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 Marshall Major w/ Marshall 2034 8x10" Cab
Dan - Vintage Buyer
"In a time when everyone is switching to modeling, pedal platform amps, and direct in, I like to go back to the days when it took two people to carry the guitar rig and volume came from the stage. The Major is 200 watts, weighs as much as a small boat, and loud enough to strip the paint off the back wall of any venue. Pairing with the largest, least practical cab Marshall put into production just felt right (though really you'd need two of these giant cabs to handle the Majors power output lol). Impractical? Definitely. Hell of a lot of fun? Absolutely."
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:
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
Gibson CS 1957 Les Paul Custom "CME Spec" Antique Pewter Sparkle VOS - Ocean, Customer Experience
"Refining the gold standard. This Gibson CS 1957 Les Paul Custom isn't just a museum piece; with that stunning Antique Pewter Sparkle VOS finish, it belongs right under the spotlight. Our CME-exclusive specs give it a broken-in feel that inspires you to actually play—though just staring at it is perfectly acceptable, too."
Shop Gibson Guitar Arrivals!
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!Rupert Neve Designs RNDI-M Active Transformer Direct Interface - Joe, Product Category Manager
"Rupert Neve Designs makes the best DIs and preamps, hands down. This is my go-to affordable DI, whether I’m on stage or tracking in the studio."
Shop Rupert Neve Designs!
Tama Starclassic Maple 12/16/22 3pc. Drum Kit Marine Shoreline Movingui Fade - Zach, Brand Content Manager
"My first drum kit was a Tama Swingstar, so Tama Drums and I go way back, and this Starclassic Marine Shoreline Movingui Fade is one of the best drum finishes on the market right now, in my humble opinion! With the legendary Tama sounds this thing is capable of, this kit is ready to rip right now, and look good while doing it!"
Shop Tama Drums!Atkin The Forty Three Spruce/Mahogany Aged Olive Drab - Johnny, Counter Associate
"This Atkin Forty Three has been one of my favorite guitars to pick up in our acoustic room. I'm a big fan of olive drab finishes, and to see one on an acoustic guitar rules. The subtle checking in the finish is something pictures truly can't capture; you have to see it in person. It also sounds as great as it looks! The baked spruce top and mahogany back and sides are a classic pairing that anyone's ear will enjoy. From strumming cowboy chords to fingerpicking in open tunings, this guitar can do it all with ease. "
Shop Atkin Guitar Arrivals!
1968 Gibson ES-175DN - Laurel, Inventory Specialist
"The ES-175 was considered a workhorse for jazz and blues guitarists since its launch in 1949 and this instrument is proof of that. Originally fitted with p90s, the double pickup version released in 1953 features two humbuckers as we see here. It was released in two colors, Sunburst and Natural, however the Natural finish is more rare, resulting in the name 175N. Unlike some of its predecessors, this model is considered more versatile and can be cranked up loud without too much feedback. The cutaway and neck profile allow the player to sweep the fingerboard with ease, making it perfect for (but not limited to) jazz. The warm and distinctly crisp sound was beloved by many including Herb Ellis, Joe Pass, and Pat Metheny. This particular instrument was very special to someone (ask about the backstory!) and the play wear gives us a small glimpse into that relationship. We have some truly remarkable ES style guitars in the shop right now, come check 'em out while they're still around!"
Shop Vintage & Used Gear!Related Posts
Yamaha Guitars | 2025 Revstar Additions
Rev up your engines—the Yamaha Revstar Standard RSS20 and RSS02T have arrived at Chicago Music Exchange, bringing performance-minded design, expanded versatility, and unmistakable style to Yamaha’s modern electric guitar lineup. Inspired by the stripped-down efficiency of café racer motorcycles, the Revstar Standard series blends premium tonewoods, chambered bodies, carbon-reinforced necks, and upgraded electronics to deliver lightweight comfort and powerful sonic character. Whether you’re after the articulate punch of Alnico V humbuckers (RSS20) or the warm, expressive bite of P90-style pickups (RSS02T), each model offers refined playability and a dynamic tonal range perfect for stage, studio, and everyday inspiration. Shop the full Yamaha Revstar Standard collection at CME and discover the next evolution of Yamaha’s performance-built electric guitars.
Read more
Gibson x Loog Guitars at Chicago Music Exchange
Meet the Gibson x Loog Collection—where legendary tone meets beginner-friendly design. These three-string guitars are made to empower kids to start playing right away, with simplified learning, top-tier sound, and timeless Gibson flair. As the only brick-and-mortar retailer for Gibson x Loog Guitars, Chicago Music Exchange offers a rare opportunity to plug in and play these in person—shop the collection today!
Read more
Introducing | Voltage Cable Co.
Introducing Voltage Cable Co.—premium Australian-made coiled guitar cables now available at Chicago Music Exchange. Known for their iconic colorways, road-ready durability, and patented ISO-COAT® anti-corrosion technology, Voltage Cable Co. has redefined what a modern “vintage-style” instrument cable can be. From the original Surf Green classic to our exclusive CME Chicago Cream colorway, these high-performance cables deliver clean tone, long-lasting reliability, and standout stage style. Shop Voltage Cable Co. at Chicago Music Exchange today and experience cables designed to be played—and built for a lifetime.
Read more