THIS WEEK @ CME

Fresh Gear This Week

This just in at Chicago Music Exchange! Fresh Gear is where you’ll find fresh gear from all your favorite manufacturers, updated daily, so you’re always ahead of the beat.

SHOP FRESH GEAR NOW!

2023 CME BOXING DAY SALE

You Can Still Give Yourself the Gift of Gear with/ CME’s Boxing Day Sale!
You still have a chance to save 20% on select new gear (or save 10% on select vintage and used) when you shop CME’s 2023 Boxing Day Sale! Now, until January 3, 2024, get $500 OFF CME Exclusive Gibson Les Paul Standard models, get $400 OFF select* CME Exclusive Fender American Ultra models, or get $200 OFF select* CME Exclusive Player models—including select* case/gig-bag bundles!

*Select gear only. Exclusions apply.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CME BOXING DAY SALES
Black Friday-Cyber Monday Deals going on now!

We’re extending our biggest sale of the year through December 6!





If you were busy on Thanksgiving weekend, with family, or just out and about and missed CME’s biggest sale of the year, never fear—we’ve still got loads of gear here, with discounts on your favorite brands like Fender, Ludwig, Marshall, Gamechanger, and more, for select new gear—including 10% off select vintage and used! If you’re still looking for your biggest chance to save all year at CME—now, thru December 6!

SHOP OUR EXTENDED BLACK FRIDAY SALE!
Shop 15% off Gear Sale

No Coupon Code Necessary

SHOP 15% OFF SELECT NEW GEAR
Get our absolute best deals any time of year in our deals & steals

No Coupon Code Necessary

SHOP DEALS & STEALS

OPEN THE CME APP TO SHOP OUR ST. PATRICK'S DAY SALE!

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Feeling Lucky? Download the CME App to Access Huge Deals During our St. Patrick’s Day Weekend Sale!

This St. Patrick’s Day weekend, if you’re looking to find your four-leaf-clover-of-a-deal on guitars, amps, accessories, and more, then it’s your lucky day—but, ONLY if you download the CME mobile app! Now, through midnight Monday, March 18, download the CME Mobile App to access $500 OFF deals on select Gibson (w/ coupon code DIRTY500) and Fender CME Exclusives (ULTRA500) guitars! Plus, get up to 10% OFF Vintage/Used gear (w/ code MARCH10) through midnight Monday, as well as deals on select* guitars, amps, accessories, and more!

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Save BIG on Your Next Gear Purchase During CME’s 2024 Spring Sale, Now Extended One More Day!

Chicago Music Exchange is your go-to destination for some of the most sought-after vintage and used musical instruments available anywhere! From a vintage refin from 1957 of the electric guitar model that launched the Fender brand into the stratosphere to a Gibson Les Paul Junior Cherry from the years before they changed the name to SG, plus a vintage Gibson acoustic used by Nathaniel Rateliff on some of his biggest recordings—find the coolest vintage and used guitars alongside their brand-new custom shop counterparts at CME!

LEARN MORE ABOUT 2024 CME SPRING SALE!

Highlight Of The Week

04.23.24 - Fender Custom Shop 1952 Telecaster HS _Chicago Special_ Relic Aged Sherwood Green Metallic_ - 9232000602-R136663-5.jpg__PID:353407e4-d7c2-4d45-8ccd-3b1cac66ed4d
04.23.24 - Fender Stratocaster Hardtail Sunburst 1954_ - U5931844702-7 (1).jpg__PID:07e4d7c2-3d45-4ccd-bb1c-ac66ed4d8723
04.16.24 - Fender Custom Shop 1962 Jazzmaster _Chicago Special_ Candy Apple Red Burst - 9232001305-R136033-1.jpg__PID:d5b73534-07e4-47c2-bd45-0ccd3b1cac66

Shop Fender New Arrivals at CME, Including “Chicago Special” Guitars and a First-Year 1954 Hardtail Stratocaster!


Our latest vintage and used YouTube video features two first-year editions of Fender’s most enduring and iconic models, both under CME’s roof at once for the first time! If you think the harrowing story about how the ‘52 Tele was saved from the rubbish pile, wait until you hear about how the ’54 Fender Hardtail Stratocaster’s story allegedly connects Bo Diddley with the Beatles’ White Album, by way of Paul McCartney’s dog! Watch the video on YouTube, learn more on our Soundboard Blog, and then check out all the new Fender “Chicago Special” electric guitar arrivals!

