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Music Gallery Perhaps the only complete Diamond Collection left in the World, and certainly the only one for sale, these guitars have never been sold or even left the shop. Each guitar includes its special flight case and/or gig bag and comes with everything it originally shipped with from the Fender Custom Shop starting in 1994. If you have spent any time perusing Matt's Blog, or our guitar listings, you may have come across my articles about specific tone woods like Alder, Ash, Spruce, Maple, Ebony, etc. A term that comes up in all those articles is Janka Scale.
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The Music Gallery of Highland Park opened in 1974 as a guitar store, and has stayed true to a simple but demanding concept ever since: serve the guitar player. Regardless of whether you are shopping for your first guitar or a one of a kind Fender Custom Shop Strat, our service should and will be the same.
Located in the Chicago suburb Highland Park, The Music Gallery's main goal is total customer satisfaction, and we stand behind all of our guitar repairs 100%. Unlike most guitar repair shops, our focus is customer service. We have been in business since 1974 and have handled over 100,000 guitar and instrument repairs in that time.
Learn about our Plek Machine Process! The playability of a guitar depends on how well dressed its frets are. Poorly crowned or flat frets are a usual suspect for a buzzing, poor intonation, and the guitar choking out notes especially while bending strings. Doing a level and crown previously required hours of work by a skilled luthier, with a keen eye, fresh files, and strong arms.
Refretting your guitar is a scary thing. But it's also a badge of honor. If you can wear out a set of frets, it's because you log long hours playing that instrument. It's probably your favorite guitar and as a result, it see's more hand-time than your other guitars. We have been refretting guitars for decades but our process has never been better, faster, and more accurate than it is right now.
Reviews (26)
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Joe R.
Mar 31, 2022
Can't recommend this shop enough. In one week, two of my older guitars (1940s/1960s) had significant issues - a hard-to-find tuner was lost and huge cracks appeared in the body of the acoustic. The repair team at the Music Gallery fixed both, and at a reasonable price. In fact, they saved the beautiful old acoustic from certain decomposition. Now both sound great!
Richard Kaempflein
Mar 13, 2022
Excellent experience, I Picked up a Custom shop telecaster at the Music Gallery. The set up on the guitar was perfect right off the rack. The staff was very professional. Thank you Frank and staff!
Mark Latta
Mar 10, 2022
As far as Luthiers. George is incredible. Any issues that you may have with guitars. He will make sure it's 100 percent!.Also the whole crew that works there are extremely friendly. No wannabe rock stars here. Only pros that really know what they're doing!
Matt O.
Dec 17, 2021
Great selection of used Martin guitars. Have used them since 2003 for purchase and trade. Wonderfully helpful owner and staff!
Ray M.
Jun 12, 2021
Amazing guitar store and repair shop. I have had three guitars worked on and Chip does an incredible job. He is a true craftsman. The people who run the store are lovely, the selection is great and I highly recommend you check it out.
Jeremy B.
Apr 22, 2021
Really great spot for guitar repairs and setups. A little on the higher side though. I think a setup is $60. The place itself is relatively small but has an amazing collection of guitars. Not the kind of place though you go just to try guitars. Acoustic room is under lock and key. Overall not a bad place.
Jonathan Barker
Apr 20, 2021
Over the past 15 years I have purchased 8 guitars from Frank at the MG. Some purchases have involved trades back of previously purchased guitars. Every transaction has been a great pleasure. I have always been treated fairly know the prices are better than I could have gotten anywhere. Service is superb. Guitars are returned playing like new at a fair price.

Instrument selection is outstanding, each piece something you would actually want to play not just obscure stuff taking up wall space. If you are beginner looking for a quality intro instrument to an enthusiast looking for something high end, the Music Gallery is the place to go.
Stephen A.
Apr 03, 2021
These guys are absolutely great. I found them online looking for some impossible to get guitar strings. I needed some 8 string baritone Elixirs which have been discontinued for the foreseeable future due to lack of material. They had several sets on hand which I was able to purchase immediately and were shipped to me with lightning quick speed from Chicago to WA.

