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Goodtime Music strives to offer each and every one of our customers the highest value at a fair price. We take pride in providing a large selection of the best acoustic and electric guitars, bass guitars, amplification, effects/pedals, and instrument accessories -- devotedly evaluating and stocking quality American-made and internationally renowned products that we would want to play (and of course own) ourselves. Take a close look at the manufacturers we represent. In the Chicago area, we believe "A World-Class Guitar Shop in the Northwest Suburbs" is by no means bravado.
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Here at Goodtime Music, we understand the importance of music education. Our lesson program is one way we try to put somethingback into the world of music. We feel that we are keeping something alive that is important to us as well as everyone else in our community. To accomplish this, we have established a lesson program that will allow us to provide a pleasant, organized, and professional learning environment for all students.
Goodtime Music is happy to entertain offers for trade-ins on various pieces of music gear, such as guitars (electric and acoustic), basses, and guitar or bass amps. The piece must be in good working order, and free of permanent damage that affects functionality, i.e. no warped/twisted necks on guitars.
Reviews (19)
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Paul Adams
May 22, 2022
Pat was very helpful, unfortunately he was out of stock of the item I needed. Would definitely go back for any of my future needs.
Ed
Mar 27, 2022
Nice selection of guitars and accessories, knowledgeable sales staff thanks for letting me test the PRS.
Dog Love
Feb 13, 2022
Got my acoustical guitar repaired. Wonderful results and staff knows their stuff! I appreciate the job on my guitar and advice. Will definitely go here again!
Jacob Kennedy
Jan 19, 2022
This place has been run by the founders for almost 30 years and it's got to be the highest quality guitar shop I've been in. They only sell the best products and will help you with ANYTHING you need. What good guys, they both helped out however they could.
Chris Navarrete
Jan 08, 2022
Pat is very good for customer service, and will take care of you with your guitar needs or amps
T. W. Rowley Ii
Nov 28, 2021
I've been going to Pat and Jim since the early 90's and trust no one else. They are the best around. Knowledgeable, personality and workmanship is top notch. Go to these guys for all your needs. From set ups to strings, these guys are the kings!
John Cicchiani
Oct 21, 2021
I brought my Taylor 800 series Acoustic in for a realignment. Poor guitar sat for about 2 years unhumidified and had some buzzing in the strings. They definatly know their stuff. They filed down my frets to smooth out the neck and readjusted the neck. I got it back and after a day, it was buzzing again. I took it right back in and they readjusted it on the spot. No more buzzing. Good people and good service.
Miguel & Beatriz Azpeytia Rojas
Oct 13, 2021
Vwry knowledgeable and a very good guitar instructor. I AM LEARNING ALOT. WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
Mark O.
Sep 12, 2020
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!
L. W.
Sep 05, 2020
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.
Aly R.
Dec 14, 2019
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.
Lloyd Witt
Apr 12, 2019
I love this place. It's a fantastic Guitar and Amp shop. They know their stuff. If you are having any issues with your equipment, they can help you out.
Matthew G.
Aug 29, 2018
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!
Rob B.
Jul 03, 2018
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!
Rob S.
Mar 09, 2018
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
David H.
Dec 14, 2017
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!
John T.
Jul 14, 2017
Last year a set up was $40.00. Recently I brought one of my guitars in for a set up. Strings were buzzing and the set up was very poor. $50.00 for this. And I brought my own strings. So that's it for this place. I had two of my sons going here also. No more. They lost 3 customers.
Christopher K.
Aug 29, 2016
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.
David G.
Feb 24, 2016
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+