Rubino's Music Center

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8102 Georgia St
Merrillville, IN 46410

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(219) 736-9344
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Rubino's Music Center - Merrillville, IN
Rubino's Music Center - Merrillville, IN
Rubino's Music Center - Merrillville, IN
Rubino's Music Center - Merrillville, IN
Rubino's Music Center - Merrillville, IN
Rubino's Music Center - Merrillville, IN
Rubino's Music Center - Merrillville, IN
Rubino's Music Center - Merrillville, IN
Rubino's Music Center - Merrillville, IN
Rubino's Music Center - Merrillville, IN
Rubino's Music Center - Merrillville, IN
Rubino's Music Center - Merrillville, IN
Rubino's Music Center - Merrillville, IN
Rubino's Music Center - Merrillville, IN
Rubino's Music Center - Merrillville, IN
Rubino's Music Center - Merrillville, IN
Rubino's Music Center - Merrillville, IN
Reviews
( 5 )
( 2 )
( 1 )
( 1 )
( 11 )

Best

I first came into Rubino's a few years ago after a few friends that work at Guitar Center were telling me about how they were posting bad reviews on local shops on different sites...

Worst

bought a few expensive pieces of equipment; a guitar and a mic. I took the Guit in for a few setups, the nut to one of the tuning keys was loose when I got it back. Took it in for...

Not your average store 12/8/2013

He had chosen to go into music store biz back in the 70s\r in portage, I would have to say that everyone I know has \r been screwed at one time or another, \r his guitar people have always been rude arrogant douchebags\r \r I would have to say he, not his family... has been disliked\r for many years..\r \r . his son, is very polite and decent good people..\r \r I hoped by know Jim senior would have just retired and left\r but he is still there, and its unfortunate\r \r Not your regular mom and pop store...... rather a den of vipers more
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Editorial review from Citysearch 5/26/2013

Jim has been around a long time and he is in business to make a buck. however he cares about his customers and knows a lot about music.i have known Jim for 40+ years and i have never heard of him screwing anyone.Jim Rubino is wonderful person.if i need anything for music i go see Jim. and if you need anything for music i would recommend you also go and see him. more
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Editorial review from Citysearch 10/31/2012

hey jim really cares about music and he has better guitars than guitar center so if u dont think hes good at what he does dont talk bad and just go somewhere else because ill keep going there and b a better musician then the others more
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MY HONEST REVIEW 6/22/2012

I don't like Rubino's, but if I've already passed guitar center and remembered I needed guitar strings I'll stop there. \r \r I've never had trouble with the guy with the glasses and the curly hair, but HE IS definitely one of the main reasons why I avoid shopping there. He's very talkative, "Hey, welcome! Whatta you play? Well I'll match any price!" He does try to talk you into looking around his store at expensive things. To get him to go away, I just tell him I don't have any money and he'll go away then. \r \r I've asked to look at guitar picks, and the guy behind the counter tried to up sale on me several times, telling me this pack of picks was better than the one I wanted and such, it's just uncomfortable. \r \r I was going to buy a pickup there once before and the kid behind the counter couldn't even figure out what I was talking about so I just left and bought my pick up else where. Mostly due to his "I really don't care about this" attitude. \r \r the vibe at that store is one of thi more
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I first came into Rubino's a few years 6/8/2012

I first came into Rubino's a few years ago after a few friends that work at Guitar Center were telling me about how they were posting bad reviews on local shops on different sites to raise their business. They were completely wrong. Pros: null Cons: null more
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Why so angry? 2/23/2012

I dont understand why people are personally attacking Rubino, calling him old, ugly, ect. That has nothing to do with the products he sells or his establishment. And whether his establishment is small or not shouldn't matter. Does that really warrant an angry review? Are you people claustrophobic? It's not even that small. Pros: null Cons: null more
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questions for the store 11/21/2011

i am coming out from culver and wanted you to answer these questions thank you Pros: null Cons: null more
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An honest review, by a real customer... 9/9/2011

I first discovered Rubinos about 2 years ago when my son started playing guitar. Last year at Christmas, I purchased the DBZ Bird of Prey for my son. This guitar has a Floyd Rose original trem, being a newbie to the Floyd Rose, my son needed much instruction in stringing/tuning this guitar. Steve was such a help, he patiently showed my son exactly how to restring and tune this guitar...and let me tell you, it is a project! As my son's need soon required, we were recommended buying the Eddie Van Halen drop D tuna so that we could easily switch from E standard to D...upon recieving this order, Steve was once again happy to make the adjustments necessary to fit this device to the guitar. In all of our trips to Rubino's, we are greeted by Mr and Mrs Rubino with a hug! The staff has always been extremely friendly and helpful. They truely care about their customers! more
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The Truth 8/9/2011

