Chicago Music Exchange

Category: Musical instrument store in Chicago, Illinois

Address: 3316 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60657, USA

Phone: +17735257773

Opening hours

Sunday: 11AM–5PM

Monday: Closed

Tuesday: Closed

Wednesday: 12–7PM

Thursday: 12–7PM

Friday: 12–7PM

Saturday: 10AM–7PM

Reviews

Mike McD

Sep 25, 2022

Daaaaaa best!

Luna Lux (Ary Fell)

Sep 23, 2022

Awesome store. Helpful staff. Great atmosphere. 👍

pruett stephen

Sep 23, 2022

Purchased two guitars from CME via Amazon. The first being a Yamaha FG840 that had a b string fret buzz and the neck was way concave. Took it to the Guitar Center to get those issues repaired and also to have the action lowered. The second guitar arrived days later being aYamaha FGx820c. Upon opening the box the first thing I noticed was the CME paperboard across the fretboard to protect it. Also the the box contained an inspection 🤔🤔🤔certification card. This guitar was well set up, the neck was straight and no fret buzz. 🤔🤔🤔🤔The FG840 shipped directly from Amazon.🤔

Mike Jefferson

Sep 21, 2022

The best guitar store in North America…From the most basic to the custom shop guitars they will treat YOU with respect YOU deserve. Also the CME exclusive guitars are a step above the rest in my opinion. The shipping department is A+ the best in the industry.

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Questions & Answers

I have a vintage Kalamazoo guitar with the number 1 20 on the top of the head stock. Can you tell me what it might be worth. I'm willing to sell. The guitar is in excellent condition but the case is pretty beat up.

Jan R | Jun 30, 2022
Heyn Negrete | Aug 29, 2022

Ask and contact CME yourself

Is the Chicago Music Exchange a luthier or do they have luthiers? Luthiers are people who build guitars.

Jacob Dorfman | Sep 28, 2021
Chicago Music Exchange | Sep 28, 2021

Hey Jacob! Thanks so much for reaching out :) Although we do have an in house team of talented techs who perform setup and guitar repair services, CME is a premier dealer of Custom Shop models - mainly from the likes of Fender, Gibson, PRS, Heritage, Martin, and Taylor. These historic brands have rosters of master builders, who produce a huge range of instruments. Often limited in number, they connect the needs of specific players to the company's established designs and innovations as a whole. We are proud to offer these builds in addition to the many other guitars in our selection! Just as exciting, CME works closely with top brands to design & create custom models only available with us! Featuring hand-selected specs, unique colorways, & proprietary components, the CME Exclusive series includes collaborations with Gibson, Fender, Reverend, PRS, and more. Also, we work with our customers on custom orders! Don't hesitate to get in touch, and we'll let you know what's possible! :)

Can they fix instruments? I recently ordered a uke online and i would like to know if they could fix it?

syd grace | Sep 28, 2020
Christopher Andrews | Sep 28, 2020

Yes, they have a repair shop downstairs.

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Do they sell bass guitars?

Alex | Sep 29, 2019
Jim Slawnikowski | Sep 29, 2019

Yes, in the Bassment

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Did Fender ever install brass nuts on new guitars? Specifically, I have a 1977 Telecaster Deluxe with a brass nut. Is this nut original?

Roy Toepper | Sep 29, 2018
J Jerg | Sep 29, 2018

The only model I have ever seen with a factory original brass nut is the Yngwe Custom Artist Stratocaster. Some country players switched cuz like the "twang" & in the 80s, "shredders" liked to install brass. Hope this helps. (I'm not affiliated with CME but I give em a bunch of my $. 😉)

Do you take donated sheet music or know someone who does?

Lois Campbell | Sep 29, 2018
J Jerg | Sep 29, 2018

Hi there. I have no affiliation with CME besides the fact they quench my musical addiction. 😁 Not sure if they can use sheet music. Try your local library, school or salvation army. I donated a bunch to a Chicago library some 20 years ago & I've found some interesting sheet music at various general resale shops. 🎵🎶

Hello- I need a chrome Rickenbacker "R" tailpiece. Can you sell me one? tHANKS

Barry Mattes | Sep 29, 2018
Chris Clemente | Sep 29, 2018

Not sure. But they seem to have access to everything.

What is the name of that group from Russia that plays all Chicago hits?

Elaine Caras | Aug 29, 2022
Scott Ziller | Aug 29, 2022

Leonid and Friends

Hi, do ye rent guitars?

Andrew Ryan | Jun 30, 2022
John O' Neill | Jul 30, 2022

They do not rent guitars.

Where can I find an epiphone les paul ultra III?

Edward Miller | Sep 28, 2021
Chicago Music Exchange | Sep 28, 2021

Hey Edward! Thanks so much for reaching out :) Epiphone is no longer producing this guitar since around 2013, however they can be found used! Electronically, the Epiphone Les Paul Modern would be the most similar: https://www.chicagomusicexchange.com/search?view=shop&q=Epiphone+Les+Paul+Modern There's also the Traditional Pro III, but these do have more traditional finishes. unfortunately we do not have any of those in stock at this time. Please don't hesitate to reach out if we can help with anything else, and have a great day!