Customer service is fantastic as I needed to speak to them a few times to order several packs of these strings. Their call back time is fast and the staff beyond courteous. These guys are helpful in every way possible. I will definitely be back!
Russell Tkach
Feb 09, 2021
Hello, my name is Russell. I think the Music gallery is the best place for both professionals and beginner guitarists! It's not so easy to find really professional people's for maintenance, repair and setting up guitars. So, Music gallery is that place! Especially thanks to Mr Chip Jurkovac He's making my American Fender Stratocaster absolutely professional. Just love it.
Pete P.
Jan 07, 2021
I made my first but not last purchase from the Music Gallery today and was very impressed with every aspect of my interactions! They have a fantastic collection of quality instruments on hand but the service harkens back to the days of the guitar hero, a cut above the rest! The owner introduced me to his staff and showed me around his store. They spent time talking w me although the sale was made prior to my arrival.

After nearly 50 years in business this place is a gem that was hidden from me for too long. Even tho my travel time is a hour to location I will be back for sales and service. Their tech has been there over 3 decades and knows his craft like a scholar. I thank everyone at The Music Gallery for my outstanding experience today! Top draw professionals
Marlon Longid
Oct 25, 2020
I worked with The Music Gallery to procure my first custom Martin guitar and I must say that it truly was a pleasure working with them. Frank and his staff are very knowledgeable and their prices are quite good. Be ready for an amazing bespoke guitar experience!
John M.
May 05, 2020
I was looking for a custom shop 63 stratocaster and Frank hooked me up with an absolutely amazing sonic blue. It was strat set up perfectly out of case with a plek. Frank was very patient and was willing to go the extra mile in customer service. This is one of the best playing and sounding strats I've ever had. I won't hesitate to buy from them again.
Len L.
Apr 23, 2020
You can get a great selection of guitars in one small spot. Music Gallery has helpful staff and cool instruments. There is a wide range of choices from entry level to custom shop crafted. I personally do not see the rational for buying relic (pre-used?) guitars but someone must like them and MG has plenty. I've had repairs and tune ups on my Rickenbackers and MG does fine and reasonable cost work. Recommend!
Patti Douglas
Feb 23, 2020
The Music Gallery is the top music store in Illinois. The go to place for instrument repairs and set-up and they have the best selection of Fender and Martin guitars and other top brands. They have been in business since the seventies and they know how to treat their customers. Frank, George and Chip are at the top of their game. The best in the business. I have used them for over twenty years and will continue to recommend them. Their knowledge and experience beats all others. Give them your business they have earned mine.
Heavy G.
Feb 07, 2020
They do ok repair work, but where I think they fall down is listening to what a player wants instead of assuming they know. A regular setup job might work for 80-90% of players out there, but not all. Now I'll be looking at another bill for rework at a different shop.
Bill H.
Nov 17, 2019
The finest guitar shop in Illinois. Boutique doesn't begin to describe the level of finery contained. Amazing, deeply knowledgeable staff that have been there forever, heard and seen everything, and will never lead you astray. They are fully capable of any and all guitar repairs/refinishing/assembly/etc. They carry the finest custom shop instruments as a standard, and have high end pedals, accessories, and all the minutiae associated with guitars.