Yes I would agree with mike273; but instead of cubby hole, I would call it a "rat hole" due to the nature and character of the owner Jim. It seems he cannot handle the truth and has to keep posting reviews that would make the guilty look innocent. Don't go here. His rat hole is a dump and is overpriced. He has very old and stale inventory that isn't worth paying list price for. Don't spend your hard earned money there, go to Guitar Center. more
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Bad Reviews are Right 8/8/2011

I just went to Rubino's about a week ago to find that his business "was" one of the most successful businesses in Northwest Indiana, when Denny Moss was the manager mind you. It has now been reduced to a tiny second floor cubby hole, now people will say he has been in business for 38 years and he is doing something right. Well, I personally have had a bad experience there myself but if he is doing something right then,why did a jewelry store take over his establishment and throw him upstairs like an older brother would do to his younger brother in a bunk bed. Point I am making is, you guys can fight and moan about Rubinos but the facts are facts a jewelry store has taken over and it is because of his business practices he lasted so long because there was no competition yeah a couple of music stores but when Guitar Center came in and had lower prices and Rubino's would not budge on his price maybe a little 10% .You are going to go where it is cheaper and as far as customer service Rubino's will not even offer a thirty day back guarantee which I understand because he is a small business but like I said you go to where the better deal is and as far as the comment about Guitar Center being a whole wholesaler get your facts straight they cannot be a whole wholesaler and sell to the public "that" is illegal and they would be fined heavily! more
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Grow up! 8/6/2011

Why all the infantile mud- slinging? Consumers, judge for yourselves. Rubino's will PRICE MATCH ANYONE, and OFFER SERVICE AFTER THE SALE! Furthermore the have a knowledgeable sales staff which is more than I can say for some of the larger "B-stock" music retailers in the area. As for the internet tough-guy who wants to call names, and make personal character attacks, either grow up, and shut up, or be a man, not a little bi*ch and say it to they're faces. A great place to do business. For professionals, by professionals! more
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Bad place to be 7/13/2011

This is My review of rubinos music. First the place is too cramped and the second thing is that the prices are list and for those who say you can get a good deal you still pay pretty close to list price. then there is some washed up 80s rocker there that looks like a catfish that follows you around thinking you are going to steal something and just gives you a look like your a criminal. but there is nothing there worth buying let alone stealing. The owner always has a grudge against Guitar Center worse than that guy down the street at Broadway. I called one time for some ruby tubes that Steve, i think he was, wanted a hundred dollars for a set of four when i asked if he could budge on the price he went to $90 without tax. more
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The real story 2/7/2011

It's one thing to be bombarded at the door with questions about what I'm lookin for......its even worse when the kid askin about what I need has no idea what he's even talking about......The place is a joke..... They have little to nothing when it comes to guitars..... Everything is WAY WAY WAY to overpriced......I understand about supporting "the little guy corporation".... But I refuse to support trash..... It's not a music store....its a crooked pawn shop...... And the prices at "list" that you can "deal" on.....are still outrageous.... There's a guitar center down the street.....go there...... you'll save hundreds......literally. more
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A Great Place to shop 12/3/2010

I have purchased two guitars and two amps plus other equiptment from this store and have found the help to be well informed and helpfull. I have never been rushed and played the guitars for hours before buying. The prices on the tags are list. What do you expect? Like anywhere else, you can deal. more
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Gold Chains 11/12/2010

RUBINO'S Jim Rubino is the worst person to do business with. You know it is bad when he is on the Ed roman site in las vegas. That guy rips people off all the time and is always putting down guitar center. It is funny you see his employees there after he closes buying there guitars there. He even buys guitars like prs's. That guitar center has on close out and takes them to his store and sells them for full price. I seen it with my own eyes it was a green custom 22. That guitar center had for 1200 on close out. He went and bought it and sold it at his shop for 2500. My point is you put down guitar center. Then you go buy guitars from there. This guy is the lowest of the low. He's a shady used car salesman with gold chains. If you want to eliminate the middle man which is him. Just buy from guitar center and save yourself the mark up he puts on items when he buys item from there plus he still has guitars there from 15 years ago more
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RUBINOS MUSIC 4/16/2010