I have a slide that came from you, and it's the wrong size...I can't remember the name of it, except it starts with a V I think...and it's a shorty and has colored stripes on it...I"ve ordered two. Both the wrong size....the first one is tapered cor

Thomas Tobias | Sep 28, 2020
Chicago Music Exchange | Sep 28, 2020

Hey Thomas! Thanks so much for reaching out. We want to help get this corrected for you as soon as possible! If you could please give us a call at 773-525-7773 with your order info, or fill out the return request form here - https://www.chicagomusicexchange.com/pages/customer-service-at-chicago-music-exchange - our team will be happy to assist with getting a return set up :)

Great stuff and not a vintage stuff and some stuff is very reasonable and some stuff is very expensive but this is a good place

Alfredo Torres | Sep 28, 2020
Tyler Salvig | Sep 28, 2020

Is this a question? But yes what you stated is correct depending on brand, specs, and quality. 👍

Do they have guitar lessons?

One Smart Minority | Sep 28, 2020
Chicago Music Exchange | Sep 28, 2020

Hi Francisco! Thank you for reaching out :) Although CME does not offer guitar lessons, there are other great places in the Chicagoland area that offer them, like Old Town School of Folk Music or School of Rock. Also, here's a list that may be helpful for you - https://www.expertise.com/il/chicago/guitar-lessons If you don't live in the Chicago area, it looks like that website is a great resource to see what's available in other areas as well! --Best, CME

Are you allowed to take a guitar off the wall and play it?

Noswad 896 | Sep 29, 2019
John Madigan | Sep 29, 2019

Yes you can try any guitar in the shop

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Do you have any 36" scale basses in stock? Or are they only custom basses?

Harold Ivy | Sep 29, 2019
Chicago Music Exchange | Sep 29, 2019

Hi Harold! Thanks so much for reaching out. We'd be happy to discuss which options we have if you'd like to give our bass department a call at 773-525-7773 and ask for Ian :)

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Will they buy my cello?

Yovani Castro | Sep 29, 2019
renee apostol | Sep 29, 2019

Call them and ask. Good luck!

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Do you have 26” cymbal bags ? Thanks

Angelus William | Sep 29, 2019
Ken R | Sep 29, 2019

Yes the do

does anyone have good brand..Ibanez. Fender etc used electric guitar..very good c9ndition..for sale?

Susan Russo | Sep 29, 2019
Rey Flores | Sep 29, 2019

Sure. Look on Craigslist or Facebook marketplace.

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GM I bought the remo 13 in Valencia tambourine antique brown n I love it.? I have an 10 inch I wanna kno can u all send me that antique brown head to put on my 10 inch r can I send it to u all to have it done

Johnny Akins | Sep 29, 2019
Leslie Falk | Sep 29, 2019

Call them up and ask they'll tell you yes or no very easy! Or stop in

Do they buy amps

Donna Maksuti | Sep 29, 2019
Colin | Sep 29, 2019

Yes, CME buys amps, as long as they are functional

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Do you carry Starcasters?

Heber Jones | Sep 29, 2019
Rhett Bourland | Sep 29, 2019

I don't work at this place but have shopped there. While their selection is HUGE I doubt they carry Starcasters as those are pretty low end guitars. If, however, you meant to type Stratocasters, yes they carry them and have one of the most amazing selections of them that I've ever seen at any music store.

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Do you sell gift cards or gift certificates? If so how can I purchase one from our of state?

Pam Furdo | Sep 29, 2019
Alex Pak | Sep 29, 2019

Yes, they do. You can buy a gift card on their website at https://www.chicagomusicexchange.com/search?query=Gift+&type=reverb

Do they sell saxophones?

Roam Leon | Sep 29, 2019
Pete Ori | Sep 29, 2019

No brass

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Do you have ammoon stereo looper pedal?

parth dhruv | Sep 29, 2018
Ron White | Sep 29, 2018

Was there last month and I didn’t see any of the cheap Chinese stuff. Quality merchandise. Classy operation. No room for cheap Chinese gear. Try ebay or Amazon and then add it to your pile of unused pedals. Or buy a good one. The choice is yours.

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do you carry replacement bridges for Jazzmaster?

Steven Singer | Sep 29, 2018
Daniel Albert | Sep 29, 2019

They do. Original Fender parts and better offset bridges like the Mastery bridge.

Do you guys buy old cd's?

Greg Johnson | Sep 29, 2018
J Jerg | Sep 29, 2018

No they don't.

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Do you have on site parking?

Wesley Randall | Sep 29, 2018
Nicholas Ferrer | Sep 29, 2018

No on-site parking but there is plenty of metered parking on the street.

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With spire isotope. Is there a way to adjust the voice reverb?

Janie Martello | Sep 29, 2018
Daniel Albert | Sep 29, 2019

I would recommend reaching out to the manufacturer, as they'll be quick to answer questions like that.

How much for bootsy tickets on. Nov. 4Th?

A Google User | Sep 29, 2018
Daniel Albert | Sep 29, 2018

If you go on the Facebook event, you should be able to check if tickets will become available again!

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