ACOUSTIC & ELECTRIC GUITARS

THE RICHARD FORTUS COLLECTION

AN AURAL ARSENAL FROM ONE OF ROCK'S MOST IN-DEMAND GUITARISTS, ONLY AT THE CHICAGO MUSIC EXCHANGE!

For some guitarists, one is enough. Richard Fortus, however, is not one of those guitarists.

The go-to guy for Guns N' Roses, Thin Lizzy, The Psychedelic Furs, Rihanna, *NSYNC, The Dead Daisies, and more, Fortus is more than just the consummate rock star; he's a prodigious collector, with a massive stockpile of instruments spanning styles from throughout the 20th century and beyond. 

Richard Fortus Collection Guitar Group
Richard Fortus Collection Guitar Group
Richard Fortus Collection Guitar Group
Richard Fortus Collection Guitar Group
Richard Fortus Collection Guitar Group

The Chicago Music Exchange is proud to offer just a slice in the Richard Fortus Collection, acoustic and electric guitars owned by the artist himself, each accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity, as well as a brief description or anecdote.

Carefully curated and amassed over decades touring and playing with the world's biggest acts, the Richard Fortus Collection is like no other. Extensive, exceptional, and only at the Chicago Music Exchange! 

STAY IN TUNE!

Stay tuned for more updates! Subscribe to our email list above, give us a call at (773) 525-7773 and follow us on Instagram, our YouTube, and the Soundboard Blog for more on this one-of-a-kind collection. You will not want to miss it!

SHOP RICHARD FORTUS GUITAR COLLECTION

QUOTES FROM THE MAN HIMSELF

1964 Epiphone Casiono

1964 Epiphone Casino

  • "Incredible sounding Casino. Probably the best I've ever played of any 330 or Casino. Small neck and the perfect guitar for controllable feedback"
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1964 Fender Jaguar

1964 Fender Jaguar

  • "A well played and very loved Jag. Plays and sounds fantastic and used on many recordings over the years."
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CONTACT US TODAY!

Help us, help you! Send us an email or give us a call and we can help find the perfect gear to add to your own collection from this amazing haul!

MORE ABOUT THIS GEAR

Fender '51 Nocaster

1951 Fender Nocaster Body w/1960 Neck Stripped 1960s

"This guitar has been with me since I was about 20 years old. I toured with it with the Furs and with Love Spit Love. I've used this on so many recordings and written so many songs on this. The pickups and body are from '51 and the clay dot neck is amazing feeling. I bought this from my first manager, who played in the Blues Magoos and 1910 Fruitgum Company. He bought it off a homeless guy in the East Village that had it in the snow with no case. It's a magical instrument."

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1952 Gibson ES-295

1952 Gibson ES-295

"This guitar was given to Dr. John by John Campbell while they were working on an album together for Etta James. When Mac died, his widow called John Campbell's widow to see if she wanted the guitar back. She had no use for it, but told her it should go to me. So I bought it from her. It has John's gris gris stick and other talisman items with it."

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1960s Kapa Continental

1960s Kapa Continental

"If you don't know these, they are awesome guitars. Those that know, know. Made in the US in the 60's with Hofner pickups. Very similar to a Jazzmaster but the pickups are a little rounder sounding. Most of the parts came from Europe and were assembled in the Maryland area. The bridge is awesome and were actually made by Kapa."

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1998 Dan Armstrong Clear

Unbranded Harp Guitar

"I bought this in this little violin shop in Prague. Fell in love with it. No idea who made it."

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1964 Epiphone Wilshire

1964 Epiphone Wilshire

"I always loved these and this is an exceptional one. Great sounding mini's and a super playable neck. I've used this on many sessions over the years."

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James Trussart Shiny DeVille

James Trussart Shiny DeVille

"I used this on 'Street Of Dreams' and a few other 'Chinese Democracy' songs and was with me on the road for many years."

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James Trussart Shiny DeVille

Godin Multiac Nylon Duet

"I used this with Enrique Iglesias. I tried many electric nylons and this was by far the best. Bumblefoot used this live on 'If The World'"

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G-Sharp Fortus Signature Model Baritone

G-Sharp Fortus Signature Model Baritone

"I designed this guitar with G-Sharp and have used this for all of the Not In This Lifetime tour. We experimented quite a bit with different woods and pickups and ended up with Lollar gold foils. Sounds massive through a big amp"

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G-Sharp Fortus Signature Model Baritone

Fender Artist Justin Meldal-Johnsen Mustang Bass

"I learned about the magic of the Mustang bass from Darryl Jones and Charley Drayton. It's the secret weapon of bass in the studio. Fender did a great job with this RI model. It records really, really well."

