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!
SHOP CME STAFF PICKS
Featured Pick of the Month -
1969 Gibson Super 400
Peter - Counter Associate
"Big!"
TIME FOR NEW GEAR?
Help us help you, by contacting us today and let us know what you are looking for! We are here to help make your next dream piece of gear a reality!
CALL US NOW!
CHECK OUT THESE STAFF PICKS:
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."
Shop Akai Professional!
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."
Shop Gibson Custom Murphy Lab
1960s Bruno's 12-String Electric Guitar - Felix, E-Commerce Specialist
"I've been on the hunt for a 12-string guitar for a while now. But not just your "Grandma's standard 12-string". Not acoustic (barf). Nothing 'New'. Ideally something with 'Character'. 'Personality'. 'Pizazz'. Until one Sunny Wednesday day a few weeks ago, I was strolling across our showroom floor to head out for lunch. This little eye-booger caught the corner of my eye. The weird shape? The burst? Those grotesquely offset pickups? The "Giraffe-looking" headstock? The uniquely colored & speckled pickguard? I took it off the floor up to my desk almost immediately to make sure no other lucky customer would snag it before i got to it. I've had this in my arsenal now for about 2 weeks & it's written almost a dozen songs & has well above 20 hours of play time. "Good tools are half the work". Here's to many more songs to come with the new friend in my life, 'Ugly Bruno'."
Shop Vintage & Used!Gibson Custom Shop 1968 Les Paul Custom "CME Spec" Heavy Antique Ebony Murphy Lab Heavy Aged - Ocean, Customer Experience
"All hail the Ebony Queen! (The '68 Les Paul Custom) Heavy like a Viking's sword! Velvety like the skin of a newborn! Fury unleashed at the strum of a chord! Wield with caution - You have been warned!"
Shop Gibson Guitar Arrivals!
Ludwig 8x14 Cast Slotted Coliseum Aluminum Snare Drum - Zach, Brand Content Manager
"Aluminum as thick as a tank wall. Slotted-build. This thing cracks like no other! I love an 8x14 snare size too, as the depth, to me, adds a bit more thump while the slotted design makes this thing LOUD AF! Not built for the weak of heart, this snare is built to tear the building down!"
Shop Ludwig Drums!Atkin Dust Bowl 0014 Mahogany - Johnny, Counter Associate
"This Atkin is an awesome, small-bodied acoustic that pays tribute to the vintage mahogany guitars of the past. Not only is it extremely comfortable, but it is a perfect tool to accompany a singer/songwriter. It's great for fingerpicking and definitely provides a vintage-inspired voice that will keep you from putting it down. "
Shop Atkin Guitar Arrivals!
Roland SRE-555 and 1965 Fender Reverb Unit - Dan, Vintage Buyer
"Back before the time of compact pedals. They may be expensive, big, heavy, impractical, inconvenient, and sometimes unreliable, but damn do they sound better than anything else. If you've got the space, budget, and patience, these are extremely inspiring pieces of gear."
Shop Effects & Pedal Arrivals!Related Posts
Taylor Guitars | Next Generation Grand Auditorium
The Next Generation of Taylor Grand Auditorium guitars has arrived at Chicago Music Exchange. Featuring Scalloped V-Class bracing for richer harmonic response, the innovative Action Control Neck for effortless setup adjustments, and the all-new Claria pickup system for consistent amplified tone, these guitars represent Taylor’s most refined acoustic design yet.
Read more
The John Oates Collection at CME!
John Oates isn’t parting with his past—he’s investing in the future. The John Oates Collection has arrived at Chicago Music Exchange—an extraordinary lineup of loved acoustics, stage-used amplifiers, and choice collector’s guitars from one of the most iconic songwriters and performers in American music history. These aren’t just instruments—they’re pieces of living music history, shaped by decades of recording, touring, and performance. From road-worn character to studio-crafted tone, every piece tells a story, and now, those stories are available to you!
Read more
Suhr Custom | 2026 New Gear Arrivals
Fresh from NAMM 2026, the newest Suhr guitars, basses, and amps have officially landed at Chicago Music Exchange. From Limited Edition Classics to the all-new Oso Short Scale and elite artist signatures, this lineup blends vintage soul with modern muscle. Built in Lake Elsinore, California—crafted to perform everywhere you play. Shop Suhr now.
Read more