Dr Woods Guitar Emporium

Best guitar shop in McHenry County! I bring my guitars to Dr. Woods anytime I need a setup or electronics work done. The staff is very friendly. Every time I go here, I've had great conversations with whomever is working the desk. Usually, I like to be in and out of stores, but I look forward to chatting with these employees. Their love for guitars definitely radiates, and I always leave with the comfort of mind knowing that my guitar is going to be in good hands. The prices are great too! What I have paid for a two pickup installation and setup beats any other shop bar none. I've had my Telecaster, Explorer and most recently my Wolfe Sheraton serviced here. Will be a lifelong customer!

This is exactly the shop I was hoping to find. I brought in two older guitars for setup, intonation, and a little love. The thing that impressed me most was, from drop off to pick up, everyone I spoke with knew about these two guitars and had done some part of the work. The quality of the work is exceptional, and i couldn't be happier. My Telecaster project, made from cheap parts, was treated as if it were the real thing. They very gently showed me a few things I could've done better on the build and the corrections they did to get it playing better than ever. I get the impression their teaching method is just as good as the repair work.

We first visited Dr. Wood’s Guitar Emporium a couple weeks ago to bring in a couple of electric guitars we needed repaired and also to inquire about renting an acoustic guitar for my 9 year old son’s lessons. We were so impressed by the care and attention we received and how knowledgeable Riley was when he gave suggestions. We were in a couple days later and saw Jeff who was equally as knowledgeable and attentive. We went back today to replace a broken string and again were greeted by Buddy and Riley who replaced our string. Everyone went out of their way to help and was so kind! Buddy even showed my boys a few tips on playing the drums!
I highly recommend Dr. Woods Guitar Emporium! Great place! Wonderful people!

Great customer experience at Dr Woods! Buddy and team were super friendly and helpful.

Large selection of guitars and great atmosphere. Highly recommend.

In my opinion, and from experience dealing with guitar shops, they are the fairest and friendliest. They don't up sell you and they are passionate about what they do. I drive 30 minutes to their shop, worth it, plus a decent guitar selection if your looking for a new one.

Buddy's a good dude! Ive picked up several guitars and amps from him over the years. His prices are really fair and hes fair on the prices when he buys gear. Its a one stop shop! Great customer service and they know thier business!! 🤘

What a great friendly place! There is always music floating through the air as you walk in. Sean Shiel is a great mandolin teacher. Always patient and looking for new ways for me to understand what we are studying. Travel from Harvard to Dr. Woods to learn those slides and hammers. Is well worth the trip!

Dr Wood’s Guitar Emporium in Fox River Grove is a fabulous family run neighborhood music store. Their customer service is second to none, and the owner Buddy Wiegelmann has years of experience, not only as a music store operator, but has a touring rock and blues guitarist. He is a great teacher for guitar players of all ages and levels of experience. His vast knowledge and unassuming personality is a wonderful combination. I recently had my expensive custom built guitars worked on there, and I couldn’t be more pleased. I definitely recommend them to everyone!

Fantastic fast service on my broken Gibson classic, which had a severed head for the 2nd time. I would argue that the finish is cleaner and smoother than the fix previously, and the playability was just like new.

They also have an impressive set of gear from tube amps, used stuff, and even a crazy Dean flying V looking thing that I can't wait to wail on next time I stop in for some gear.

Lastly, my toddler thanks the fine maestros at the store for not calling the cops on her for walking out with about 10 packs of strings without anyone knowing (obviously returned).

5+ stars

This is a top notch guitar shop. Buddy and his team live and breathe music, therefore, provide the best customer service! I have been purchasing gear, as well as having gear repaired at this shop for years. When you have quality guitars like a PRS, Gibson or Fender, as well as boutique amps like a Fuchs, or high-end Marshalls, you take your gear here. If you want the best, and I will add, at great prices, this is your shop. When people have passion for what they do, it is evident. I recently brought my Fuchs ODS to get re-tubed and biased. Buddy's tech, Patrick, did a phenomenal job with this amp. It sounds like a brand new amp. I won't take my gear anywhere but Dr. Woods. Like I said, top notch shop. Quality shop, musicians, and people. Keep on rockin' Dr. Woods!!!!

Very reasonable people, prices are great! Especially when getting my Guitar intonation done!

Definitely prefer going to this place than Guitar Center any day!

Can't say enough good things about this place. Great products, great people, and a dog. That's pretty much everything you could reasonably ask for. Additionally, though, the quality of the repair work is top notch. My 3-year-old somehow got his mitts on my vintage (1950's) Gibson acoustic and cracked the headstock. After shedding a couple tears and overcoming the embarrassment of leaving it unattended with a 3-year-old in the house, we took it to Buddy & crew. They fixed it up better than I thought possible, both aesthetically and functionally. Sounds the same, feels the same, plays the same. We drive up from about 30 minutes away in Schaumburg and would not go anywhere else. Thanks guys!

Awesome shop, great people. I contacted Dr. Woods about doing a set up on my brand new Rickenbacker 4003. I dropped it with him Wednesday and picked it up Thursday. Plays perfect! Did a great job, and put me at ease. Happy to have such a great shop with great people near by.

Really solid little store. Buddy and Buck know their business.

I am the owner of many bass guitars in which a great deal was purchased from buddy the owner of music Imposium he has always done right by me his prices are Spectacular and I will always do business with buddy in the music imposing thanks for being a part of my bass experience.

Have had an awesome experience for gutair lessons in Mchenry County. Everyone is friendly and helpful. The pricing is very reasonable. 5 stars!

Wish I had known about this establishment sooner. Buddy & his associates made me feel very comfortable without any sales pressure & performed exceptional work on my LP. This will be my future “go to place”

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My kids take drum, singing and guitar lessons at Dr. Woods and love it! I highly recommend any child or adult to take music lessons. We rented drums and it was very reasonable. Very friendly staff and we love their store dog, Lila.

I have been a customer of Dr. Woods for three years. In the course of my time here I learned how to play the drums and play weekly in one of his adult ‘rock you’ setups.

i look forward to playing with Buddy and the rest of the band every week and it is my mental release from my normal 9 to 5.

If you ever considered learning to play, even as an adult like me, here is the place and now is the time.

I've done a ton of business with Buddy at Dr. Woods over the years....3 Guitars, repairs, accessories, etc. I always get a fair price and expert advice. Recently I brought in my Tele that had become unplayable. Buck put on some new NYXL strings but also adjusted the neck too. Plays like a dream now! I will continue to go to Dr. Woods for all my musical needs.