Very focused inventory, for the professional and hobbyist, you will find your dream guitar here. I have two Stratocasters from here, and can't imagine a better experience, they have a customer for life.
John B.
Aug 27, 2019
Best guitar shop I've ever been too. I'm a Telecaster guy and Matt knows more about teles than anyone I've ever talked to in a guitar shop. Great selection, plenty of private spaces to try out guitars, and unmatched customer service. Frank, the owner, is friendly, knowledgeable, and knows his business. This is the kind of shop you feel lucky to be able to visit.
Phillip A.
Jul 28, 2019
George Plek'd my guitar and set it up - and did an excellent job. Top notch, couldn't ask for better or friendlier service. He clearly loves what he does and spent plenty of time showing me the Plek machine and how it works. Very awesome! If you value your instrument - it's in good hands here. I highly recommend the Plek, great price and an immediately noticeable difference! My neck feels great and my guitar sounds awesome. Very happy!
M. M.
Jan 19, 2019
Exceptional in every possible way. An extremely upscale brick and mortar shop with some of the friendliest staff. Being new to the guitar world, these people who sell guitars that cost more than most cars on a day to day, made me feel welcome and treated me with the up most respect. Although I'm a ways away from the level of most of the guitars there, they have a great selection of entry level guitars from top brands and accessories with prices that rival if not beat online. Definitely a wonderful business. I look forward to being a customer for years to come.
Nathan W.
Jun 21, 2018
After nearly 30 years of playing, this is the only place I trust with my guitars. I've tried other places in the Chicago area and nothing comes close. Chip and George have been doing superior work on my guitars since the early 90's, and the price is extremely reasonable. They do their best to fix any anomalies and don't ever try to up sell you on things you don't need.

They will call you personally and talk you through any additional work that may need to get done and will do everything they can to keep the price down and assure your axe is in top shape. Their pricing on guitars and amps are also extremely reasonable (considering the high quality of their inventory) and their staff knows the gear they sell like the back of their hand.

Their business model of high-end boutique guitars and amps has not caused them to steer away from second-to-none customer service. This is something almost impossible to find at any other store I've been to in the country. I also took lessons here way back in high school from some of the best teachers in the business. This too has not changed in the last 25 years.
Shira C.
Mar 14, 2018
I always wanted to take guitar lessons. When I finally decided it was time, I was referred to Music Gallery. and I'm SO glad I was. I love my weekly lessons, the owners / staff are so friendly and helpful. It has a close knit friends feel to it. They have a ton of beautiful guitars and accessories. And what they don't have, they gladly order. I'd highly recommend!
Tom J.
Sep 07, 2017
I bought a core PRS "Paul's Guitar" model at Music Gallery. The guys there are friendly and knowledgeable. They set it up well. They even took the time to put me in a separate room with the model of amp (Mesa) to allow me the opportunity to try it out! I can only recommend them unconditionally!
John C.
Sep 02, 2017
I've frequented this store doing business with Frank since 1976. So far I've used his repair service's 3 times, once for an amp, twice on acoustic instruments. My experiences through the years have always been that I've always gotten exactly what I had hoped for them to do and at a fair price. What more would anybody want? One time in '76, when i'm sure the business was new and in need of capitol, I put an instrument on "lay away". Ha! I let it languish there for five weeks. Frank gave what money I had given to him as a deposit back to my irresponsible self!
Carolyn S.
Apr 23, 2016
Zero stars for these assholes. Pretentiousness to cut with a knife in this place. So glad I gave them not a cent and purchased my son's $5K PRS from an out of town dealer.
Zachary H.
Jan 07, 2016
I've bought 10 guitars from The Music Gallery since I started playing about 15 years ago. The level of service and knowledge that you'll find here is absolutely second to none. It's a wonderful place to spend some time, they are very friendly and also have some of the most unique and incredible guitars you'll ever see. I could go and on, but do yourself a favor and go check them out for yourself!
Charlie P.
Aug 16, 2013
The staff is extremely knowledgable & their inventory is great, what more could you ask? I recently purchased a guitar from this shop, and spent three days trying out guitars until I decided on the right one. Along the way, my sales manager Dave helped me with suggestions & empathized with me on why I disliked certain guitars. The store sells it all, but I think their biggest selling point is the selection of Fender Custom Shop (Team & Masterbuilt) guitars. There is a bigger selection than I've seen at any other store, and they're not afraid to order guitars in colors other than black and blonde!