Hello everyone, Fall is upon us and we have some new classes open. The leaves are changing and I anticipate the cashmere soon. October has a Tube amp Building workshop with spots left in it, and several Guitar Design and Build opportunities. We also added two of the ever popular Tube Amp Diagnostics classes with Kye Kennedy in February and July. Both weekday and weekend classes available to accommodate a variety of schedules.
Specimen Products is the oldest operating string instrument repair shop in the city of Chicago. I started repairing in 1986 as the legendary music scene in the loop downtown was starting to collapse. A lot of the old guard shops on Wabash were starting to close and vanish due to retirements and evolving financial trends. Kagan and Gaines, Sid Sherman, Charlie Grano, Carl Fischer, and the vibrant pawn shop instrument trade on Van Buren all vanished. Also Franks drum shop on Jefferson. All legendary. Most of these guys gave me the time of day as a newbie, and their scalding and sage advice was “You must be crazy”. Of course I didn’t listen. Today, I am the old one. I blinked and 40 years went by. I am happy to report that there are more repair shops than ever around Chicago, carrying forward the tradition. Many of them are my progeny and alumni. I am happy to have contributed to this culture of the vibrating string.
I may have more “competition” now, but knowledge is power, and science must prevail. Capitalism is cruel and inequitable to design, and always has been. I just want to make my work. Music lends courage and understanding. Let it ring. Come study at CSGM. Learn to make art and music, and maybe even learn a trade.
Upcoming CSGM Full Courses
Tube Amp Making
Guitar, Bass, or Stereo Hi-Fi
Learn to build your own tube amplifier while learning about tube audio electronics and acquiring electronics shop skill. Build your choice of Tweed Deluxe, Bassman, Champ tube guitar amp, or Specimen Stereo Hi- Fi Tube Amplifier!
Electric Guitar Building
Design, blueprint, and start making your own custom electric string instrument with instruction from an experienced luthier in a professional guitar workshop.
This is not a kit course. This course teaches how to design and make an electric guitar from raw materials and stock or custom hardware.
Upcoming CSGM ala Carte Classes
Guitar Setup & Maintenance
*NEW DATES ADDED*
Learn the fundamental skills needed to set up any stringed instrument for optimal tonality and playability.
Lectures will explain the mechanical operation of the instruments, including many useful details specific to various makes and models.
Fretting
Learn to execute a professional quality re-fret on your own guitar, bass or other fretted instrument in this hands-on workshop. This skill is a must for the guitar builder or guitar repair technician.
Bone Nut & Saddle Making
Learn to carve a bone nut and saddle for your instrument, with the guidance of luthier Ian Schneller. Even the most casually made instrument can benefit immensely from a hand cut nut and saddle. The results are truly stunning!
Tube Amp Diagnostics & Repair 1+2
*NEW DATES ADDED*
Guest Instructor Kye Kennedy brings decades of experience as an amp professional and stage technician offering the fundamental knowledge, hands-on experience, and training necessary to modify and repair tube amplifiers.