Sherry-Brener Ltd

This place is a perfect little gem tucked away on Michigan Ave. The owner is kind and full of stories and the prices are alright too!

You won’t be able to find a better musical instrument store and a more trustworthy, knowledgeable and genuine person than Mr. Sherry to assist you in the choice of a good instrument or in the care of your beloved instrument.
He has run this store for literally decades and has accumulated an unmatched inventory of instruments that range from beginner’s quality to the professional concert-​level instrument that a musician associated with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra might want. This is the store where the CSO musicians buy their bows, their strings, their violins and more.
Mr. Sherry has been in the industry since ever, and he was one of the very first importers of Spanish guitars into the US market.
James knows deeply the story of every individual instrument he sells, and he’s genuinely interested in telling it you, down to the most accurate details.
One visit to his store can set you up with everything you need to start learning a new instrument: not only he offers the instruments, the accessories, the repair parts and the maintenance service, but he has on staff a number of teachers that can boast impressive resumes and teaching experience.
Even if the store is stuffed to the brim with instruments, the casual visitor might get the impression that some categories of instruments are under-​represented. I still recommend paying a visit to Mr. Sherry’s business, as he has access to additional inventory kept at his storage facility.
My personal experience with Mr. Sherry’s business starts one evening in January 2015 when, out of a sudden infatuation for the violin, I visited his store with just an intention to browse and learn about prices and learning opportunities. I left the store more than four hours later having received way more information than I could possibly retain, with a case on my back containing a rental violin plus bow, rosin, scores, and an appointment for a first lesson with one of his teachers. I have been taking lessons there since then, and I am loving it. It seems I’m learning quickly but I have prior experience… your mileage may vary.
In June, my teacher pointed out it was time for me to upgrade to a better instrument, and Mr. Sherry showed me a gorgeous used violin with a fantastic, full, warm sonority that clearly belongs in a higher class. He has allowed me rent it for as long as I wanted, at the same rental price as the beginner’s instrument, and to show it to my teacher (or anybody else) for an independent evaluation, and in a few weeks I grew to like its sound so much that I wanted it as mine, and I bought it. I am incredibly satisfied with the purchase and emotionally attached to that violin.
P. S.: despite the potential conflict of interest due to working at Mr. Sherry’s store, my teacher seems completely unbiased, and she has expressed professional opinions on the choice of violins and bows that are completely independent, and at time in contrast, with the store’s direct interest, and that makes me feel I can trust her judgement.
I feel I have a personal relationship of trust and respect with Mr. Sherry, and that he cares about his customers’ satisfaction and their progress more than making an immediate profit.
I recommend his business strongly and without reservations.

Great place. Jim is full of so much knowledge and is more than happy to share it with you! A beautiful selection of instruments, if you’re new to buying and playing instruments Jim will give you his honest opinion on each company that builds it. Definitely planning on returning!

I LOVED stopping by Jim’s while I was downtown. Jim Sherry is true-​blue, a good character. I have played violin for… way too long, it’s hard to find honesty in the violin business and Jim is honest. I think. (!!)
He referred me to a teacher, Abram Dukor, I had for about 12 years, from my being around 25 to around 35-​ish. And he showed me some decent violins. He didn’t try to push /​peddle me bad instruments which most violin shops do about town. I really liked this guy. I’m not sure if he kept his shop alive simply by selling Symphony members emergency strings et al, but he is friendly, and overall I think a great guy.
He also does tango and has some connections there. Great guy, Jim Sherry. Great shop, overall interest here.