MY EXPERIENCE WITH RUBINOS MUSIC HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT POSITIVE. Pros: GOOD PRICES & SERVICE more
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Decent music store 4/9/2010

First off i don't agree with anyother reviews at all.This place sells a decent selection of guitars for decent prices when you compare them.If your worried about over paying do a little research and you'll find that they're compare well with larger chains like guitar center.I"ve now bought three guitars from this store and feel i got a good deal on all of them.Most of the staff are pretty helpful and know what they're talking about.The owner can be a little aggressive trying to sell you something but i feel this is better than at the local guitar center where for the most part you're ignored.At least that was my experience there.One thing i don't really like is their refund policy in which they can't give cash back only credit.But i can understand this because if someone buys a thousand dollar guitar and wants cash back that's gonna be a pretty big hit for the store to take.Another thing i like is they're layaway because unlike other stores there isn't set schedule.You can pay five dollars a month if that's all you have and your item is still gonna be available when you pay it off.All together i would defintly recomend them.Again if you feel they're placing list prices on stuff just research a little and don't let yourself be pressured into buying something.The guys a salesmen they all act a little pushy but overall it's a pretty good store. Pros: Decent selection. helpful salesmen.layaway program Cons: refund policy.owner can be pressuring more
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The Worse Music Store in NW Indiana 1/18/2010

Rubinos has been around for a long time because it was the only music dealer in NW Indiana, but thank fully there is other choices now and mail order. Pros: near the highway for a fast escape Cons: A Dishonest Bunch of Liars out to rip you off more
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not the service I expected 3/9/2009

bought a few expensive pieces of equipment; a guitar and a mic. I took the Guit in for a few setups, the nut to one of the tuning keys was loose when I got it back. Took it in for another setup and asked them to fix it... They didn't. 2 more times over the course of a month and they never tightened the nut. Just sloppy tactics. Did it myself. Then the guitar needs major repair within 7 months of purchase. Martin will cover it but Rubinos makes me pay the $75 shipping and handeling. I mean it's whatever. The guys okay and all... Just poor customer satisfaction... Oh yeah, the mic doesn't work anymore either. It's a little more than a year old. more
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Be wary of selling tactics 2/16/2009

I recently went with my daughter to Rubinos to price instrument tuners. I was buying the tuner for my children?s ethnic group. I wasn?t even planning on buying one at the time because I wanted to discuss it with the group at practice that night. A man came up to us, which we later found out was the owner, and said he would make a call to see if that was the tuner I needed. He also gave me a discount, which the other helper had already given me. I bought it because I felt pressured. Later, I went to practice and found out one of the children had a tuner and donated it. Pros: Initial store salesman was nice. Cons: We felt pressured to buy tuner while talking to the owner. was not told of all sales final policy. more
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Menu for Rubino's Music Center


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Owner Message

  • Rubino's Music Sound Lighting is a musical instrument and sound system expert located in Merrillville, Indiana. Rubino's has been serving Northwest Indiana and the Chicago metro area for over 40 years with a fine selection of musical instruments and accessories, including:

    • Guitars
    • Bases
    • Drums
    • Amps
    • Keyboards
    • D.J. Equipment

    Rubino's offers free appraisals, expert lighting design, sound system design, audio installations, video projectors and screens. We also specialize in church sound system design .

    Owner Jim Rubino is a graduate of Purdue University Engineering in management and with more than 40 years of experience, you can count on his expertise and know-how to cater to your musical dreams.

    Stop in today for a guitar or accessories for your next show. We also rent out and repair instruments. Need lessons? We offer those too.

    Just come on by and we'll take care of you!. Acoustic Instruments|Classes|EAW|Electric Instruments|Keyboards|Lighting|Mapex|Martin|Ovation|Peavey|Professional Instruments|Randall|Roland|Senior Discount|Sound Systems|Stage|Strings|Takamine|Tascam|Washburn

Additional information
  • Hours: Sun: 12 p.m.-5:00 p.m.;Mon: 10:30 a.m.-8:00 p.m.;Tue: 10:30 a.m.-8:00 p.m.;Wed: 10:30 a.m.-8:00 p.m.;Thu: 10:30 a.m.-8:00 p.m.;Fri: 10:30 a.m.-8:00 p.m.;Sat: 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.;
  • Payments: American Express, Cash, Discover, Visa, Master Card
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