INTRODUCING | God City Instruments

Designed By Converge Guitarist Kurt Ballou, God City Instruments Are Crafted To Meet The Needs Of Today’s Working Musicians

For more than two decades, Converge guitarist Kurt Ballou has been building a career based on his love of music. From his guitar work for his groundbreaking metalcore band, which broke onto the hardcore punk scene in the early aughts; to owning God City Recording Studios, where he has engineered records for a host of indie, punk, hardcore, metal, and experimental artists since 2003; to founding God City Instruments (GCI) in 2017, after his circuit-board business card for the studio—a DIY PCB distortion pedal, based loosely on one of his favorite distortions—took the DIY pedal-building world by storm.

GCI Craftsman Series 4 Guitar Satin Shell Pink Electric Guitars / Solid Body

GCI Craftsman Series 4 Guitar Satin Shell Pink

$1,549.00

Please Note: This GCI instrument was manufactured for E standard tuning; if you're planning on playing it in a different tuning, please let us know before placing your order.

With a 25.5" scale length, solid alder body, and an overwound GCI Soap Jammer stacked humbucker, the God City Instruments Craftsman Series 4 is a simple, comfortable rocker.

Body: Alder (Satin Polyurethane Finish)
Construction: Set Neck

Neck: Maple (Satin Polyurethane Finish)
Neck Shape: C Shape
Neck Thickness: .825” thickness at 1st fret, .915” at 12th fret
Fretboard: Rosewood (12” to 16” compound radius)
Inlays: Dot
Binding: Cream Fretboard Binding
Side Dots: Black
Frets: 22 medium jumbo frets
Scale: 25.5”
Nut Material/Width: Graphtech (1 11/16” width)

Bridge: Graphtech PM-8593
Strap Buttons: Elliptical
Pickup: GCI Soap Jammer Stacked Humbucker (10k output, Alnico 5, 44AWG)
Controls & Knob Finish: 1 Volume, 1 Tone (Black Reflector Cap Knobs)
Factory Strings/Gauge: NYXL 10-46, E standard

Case: Hardshell Form Fitted GCI Case
Built by hand in Korea by a small team of dedicated luthiers

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GCI Craftsman Bass Gloss Amberburst Bass Guitars / 4-String

GCI Craftsman Bass Gloss Amberburst

$1,749.00

Please Note: This GCI instrument was manufactured for D standard Tuning (DGCF); if you're planning on playing it in a different tuning, please let us know before placing your order.

God City Instruments straddles the line between old-school aesthetics and modern power. Designed by Converge guitarist Kurt Ballou, GCI guitars and basses combine Ballou’s favorite features, including high-quality components, plus a no-frills approach to craftsmanship—as well factory-standard drop-tuned setups on some models—with an aim to provide unique, great-sounding tools for today’s working musicians so they can continue shaping the sound of tomorrow’s music!

Body: Mahogany
Construction: Set Neck

Neck: Maple Neck (Satin Tobacco Polyurethane Finish, Wenge headstock)
Neck Shape: C Shape
Neck Thickness: .865” thickness at 1st fret, .965” at 12th fret
Fretboard: Wenge Fingerboard (12” to 16” compound radius)
Inlays: Acrylic Pearloid Block
Binding: Cream (Body/Neck/Headstock)
Side Dots: Black
Frets/Size:18 Medium Jumbo
Nut/Width: Graphtech (1 11/16” width)
Scale: 34”

Bridge: Hipshot 5G400
Strap Buttons: Elliptical
Pickups: GCI Big Slug single coil (10k bridge output, 6k neck output, Alnico V, 42 AWG, reverse wound neck)
Controls & Knob Finish: 1 Volume, 1 Tone (Chrome Knurled Metal Knobs)
Factory Strings/Gauge: NYXL 55-110, D standard (DGCF)

Case: Hardshell Form Fitted GCI Case
Built by hand in Korea by a small team of dedicated luthiers

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Whether he is recording music or playing it himself, GCI has come to represent the nexus where the Converge guitarist’s own long-term musical interests, influences, and aspirations intersect! With an aim to provide unique, great-sounding, tools for the active musician, GCI guitars and basses employ a no-frills approach, straddling the line between old-school aesthetics and modern power.

