Elderly is a national treasure, right here in Lans...

Elderly is a national treasure, right here in Lansing.

Once I got my driver's license at 17, I made it a habit to drive from my then-home in Grand Rapids to Lansing every week, just to browse Elderly's (vast) selection. Eventually I moved to Lansing, and I still try to make it in when I can. The staff don't hassle you and generally let you do your thing, yet are willing to help if you ask -- I like that approach.

In addition, their guitar techs are some of the best in the nation, and charge a reasonable fee for their work. I recently had Steve Olson overhaul my 1996 Fender Stratocaster Standard -- my first real guitar, purchased new in 1996 -- with new pickups, tremolo assembly, a fret job and more. He made the guitar play and sound so nicely that it's made me want to play much more.