Fender Made In Japan models are known for quality at an unusually low price, and the MIJ Traditional Series presents time-honored Fender models–complete with classic Fender tone, foreign market finishes and premium components like rosewood fingerboards–for under $1,000 USD.
Chicago Music Exchange super-limited runs of Gibson models never before available in the United States. Handpicked from acoustics Gibson manufactures for sale abroad, these vintage-inspired guitars were originally designed by and built solely for Japanese retailers. Now these Gibson Montana models are available at Chicago Music Exchange.
Los Angeles-based boutique effects pedals company Meris is the brainchild of Engineer Terry Burton and DSP Designer Angelo Mazzocco. With prior histories working for Line 6 and Strymon, it's not surprising what this duo is able to accomplish in the world of digital effects pedals. However, a brand is nothing without an identity, which is where Creative Director Jinna Kim comes in.
Walk The Moon bassist, Kevin Ray, stopped by the Chicago Music Exchange to talk tone! Kevin walks us through his pedal board, loaded with Earthquaker Devices effects, talking about how he likes to use each effect and their impact on the recording of their "What If Nothing" Album.
In this episode of LABOR OF LOVE, we're talking to the powerfully soulful Marty O'Reilly & the Old Soul Orchestra . Marty and the band stopped by while out touring their album, Stereoscope. We talked with Marty about how he got his start and what inspires the music that seems to possess him!
“I’ve been playing the prototype of “Old Glory” on stage since the day I got it,” said Nichols. “Ever since Joe Perry loaned me a 50s Les Paul Custom with a single pickup, I knew I needed one of my own. This is an incredible guitar. I can’t put it down. I’m so honored and grateful. Thank you, Epiphone!”
Intrigue, romance, murder: that’s Dallas. Okay, maybe that’s just Dallas the TV show, but how about two jet-lagged guitar nerds, 200,000+ square feet of possibility, and one bone white Camaro? That’s our Dallas. We fitted up our vintage buyers with some new cowboy boots and flew them deep into the heart of Texas to show off their two-step and lasso up the best in show at the Dallas International Guitar Festival, one of the biggest vintage and resale shows of the year.
From your first guitar to your favorite guitar, we have you covered with a wide variety of amazing instruments from builders including Fender, Gibson and the Gibson Custom Shop, Reverend and Supro!
My Brightest Diamond's Shara Nova is a three-fold musician. Between composing for 400 musicians, singing on other's records or recording her own "quirky pop music" and performing under My Brightest Diamond, Nova knows how to stay busy. We sat down with Nova before the group's show at Lincoln Hall to discuss her gear and colorful life in music in this Labor of Love.
Gibson guitars represent the apex of American-made quality and provenance. We work very closely with Gibson and the Gibson Custom Shop to design amazing modern renditions of classic vintage guitars. From hand-picked tops in our Les Pauls, to exclusive finishes and pickups in our SGs, when it comes to getting a great guitar, only Gibson is good enough.
Home to some of the best drum gear, coolest vintage drums, & great exclusive gear—all procured and curated with loving care by the employees of the Chicago Drum Exchange. Stop on by for your first kit, pair of sticks, or that vintage snare you've been searching for, we've got you covered!
With a huge variety of brands including Earthquaker Devices, Fuzzrocious, Dunable, Benson and more, take your tone to the next level with a plethora of our Chicago Music Exchange exclusive effects pedals!
Better quality and more accessible than ever before, Gibson 2019 guitars are a clear indication that the brand is moving in the right direction. With revitalized classic models and new price points for those looking to join the Gibson family, 2019 might just be one of the best times yet to grab a Gibson.
Multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter duo OHMME is made up of Sima Cunningham and Macie Stewart. Their aggressive, yet meditative and trance-inducing sound stems from a rich background of musical influences. Accompanying local acts such as Tweedy, Chance the Rapper and Twin Peaks, OHMME has been hailed by Noisey as the "Heart of Chicago's Music Community."