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Choose Among Your Favorite Slope-Shouldered Dreadnoughts with New Gibson J-45 Standard Arrivals!
The Gibson Modern J-45 Standard features a classic combination of a Sitka spruce top coupled with mahogany back and sides to deliver a sound with a wide dynamic range, warm mids, and a tight punchy bass. Now, in CME’s Acoustic Room, you can get a Gibson Modern J-45 Standard with an eye-popping Cherry top! In addition, the Gibson Modern J-45 Standard Rosewood in Rosewood Burst finish features rosewood back and sides to deliver all of the playing and sonic characteristics you'd expect from the J-45, but with slightly fuller bass response and overtone complexity. Shop for your favorite slope-shouldered dreadnought in CME’s Acoustic Room!

SHOP GIBSON ACOUSTIC GUITARS

Chicago Music Exchange Holiday Gift Guide

You’ve got enough on your plate. Let the Chicago Music Exchange help make your holidaze a little clearer with our Holiday Gift Guide! With great deals and financing options, we are certain you will find everything you need. Book an appointment for Monday or Tuesdays today! 

ASK ABOUT EXPEDITED SHIPPING TODAY!

New to CME: The Final Sale Collection

New At CME!

When you love gear as much as we do here at CME, sometimes you end up with more guitars than hooks to hang them from. And we are determined to find the right home for this gear so as a Final Sale item, no returns or exchanges will be available. But with prices like this, why would you even need to! Your gain is our loss!

SHOP CME FINAL SALE COLLECTION

Items marked Final Sale have been heavily discounted and are not eligible for returns, exchanges or refunds. If you have any questions regarding your Final Sale items, please reach out to our customer service team through live chat, email (customerservice@chicagomusicexchange.com), or phone (773) 525-7773. Exceptions to the policy are if you’ve received a faulty, damaged, and/or incorrectly advertised product, in which case you can reach out to the Customer Care team for a full refund (case must be submitted up to 3 days after delivery date). Returns that do not meet this criteria and cancellations will be charged a restocking fee plus any additional shipping charges

Please Note: Final Sale items are not covered by our general return policy. These items do not qualify for returns or exchanges unless proof can be provided within 3 days of receipt that the item arrived in a condition inconsistent with the product description. Returns that do not meet this criteria will be charged a restocking fee.

Enter to Win this Vintera II Guitar Featuring One of Fender’s Most Polarizing Finish Options!

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The Antigua finish may not be for everyone—but, what if we gave you a free Fender 70th Anniversary Vintera II Antigua Stratocaster? Enter to win online, in-store, or in the CME mobile app for your chance to see how you really feel about this perennially polarizing finish option! Learn more today!

LEARN MORE ABOUT CME GIVEAWAYS HERE!

Chicago Drum Exchange

You can’t beat the Chicago Drum Exchange. Shop the newest gear from Chicago’s best drum shop today. 

Istanbul Agop

Get the Istanbul Agop 21" Mel Lewis Ride Cymbal For a True Classic Jazz Ride Sound!

Designed in collaboration with legendary drummer, Mel Lewis, Istanbul Agop’s first artist endorser, the bandleader’s signature cymbals became a staple line of the factory after his passing in 1990, with his family's blessing. This jazz ride features two factory-installed rivets and produces a dark, warm buttery tone, with a woody stick definition.

SHOP ISTANBUL AGOP

SHOP ISTANBUL AGOP

Istanbul Agop 21
Istanbul Agop 21

Istanbul Agop 21" Mel Lewis Ride Cymbal

$546.32
Istanbul Agop 15
Istanbul Agop 15
Istanbul Agop 15

Istanbul Agop 15" Mantra Hi-Hat Pair

$536.00
Istanbul Agop 18
Istanbul Agop 18

Istanbul Agop 18" OM Crash Cymbal

$379.00
Istanbul Agop 15
Istanbul Agop 15
Istanbul Agop 15

Istanbul Agop 15" Traditional Jazz Hi Hats Pair

$543.43

Drum Deals & Steals!
Want to make music on a new kit—for less?! CME offers deals and steals on new, used, and vintage gear to keep the good times rolling all year round! Shop deep discounts on new drum kits, including our DW Performance Series drum kit featuring CME Exclusive Confetti Sparkle wraps!

SHOP DRUM & PERCUSSION DEALS & STEALS
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Featured Video

Exploring the Birth of Fender's Icons | First Year Telecaster vs. First Year Stratocaster!

Since this vintage Fender “Blackguard” electric guitar in Butterscotch Blonde was released in 1952—the year the “Telecaster” officially got its name—it means that, alongside the vintage 1954 Fender Stratocaster, both guitars you see in the CME YouTube video below represent awe-inspiring examples of Fender’s two most popular instrument designs from each model, both from each model’s debut year!