From the body contours to the pickups, to the neck joints, God City Instruments guitars and basses combine some of Ballou’s favorite features from classic guitar models of the past and use only high-quality components, setting the standard for today’s recording and performing musicians, so they can continue shaping the sound of tomorrow’s music.

GCI Constructivist Guitar Gloss Metallic Lake Placid Blue Electric Guitars / Solid Body

GCI Constructivist Guitar Gloss Metallic Lake Placid Blue

$1,749.00

Please Note: This GCI instrument was manufactured for D standard tuning (DGCFAD); if you're planning on playing it in a different tuning, please let us know before placing your order.

Model: Constructivist Guitar
Color: Metallic Blue
Body Material: Swamp Ash
Body Finish: Gloss Metallic Blue
Body Shape: Offset with German Carve
Construction: 1 Piece Bolt-On

Neck Material/Finish: Roasted Maple/Gloss Metallic Blue
Neck Shape: C
Neck Dimensions: 0.85" at 1st, 0.95" at 12th
Fingerboard Material: Rosewood

Frets/Material: 22, Medium Jumbo
Fingerboard Radius: 12-16" compound
Fingerboard Binding: Cream
Fingerboard Inlay: Synthetic Pearloid Blocks
Side Dots: Black
Nut Material/Width: TUSQ, 1 11/16"
Scale Length: 25.5"
Headstock Color: Body Color
Truss Rod: Headstock

Neck Pickup: GCI Soap Jammer Stacked Humbucker
Bridge Pickup: GCI Soap Jammer Stacked Humbucker
Switching: Two Slider ON/OFF
Controls: Individual Volume and Tone
Pickguard: Black 3-ply
Truss Rod Cover: Black 3-ply
Knobs: Black Reflector Cap
Switch Cap: Black

Hardware Color: Chrome
Bridge: Hard Tail
Tuning Machines: D'Addario Auto-trim
Factory Strings/Gauge: NYXL 11-52, D standard (DGCFAD)

Case: Custom Hard Shell

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Shop for GCI guitars and basses today at Chicago Music Exchange!

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CME Sale Collections - 2024 Fall Sale

Fall into savings at Chicago Music Exchange! For a limited time, enjoy 15% OFF select New Gear and 10% OFF select Vintage & Used gear during our Fall Sale. Whether you’re looking to add a new guitar, amp, pedal, or accessory to your collection, or seeking a Vintage treasure, we’ve got the deals to keep your sound fresh. Shop our wide selection, both in-store and online, and take advantage of these incredible discounts before they’re gone!

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Roland & Boss Takeover In-Store Event | September 28, 2024

Get ready for the Roland & Boss Takeover in-store at Chicago Music Exchange! Join us on September 28, 2024, from 1-5 PM for an electrifying day of gear demos, expert tips, and epic giveaways. Don’t miss your chance to experience the Katana Gen 3 Series in action & more! RSVP now for automatic raffle entry. Must be present to win!

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PRS Guitars | Private Stock

At Chicago Music Exchange, we take pride in every PRS Private Stock selection, ensuring each guitar is a true work of art. From hand-picking stunning tonewoods to collaborating with the skilled team at PRS, we are deeply involved in crafting these extraordinary instruments. Whether you're drawn to our latest offerings or ready to spec out your dream guitar, Chicago Music Exchange is here to help you bring your vision to life. Reach out to us today, and let’s create a custom masterpiece together.

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Designed By Converge Guitarist Kurt Ballou, God City Instruments Are Crafted To Meet The Needs Of Today’s Working Musicians