I am very impressed with this shop - both with the quality of their inventory as well as the responsiveness and professionalism of the staff. I brought in a guitar for potential trade, and Steve shot me straight with the value of it and what would be the best bang for my buck. I wound up getting a Collings from them and I will be back. Well worth the drive into Illinois despite the tolls.

Frank and Molly do excellent work here. If you need repairs or modifications done, these are the people who you want see. Even with some of the bigger jobs I have brought to them, they get it done in no time at all. Very fair prices here as well.

Beautiful store with amazing instruments. Steve and Molly are great, and have a really interesting philosophy about trying to connect the person to the perfect guitar, and they understand what that journey looks like. Highly recommended for passionate musicians.

Hands down the best customer service and quality care around! Steve fixed my guitar at an amazingly affordable price. I will definitely be buying all of my instruments from DHG and can’t wait to sign my niece up for drum and voice lessons here!

Last September, during a Midwest guitar-picking junket with friends from an acoustic guitar discussion forum, I spent my last full day with a pal in Northwestern Indiana. What I really wanted to do was visit Down Home Guitars, because in May of 2012, I purchased a beautiful Huss and Dalton TD-M Sinker Mahogany from this shop after watching it languish there for more than a year. I had my pal drive over at the time (he lives 40 minutes away from DHG) and test-drive it for me. Once we agreed it was a hoss and Id love it (I do), I called Steve H on the phone and we negotiated a fair deal. It was easy and agreeable working with him, even though we had never met in person.Fast-forward four+ years, my friend and I drive over from his place in Indiana (driving along the Lincoln Highway was another first for me that day) to Frankfort. We walked into the shop, asked for Steve, and were directed to the large acoustic guitar room in the back, where he was working with some inventory. I strolled up to him and introduced myself. Without missing a beat, Steve said, You bought that Huss and Dalton from me a few years back, as we shook hands like two old friends. Of course I was floored that hed remember; we chatted for a bit, he showed us a couple of really lovely guitars, and then once he realized we knew what we were doing (were a couple of geezers who tend to be careful), he graciously excused himself for a bit and let us play a few of the guitars without being in our hip pockets the entire time.It wasnt busy that Monday morning, and we were able to hog a great deal of Steves time, which he generously gave us. DHG is a terrific shop with a great spectrum of inventory--even in the high-end room, there were very nice guitars priced less than $2K. As many guitar players will agree, I felt like a kid in a candy shop. Any of the staff people who passed by were friendly and polite--cheerful, even--and the atmosphere in the wood-paneled rooms is warm and pleasant. Theres plenty of space to unwind with an interesting guitar and not be in someone elses face.We played some great guitars that morning, including some nice examples from Collings, Martin, and Santa Cruz Guitar Company, but for both of us, the hands-down winner was a Huss and Dalton CM non cutaway, with bearclaw spruce over African Blackwood. Wow. Chime, volume, and thunk without being woofy, sweet tone, and sustain until next week (yes, Im somewhat partisan to these builders). I bought a Zither Music Company guitar stand, in walnut, that coordinates quite nicely with the living-room furniture.I wish I lived closer! Steve and his crew are great to work with, the shop is inviting and stocked with some of the finest guitars around, and the atmosphere is welcoming and comfortable. Get thee hence, tell Steve I said hey, and enjoy your visit. Who knows? You may end up adopting a guitar that will speak to you a great deal more sweetly than your ex-spouse did!

Steve, Frank, and Molly are the best at what they do. True professionals! Down Home Guitar went above band beyond to ensure I was satisfied with my Martin guitar purchase. I wouldn’t go anywhere else.

Down Home Guitars is a true gem of not only Frankfort Illinois, but the entire Chicago Land Area. They serve not only as a high end acoustic instrument shop, but also as a music school, an intimate music venue, a shop for everyday music items and instruments, and a place where musicians of all levels have the opportunity to play with and for one another at their weekly Jam Sessions and monthly Open Mic Nights. The people are friendly and I always feel welcome when I am there.I attend the Down Home Guitars concert series regularly. The venue is perfect! The walls are aligned with top of the line hand-crafted, American-made instruments and there is not a bad seat in the house (which holds about 60). It is simply gorgeous. I especially appreciate the complimentary wine, craft beer, and snacks that they have to offer at each show. That really adds a nice touch to the evening.Down Home Guitars is doing it right! Steve and Molly (who run the store) are the kindest of people and everyone that works there seem to be pretty knowledgeable about music and their instruments. I would definitely recommend this store for anyone who is looking to take music lessons, buy and instrument (high or low end), get a repair done, see a good show, play an open mic, or just to become part of the Down Home music community that they have created and welcome everyone to be a part of.

