Staff Picks: Andrew Yonke

Yonke Knows

Now, these are some serious picks! Would you expect anything less from the CEO of the world's greatest guitar store? With access to the most sought-after gear on earth, Andrew gets his hands on and creates – with the CME buying team – the coolest darn guitars we've ever seen. Enjoy Andrew's Staff Picks!  

FENDER CUSTOM SHOP 1957 STRATOCASTER

Fender Custom Shop 1957 Stratocaster "Chicago Special" Heavy Relic Aged Blue Sparkle

It is no secret that the Fender Custom Shop has been creating the best instruments since 1987. Here at Chicago Music Exchange, we have collaborated with the best minds at Fender to build the best instruments from top to bottom, tirelessly going over each spec to ensure that we offer you the best of what Fender has to offer.

We take customization a step further with rift sawn necks for added resonance and expanded control sets for tonal versatility, and every “Chicago Special” Fender Custom Shop guitar features our own custom Chicago Special pickups, designed in conjunction with Fender Custom Shop Vice President of Product Development Mike Lewis.   

Fender Custom Shop 1952 Telecaster HS
Fender Custom Shop 1952 Telecaster HS
Fender Custom Shop 1952 Telecaster HS
Fender Custom Shop 1952 Telecaster HS
Fender Custom Shop 1952 Telecaster HS
Fender Custom Shop 1952 Telecaster HS
Fender Custom Shop 1952 Telecaster HS
Fender Custom Shop 1952 Telecaster HS
Fender Custom Shop 1952 Telecaster HS
Fender Custom Shop 1952 Telecaster HS

Fender Custom Shop 1952 Telecaster HS "Chicago Special" NOS Aged Trans Shell Pink

$4,560.00
Fender Custom Shop 1959 Jazzmaster
Fender Custom Shop 1959 Jazzmaster
Fender Custom Shop 1959 Jazzmaster
Fender Custom Shop 1959 Jazzmaster
Fender Custom Shop 1959 Jazzmaster
Fender Custom Shop 1959 Jazzmaster
Fender Custom Shop 1959 Jazzmaster
Fender Custom Shop 1959 Jazzmaster
Fender Custom Shop 1959 Jazzmaster
Fender Custom Shop 1959 Jazzmaster
Fender Custom Shop 1959 Jazzmaster

Fender Custom Shop 1959 Jazzmaster "Chicago Special" Relic Aged Shell Pink Sparkle

$6,575.00
Fender Custom Shop 1970 Jazzmaster
Fender Custom Shop 1970 Jazzmaster
Fender Custom Shop 1970 Jazzmaster
Fender Custom Shop 1970 Jazzmaster
Fender Custom Shop 1970 Jazzmaster
Fender Custom Shop 1970 Jazzmaster
Fender Custom Shop 1970 Jazzmaster
Fender Custom Shop 1970 Jazzmaster
Fender Custom Shop 1970 Jazzmaster
Fender Custom Shop 1970 Jazzmaster
Fender Custom Shop 1970 Jazzmaster

Fender Custom Shop 1970 Jazzmaster "Chicago Special" Journeyman Relic Dirty Olympic White

$5,920.00
Fender Custom Shop 1966 Jazzmaster
Fender Custom Shop 1966 Jazzmaster
Fender Custom Shop 1966 Jazzmaster
Fender Custom Shop 1966 Jazzmaster
Fender Custom Shop 1966 Jazzmaster
Fender Custom Shop 1966 Jazzmaster
Fender Custom Shop 1966 Jazzmaster
Fender Custom Shop 1966 Jazzmaster
Fender Custom Shop 1966 Jazzmaster
Fender Custom Shop 1966 Jazzmaster
Fender Custom Shop 1966 Jazzmaster

Fender Custom Shop 1966 Jazzmaster "Chicago Special" Journeyman Relic Super Aged Teal Green Metallic w/Matching Headcap

$6,680.00
PROCO FAT RAT DISTORTION

ProCo Fat RAT Distortion

The new Fat Rat allows you to choose between the original and new MOSFET clipping circuit that delivers smooth upper-mids and a more natural, amp-driven tone. The bass enhancement switch allows you to bump up your low-end response with a simple flick, which is ideal for bassists or guitarists that want a little more "oomph."

GRETSCH 6122 COUNTRY GENTLEMAN BLACK 1964

1964 Gretsch 6122 Country Gentleman Black

"I chose this because it is literally the only Gretsch of that vintage year in that color of black that I have ever seen, and on top of that, it’s a killer guitar!! WAY cool look and vibe. Cannot get enough of this guitar!"

A&F DRUM CO. 14/18/26 3PC. MAPLE CLUB DRUM KIT ANTIQUE WHITE 1901 LIMITED EDITION

A&F Drum Co. Maple Club Drum Kit Antique White 1901 Limited Edition 

The 1901 Limited Edition Antique White Maple Club Kits is an easy pick! Made with exclusive 7-ply maple/poplar shells and patented untreated raw lugs, this kit comes fitted with nickel-over-brass hoops on the toms and maple hoops on the bass drum, which is a killer look.

9x14 Rack Tom
16x18 Floor Tom
14x26 Bass Drum

SHOP A&F DRUM CO.
CRAVIOTTO 6.5X14 BURNED GRAIN ASH SNARE DRUM BLACK CHERRY STAIN

Craviotto Burned Grain Ash Snare Drum Black Cherry Stain

"One word: craftsmanship. We love when we get Craviotto in-store. Big fan of what they have been doing. Plus, the color of this burned grain snare drum is SICK."

SHOP CRAVIOTTO DRUMS

Martin D-28 Authentic 1931 Natural 2013

"I challenge you to come by, strum an E-chord on this baby, and not buy it. Seriously, come by and play it and try not to leave with it."

