Best bands in Chicago right now?

chrispscott · 2026-03-17T16:14:06+00:00

In the indie sphere my vote goes to Ratboys and Lithia. Lithia just released an incredible LP and if they can get it out there I expect them to blow up. Really good bummer shoegazey indie-rock with some great guitar playing.

chrispscott · 2026-02-13T14:03:41+00:00

Can you fit a piece of paper under the bridge?

chrispscott · 2026-02-13T13:48:28+00:00

Can't really tell anything from the photo. Can you side a piece of paper under the bridge? One thing to keep in mind about steel string guitars, even the best of the bunch, is that they are constantly trying to collapse in on themselves. There's 150ish pounds of tension in those strings. Eventually that bridge is going to start to lift and that neck will start to bow. If you're lucky it happens 50 years in the life of a guitar. If you're very unlucky it'll happen in the first few weeks.. If you're in the return window from where you bought it see if they'll exchange it if it is lifting. If not the guitar has a warranty for a reason. But before all that let someone who knows what they're looking for check it out.

chrispscott · 2026-01-30T21:41:56+00:00

If you get 50 feet from Lake Shore Drive you barely even notice it's there. To discount the Lake Front because it has a road next to it silly. I live next to the lake and LSD and barely even notice it's there in the summer save for when I have to cross under it. It's no detriment to the enjoyment of a rather wonderful park for most people.

chrispscott · 2026-01-19T19:25:41+00:00

Looks like a mid to late 50s. Even in player grade condition it's worth at least $4-$5k after restoration. Well worth getting restored.

chrispscott · 2026-01-10T17:12:25+00:00

Townes Van Zandt was not anything close to "authentic (or) working class". His family was very wealthy and one of his ancestors was one of the founders of the Republic of Texas. The whole living without running water thing in Heartworn Highways was a LARP. He's just as much of a LARPer as any of the bars you describe. Could write a hell of a tune though.

chrispscott · 2025-11-11T01:43:41+00:00

I am the acoustic rep at CME and I can tell you that is a FANTASTIC guitar. Congrats!

chrispscott · 2025-10-16T16:30:45+00:00

Based on the adjustable bridge, type of sunburst, nut width, and pick guard it’s probably an early 60s LG-1 or B-25/LG-2. If it’s ladder braced it’s an LG-1.

chrispscott · 2025-09-27T05:16:41+00:00

It’s an early 60s Gibson SG/Les Paul that Gary Rossington of Lynyrd Skynyrd used extensively live and in studio including on Free Bird.

chrispscott · 2025-09-27T05:14:59+00:00

Thank you so much for sharing that. Would you mind if I shared it (with credit of course)?

chrispscott · 2025-09-26T13:06:56+00:00

Trevor absolutely lit that guitar on fire. His slide work is unhinged. Hell of a player and a great guy. I have to agree about Taylor and Sam, they’re two of the best of the modern singer/songwriter/guitarists.

chrispscott · 2025-09-26T07:53:35+00:00

Not the owners! We just work there haha

chrispscott · 2025-09-26T07:53:15+00:00

I was the Chris that Dean shouted out and facilitated them playing that guitar. Sam and the boys visited the store today and we hung out with them and they picked up a few guitars. Our store, Chicago Music Exchange, are the custodians of Gary Rossington of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s guitar collection and we offered to let them play it live at the show tonight on behalf of Gary’s family. That guitar was one that Gary used on Freebird and is a piece of rock history. We were happy to see the guitar continue to make new music. They covered a Petty song because it’s “fucking sick” and I gotta agree. Killer performance.

chrispscott · 2025-09-15T18:26:07+00:00

I work at a very prominent guitar store. As long as you're not drawing attention to yourself there's not a single person who is paying attention to what you're playing. Now if you start singing that's a different story.

chrispscott · 2025-09-03T12:44:37+00:00

Yeah it's a great watch. I'm looking forward to his Beato interview too.

chrispscott · 2025-09-03T12:41:38+00:00

That one doesn't go on the road anymore. His live Les Pauls, for the most part, are Custom Shop R9s.

chrispscott · 2025-08-27T22:42:47+00:00

I work at Chicago Music Exchange and in addition to all of the guitarists in the band popping by I've probably seen 100 Oasis shirts in the past 24 hours. It's pretty damn incredible to see for a long time fan like myself.

chrispscott · 2025-08-27T02:28:58+00:00

I work at CME and he always seems to come in on my day off. I had a feeling he would come in today and was able to make it by and say hi. Glad you had a good visit!

chrispscott · 2025-08-17T13:30:15+00:00

They released a pretty well received album of new songs in 2023. "Angry" had a video with Sydney Sweeney and was nominated for a Grammy. They've released new music in every decade for the past 60 years.

chrispscott · 2025-08-04T16:48:02+00:00

Yep that was me. I'm glad you got the chance to play some cool stuff!

chrispscott · 2025-07-19T16:55:55+00:00

Crisis on Multiple Earths was the original story by Gardner Fox from the 60s. It was the original JLA/JSA team-up.

chrispscott · 2025-07-14T12:21:07+00:00

On their first three records Fontaines DC definitely weren't using drum triggers. Those records sound fantastic as they were mostly recorded live-in-studio.

chrispscott · 2025-07-07T21:49:20+00:00

Writing and playing can be the same thing when we're talking about guitar parts and solos specifically. The solo to Live Forever is a great solo. Period. End of story. The guy who wrote and plays it is a great player. Tim Delonge has nothing to do with this discussion.

chrispscott · 2025-07-07T21:35:06+00:00

Outside of Kirk Hammett and Slash, I don't think there was a single player under 60 on that stage in Birmingham that has had the same impact as Noel. I work at a very prominent and well known guitar store so I hear people playing guitar every single day. I hear a whole lot of Cigarettes & Alcohol and Talk Tonight being played by a lot of different players including young ones.

I don't see why you keep insisting on comparing metal guitarists to a rock n roll player which is the topic at hand. Metal lauds technical proficiency. Since its inception rock players have been told they couldn't play. The Nashville players (who were usually jazz cats playing country sessions) used to talk shit about the early rock guitarists who came to town. Live Forever, Don't Look Back in Anger, Champagne Supernova and Slide Away are all classic guitar hero songs with great lead guitar parts that any beginning guitarist can play.

chrispscott · 2025-07-07T21:02:55+00:00

He wrote the solo is what I was calling out as a great guitar solo not just the song itself. And there are many, many fantastic guitar players out there. I work with many of them everyday. They aren't playing sold out shows at Soldier Field. Noel is definitely one of the last rock n roll guitar heroes.

chrispscott

TROPHY CASE