The people here are very nice to their customers. I came here after my brother dropped me off for a haircut appointment two hours early and got to buy a piano book and a lovely guitar pick while I was there. Very glad I came here. Will definitely consider taking piano lessons here.

Every time I walk into Down Home Guitars, whether it is to buy something or just look around, I am always greeted by a staff member and feel very welcomed there. On many different occasions I have seen the staff go out of their way to create a relaxed and inviting environment and to make me feel like I am part of the Down Home Community”. Thats why I always recommend people stop by the shop, because it is so much more than just a music store. It is a music community. There are individual lessons (which I only hear good things about), open mic nights, concert series, clinics and group classes, and jam sessions every week where anyone can stop in and play music together. I have also seen Down Home reach into other parts of the community as well. Steve (the owner) and other instructors from the store have stopped by the school where I work multiple times to do music demonstrations for the students, and they even help judge the annual school talent show each year. I am so grateful for this store and proud to be part of the Down Home community.

I found a great Martin acoustic in my price range. They have a wide selection--not everything in the store is on their website. Steve and the staff are very knowledgeable and friendly. I had a small issue while breaking in the new guitar (Velcro holding the battery for pickup came unglued). I took it in and they fixed it on the spot at no cost. Always a pleasure visiting the store, convenient free parking right in front.

Great shop and good people. The owner and crew are doing great things for music in the community. They are very knowledgeable about their products and they provide great customer service. I recommend checking it out, it will definitely be your new favorite music shop.

Just a quick note to Steve, and the staff at Down Home Guitars. I brought in my Martin acoustic that Ive had for quite a while, for pickup installation. This guitar sits on a stand and gets played daily. It played and looked marginal at best. I just picked it up, and after their restring, set up, and cleaning it is like playing a new guitar! Actually, much better than a new guitar! WOW, what a great job these guys do. Thank you for your advice and recommendations. I now own a cannon, and I can plug it in! Thank you to Molly too, you are very helpful, and knowledgeable. I recommend this place to everyone. Hope you will too!! God Bless. Ron

This place is the best high-end guitar store in Chicagoland! Great people that treat their customers fairly and have superb guitars!For the high-end guitar user this is the place to go when you want a new toy or to make a trade in swap deal. They are very fair.Im extremely happy after leaving there.

Best Acoustic Guitar shop I have ever been too.

Our school district recently purchased ukuleles for the students and teachers in our elementary schools. Steve Haberichter worked directly with Cordoba to get us the best price and to make sure that the large purchase went smoothly from start to finish. After the order was placed, Steve was responsive to inquiries and kept me informed frequently on shipment status. Once the order was delivered, Steve arranged the pick up outside of normal business hours to accommodate our scheduling needs.Steve is both courteous and gracious and his customer service is top-notch. I highly recommend Down Home Guitars!

I have been looking for a certain guitar and found it at Down Home Guitars. I sent an email inquiry and Steve got back to me the next day. I live in Hawaii so I needed it shipped safe and quick. The guitar showed up just as promised. This was a seamless transaction. I would recommend Down Home to anyone interested in a great guitar, great service, and fast response.Thanks again, Steve.

My experience with Down Home Guitars has been nothing less than first class. The staff is pleasant, professional and knowledgeable. The inventory consists of just about anything and everything a picker might be interested in and they are committed to serve everyone from the beginner to the touring professional. Ive purchased two Collings instruments from the store and Steve personally made sure that I found the instrument I was looking for at a price I could afford. Ive toured the country and have visited many guitar stores. Down Home Guitars easily ranks as one of the best!

Wonderful to have a store of this quality close to home. They offer so much more than a great selection of acoustic stringed instruments; including lessons, workshops, jams, and of course the annual bluegrass festival in the summer. Especially like their great concerts by local and nationally known musicians in a small setting with no bad seats.

Amazing selection of quality guitars, mandolins, banjos, and other stringed instruments. Steve and Molly are very knowledgeable about all the instruments they sell and always friendly and helpful. Also a great place for workshops, seminars, and concerts.

Where do I start??? I cannot say enough about Steve and Molly. While deployed to Afghanistan, I saw they had a Lowden Richard Thompson Signature model at a substantially lower cost than other retailers. We went back and forth with correspondence; I phoned in my deposit and a couple days later the rest of the payment. Steves and Mollys customer service was wonderful. Down Home Guitars is going to make my homecoming that much more special!! I cannot thank them enough... I look forward to do more business with them in the future!