Shop Antelope Audio Zen Q Bundle Promotions

Attention!! Antelope Audio Special Offer! With the Zen Q Synergy Core, you can immediately start creating with 37 included effects, an FX bundle, afx2daw & Bitwig Studio DAW, once activated! Take the leap forward without leaving your home studio. Shop this Antelope Audio Zen Go Synergy Core 4x8 Interface and get $5279 worth of plugins and gear free!! 

Fresh Gibson Custom Shop "CME Spec" Guitars In-House Now!

Gibson is guitar history, and Gibson “CME Spec” is guitar history in the making. Thoughtfully designed with our favorite historic specs, custom colorways, and components you won’t find anywhere else, these exclusive models are love letters to one of rock’s most fundamental brands—big, bold, brash, and breathtaking, just the way they should be.

Gibson Custom Shop SG Group
Gibson Custom Shop Trini Lopez Models

SHOP CME EXCLUSIVE GIBSON

Gibson Custom Shop 1957 Les Paul Goldtop
Gibson Custom Shop 1957 Les Paul Goldtop
Gibson Custom Shop 1957 Les Paul Goldtop
Gibson Custom Shop 1957 Les Paul Goldtop
Gibson Custom Shop 1957 Les Paul Goldtop
Gibson Custom Shop 1957 Les Paul Goldtop
Gibson Custom Shop 1957 Les Paul Goldtop
Gibson Custom Shop 1957 Les Paul Goldtop
Gibson Custom Shop 1957 Les Paul Goldtop
Gibson Custom Shop 1957 Les Paul Goldtop
Gibson Custom Shop 1957 Les Paul Goldtop

Gibson Custom Shop 1957 Les Paul Goldtop "CME Spec" VOS w/59 Carmelita Neck

$4,999.00
Gibson Custom Shop 1957 Les Paul Standard
Gibson Custom Shop 1957 Les Paul Standard
Gibson Custom Shop 1957 Les Paul Standard
Gibson Custom Shop 1957 Les Paul Standard
Gibson Custom Shop 1957 Les Paul Standard
Gibson Custom Shop 1957 Les Paul Standard
Gibson Custom Shop 1957 Les Paul Standard
Gibson Custom Shop 1957 Les Paul Standard
Gibson Custom Shop 1957 Les Paul Standard
Gibson Custom Shop 1957 Les Paul Standard
Gibson Custom Shop 1957 Les Paul Standard

Gibson Custom Shop 1957 Les Paul Standard "CME Spec" Candy Apple Blue VOS w/'59 Carmelita Neck

$6,199.00
Gibson Modern SG Modern Ebony w/Gold Hardware
Gibson Modern SG Modern Ebony w/Gold Hardware
Gibson Modern SG Modern Ebony w/Gold Hardware
Gibson Modern SG Modern Ebony w/Gold Hardware
Gibson Modern SG Modern Ebony w/Gold Hardware
Gibson Modern SG Modern Ebony w/Gold Hardware
Gibson Modern SG Modern Ebony w/Gold Hardware
Gibson Modern SG Modern Ebony w/Gold Hardware
Gibson Modern SG Modern Ebony w/Gold Hardware
Gibson Modern SG Modern Ebony w/Gold Hardware
Gibson Modern SG Modern Ebony w/Gold Hardware

Gibson Modern SG Modern Ebony w/Gold Hardware

$2,499.00
Gibson Modern SG Modern Ebony w/Gold Hardware
Gibson Modern SG Modern Ebony w/Gold Hardware
Gibson Modern SG Modern Ebony w/Gold Hardware
Gibson Modern SG Modern Ebony w/Gold Hardware
Gibson Modern SG Modern Ebony w/Gold Hardware
Gibson Modern SG Modern Ebony w/Gold Hardware
Gibson Modern SG Modern Ebony w/Gold Hardware
Gibson Modern SG Modern Ebony w/Gold Hardware
Gibson Modern SG Modern Ebony w/Gold Hardware
Gibson Modern SG Modern Ebony w/Gold Hardware
Gibson Modern SG Modern Ebony w/Gold Hardware
Gibson Modern SG Modern Ebony w/Gold Hardware

Gibson Modern SG Modern Ebony w/Gold Hardware

$2,499.00

Shop Huge Price Drops On Focal Studio Monitoring Gear—Now Thru December 30!

