into a story knowing what they want, the staff is allowed to make a suggestion if there is a "better" option. However, if the customer says they are not interested in said "better" option the staff should not continue to try to sell said "better" option... Maybe I'm crazy... b. The staff is really in your face, always asking if you need help. That might seem like an odd thing to complain about, but I don't like being offered help three or more times in the span of 15 minutes. c. When you ask a question about something I believe (but can't prove) that the staff will often just make something up. Often the thing they make up is to try and convince you to buy a "better" item. Having said all that, it would be irresponsible for me not to mention that this store does have a very good selection of merchandise. The large selection is what saved them from getting only one star. In the end: If you know what you want, and don't mind having to fend off over zealous sales people who work on commission this is a good place to go. But if there is an alternative go to that place first. read more

In contrast to the review below, I found the guys at Guitar center very willing to help and trying to accomadate any concerns I had. Even let me use the customer serivce computer to check out the reviews and stats on some items. Granted, I didn't have a kid....everyone knows expensive musical equipment hates kids. Many a Stratocaster has been know to magically move under it's own power and trip small children when it's owner isn't around. On the downside, I found their DJ equipment selection to be alright, although not very expansive....if one is buying that gear, then going online or Audiolines in Chicago is a much better deal.However, the guitar center guys can bend their prices for you if your persuasive. read more

Awesome store! Came in here to buy a X-mas present and wanted to start playing! Helpful employees, very friendly! Everything imaginable for your music needs! read more

If you worked in a retail store and a customer asked you a question that you didn't know the answer to, what would you do? Look it up on the computer database? Ask a manager? Apparently, the procedure at Guitar Center is to just make something up. I've run into this mostly regarding effects pedals. Their sales guys have tried to tell me that Boss pedals are true bypass (none of them are). And once, they tried to sell me a "vintage 1950's Big Muff" (these were not made until 1969). They don't seem to lie to try and trick you, they just flat out don't know anything about their inventory. I went in looking for a tube amp and the guy leads me towards a Marshall MG (solid state). Are you telling me that you work at a guitar store and don't know basic information about the best-selling line of amps from the most popular amp manufacturer in the world? So why have I been there more than once if I hate it so much? There's lots of stuff you just can't find at other music stores. Guitar Center has more microphones, recording equipment and effects pedals than anyone else. They're simply the only store that carries a lot of this equipment. When I go into a Guitar Center, I've taken to lobbing a few softball questions at the associate I'm being hounded by to see if he knows his ass from a hole in the ground before I proceed with any real questions. To top it all off, the staff here is way more obnoxious than any store I've ever been to. Prepare to be bombarded by 3 associates at once. read more

I rarely ask sales people for help, but this gentleman insisted on asking me questions and making recommendations. So when I mentioned I needed a 1/4 stereo to 3.5mm patch cable for a headphone amp, he insisted I didn't need stereo and gave me a mono patch cable, assuring me this was needed for headphone amps (which the store itself was sold out). It threw me for a spin at the store, how he could be so adamant on the mono cable, and it wasn't until I tested it out that I realized he was full of it. Sound only out of the left earpiece. I know the store is in Aurora, but it should relocate to Grrrr Ridge. read more

Started playing guitar two weeks ago and went to a few stores to find the right beginner acoustic guitar. I found what I was looking for at a decent price but wondered around for awhile before I was helped. I went back again for a finger strengthener to learn chords and the same thing happened. I asked a lot of questions about tips for starting and what I would need and they weren't informative at all I had to go back for more flexible picks too. Will be looking for another music store in town with better customer service. I came back and had a much better experience got helped by 2 people and was very happy ! read more

I love this store. I don't care if the sales people are commissioned, at least they're not slimey used car sales people. The employees at this store know when to leave you alone and when to hover. They do a good job at finding the right mix of products for you to preview. I have spent hours (and lots of dollars) in this store playing high end bass guitars. Not only can you preview guitars that you normally would never be able to play or buy unless you win the lottery, but the store is a a great meeting space for aspiring musicians. It's cool all around. Granted, every now and then you get the Bon Jovi fan in there... rot in &%$# Bon Jovi fan!!! The store is a little cramped, but well stocked. The prices are right where they should be. Only a FEW bad experiences with commission sales people - what do you expect from them... each sale is food on their table. They are two types of commissions sales people - jerks that don't take no for an answer and the ones that build relationship over time, know when to leave you alone and when to check in with you. This store is pretty cool all around. I typically don't like chains, but when you go to a family guitar shop you instantly get the evil eye from the owner if you even touch a product... Here, they don't care. That makes things a lot more comfortable for me. read more

RIP OFF!!! I spoke to salesperson yesterday about a wireless microphone. He had what I needed and said that I could use a coupon for 15% off...Went to the store today...and was told I couldn't use it for this product...I drove 30 miles round trip...The manager told me that there was nothing he could do about it. Beau...I appreciate you responding...if you truly care about your customers and being honest with them...then you should speak with someone above you to rectify the situation...You shouldn't pass me off to an email address...that is poor customer service. Your company is welcome to contact me...I have already tweeted and post on Facebook in regards to this read more