I had the owner set up an older used Larivee that I bought from another Evanston guitar shop where I was told it couldn't be set better than it was. Hogseye turned a good guitar into a great one for relatively little money. read more

Jim is one of the best you can possibly have to work on your guitar. I have been bringing my 1970 Martin D-35 in to Hog Eye for several decades and he does a wonderful job at repairing all the little and big things that happen to an instrument as it ages. Not only that, Jim is the nicest guy in the world. I highly recommend you bring your acoustic instruments in to Hog Eye for repair or tune up or if you're looking to buy something to play that's made out of wood. read more

The owner Jim, is indeed a salty character- but behind it is absolute wizardry and passion. Jim is a legend- whether he has helped you tremendously with your instrument or been memorably gruff, his shop is an institution not to be missed. read more

the old man that runs the shop has a bad attitude like he's got nothing to learn from anybody. real obnoxious. and he can't see too well... so he can't do repairs like he might have used to... time to close your hog eye read more

Knowledgeable single owner doing his best for people who like to make music. Treat him with respect and he'll take care of you and your instruments. read more

I visited this place a month or two ago while up in Evanston. It's a great little shop! As James said, it feels like a place that you would find in a small town. They have a love of real folk music. They carry a fantatsic selection of guitars, and are glad to let you have a test run. A friend plays the hammered dulcimer, and they let him play for at least a half hour, trying out the instrument and different hammers. The store mainly caters to instrumentalists, though there is also a few folios of vocal music. I was able to find a nice collection of great Christmas carols, some well-known and some a little less popular. If you love music and are curious about music and instruments that the common people would play, this is a great store to explore. read more

If I was able to give zero stars, or maybe even negative I would love to. I've lived in Evanston my entire life, and guitar playing and collecting is my biggest hobby. Today, at 10:55 i walked in to buy a guitar, of course if I found the right one. I first asked the older gentleman behind the counter how long he's had his shop, and he told me since the 70s. I was fascinated and excited to look at some of the instruments he had to offer. I said "hey sir, do you mind if i play this guitar" and i pointed at a 'cort' hanging right in front of me (which i could easily grab). Instead of responding to my question, the man looks at me confused, he asks "are you gonna buy a guitar". I respond and say "well maybe if I find the right one" and this guy says "well maybe come back another time when you're going to buy one" Well... sir, i hope you are reading this. I'm not sure what I did to give you the impression I was just, as you put it 'wasting time', but I wanted to get an instrument. You were condensing, I'm very glad I didnt give you my money today. In fact, I'm glad I've lived here my whole life and never heard of your shop. Don't be an A-HOLE to customers. Additionally, there is about 15 guitars on the wall, corts, Taylor's, and a sigma. Drive further and go to guitar works. Thank me later. read more

Bought a used lefty Martin (not from Hogeye) and had it shipped from Connecticut. It arrived with a split in the top. Called Martin and they recommended Hogeye. Jim did a fantastic job! They'll get my business from now on and I'm happy to recommend them any time!!! read more

Jim Craig is an outstanding luthier and I can't recommend him strongly enough for high end stringed instrument repair service in the Chicagoland Area. He's worked on several of my guitars and has always exceeded my expectations. If you want your instruments playing at their highest level, take them to Hogeye. They also have a fine selection of instruments, sheet music, and accessories. I love this place! read more

I've been going to this store since late 90's and had nothing, but excellent experience. Jim (the owner) may seem a little unfriendly at first. But it's only because he doesn't talk a lot. When it comes to getting your instrument repaired or adjusted you'll be hard pressed to find a professional of his level. I highly recommend Hog Eye music! And this recommendation comes from someone who does basic repairs and adjustments himself and plays actively for over 35 years. The store is unique in the way that it has a look and feel of old-time stores from first half of 20th century. At least this is what they look like in movies. Very strong vintage vibe. And very interesting selection of acoustic instruments from guitars to dulcimers. Plenty of music related literature too. If for nothing else this store worth visiting just to see something unusual and may be buy a little something, like strings or an accessory to support a one of a kind music place. read more

After recently getting in to quality acoustic guitars (played electric for decades and had a cheapo acoustic) I felt that my new Martin and then my new Guild weren't playing as nice as I would expect. Jim did a setup on my mahogany Martin so it plays like butter now. Then he took a minute to tweak the neck on my Guild and I am one happy picker/strummer. Best money ever spent for sure. Amazing what a decent setup can do for you. Jim is helpful and informative. So happy to have Hogeye in the neighborhood. read more

