Over the years I bought a crap load of stuff from Gus. For the longest time his was the only decent store in the area. CME changed hands maybe 5 years ago?, maybe a bit longer. The original owner was a......was not a very nice guy. The new owner has changed that. It's a great place to go.
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Chicago Music Exchange
- Thread starter malthumb
- Start date
I'm with MVE, go to both stores. Also, arrange a visit to Lakland if you can--the crew over there is very cool as well.
I bought my 1956 P-bass there and a Jetglo 4003 bass. All online and by phone. I have never set foot in the store. The service was great and the staff knowledgeable. Very willing to barter and haggle. I believe I paid fair prices on the lower side actually. I'd buy another bass from them in a heart beat.
Well it was awesome! Sad thing is because of traffic and weather, we only had 40 minutes to play around. That seemed along the lines of 5 minutes and we got booted out. But nonetheless, it was candy land. Only complaint is that several of the basses I tried out were needing a bad set up. A few I played, the action was really high, or so low it was unplayable, and I was getting a hum through the circuitry through one of the rooms. Could've been the head but I didn't have time to fiddle with it. So overall I had fun but wish the basses were set up better and I had more time. Just if....
I just got back to my hotel from CME and enjoyed about an hour of looking, lusting and noodling. Saw some stuff I've only seen pictures of before. A Mosrite. They had not one, but two Kramer aluminum neck basses. Biggest surprise what how heavy the suckers were. I finally got a chance to play a few AVRI basses. The fit, finish and feel is just a cut above on these things. Beautiful vintage stuff and not over priced, very fair. The super mojo '71 Olympic White Jazz with black block inlays was calling my name. A beautiful pair of '65 sunburst P's. An amazing condition butterscotch '52 P. Fenders from every era. Go if you can.
edit....oh yeah, I got a chance to play one of those $2800 Hofner reissues. Can't say I was overly impressed but they aren't my cup of tea anyways.
edit....oh yeah, I got a chance to play one of those $2800 Hofner reissues. Can't say I was overly impressed but they aren't my cup of tea anyways.
I love Hofner violin basses but $2,800 is a lot to pay for a new Hofner when you can find vintage ones on the used market for less.
I agree that Cream City Music is the best store in Milwaukee. I have purchased a few basses and amps from them. They don't have the biggest selection of basses, but definitely the best in the area. I have also been down to Bass Club Chicago and purchased my Pino from Mark. Small place and great selection. Mark was really nice and let me try out any bass I wanted. I have since purchased a few more basses from him. I have yet to get to CME. From seeing the pics and their inventory online, I know that I HAVE to get there eventually. I've talked with Marc a few times over e-mail on some of the basses they have, and he's been really nice. I fear when I go there, I will definitely be leaving with something. 
So what did you play? What did you like? Wondering if we played any of the same pieces.
I played a slew of basses. I played the Warwick streamer jazzman, lakland 55-02, the sadowski, mm, geddy jazz, elricks, sanbergs, and a few more
I think the main reason I started this thread is because I was shocked at how great the walnut Sandberg 5-string was. Totally off the hook unreasonably focused up and down the neck and across the strings.
If I were in the market for another bass (I am not) this would have popped to the top of my list. I'd seen them discussed on TB but had never seen or played one before. Color me IMPRESSED.
It was awesome.I think the main reason I started this thread is because I was shocked at how great the walnut Sandberg 5-string was. Totally off the hook unreasonably focused up and down the neck and across the strings.
If I were in the market for another bass (I am not) this would have popped to the top of my list. I'd seen them discussed on TB but had never seen or played one before. Color me IMPRESSED.
If a shop has high traffic, and so many hands playing the basses, would not the basses be as good as a secondhand bass? Just wondering......
Since TB loves car analogies (and I work for a car company) think about new cars that get test driven, but then not chosen by the test driver. Eventually someone buys it and it is registered as a new car. Sometimes if there is a lot of "test drive mileage" a dealer may choose to sell it as a demo, but it will still be registered as new.
Clothes tried on and not purchased at Macy's? Et cetera.
I think the point is, unless there is damage done or an inordinate amount of wear is evident, it is new.
Yes. Also, CME attracts a fairly different group than your average GC. Not many Flea wannabes hammering the strings. Plus, unlike GC, there is pretty much always an employee in the bass section, so shoppers tend to be more careful with the instruments anyway.
Thank you all for the comments! I recall you coming by, by the way! So sorry that we had to close so soon. I hope your training went well, however.
Also, anyone that has any comments/suggestions for me, feel free to reach me anytime at [email protected]
-Marc
I am so glad I don't live in Chicago. I'd probably be divorced by now. Took my oldest son to audition for music major program at Loyola University - Chicago. On the way out we stopped at Chicago Music Exchange. The Bassment (that's what they call it) is beyond awesome. I got to see and play basses that I had only heard of on Talkbass, but never saw or played before.
Specifically, I got to play
I also got to play a Sadowsky NYC, but since I have played one before, that's not the point. The point is I was able to compare the others to the Sadowsky. I'll speak mainly about the Mayones, the Sandberg, and the Valenti. I didn't really spend much time with the Nordy, and by the time I thought to go back to it, someone else had it. I played them all through an Ampeg stack.
- Mayones Jabba 5-string
- Nordy - I didn't make note of the model
- Sandberg
- Valenti
First of all, not a bad apple in the bunch. I do have a favorite, though. A very definite favorite. I would have actually considered trading my Fender AmDlx P5 and some cash for the walnut with blocks Sandberg.
The tone on this bass was powerful. Booming lows and crystal clear highs. The only basses I've played that do that balance better are my Alembics. And they cost way more than this Sandberg ($3,200).
The Mayones (a beautiful blocked and bound blue burst over quilted maple) was the most beautiful of the lot and also my second favorite player. This one delivered (imho) the closest "Marcus" tone of the bunch, although the Valenti and the Sadowsky we're pretty close on that point. I was just surprised that the Mayones was just a smidge tighter on that tone than the Valenti and the Sadowsky.
I would have stayed longer and played with a few more toys, but there was a blizzard approaching and I needed to get back to Detroit. I will visit again.
You're always welcome to email/PM me, anytime!
And if it sells before you're able to make a move, I can always order you another one...
Engine207
Losing faith in humanity...one call at a time.
I love CME. I got my '66 P there when I stumbled in after the Chicago Blues Festival a couple of years ago. After I got it back home and posted it here, I learned that the tuners were not original, as promised. I phoned Marc and he not only refunded me the amount it would cost to buy the correct ones...but he helped me track them down.
Solid. My highest recommendation.
Solid. My highest recommendation.
gecko5 - as best I can tell from the Premier Guitar video, Dave's has some basses, but not a lot. They are primarily a guitar store.
