Recommend guitar set up in Chicago area?

[reverber8]

I'm in need of some work on a couple of my Fenders - a Tele and Strat. I need to correct some worn down areas on a few frets. Not sure if a level and dress will suffice or fret replacement is the way to go.

Anyway, any recommendations on a shop in the Chicagoland area? North or northwestern suburbs are in my home, work and studio's areas. I've got a line on a few places but no experience with anyone in the area since I moved. My old tech is out of state and too far away.

Thanks!

[gkoelling]

Music Gallery in Highland Park is great. They've been there over 30 years and George and Chip are two of the best techs around.

When I lived up that way those were the only guys to work on my guitars for over 20 years. Frank, the owner, and the whole staff are some of the best you'll find.

You'll also enjoy drooling over all the guitars and amps.

www.musicgalleryinc.com (http://www.musicgalleryinc.com)

Good Luck

[move]

Tim Schroeder.

his shop is in the same building as make n' music.

on hubbard near ashland.

[Tweedledee]

Guitar Works in Evanston is pretty good as well.

[Whoopysnorp]

Specimen (www.specimenproducts.com) seems to be pretty good.

Although I am wondering whether this is considered OK: I had a pot go bad in my Rivera M100, and it was sort of a tricky fix because the pots are board-mounted in that amp. A tech at Specimen replaced the pot using leads to connect it to the board, but he used a smooth-shaft pot so the knob doesn't fit on it anymore. He didn't even give me the knob back. It works just fine which is my main concern, but it's always kind of bugged me that he left the knob in that condition.

Sorry for the slight derail.

[move]

i took my guitars to specimen before i met Schroeder with mixed results.

[rich2k4]

another vote for tim schroeder

[lv]

Can't beat either Music Gallery (Chip is great) or Tim Schroeder.

Avoid 3rd Coast or whatever they are called now - they are the guys that setup in Guitar Centers in the Chicagoland area. They are the guitar ceneter of techs too. Ruined a Strat of mine with a botched refret.

[bluestein]

Another vote for Tim Schroeder. Great work!

[larrylover]

Go with Tim Schroeder. Superb and timely work.

[sleepingtiger]

I HIGHLY recommend Scott At Fat Cat Guitars in Carpentersville(847-844-8844)! Scott is an absolute perfectionist & a generally nice guy! Pretty quick turn over time, great work & honest in pricing & in general.
Finding a good tech is like finding a good auto mechanic or doctor...if you find 'em, hold on to 'em!
Hell, I'm getting a warm fuzzy feeling just thinking about them!http://www.thegearpage.net/board/images/icons/icon12.gif

[Variable]

I can't comment on the other guys listed here, but if you're willing to drive to North Aurora, Rick Cremer did a SMASHING fretjob on my ASAT Deluxe. I almost went blind those frets were so shiny. And the whole job (bone nut, replaced input jack, fret level, crown & polish) cost me around $160. Super nice guy with the most "mom & pop" shop I've ever come across. I swear there is a different vintage Fender or Marshall every time I stop by... my only gripe is that he's so in demand that my fretjob took two weeks.

He's got a webpage too: www.cremerguitarworks.com (http://www.cremerguitarworks.com)

[cloudnine]

+1 For guitar works. Every guitar in the shop plays like a dream. Kurt Wilson is another awesome guy to deal with. Builds phenomenal Gibson copies and his own double cut. Smokin' stuff.

Anybody had any work done at Flynn's?