After living in the neighborhood for 8 years and ignoring this unassuming little shop, I finally came in and decided to start taking blues lessons here. I've been coming into the shop now every week for a year and after having Jim go the extra mile on a repair to my 40 year old Guild D35, and watching the loving care he puts into all of his repairs, I couldn't recommend him more highly. I know several professionals that only trust Jim with their acoustic guitars. read more

I've been going to Hogeye for years. Jim, the owner, is a great luthier / repairman. When it comes to acoustic stringed instrument repair or setup you'll be hard pressed to find a better place to go to. Also the store worth visiting! It's like going 100 years back in time. Lot's of interesting stuff. Highly recommend. I personally never took lessons there, but I've heard only good things about that aspect of Hogeye business as well. read more

Well... for repairs, as well as for the purchase of new or used guitars, there just ain't no better!... and probably damned few that might even marginally approach... being close to even half-way as good! Hogeye Music is one of those ever more un-ordinary (and so becoming quite rare) stringed instrument shops... where close attention to even the smallest of details, and Old Time craftsmanship... coupled closely with a great deal of patience, and integrity... all coincide to place your purchase, or repair in two of the best skilled hands in Heaven's Midwest. (And your purse shall be happy, as well. :) Jim Craig (and I can only hope that I have spelled his last name correctly) has been playing, and singing, and repairing guitars for donkey's years, and always doing a consummately damned fine job of it! (The Martin Guitar Company thinks so, as well... and they aren't known for being slipshod in their assessments. :) As noted in other reviews here, there is a wide range of quality new, used, and vintage stringed instrument ready at hand, as well as other varieties of percussion and wind instruments available on site. And, there are many fine (and affordable) music books!... covering a wide range of genres... waiting on the shelf... and others that may be ordered. The last plum in this happy cake... is that you may have your instrument properly and accurately assessed, and be issued a letter of judgement and present value, should that be needed for insurance coverage. And, finally, were you in the old Greenwich Village, in the late '50s and the early 60's, where I lived, and played the guitar, and sang, you would have then been able... to spend Time... in such a shop... But, and now, and apparently, there must be a TARDIS lurking about, somewhere, for all that now must be done to so travel... is to sojourn to 1920 Central Street, in Evanston, Illinois, and open that door... and enter that portal... read more

Love this place. When walkin' in it's like walkin' into a place you would find in some small town in the deep south 100 years ago. I didn't see any electric guitars or drums. Just Acoustic music makers. If you play moutain music, bluegrass or that of, this place is for you. It's small but I'm sure they have what you'd like. They did for me! read more

On the Martin Guitar website, I found a factory authorized repair facility in Evanston called Hogeye Music. Never heard of them before, but went in and told him of my complaint with the sound of my Martin. I had all intentions of leaving it there, but he told me to wait a few minutes. Five minutes later he confirmed that the neck rod needed to be adjusted and that if I would wait another ten minutes which I did. The poor sound was gone, and when I asked how much he told me "Martin takes care of me, I try to take care of their customers". I didn't buy the guitar from him, but you wouldnt have known it by the treatment I received. I'm a customer for life. Thanks Jim! read more

I was doing my last-minute shopping on Christmas Eve and still needed a guitar stand for my son. I found Hogeye on Yelp! and was only a couple miles away, so I called and confirmed that they had guitar stands, found out they were closing in 45 minutes, and ran right over. What a cool place! I was wishing I had more time to hang out and look around. As I walked in, the scent of the old wooden floor reminded me of the old hardware store I used to go to with my dad as a kid. I think I talked to the owner, because I bought a couple jaw harps and he wryly observed that his cost to buy them was a quarter higher for the kind with Snoopy on the box, even though both boxes contained exactly the same instrument. He was very pleasant and helpful, showing me the different models of guitar stand and explaining which he liked best and why. Very nice guy. They have an eclectic selection of CDs -- from Celtic harp to folk to jazz and blues -- and a little bit of everything else acoustic. Next time I go I'll make sure I have some extra time to just hang out and explore. Oh, and contrary to what the Yelp! listing says, they do take credit cards now. Great little shop! read more

LOVE this shop. Every person I've encountered in there has been so pleasant and helpful, from the owner to the younger cashier to the folks that teach lessons out of the basement. I bought a banjo here a few years ago, and they helped me pick out a perfect one even though I had never played and had no idea what to look for. Good selection of music and CDs, too. read more