We headed to the Amigos Guitar Show in Nashville to scout out some amazing vintage guitars to add to our collection, from 70's Stratocasters to Grammer acoustics and beyond.
The Ball Family Reserve represents the finest that Ernie Ball has to offer. Including models formerly reserved for the family, their friends, and select Ernie Ball artists, these extremely limited editions feature top-end components like quilted tone woods, roasted figured maple necks, rosewood fingerboards with pearlescent block inlays, hand-fitted binding, and premium hardware and detailing for an elegant and refined instrument once–and still–available only to a limited few.
Putting 100 years of soul into a modern instrument is no easy task. But Ramy Antoun and his team have created a legacy of creating incredible instruments with timeless character.
Sacha Dunable has been fixing, tweaking, and building guitars for over 15 years, but after starting his own shop, Dunable Guitars, one particular exchange stands out - “Someone once told me our guitars look like some forgotten guitar from the 70's on a pawn shop wall that you never knew existed. Without thinking that exact thought, I think that kind of summed up where I was coming from.”
Barton and their value-driven portfolio of kits, shells, and snares are quickly becoming a go-to, no-nonsense choice for working drummers and that’s just how founder Todd Barton LaBrie likes it.
In advance of Vaughan’s new album, Baby, Please Come Home, releasing May 17th on Last Music Company, Fender celebrates thirty years of the legendary Vaughan Brothers’ duo record, Family Style, with the release of the Custom Shop 30th Anniversary Jimmie Vaughan Signature Stratocaster–available here in three classic colorways: Olympic White, Aztec Gold, and Wide Fade 2-Tone Sunburst.
Take a trip with us and see the lush gear of Asheville! We're on a roll with SGs and Amps! There are some great finds from Asheville we can't wait to get into the showroom and in your hands! Here's a sneak peek and Have any questions about something featured on this sneak peek?
Stelth Ulvang is a singer-songwriter who's ability to weave delicate lattices of deeply emotional lyrics over catchy rhythms is one not commonly shared amongst his peers. After performing "Denim," we sat down with Ulvang and Dorota Szuta to learn more about their lives in music in this Labor of Love.
The Teenage Engineering OP-Z is the next-generation iteration of the brand's iconic micro-magical synthesizer, the OP-1. The OP-Z builds on its predecessor, without sacrificing much other than a screen.
At Death By Audio, form follows function, reinvention is necessity, and new chips are king. Oliver Ackermann, founder of DBA, gave us the inside scoop about all things pedals.
San Antonio was a trip! From the character of the hotel to the quality of guitar presence, we had a ball and are happy to say we have quite a haul for you! Check out these beauties now, don't see it listed? Give us a call, they're all in and coming soon!
Pallbearer bassist Joseph Rowland swung by the shop to discuss his crushing low-end tone with us. Joseph walks us through his setup, gives us insight into his creative process, and talks about his obsession with synthesizers in this round of Tone tour.
2017 Blues Music Award Nominee Guy King’s music is fresh and unique while maintaining a strong link to the musical masters that came before him. His natural musical abilities and his one of a kind blend of Blues, Jazz, Soul, and R&B are some of what makes Guy King so special in the music world. Take a peak into King's inspirations, upcoming concert dates, and what gear he's been running lately below.
Max Jenkins, Will Robinson from Netflix's Lost in Space re-boot, and his band Cowboy Jesus & The Sugar Bums stopped by Chicago Music Exchange to play their tune, "Salty Joe." We asked the boys what got them started in music and what keeps them going in this episode of Labor of Love.
Our friend Gabriel Wallace (Gorillaz/manuaLs) does what he does best, getting super creative showing off some unique ways to use the all of the new Zildjian 2019 releases, including the FX Stacks, K Cluster Crashes and the 22" Oriental Crash of Doom. All of which are available now at Chicago Drum Exchange.
Singer songwriter Dan Tedesco stopped by the CME acoustic room to try out some vintage Martin guitars and run us through his new single "The Wolves Are Running Wild Tonight." We asked Dan how he got hooked on music and how he makes it his life's work in this episode of Labor of Love.