SHOP MARTIN GUITAR
MARTIN D-28 AUTHENTIC 1931 NATURAL 2013
GIBSON CUSTOM 1964 SG STANDARD

Gibson Custom 1964 SG Standard "CME Spec" True Historic Red Aniline Dye VOS

GIBSON ES-335 NATURAL 1960

1960 Gibson ES-335 Natural

The Gibson Custom Shop takes pride in knowing they provide discerning players and collectors some of the most refined Historic Reissue, archtop, and custom guitars available today. Their achievements reflect decades of a passionate commitment to their position as the World's Finest Guitar Maker.

"This guitar checks off all the boxes for me. GRADE-A collectible with 100% ownership provenance, known and documented. Gorgeous natural wood, perfectly matched PAF set, and a Bigsby to boot!"

FENDER TWIN-AMP 80W 2X12 COMBO 1959 TWEED (SERIAL #A00569)

1959 Fender Twin-Amp 80w 2x12 Combo Tweed (Serial #A00569)

"Simple and easy in the amp department. This is the Fender amp to own. HUGE power and clarity."

SHOP FENDER AMPLIFIERS
FENDER CUSTOM SHOP AMERICAN CUSTOM KORINA TELECASTER HS MASTER BUILT BY RON THORN W/BRAZILIAN FINGERBOARD (SERIAL #R106129)

Fender Custom Shop Korina Telecaster Master Built by Ron Thorn

"I designed this guitar in person at the Fender factory in Corona, California. I carefully hand-selected the Korina body and Brazilian rosewood fingerboard alongside Fender's Director of Wood Technology, Mike Born. It features our brand new "Chicago Special" Telecaster bridge pickup, paired perfectly with a Seymour Duncan SH-55 Seth Lover model humbucker in the neck position."

Teenage Engineering OP-1 Portable Synthesizer Workstation

The answer for portable synthesizers. The ability to create on this thing knows no bounds. If you want an all-in-one synthesizer, this is the pick.

SHOP TEENAGE ENGINEERING
TEENAGE ENGINEERING OP-1 PORTABLE SYNTHESIZER WORKSTATION
PRS SILVER SKY JOHN MAYER MODEL TUNGSTEN

PRS Silver Sky John Mayer Model Tungsten

The PRS Silver Sky is an idealized version of a vintage single-coil guitar where every detail adds up to set it apart from the pack—and the past.

SHOP PRS GUITARS

SHOP PRS GUITAR SILVER SKY

PRS Silver Sky John Mayer Midnight Rose Electric Guitars / Solid Body
PRS Silver Sky John Mayer Midnight Rose Electric Guitars / Solid Body
PRS Silver Sky John Mayer Midnight Rose Electric Guitars / Solid Body
PRS Silver Sky John Mayer Midnight Rose Electric Guitars / Solid Body
PRS Silver Sky John Mayer Midnight Rose Electric Guitars / Solid Body
PRS Silver Sky John Mayer Midnight Rose Electric Guitars / Solid Body
PRS Silver Sky John Mayer Midnight Rose Electric Guitars / Solid Body
PRS Silver Sky John Mayer Midnight Rose Electric Guitars / Solid Body

PRS Silver Sky John Mayer Midnight Rose

$2,749.00
PRS Silver Sky Maple John Mayer Tungsten Electric Guitars / Solid Body
PRS Silver Sky Maple John Mayer Tungsten Electric Guitars / Solid Body
PRS Silver Sky Maple John Mayer Tungsten Electric Guitars / Solid Body
PRS Silver Sky Maple John Mayer Tungsten Electric Guitars / Solid Body
PRS Silver Sky Maple John Mayer Tungsten Electric Guitars / Solid Body
PRS Silver Sky Maple John Mayer Tungsten Electric Guitars / Solid Body
PRS Silver Sky Maple John Mayer Tungsten Electric Guitars / Solid Body
PRS Silver Sky Maple John Mayer Tungsten Electric Guitars / Solid Body
PRS Silver Sky Maple John Mayer Tungsten Electric Guitars / Solid Body

PRS Silver Sky Maple John Mayer Tungsten

$2,749.00
PRS Silver Sky John Mayer Tungsten Electric Guitars / Solid Body
PRS Silver Sky John Mayer Tungsten Electric Guitars / Solid Body
PRS Silver Sky John Mayer Tungsten Electric Guitars / Solid Body
PRS Silver Sky John Mayer Tungsten Electric Guitars / Solid Body
PRS Silver Sky John Mayer Tungsten Electric Guitars / Solid Body
PRS Silver Sky John Mayer Tungsten Electric Guitars / Solid Body
PRS Silver Sky John Mayer Tungsten Electric Guitars / Solid Body
PRS Silver Sky John Mayer Tungsten Electric Guitars / Solid Body
PRS Silver Sky John Mayer Tungsten Electric Guitars / Solid Body

PRS Silver Sky John Mayer Tungsten

$2,749.00
PRS SE Silver Sky Maple Summit Purple Electric Guitars / Solid Body
PRS SE Silver Sky Maple Summit Purple Electric Guitars / Solid Body
PRS SE Silver Sky Maple Summit Purple Electric Guitars / Solid Body
PRS SE Silver Sky Maple Summit Purple Electric Guitars / Solid Body
PRS SE Silver Sky Maple Summit Purple Electric Guitars / Solid Body
PRS SE Silver Sky Maple Summit Purple Electric Guitars / Solid Body
PRS SE Silver Sky Maple Summit Purple Electric Guitars / Solid Body
PRS SE Silver Sky Maple Summit Purple Electric Guitars / Solid Body
PRS SE Silver Sky Maple Summit Purple Electric Guitars / Solid Body

PRS SE Silver Sky Maple Summit Purple

$849.00

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