Quinlan & Fabish Music Company

Review for Q&F at the Montgomery location:
I was surprised to see a couple negative reviews, but it seems that they originate from parents of students who are renting their instruments. I’m a musician by hobby and do not have any kids who are going through their programs, though I have rented a handful of instruments from them myself. I have pleasant things to say about the store and service.
Me:
I’ve been playing trumpet for nearly 18 years and drums for about 5 years.
Store:
In the time I’ve been going, they have moved right next door within the same strip. The new store is larger and more open. It was an upgrade for sure. The store is clean and well-​laid-​out. Most of what they do is band/​orchestra-​oriented, so don’t expect walls of guitars or a drum section. Items are easy to find and they carry a good assortment of instruments, care/​cleaning items, and sheet music.
Stuff:
Prices on the smaller goods are fair and availability is good. To be honest, I wouldn’t buy instruments directly through them, but that’s mostly because I can find the exact same thing online with free shipping and no tax. It has nothing to do with them. One might be able to negotiate the out-​the-​door price to match what’s available online just so that you can give the sale to Q&F. I’ve done that at Guitar Center before.
Rentals:
I’ve rented 3 instruments from them in total (baritone, flugelhorn, cornet). As I’ve rented at the basic level, the quality of the instruments wasn’t outstanding. They handle repairs as needed. On the flugelhorn, the trigger linkage snapped at the solder, but they repaired it and had it back to me in a week’s time. There was a cork missing on a water key on the cornet, but I’m sure they would have replaced it if I wanted them to. I was only renting for a month and used a small seal as an interim repair, so I didn’t care too much. The baritone had a sticky valve, but probably because it was still in it’s break-​in period.
Repair:
I’ve had my professional trumpet serviced with dent-​removal and thorough cleaning. I was satisfied with their work. I’ve also had a megatone mouthpiece replated. The replating was outsourced to Elkhart, IN, but the result was quick and outstanding.
Overall, I like this store and the fact that it’s so close to my house. I like the people. The rental process is painless, in my opinion. Any repair work goes out to another of their locations, so allow some extra time without your beloved.

Quilan & Fabish was onsite when I registered my daughter for band at her school. I didn’t like the fact that they were standing at the door hounding people for business on their way out! I feel like if you’re a reputable company you shouldn’t have to pressure people for sales like that. Also when I tried to ask a couple, quick detailed questions, it seemed like I was annoying the guy. All I asked:
1. What brand of instrument would I be renting and would it be a used or new flute?
2. What would be the total price should I choose to purchase outright rather than renting?
I never did receive great answers to these questions and he was trying to talk to me while he still worked on nabbing people on their way out. Also the closest store location was in Montgomery (I live in Naperville… and the school is in Naperville) — that is severely inconvenient.
The pricing wasn’t super terrible. they had a special that was $ 72 for a 4 month rental, but then it was like $ 35 a month after that I think — and that price included repairs and a loaner if needed. They didn’t mention how much the workbooks, music stand or other needed equipment were.
All in all — I wasn’t totally impressed and ended up going with a different vendor.

Horrible Service!!! They rush you into a contract for instrument rental. Throughout the rental everything is a fee, tax, service charge. They are unhelpful and rude about advice. Don’t even think about taking smaller children into the store because they freak out. The refused to replace worn finger pads and make any «normal use» repairs unless I paid for it and I was told I would be charged the full instrument price if I took it anywhere else for repair and./or tuning. So you are stuck with their fees. Finally, I had enough and told them I was cancelling my contract. They charged an additional 6 months rental as a cancellation fee.