Chicago Music Stores

[RockBrigadePC1]

I read the Atlanta thread and I really do not know of any pawn shops or used music gear places around me. I saw a topic posted here or on Harmony Central, and some people find some steals. Anyways, I am becoming quite jealous of all these good buys, hehe. If anyone knows of any places besides, the obvious Guitar Center, Sam Ash and Music-Go-Round, please let me know so I can check them out! I am mainly looking for amp stuff.

[Tekky]

Re: Chicago Music Stores

You're in Chicago?

Where?

There's "The Music Store" on Irving Park, Chicago Music Exchange on Clark, Andy's Music on Addison, and Make'n Music on Artesian. Not to mention many scattered pawn shops...

[JACKSONFREAK]

Re: Chicago Music Stores

Hey Tekky Ive heard it on excellent authority that Greg sold Makin' Music to an internet euntrapenour (sp). And that the new owner is going to be shutting down the store front and just doing ebay and internet sales. Havw you heard anything to this effect? Just currious.
Gil

[Tekky]

Re: Chicago Music Stores

No I haven't. Man, that sux. Then again, I've only been to the shop once.

[RockBrigadePC1]

Re: Chicago Music Stores

I like in Hanover Park, 10 minutes from Woodfield Mall.

[GodWentPUNK]

Re: Chicago Music Stores

I'm in Lockport (Joliet) and I always hit the pawn shops by the casino there. I've not come accross any 'HUGE' guitar/amp places [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img]

I bought my MesaBoogie from Makin'Music back in the 80's. He always had high end stuff from what I can remember.

joe...

[Dave L]

Re: Chicago Music Stores

I wish I had thought of asking around like this before I went to USA/Chicago a couple of years ago [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] I spent alot of time looking for guitars...man, that city is huge! But I got a SL1 home with me anyway.

Rockbrigade; I actually went to Woodfield mall a couple of times, since I lived in Shaumburg.

[Tekky]

Re: Chicago Music Stores

About 4 years ago I lived in Hoffman Estates.

[RockBrigadePC1]

Re: Chicago Music Stores

Schaumburg is such an awesome place, everything is 10 minutes away or less. Anyways I am going to check some of these places out. Hopefully someone will tell where some pawn shops are around here.

[Tekky]

Re: Chicago Music Stores

I believe there was a Music-Go-Round in Buffalo Grove that's not too far from Schaumburg. I believe it's down Arlington Heights Rd. Not too far from the Sam Ash out there.

[L]

Re: Chicago Music Stores

FYI, andy's music is on belmont, not addison.

there is a decent shop in evanston (can't remember the name)...cool shop but maybe not too much for you there if you are a Charvel/Jackson man.

about the coolest place I think is midwest buy-n-sell on irving park. tons of used stuff.

some ok pawn shops around bucktown/wicker park....nothing mind blowing

[Tekky]

Re: Chicago Music Stores

oops, you're right.. I went to Andys once. I didn't like it at all.. I will probably never go back.

[RockBrigadePC1]

Re: Chicago Music Stores

THANKS A LOT!

[Tetsuo]

Re: Chicago Music Stores

Originally posted by TEKKY:
I believe there was a Music-Go-Round in Buffalo Grove that's not too far from Schaumburg. I believe it's down Arlington Heights Rd. Not too far from the Sam Ash out there.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Gil used to work there actually but it is no longer around it closed in October I think


As far as Makin Music there were a few owners Greg being the main one... Man that would suck if they closed it down and became internet only

[L]

Re: Chicago Music Stores

found this list that was published in the tribune or something....

1. Midwest Buy and Sell, 6019 W. Irving Park Rd., Chicago; 773-545-2020. It's our pick for Chicago's coolest guitar shop. Great prices, rows and rows of guitars and amps to drool over, and owner Wayne Sefton has a real heart for musicians .

2. Guitar Works, 709 Main St., Evanston; 847-475-0855. A robust stock of Fender, Rickenbacker and Gibson electrics and fine acoustics, along with hard-to-find parts, renowned repair service and a dedicated staff .

3. Guitar Center, 2633 N. Halsted St., Chicago; 773-248-2808 (with stores in Arlington Heights, Burbank, Highland Park and Villa Park). Easy to slag as corporate, but Guitar Center's prices and selection are hard to beat--even if the racket raised by Jimmy Page wannabes is hard to tolerate.

4. Tobias Music, 5013 Fairview Ave., Downers Grove; 630-960-2455. This cozy shop sells fine new and used acoustics by Martin, Santa Cruz, Guild, as well as Canadian Art & Lutherie guitars for less than $200. One of the friendliest, best acoustic guitar shops in the Midwest.

5. THE MUSIC STORE, 3121 W. Irving Park Rd., Chicago; 773-478-7400. Owner John Shaw is a guitar store veteran and has built his own following. Guitarists visit Shaw for sound advice, square deals, and his mix of oddball, vintage and budget gear.

6. MAKE'N MUSIC, 250 N. Artesian Ave., Chicago; 312-455-1970. In terms of showiness, it's the Hummer dealership of guitar vendors. Everything from electric sitars to ultra-rare boutique and vintage amps. Tom Petty and Keith Richards shop here, and the place can have an intimidating vibe. Some items cost more than $10,000, but those who shop here can afford it.

7. PARK AVENUE MUSIC, 21 W. St. Charles Rd., Lombard; 630-691-8535. Owners Steve and Mandy Harnack know and love their guitars, and a mainstay here is The Heritage--a boutique guitar made in Michigan by longtime Gibson employees. Rare instruments come through semi-regularly, and hard-to-find British amps such as Hiwatt and Orange are in stock.

8. DIFFERENT STRUMMER, 4544 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago; 773-728-6000, ext. 4. A mixed bag of banjos, acoustics, electrics, mandolins, ukuleles and resonator guitars (which resemble shiny skillets). Tucked in the Old Town School of Folk Music, the Strummer has a captive clientele (and somewhat high prices). But each year, its "garage sale" boasts bargains galore.

9. CHICAGO MUSIC EXCHANGE, 3270 N. Clark St., Chicago; 773-477-0830. Here, collectors' guitars are the specialty, and this roomy shop is chock full of them. As a result, prices are often through the roof. Caveat emptor: Check the guitars carefully from top to bottom before buying--and bring along savvy bargaining skills.

10. MUSIC GALLERY, 2558 Green Bay Rd., Highland Park; 847-432-6350. A friendly neighborhood joint where you'll just as likely encounter the band kid schlepping his $200 axe for lessons as the jazz player auditioning a high-end guitar. Heavy on Fender guitars and a great place to have an instrument set up.