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1983 B.C. Rich Mockingbird Supreme

1983 B.C. Rich Mockingbird Supreme

"Matt Touchard found this for me. Matt is the world's foremost authority on B.C. Rich and is writing a book on them. This guitar was photographed and will be in the book. I'd been looking for a Mockingbird for a while and had played quite a few. This ticked all of my Joe Perry boxes. The koa, the stringers, the Bill Lawrence (which really gives the koa some edge and adds the definition the koa needs). Slash told me that he thought it was the best looking Mockingbird he'd seen."

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1998 Dan Armstrong Clear

1998 Ampeg Dan Armstrong Reissue Lucite

"I used this guitar when I was with the Psychedelic Furs and it can be seen in the Live From HOB DVD. The humbucking pickup was custom wound for me by Arcane Inc. and really sounds great in this guitar. Used on many recordings, mainly for slide."

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Fender Vintage Modified '68 Custom Pro Reverb Silverface Amps / Guitar Combos
Fender Vintage Modified '68 Custom Pro Reverb Silverface Amps / Guitar Combos
Fender Vintage Modified '68 Custom Pro Reverb Silverface Amps / Guitar Combos
Fender Vintage Modified '68 Custom Pro Reverb Silverface Amps / Guitar Combos
Fender Vintage Modified '68 Custom Pro Reverb Silverface Amps / Guitar Combos

Fender Vintage Modified '68 Custom Pro Reverb Silverface

$1,599.99
The ‘68 Customs have become an extremely popular amp series for guitarists who love classic Fender sounds along with toneful modifications that resonate with today’s players.

The ‘68 Custom Pro Reverb takes its cues from the original 40-watt model, improving its portability and tonal flexibility by reducing the cabinet size and weight, moving to a single-channel format and single 12” speaker, and adding a middle tone control. This refined and upgraded amp is the perfect size and volume for almost any gig, and may be the ultimate pedal-friendly platform.

Amplifier Type: Tube
Control Knobs: Vintage-Style Skirted Black Plastic
Inputs: Two - (1/4", Input 2 operates at -6dB)
Cabinet Material: 7-ply 3/4" Meranti plywood
Handle: Molded Plastic Strap with Nickel-Plated Caps
Speakers: One - 12" Celestion NEO Creamback
Total Impedance: 8 ohms
Power Tubes: 2 x 6L6
Preamp Tubes: 3 x 12AX7, 2 x 12AT7
Dimensions: 13.10x22.70x27.50 IN
Weight: 44.60 LB
Footswitch: 2-Button Vintage Style (Reverb On/Off, Vibrato On/Off)
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Fender Vintage Modified '68 Custom Vibro Champ Reverb Silverface Amps / Guitar Combos
Fender Vintage Modified '68 Custom Vibro Champ Reverb Silverface Amps / Guitar Combos
Fender Vintage Modified '68 Custom Vibro Champ Reverb Silverface Amps / Guitar Combos
Fender Vintage Modified '68 Custom Vibro Champ Reverb Silverface Amps / Guitar Combos

Fender Vintage Modified '68 Custom Vibro Champ Reverb Silverface

$999.99
The ’68 Customs have become an extremely popular amp series for guitarists who love classic Fender sounds along with toneful modifications that resonate with today’s players. 

At just 5 watts, the original Vibro Champ was famous for classic Fender tremolo, tube sparkle and killer grind at a reasonable level. The ’68 Custom Vibro Champ Reverb improves on this classic amp by adding hall-emulating DSP reverb and using a larger 10” speaker for increased low end. These additions make this little wonder perfect for rehearsal, home recording and even small gigs.

Color: Black
Amplifier Type: Tube
Control Knobs: Vintage-Style Skirted Black Plastic
Inputs: Two - (1/4", Input 2 operates at -6dB)
Cabinet Material: 7-Ply 5/8" Birch Plywood
Handle: Molded Plastic Strap with Nickel-Plated Caps
Speakers: One - 10" Celestion TEN 30
Total Impedance: 3.2 ohms
Power Tubes: 1 x 6V6
Preamp Tubes: 2 x 12AX7
Dimensions: 12.50x19.50x20.50 IN
Weight: 26.40 LB
Footswitch: Optional 2-Button Footswitch

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