Never write reviews but I had to give these guys props. Fantastic instruments and top notch customer service. Dont bother going anywhere else, this place had it all. I drive for over an hour and a half every time to get there and its always worth it.

The store carries beautiful high-end acoustic instruments. They also hold some impressive seminars and concerts. If you want the very best and can spend 6K on a guitar then this store may be for you. With a larger wallet, perhaps you will receive better treatment than I did. The red-haired owner of this store is probably the rudest retail store owner I have ever experienced. Of course, I wasnt there to spend thousands of dollars. I simply went there to buy picks, strings, tab books, and to explore and discuss instruments with other music lovers. My initial visits were often greeted by cold, stiff, and awkward personalities. After multiple visits, I expected things would warm up, and while some staff were friendly, it was never a comfortable experience. This was especially true whenever the owner was present. Pompous and arrogant seem apt descriptions, and small talk and small wallets are beneath him.

Down Home Guitars is a Gem!In the style of the Old Town School of Folk Music, Down Home Guitars offers a wide selection of wooden instruments as well as lessons, concerts, and a place to jam with others.I have purchased three instruments there and have been very pleased with the quality of the instruments and the competitive pricing.

I have only the highest praise for Steve. The service, patience, communication and quick/safe shipping were all top notch. I purchased a Collings mandolin from the shop via the internet. The transaction was so pleasant, 2 weeks later I ended up driving 7 hrs to the shop to purchase a Bourgeois guitar. Even though I could have purchased both items in my hometown. Simply outstanding!!!

Down Home Guitars is an excellent place to purchase an instrument - the walls are filled with guitars, banjos, mandolins, etc. - all top quality, from starter models to the premier collectables. I have performed in the concert room numerous times and the space provides an excellent listening opportunity for any type of music. All of this in addition to the fact that Steve and his staff are very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable about instruments and sound - and they offer lessons on most string instruments. I feel fortunate to have such a top quality store so close to my home - they always have whatever musical supplies I need.

Ive purchased several high quality instruments from Down Home guitars and the buying experience in every case has been exceptional. The quality and selection of the instruments is the best Ive seen in the midwest, the staff is knowledgeable and friendly and prices are fair and competitive. Whether for finger picks or exceptional acoustic instruments, Down Home Guitars is where Im headed!

If you are looking for unique, exotic guitars, this is the place! Beautiful!!!

Best selection of fine acoustic instruments in the area. Music school is good and they offer great events, concerts and other programming.

Its a place you have to see to believe! The place is a lot bigger than it first appears and the whole secondfloor is dedicated to lessons. If you get a chance check out one of the live mic nights or bluegrass jam sessions, because Ive just witnessed an eight year-old play drums to apache. This place is doing a lot of good for the community as well as new musicians.

Great place if to go if you break a string for any guitar! Strings are 2 dollars each

Needed some work done on my banjo and was looking to get connected with some teachers and other musicians in the area, and I got all of that at Down Home Guitars. Friendly and helpful staff as well.

Steve and the crew is amazing! Well knowledgeable and created a great atmosphere for acoustic heaven. Highly recommended!!!!!!

February 17, 2017 .... I was in Frankfort, Illinois planning on the purchase of the Deering Eagle II banjo. Much to my pleasant surprise Steve also had the Deering Vega Senator! I was able to try them both and after much deliberation I made my choice. DHG is the most relaxed, full service, huge inventory on site, and friendliest music store in the mid-west. Near Chicago, easy to reach and certainly the go to place for any kind of stringed instrument! Owner/manager/stringed artist Steve Haberichter makes you feel very comfortable in his store! Jack J.

12/12/2013Down Home Guitars is by far my favorite shop in Frankfort! Steve, Molly, Nate and the whole gang have been extremely kind and helpful to myself and my children. We currently are enrolled in 6 classes a week and that is only three of us. I have three more children that will eventually take lessons when they get a little older. The staff always goes out of their way to treat us kindly. I have bought 3 acoustic guitars and 1 ukelele so far! I plan on buying more and wouldnt go anywhere else. I hope to continue taking lessons for many years to come! I always recommend DHG to my friends and go out of my way to pop in the store just to say hi when I am in the Historic Frankfort area. Steve is a hard working man with a passion for guitars and music which resonates throughout the store. I owe Steve a huge thanks for bringing such a warm and wonderful shop to Frankfort! Music cannot be replaced! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!jo ketsios and girlsSend to a Friend Link to This Review

Awesome shop! Helpful, patient,great price!! Thank you Steve!

I live this store.