Chicago Guitar stores?

[Antelope]

I'll be in Chicago on business and would love to visit a store or two while I'm there. I'll be staying near the Water Tower with limited ability/inclination to travel too far. Any stores near there I should check out?

Many thanks in advance.

[Teleplayer]

Make 'n Music
Chicago Music Exchange

There are no guitar stores really near Water Tower. Make 'n and CME are close enough, and will send your jaw bouncing off the ground 10-20 times while you are at each place.

[gtrguy17]

The closest store to you (that I know of) is also the best - Make 'n Music at 1455 W. Hubbard. It is still a decent cab ride away though. Probably about a $12 ride each way.
If you want to make a morning out of it there's a great breakfast place right down the street called the Breakfast Club. It has a really garrish pink awning, but the food is great.

Paul

Ah, Teleplayer beat me to it. By the way CME is NOTORIOUS for ripping people off. I never go there, though they have some great stuff. Also much farther away from Water Tower than Make 'N...

[Teleplayer]

The closest store to you (that I know of) is also the best - Make 'n Music at 1455 W. Hubbard. It is still a decent cab ride away though. Probably about a $12 ride each way.
If you want to make a morning out of it there's a great breakfast place right down the street called the Breakfast Club. It has a really garrish pink awning, but the food is great.

Paul

I'd venture to say that it's closer to a $15-$20 ride each way.....just so the OP doesn't go through sticker shock.

[guitardr]

The closest store to you (that I know of) is also the best - Make 'n Music at 1455 W. Hubbard. It is still a decent cab ride away though. Probably about a $12 ride each way.
If you want to make a morning out of it there's a great breakfast place right down the street called the Breakfast Club. It has a really garrish pink awning, but the food is great.

Paul

+1!
See Teddy over at MM: a great guy and fun place!

[Antelope]

Thanks guys -- I'm not completely cheap, so a cab ride would be fine. Country mouse gets a little scared of too many train changes.

Appreciate the feedback!

[FatTeleTom]

The Music Gallery up in Highland Park is a great store as well. I think they are reasonably close to a Metra rail stop. Much longer, but cheaper, ride than Make n Music.

That said, if you only have time to do one, go to Make 'n. Incredible selection of boutique stuff that you can't find many other places.

[Reason]

Not sure what side of town that Fat Tone is on, but Phil and company have to be the nicest guys in the biz. Great sellection of guitars and pedals. Some nice ampst too.

[TNJ]

Hit the Breakfast Club, and Makenmusic.

Enjoy!

S.
j

[gtrguy17]

Hey Antelope-
When are you going to be in town? I jusy saw that Guthrie Govan is doing a clinic at Make N' on the 31st...

[Antelope]

Hey Antelope-
When are you going to be in town? I jusy saw that Guthrie Govan is doing a clinic at Make N' on the 31st...

Tomorrow, actually, until Saturday morning.

[KazJY]

+1 on Music Gallery in Highland Park. Midwest Buy and Sell if you want to find a ton of used stuff.

[Jeeves]

I think we need a permanent sticky for this topic. Seems to come up a lot:

Best Guitar Stores in Chicago? (http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=516056&highlight=chicago)
Best Chicago music stores? (http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=520981&highlight=chicago)
Guitar Shopping in Chicago (http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=566031&highlight=chicago)
Can't miss instrument shops in Chicago? (http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=406212&highlight=chicago)
Good guitar shops in Chicago (http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=374201&highlight=chicago)
goin` to chicago...what/where to check out? (http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=284005&highlight=chicago)

[Teleplayer]

Not sure what side of town that Fat Tone is on, but Phil and company have to be the nicest guys in the biz. Great sellection of guitars and pedals. Some nice ampst too.

Fat Tone is in Northbrook at a somewhat "out of the way" location. Not tough to get to, but difficult if you don't know the area. Agree - Phil is a nice cat.

[sinasl1]

Chicago Music Exchange is one of the best stores I've ever been to. Unreal vintage selection and the folks there were really cool. My bandmate Yogi walked out with a 61 Martin D18 the day we visited.... great guitar.