Need Chicago Area Tech

g4string · #1 03-28-2009, 11:17 AM

Any good techs that I can trust for fret work?

ReBass · #2 03-30-2009, 05:33 AM

Third Coast is excellent. They're in the city and at a couple suburban GCs, I think.

skotsour · #3 03-30-2009, 07:16 PM

Players Guitar in Worth. Excellent guys, great work.

lethargytartare · #4 03-30-2009, 07:46 PM

I'm a fan of Specimen Guitar's work (north side).

LuvMusic · #5 03-30-2009, 07:51 PM

I've used Third Coast Guitars and had a fine experience with them. They are located in most Chicago area GC's. The ones in Villa Park and Chicago have "booths." The GC in Arlington Heights has an actual shop.

That said, I'm about to have Fralins installed and have a setup done at The Chicago Bass Club. It appeals to me that the work is being done at an establishment that only has love for the lower end.

bluehevy75 · #6 03-30-2009, 07:57 PM

I've had good work done at 3rd Coast.

The techs at Chicago Music Exchange are really good but sometimes I'm afraid of that place...I don't feel like I'm cool enough to be in there.

I wandered into Chicago Guitar and Amplifier once (near Lincoln Square) and they seemed super cool and had a really cool shop.

Ron Now · #7 03-30-2009, 07:58 PM

I've used a ton of techs around Chicago (including most of those mentioned in the thread already).

http://www.schroederguitarrepair.com/

Tim is the best as far as I am concerned

N8116B · #8 03-30-2009, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuvMusic

...The Chicago Bass Club. It appeals to me that the work is being done at an establishment that only has love for the lower end.

Have you ever been in the Chicago Bass Club?

They have a lot of regular guitars too. I would say at least the same as the basses, maybe even just a wee bit more.

JAUQO III-X · #9 03-30-2009, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N8116B

Have you ever been in the Chicago Bass Club?

They have a lot of regular guitars too. I would say at least the same as the basses, maybe even just a wee bit more.

The Bass club of Chicago share space with Make N Music that's why there's so many guitars in there.

And there are a little more than double the amount of guitars there.

http://www.makenmusic.com/

N8116B · #10 03-30-2009, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by g4string

Any good techs that I can trust for fret work?

Try Randees in Rockford. http://www.randeesmusic.com

Illinimax · #11 03-31-2009, 06:58 AM

Some thoughts:

+1 on Tim Schroeder doing great work. In the same building as Bass Club Chicago/Make N Music

The best fretwork I've experienced is from Rick Cremer
http://www.cremerguitarworks.com/

Don't the guys at Lakland do Plek jobs for pretty much any bass?

gweimer · #12 03-31-2009, 07:10 AM

Bob Gorny Custom Guitar Works. He's done work for Buddy Guy and Eddie Van Halen. He was the only guy I trusted with my basses when I lived in Chicago.

http://www.gornyguitars.com/contact.html

Fezzey · #13 03-31-2009, 07:27 AM

Joe Campagna at Guitar Tech Services in Clarendon Hills does all of my stuff and he is excellent. 630-655-1503.

LuvMusic · #14 03-31-2009, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N8116B

Have you ever been in the Chicago Bass Club?

They have a lot of regular guitars too. I would say at least the same as the basses, maybe even just a wee bit more.

I have to admit, I haven't been there yet. I will be visiting "The Club" this week to check it out and have a new pickup installed/setup on my P-bass.

hemhaw · #15 03-31-2009, 09:07 AM

+2 Cremer for fret work

I can say from personal experience that my best experiences have been with Cremer guitar works. I have been going to them for years. The only issue is that Aurora is a bit of a drive from Chicago and they get so much work that you need to book in advance when you will drop off and pick up an instrument. Well worth it if this is not a major issue. ( g4string, I would imagine Aurora may be easier to get to than Chicago from Rockford)
In fact I had them build a custom jazz bass for me years ago.
Later I needed a quick setup on that bass and did not have the time to schedule taking it to Cremers so I took to Lakland. Before lakland started the skyline series, for a time they were willing to work on not lakland basses. When I picked it up Dan and their main tech (forgot his name), both super nice guys, could not say enough about the fret work on the bass.

I also have wanted to hear more about Chicago Tech.

I don't wish to bad talk anyone but I have had some mixed experiences with a couple of chicago techs. Obviously other have had different experiences from mine.

I have had 2 friends that have had less than idea experience with Specimen.
The one time I when to Specimen and asked the owner what he would charge to refinish a fender guitar body on a guitar I was considering buying he quoted me $1200. I felt the owner was rather hard to communicate with.

Tim Schroeder does do good work. I met him years ago when he work alone out of a small shop. The issue I had with his current shop is that if you take an instruments there you are not assured he will be there or if he will be the one who works on your instrument. He also has a number of younger people working on the instruments that are brought in. When I brought in my instrument I felt they did not do the work I asked or paid for and I never saw Tim either time I was in the shop.

I was recommend Geoff Benge. http://www.geoffbengesguitarshop.com/index.html
I am very curious to hear if anyone has had experiences with him.

g4string · #16 03-31-2009, 09:16 AM

I am heading into the city to see Carl Pedigo at Lakland today........I guess it's still cool that they are able to work on non-Lakland stuff.

N8116B · #17 03-31-2009, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuvMusic

I have to admit, I haven't been there yet. I will be visiting "The Club" this week to check it out and have a new pickup installed/setup on my P-bass.

It is an interesting place in an interesting local. There is also an amp repair shop next door. It was a busy place to be sure.

jnuts1 · #18 03-31-2009, 09:59 AM

i will always recomend 3rd coast. they have done some soutstanding work for me.

now i don't know what experiences you guys had with schroeder but i will never step foot in there again. i needed my MTD set up & i was very specific with what i wanted & repeated this many times "i want to keep my action at least as low as it is now but even lower was better"
well i show up & my action is a 1/4 inch off the fret board & before i even played it i told them this was way too high & it would have to be fixed. they swore to me this was the "proper setup"

it took them 4 more setups before i finally gave up & took it to 3rd coast & they had it done in before the week was over.

hemhaw · #19 03-31-2009, 06:47 PM

That is good to hear about lakland.
You should post your result but I imagine you will be very satisfied.
I don't think I have heard a single bad thing regarding anyone at Lakland.
My experiences with them were very positive.
I hope to own one of their basses one day.

g4string · #20 03-31-2009, 07:08 PM

I took the LEJ to Carl today......I am glad I did. He is a super guy and does great work. He set-up the bass and examined the fret work and board condition. I have a high spot at the upper register of the board. The LEJ has a really flat profile and wide neck. It makes the bass a little uncomfortable to play. After talking to Carl, I think I might have him re-contour/profile the neck. I think my LEJ needs to be 'Laklandized'!!