Chicago Music Exchange

I bought 2 major items from CME - a used 1965 Fender Tremolux amp and a used 1951 Fender Custom Shop Telecaster Bass reissue - and a minor item - a pickup.

Chicago Music Exchange is AMAZING! My amp was perfectly packed, included a Professional Quality Certification sheet that confirms the amp was checked out, included a new speaker cable to connect head/cab, exactly as represented in pics and description, and at a very reasonable price for both the amp and shipping. Same with the Telecaster Bass and pickup.

I visited the store once when driving a new car from NJ to CA. Their store is a MUST VISIT if you are in Chicago. The neighborhood, building, atmosphere, selection of new and vintage guitars and amps, friendly and numerous sales people to help, private demo rooms - I think it's the best store in the world I've ever been to - and I've lived in New York and Tokyo and visited Los Angeles many times.

5 stars for sure for Chicago Music Exchange!

Obviously it's a world renowned music store for a reason. Service always top notch, people always friendly, selection is unbelievable, I'd give 10 stars if I could. Recently bought a guitar from them and got it delivered due to my vehicle being out of commission for a few more days. It came packaged well, all the typcial precautions to ship a guitar were taken, and case candy was in there and some stickers. Can't ask for a better experience.

SO while in Chicago, I had to check out the Chicago Music Exchange......what a great place! The place is a bit north, but it was easy enough to find after a train ride. The subway in Chicago is really easy to navigate, so. I was able to hop on a train and find it no problem. The store is in a cute & quite neighborhood with several other shops nearby. When you walk into the store, it is everything you want a music store to be! Tons of equipment and not just the generic everyday stuff you see at the big oil stores, you will find stuff that is harder to fined both new and used. The place is set up like a guitarist's dream of a loving room......area carpets, couches and Amps all around, with walls of guitars taht are thoughtfully organized. I was able to check out a few guitars and amps that I had on my radar here I also happened to be on the hunt for the perfect wah (does it exist?). The staff was friendly and pulled out a Jam Wahcko I wanted to try and gave mine a few other suggestions. He even handed me a Vintage Vox to go compare it with....and suggested he could work on the price if I loved the vintage effect. I was also able to sample a few hard to find boutique gain pedals there. It would be hard to describe the atmosphere without being there.....but if you are a musician and in Chicago,m I highly recommend going to send just a little time browsing......but be careful, you could very well be going home with something!

I have bought 2 vintage guitars from them and have come in many times. I really like that they have booths where you can test out gear. It's also great you don't need to hear really awful guitar playing blasting in the background especially guitars that are woefully out of tune!

The store is boutique and high end. They not only have great guitars but really nice boutique amps and pedals as well. I love the fact that they actually let you try vintage instruments. Most of the guitars here would be behind a glass at big box stores.

The last guitar I bought was a 1955 Gibson LP Jr. It was amazing that they had 2 50s Juniors and I actually got to play both and pick the one that was right for me. Interestingly, they actually sounded quite different and definitely had a really different neck profile. There are maybe a handful of stores in the country with the amount of stock and inventory on vintage instruments and happy to have one in Chicago!

I first went to CME in 2019 when I was looking for a professional level electric guitar. I had always heard of the place but had never took the time to go and visit. I'm so glad I came here because I left with a beautiful Reverend that I use till this day. The selections are amazing and there is so much to choose from. Since then, I have come back here for any music equipment needs I have.

I will say that the customers service can be a bit of a hit or miss, but I think it depends on how busy they are. In a complete 180, I actually feel like I got better customer service when they were busy rather than when the store is empty, which is certainly odd. Some of the workers are straight to business and just ring you up while others take the time to talk about the equipment, offer suggestions, and every blue moon, throw in something discounted after purchasing.

I will also say that the instrument repair department is great, but I've had very few chances to use them because they are always booked straight for weeks. I think they need more people down there.

I bought a Fender Player Mustang Bass PJ from their Amazon storefront. My bass arrived in beautiful condition and I absolutely love the sound!
Thank you Chicago Music Exchange for a great purchase experience.

Chicago Music Exchange should be a stop on the tour of exceptional music stores for any guitarist or bassist. Their combination of exceptional inventory, accessibility, ultra low pressure and friendly service and advice while fostering a community like atmosphere to me is the model of what a music shop should feel like.

They are the opposite of everything "GC" is. Fair and competitive pricing, excellent in store events available to the public with ample seating. No upselling, quality advice and truly personable and consistent staff. I went there frequently while hunting for a certain guitar and got to know most of the staff a few summers ago and all but one (who moved on whom they held a farewell week for) are still there. The setups in the isolation rooms are stellar for trying things out plugged in though it can get busy but it beats the unbridled chaos of most big music shops to pieces.

And when they don't carry something or won't they are happy to refer to you to someone locally who will or advise you that if you want it before they expect more (with an expected date provided) that you should look online at reverb.con which they started.

I love supporting a local shop and it has reaped me with rewards getting to meet and truly talk to folks such as Paul Reed Smith, Steve Stevens Sonny Bohler and Dave Friedman, Robert Keeley, Misha Mansoor, and others.

TLDR: Their guitars, acoustics, basses, amps and pedal collection are out of this world. So are the people. And did I mention they often have CME exclusive pedals and guitars? Guard your wallets folks, if you're like me you're going to have a hard time not wanting to empty it. Reminds me, they should have a warning sign for how addictive this place is.

To me there are two CME's in Chicago. The Chicago Mercantile Exchange and the Chicago Music Exchange and both are Chicago icons worth a visit.

Chicagousic exchange is every guitar player/bass player, and drummers dream come true. The selection is UNREAL. The quality of guitars is too notch, the staff is VERY nice and even more knowledgeable. I spent over 2 hours just wandering around and having the best time... I spent about 700 bucks on pedals, but trust me... if I felt like I had any more room for MORE guitars in my home? I would have walked out with an electric and another acoustic. Their amp, pedal, string, and gear selection over all is stellar and some of thr best I've ever seen. Thank you Chicago Music Exchange for the amazing time and for making my trio to Chicago so VERY special. I hope we can make it back from Vermont again VERY, VERY soon. But until then? I'll be sure to keep on ordering my gear from you guys on your App. Love you CME!!!

Go. It's awesome. Great and friendly staff, amazing amounts of inventory. Exceeded my expectations.

I really cannot imagine buying an expensive guitar from CME. I received the wrong item in a purchase from you and for three days now have tried to reach someone by email, chat and phone with zero response. Thank heavens the purchase was only straps and not a serious piece of gear. Awful, awful customer service.