As one of the few remaining indie music shops in the Chicago area, Hogeye is frequented by many local folk music fanatics and bluegrass enthusiasts. Upon walking into Hogeye, you get the sense that you've left Evanston and are in a small town somewhere, as one of the other reviewers noted. Acoustic jazz circa 1930s plays throughout the store, and an old nostalgic smell lingers in the air. No other store I've been to in Evanston has a charm quite like Hogeye; its character alone warrants a visit. They also have a very good selection of new and used acoustic guitars, banjos, mandolins, dobros, and other folk instruments. Jim, the owner, does terrific repair work on all types of instruments and stands behind the products he sells. Although I've never taken lessons at the store, a number of my friends do and speak very highly of the teachers. To sum it up, if you play folk music, this place should be a no-brainer. read more

Had a great experience. Bought a Bristol guitar. The young man at the store did a blind test for us. Played the same tune on different guitars. I liked one and my wife liked the one we bought. Very happy with the purchase and vibe at the store. read more

This guitar repair place mishandled my guitar and caused a big crack to be placed inside my martin OMJM guitar. Horrible exeprience and I will never and I mean never step foot into the store again. I advise you do the same. read more

I gotta call Jim and thank him for the amazing repair he did on my 1978 Martin HD 28. I almost gave up on it, but he has it sounding better than brand new. His dedication to 'the instrument' humbles me. read more

great place , and jim is very knowledgeble about old acoustics... gibsons etc......bought a number of instruments from hogeye.....2 guitars , 1 mandolin, a great 74 blonde guild jumbo read more

My husband gave me a brand new Lanikai tenor ukulele as a gift. From the day I received it, I played it every day. After about four months, I realized that the action was too high (others would have known immediately, but it is my first stringed instrument, you see). Well, I took it to the big national chain store from where it was purchased, and I asked about the action. They agreed that it was too high, but they told me that it would cost a lot of money to adjust it, and that I would be better off buying a new ukulele. Bummer. I took my dear ukulele home and started doing research, wondering if I could possibly adjust it myself. Thought better of it. But fortunately, during my research, by chance, I found Hogeye. We live about an hour away, so I called the store and made an appointment to take my instrument in. Jim adjusted the action while I waited, charging me just a bit for his time. I took the ukulele home and found that I could easily play notes that I had been struggling to play. So happy! Hogeye has yet another customer for life. read more

Just what you want in an acoustic/folk music shop. From new instruments and accessories to the highest level of instrument service, I always leave this shop feeling great. I have twice brought in old instruments for evaluation and any recommended repairs (classical guitar and ukulele) and each time i've been pleasantly surprised by both the quality of work and reasonable pricing. Compared to big chain music stores it's like walking into a music shop in TV's Mayberry. Jim is the real deal. read more

One of two fine guitar shops in Evanston, Hogeye is the place for acoustic guitarists. Owner Jim Craig is the real deal, a fine musician and very helpful. Brought my freshman at NU nephew in last week to find his first guitar and Jim was patient and interested. We left with a guitar and my nephew was a happy guy! read more

I've been shopping at Hogeye since the 1980's and found it a wonderful place. High-quality instruments, knowledgeable owner and staff, great repair work, fair prices. Excellent teachers, as well. I've bought several banjos, guitars and concertinas here over the years, sold some instruments on consignment, had repair work done and taken lessons from the teachers. It's always been a good experience. read more

Jim fixed my Taylor which had a big hurt on it. He mended it well and for a fair price. It's a fine shop and they get my highest recommendation. read more

My parents took my siblings and me to this store when we all lived in Evanston in the 80's (I was no more than 5 years old). My mother bought us harmonicas a few times... instruments we could "master" in an hour or several! This store used to have a mechanical pig out front that we kids would ride for a quarter... on a recent visit to Evanston I learned that the pig was actually inside the store.... but I digress. My mother is still a professional musician, and remembers this store fondly. Places like this are few and far between. I bought a music book last time I popped in... please keep this gem alive! Hello to Scout! read more

I walked in their business and was yelled and treated poorly by an older tall slim man. They have nice guitars and I wanted to test run one of them which I really liked but I decided not to ask him permission in order to avoid any uncomformities towards him. What sucks is that I am looking to sign for guitar lessons and I guess they offer them, I wish I could be consider worthy to walk in their place. read more