Hear your music—not your speakers!—with price drops on Focal studio monitors, going on now at CME! Focal’s Alpha Evo line features a bass-reflex design that allows outstanding acoustic integration, while Shape monitors combine numerous settings optimized for the acoustics of small listening rooms! Plus, now you can save $50 on your next purchase of Focal Listen professional closed-back studio headphones, or save $250 on Focal Clear Mg professional open-back studio headphones—now thru December 30 at CME!

Focal Moniter Price Drop
Focal Headphone Price Drop

LEARN ABOUT OUR FINANCING OPTIONS TODAY!

Get financed today and be approved to rock now and pay later!

CALL NOW!

Featured Video

"Man Overboard" Blink-182 | CME Full Band Fridays

While it’s true that the spotlight of this Blink-182 song, “Man Overboard,” might be on a certain drummer, if you wouldn’t mind briefly averting your eyes from our own drummer during this week's episode of Full Band Friday, you might notice the rest of our CME House Band playing not one, not two, but THREE different signature Fender instruments!

Effects & Amplification

Let us be your Pedal Plug and Amplifier Tone Shop!

Marshall Amps

Preorder the New Portable Marshall JTM Series Amplifiers!
The amp that started it all is back! Now in a new portable size, the iconic JTM has been added to Marshall’s Studio range, offering players authentic, smooth, valve-driven break-up at lower volumes. Check out Marshall JTM Studio options now available for preorder at CME!

SHOP MARSHALL AMPLIFIERS
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Switch Between the Most Saturated Sounds of the Past 30 Years Using the Synergy DRECT Preamp Module!

HT stands for High Tension, referring to the high voltage that internal circuits need to push valves to their full tonal potential—and Blackstar’s HT Series MK3 models boast this series’ fullest tonal potential, yet! Great for quiet practice and home recording, or for taking to small gigs, the Blackstar HT Series MK3 amplifiers come packed with even more features than before, offering powerful tube amp sounds and modern visual aesthetics in an affordable, low-wattage combo or amp-head/cabinet format.

SHOP BLACKSTAR

Make Your Bass a Whole Lot Louder with the New Benson B700 Flagship Bass Amp!

In 2019, The Messthetics contacted Benson Amps and asked them to provide backline amplification for a West Coast tour. They took Chris Benson’s personal Monarch, in addition to a bass head that he’d had stuck together for a bandmate who’d been looking for a light, good-sounding, simple solution. The Messthetics/Fugazi bassist, Joe Lally, loved the latter amp so much that he asked for his own, and he asked Benson to change the name to the B700. After several revisions, the B700 is ready to make the world a lot louder! Try the new flagship Benson B700 bass amplifier today in CME’s BASSment!

SHOP BENSON
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Shop Our Huge Selection Of New, Used, And Vintage Pedals In The Store At CME This Season! 

IK Multimedia TONEX One
Access over 200 premium tone models—plus, over 25,000 free user Tone Models on ToneNET, and the option to expand with premium Tone Partner and Signature collections—with the new IK Multimedia TONEX One Amp Modeler & Multi Effects Pedal, which lets users load up to 20 presets into one mini-pedal!

SHOP IK MULTIMEDIA
TONEX One - lifestyle 1 (1).jpg__PID:f71ca824-3bd5-4048-969f-a95f8fd3d6a8
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Walrus Audio Monumental Harmonic Tap Tremolo Pedal Black
The Monumental Harmonic Stereo Tremolo is an analog, optical tremolo that builds off the rich, warm, pulsating modulation originally found in Walrus Audio’s Monument pedal. New features include the ability to save presets, blend between standard and harmonic tremolo modes, access to new wave shape and tap division options, and—most importantly—a pan control to set the stereo spread of the tremolo to the right and left channels.

SHOP WALRUS

Friedman IR-D
Powered by two high-voltage 12AX7 preamp tubes, this Dave-modded JTM45 circuit delivers the signature British tone for which Friedman amps are now widely known via two fully independent identical foot-switchable channels—each boasting the harmonic richness and touch response of Dave Friedman's most sought-after amplifier designs!

SHOP FRIEDMAN
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Featured Video

"crushcrushcrush" Paramore | CME Full Band Fridays

If your eyes are always glued to our YouTube channel in anticipation of the next Full Band Friday—well, then, the wait is over! Now, rip that tape off your mouth and sing along, because CME House Band is back at it in the Video Room, rocking out to their rendition of Paramore’s “crushcrushcrush.” Want to get notified when the next gear demo or Full Band Friday debuts? Like this video and hit that “Subscribe” button to find out about our latest videos.

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Synergy | DRECT 2-channel All-tube Module

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