Staff Picks
We're the luckiest musicians in the world! We have our hands on the GREATEST GEAR that has ever existed. We build it, we buy it, we play it, and of course we sell it. We all have our favorites and good reasons why. We'd love to keep it a secret and have all of the magical tones to ourselves but that would be CRAZY! Staff Picks is where each of our experts shares their FAVORITE GEAR! It's always changing, always updating with the latest and greatest. Enjoy CME Staff Picks!
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Featured Pick of the Month -
Daredevil Deep Dish-tortion Pedal
Colin - Inbound Operations Specialist
"This pedal is kind of crossing all of the T's here with some of my favorites. We've got a local pedal company doing a collaboration with Riot Fest for a dirt pedal themed around pizza. I'd call it a "win-win-win." Whether you want to show off deep dish to your friends from out of town, or need to indulge in the tavern style, this pedal can bring the dough for your tone."
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CHECK OUT THESE STAFF PICKS:
Gibson Custom Shop Murphy Lab 1961 Les Paul SG "CME Spec" - Laurel, Inventory Specialist
"When this beauty hit the shop it took me to a special place. One riddled with wooden panels, cigarette smoke, and a faint taste of scotch on the rocks. This 'CME Spec' SG brings me back to an era I never knew I needed to live in, and I'm here for it. Our Custom "S" Buckers have this baby singing to the high heavens no matter the amp. Not to mention the aging, masterfully done by Tom Murphy and his team, flawlessly ties together an intense feeling of nostalgia. No need for a time machine with this axe by your side."
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1960s Watkins Dominator - Cassie, Product Photographer
"I believe things should look as good as they sound and this 1960's Watkins Dominator ticks all the boxes. It's got tons of character in a gorgeous, well-loved blue hue, and it's British made with that distinctive mid-range growl you would expect from EL84s. Fab gear!"
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Lollar The Bird Humbucker-Sized Firebird Neck Pickup Single Conductor Nickel & Allparts 4-Way Tele Switch - JJ, Vintage & Used Buyer
"I picked up a Mexican HS Tele awhile back, and the Neck Humbucker was just too muddy in high-gain situations. Lollar makes a fantastic version of the Firebird Pickup in both Mini-Humbucker size and this full Humbucker size. I had our techs here at CME drop it in to the Neck Position along with an Allparts 4-Way Tele Switch so I could run the Neck and Bridge in Parallel. The tonal variety I get out of each switch position is unparalleled. (no pun intended)This is the cheapest electric guitar I own, but now it is one of (if not the) best-sounding instruments I have. The neck went from being almost unusable to the perfect blend of brightness, warmth, and clarity. It handles overdrive exceptionally well, and it pairs so nicely with the Bridge Position. Plus, the solid cover on the pickup gives it a unique look and really makes the chrome hardware stand out. If you're looking to give your Telecaster (or any guitar) a tonal glow-up, definitely consider "The Bird" by Lollar."
Shop Pickups at CME!Akai MPK Mini IV Compact MIDI Keyboard & Pad Controller - Joe, Product Category Manager
"The Akai MPK Mini IV is a solid step up from the old version, better keys, punchier pads, and more tweakable knobs, yet it’s still only $99. Perfect for sketching beats at home, messing around in the studio, or taking your music anywhere. Seriously, it’s like getting a tiny music studio in your backpack… without the back pain."
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Ludwig 6.5x14 Raw Bronze Phonic Snare Drum - Zach, Brand Content Manager
"I've been in the market for a metal snare drum for a while now, and this Ludwig Raw Bronze Phonic Snare Drum might just take the cake! 14" x 6.5" is the ideal size for a snare in my eyes, and I can't get enough of this raw bronze finish! Somebody shop this one before I make a bad decision and can't afford my rent..."
Shop Ludwig Drums!Divine Noise Curly Cables - Ben, HR Generalist
"Look, these cables are just so f'ing cool. They look sick on stage, and they don't get in the way. I have one of these myself, and people always comment on how cool it looks. I might be giving away a secret by highlighting these cables, but I'm honestly surprised more people don't own one. It gives you an instant splash of character on stage; they are super durable, and if you're a tone nerd (and I'm guessing you are because you're reading this), coiled cables can minimize interference and signal loss. It's a win-win-win. "
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1960 Fender Strat Sonic Blue (Refin) - Laurel, Inventory Specialist
"If you know me, you know I love a guitar with personality. This 1960 Strat walked in the door stripped and ready for a new life. After an amazing refin and relic job, along with the remarkable repair work done by our expert Reyna in the repair shop, this guitar was given just that. Though some cosmetic pieces have been replaced due to deterioration that comes with age, this guitar still has all the desirable pre-CBS era traits, including a slab Brazilian rosewood board, original maple "C" neck, and original neck and middle pickups, all crafted under the supervision of Leo Fender himself. When you get your hands on this, the quality is truly undeniable both in feel and sound. In my opinion, reviving a piece of music history such as this is an extraordinary act of resistance and preservation. If you ever wanted to own a pre-CBS era Strat for a fraction of the price, this guitar should be worth your consideration!"
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