OUR STORY

Owned and operated by Buddy Wiegelman, DR WOODS Guitar Emporium opened its doors in 1993 and has been serving the community ever since. A professional musician, Buddy plays music in and around the Chicagoland area.

His career started as a working musician, playing lead guitar in high-profile rock bands. Over the years, Buddy has played Chicago Fest and opened tours for The Scorpions, Rush, and John Mellencamp.

Buddy served as guitar technician at Washburn for several years, where he inspected and set-up guitars. Buddy began repairing and rebuilding guitars out of his home and now brings his expertise to the public.

Serving the community

DR WOODS has established itself as a mainstay in the community, providing sound and stage needs for village events, schools, and nonprofits. You can find Buddy at parades, celebrations, and ceremonies, working to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Local bands utilize our short-term rentals, which provide literally everything needed for a stage performance.

We are a meeting place for musicians of all ages and all levels of experience. As such, the Emporium has produced students who earn music scholarships to university. Many of our students turn professional, working in the studio, touring locally and abroad, and recording their own music.

WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS ARE SAYING . . .

“Buck & Buddy did a GREAT job setting up my Ovation UKII, adjusting the neck, action and intonation. After I got it home, there was a little buzzing on the G string (I had put a little heavier gauge string set on it). Buddy said he won’t be happy unless I am, so I took it back in. He filed the nut and bridge saddle and it plays like a dream. These guys are the real deal. Don’t even think about taking your guitar anywhere else. This is the place! Thank you!!”

Jeff Jarecki

“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!”

Bill Covert

“I brought in my Epiphone Korina Flying V and Buck did a great job installing two new pickups and cleaning out the guitars volume pots. Buddy was also very helpful and let me test drive everything after installation through a Orange half stack. Awesome place, I’ll be back again soon.”

Steve Shannon

“Great place, knowledgeable, friendly, reasonable people, worth the drive for expert service. Earned my loyalty.”

Ken Felgar

“This is the place to go to if you need anything for your musical instruments!!!”

Dave Weller

“The people are friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. You can ask for help or just wander around and start building your dream list. Every time I go there, I find something else I want. Great place to get started and to supply your every day musical needs.”

Mark Farrell

“Great place, great people that make learning enjoyable.”

Frank Coppola

“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!”

Christopher Shiel

“Great place to buy and learn!!! The people are AWESOME!”

Sandi Potts-Boyles

“Awesome teachers!”

Evan Czarnik

“Buddy is an expert musician. His advice, insights, and customer service are worth the visit. I support this local shop because they offer value that I can’t get from the web or a large chain.”

Kenneth Sweinberg

“My kids love going to their music lessons. Buddy and Alex are great teachers very knowledgeable and a great selection of guitars and drums.”

Steve Adams

“I took my guitar in there for the first time to be setup and have the intonation fixed. After speaking with Buddy about what I wanted done, I had no doubt it was in good hands. Turn around time was great, and it sounded better than it did before! Since then I have taken all my guitars there, along with all my band’s guitars. Buddy is the man, and his band is a pleasure to work with live.”

Dustin Manislovich from Moon Money

“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.”

Lauren Britton

WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS ARE SAYING . . . .

“Buck & Buddy did a GREAT job setting up my Ovation UKII, adjusting the neck, action and intonation. After I got it home, there was a little buzzing on the G string (I had put a little heavier gauge string set on it). Buddy said he won’t be happy unless I am, so I took it back in. He filed the nut and bridge saddle and it plays like a dream. These guys are the real deal. Don’t even think about taking your guitar anywhere else. This is the place! Thank you!!”

Jeff Jarecki

“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!”

Bill Covert

“I brought in my Epiphone Korina Flying V and Buck did a great job installing two new pickups and cleaning out the guitars volume pots. Buddy was also very helpful and let me test drive everything after installation through a Orange half stack. Awesome place, I’ll be back again soon.”

Steve Shannon

“Great place, knowledgeable, friendly, reasonable people, worth the drive for expert service. Earned my loyalty.”

Ken Felgar

“This is the place to go to if you need anything for your musical instruments!!!”

Dave Weller

“The people are friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. You can ask for help or just wander around and start building your dream list. Every time I go there, I find something else I want. Great place to get started and to supply your every day musical needs.”

Mark Farrell

“Great place, great people that make learning enjoyable.”

Frank Coppola

“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!”

Christopher Shiel

“Great place to buy and learn!!! The people are AWESOME!”

Sandi Potts-Boyles

“Awesome teachers!”

Evan Czarnik

“Buddy is an expert musician. His advice, insights, and customer service are worth the visit. I support this local shop because they offer value that I can’t get from the web or a large chain.”

Kenneth Sweinberg

“My kids love going to their music lessons. Buddy and Alex are great teachers very knowledgeable and a great selection of guitars and drums.”

Steve Adams

“I took my guitar in there for the first time to be setup and have the intonation fixed. After speaking with Buddy about what I wanted done, I had no doubt it was in good hands. Turn around time was great, and it sounded better than it did before! Since then I have taken all my guitars there, along with all my band’s guitars. Buddy is the man, and his band is a pleasure to work with live.”

Dustin Manislovich from Moon Money

“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.”

Lauren Britton

Call today to begin your journey and join our community!

WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS ARE SAYING . . .

“Buck & Buddy did a GREAT job setting up my Ovation UKII, adjusting the neck, action and intonation. After I got it home, there was a little buzzing on the G string (I had put a little heavier gauge string set on it). Buddy said he won’t be happy unless I am, so I took it back in. He filed the nut and bridge saddle and it plays like a dream. These guys are the real deal. Don’t even think about taking your guitar anywhere else. This is the place! Thank you!!”

Jeff Jarecki

“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!”

Bill Covert

“I brought in my Epiphone Korina Flying V and Buck did a great job installing two new pickups and cleaning out the guitars volume pots. Buddy was also very helpful and let me test drive everything after installation through a Orange half stack. Awesome place, I’ll be back again soon.”

Steve Shannon

“Great place, knowledgeable, friendly, reasonable people, worth the drive for expert service. Earned my loyalty.”

Ken Felgar

“This is the place to go to if you need anything for your musical instruments!!!”

Dave Weller

“The people are friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. You can ask for help or just wander around and start building your dream list. Every time I go there, I find something else I want. Great place to get started and to supply your every day musical needs.”

Mark Farrell

“Great place, great people that make learning enjoyable.”

Frank Coppola

“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!”

Christopher Shiel

“Great place to buy and learn!!! The people are AWESOME!”

Sandi Potts-Boyles

“Awesome teachers!”

Evan Czarnik

“Buddy is an expert musician. His advice, insights, and customer service are worth the visit. I support this local shop because they offer value that I can’t get from the web or a large chain.”

Kenneth Sweinberg

“My kids love going to their music lessons. Buddy and Alex are great teachers very knowledgeable and a great selection of guitars and drums.”

Steve Adams

“I took my guitar in there for the first time to be setup and have the intonation fixed. After speaking with Buddy about what I wanted done, I had no doubt it was in good hands. Turn around time was great, and it sounded better than it did before! Since then I have taken all my guitars there, along with all my band’s guitars. Buddy is the man, and his band is a pleasure to work with live.”

Dustin Manislovich from Moon Money

“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.”

Lauren Britton