1240 N Homan Ave. Suite 301, Chicago, IL 60651, USA
Awesome experience building a tube amp with my son! Amazing products. Just wow! We plan to be back for the guitar setup workshop.
Specimen is more than just a music store—it's a destination for guitar enthusiasts, musicians, and anyone who appreciates the art of crafting instruments. Located at 1240 N Homan Ave. Suite 301, Chicago, IL 60651, Specimen stands out as a place where creativity meets expertise. Known for its custom-built guitars and amplifiers, Specimen offers a unique experience that goes beyond the typical guitar shop. Here, you'll find a community of musicians and enthusiasts who share a passion for the craft.
Specimen is open late nights during the week, with hours from 12:00 AM to 7:00 PM on weekdays (except Monday), and on weekends, it's open on Saturdays from 12:00 AM to 5:00 PM. This extended schedule makes it convenient for working musicians and hobbyists alike to visit after work or during the weekend.
The store is not just a place to buy instruments—it's an experience. Specimen offers hands-on workshops where you can build your own guitar or amplifier under the guidance of owner Ian, who has a unique blend of artistic vision and technical skill. Customers have praised these workshops for being both educational and fun, with one visitor describing it as "an awesome experience building a tube amp with my son!"
Specimen is known for its custom-built instruments, which are crafted with care and precision. The store also offers guitar setup services, ensuring your instrument is tuned to perfection. Whether you're looking for a new guitar, an amplifier, or just want to learn more about the craft, Specimen has something for everyone.
The environment at Specimen is anything but ordinary. Described by one customer as "not your stereotypical guitar shop," the store has a unique vibe that reflects Ian's personality—a mix of mad scientist and tormented artist. This creative energy permeates everything the store does, from building custom instruments to hosting workshops.
Customers who have visited Specimen have left glowing reviews about their experiences. One visitor raved about the "wonderful guitar building seminar" they attended, where they left as the proud owner of an acoustic guitar they built themselves with Ian's help. Another customer highlighted the uniqueness of the store and its owner, emphasizing that it's not just a shop but a destination for anyone serious about their craft.
Specimen is more than a music store—it's a community, a creative space, and a place where musicians can connect, learn, and grow. Whether you're a professional musician or just starting out, Specimen offers the tools and expertise to help you succeed. Visit Specimen today and discover the difference that custom craftsmanship can make.
If you're in Chicago, don't miss the chance to visit Specimen. Whether you're looking for a new instrument or just want to learn more about the craft, this store is a must-visit destination for music enthusiasts.
1240 N Homan Ave. Suite 301, Chicago, IL 60651, USA
Get directionsAwesome experience building a tube amp with my son! Amazing products. Just wow! We plan to be back for the guitar setup workshop.
Feb 08, 2021 · Richard CruzIt's not your stereotypical guitar shop and Ian is definitely not your stereotypical guitar shop owner. He's a mixture of mad scientist and tormented artist. I've taken a wonderful guitar building seminar there and am now and the proud owner of an acoustic guitar that I built with my very own hands under Ian's wise supervision. I have also purchased two wonderful, custom-built intsruments.
Jul 16, 2013 · Lorenzo De LeonI have taken a number of guitar building workshops and have found them incredibly wonderful. Ian is easy and giving of his knowledge. I found Ian's craftsmanship so wonderful I have ordered a guitar of his for my own.
Jul 16, 2017 · Ron BieganskiI brought my Fender Delux here because it was not producing sound. The main tech, I think it might be the owner, said he would take a look and let me know. After two weeks, I called and emailed about an update and got no reply. I am a working musician so this was really inconvenient as I didn't know if I needed a new amp or what was going on. For the next 3 weeks, I called numerous times and an intern or younger kid would always answer and say he didn't know if the guy had looked at it and there was no notes about it. Finally (this is after 40 days or so), the person who answered said that he saw that there was a $30 bench fee on it, so this meant the main guy "probably" looked at it. I go in there, and the main guy said "there is something wrong with the board" and "I can't do anything with it." So can it be fixed? "Maybe if you replace the board, you should ask Fender." Ok...I brought it you in order that I would not have to "ask Fender" what was wrong, I knew beforehand that there was something the matter with the board, I was hoping that you could fix it or at the very least explain what might be wrong in some sort of detail. He didn't elaborate as to why he couldn't fix it and seemed frazzled that I asked. Moreover, He didn't apologize for the major inconvenience and I'm now questioning whether he looked at it at all. I have no idea why I paid this guy a $30 bench fee as he did little more than hijack my amp for 40+ days and provided me with no service of any kind. I wouldn't go here.
Jan 28, 2015 · Stephen PigozziThis is the third guitar they've brought back to life! I can't tell you awesome it is to have such a reknown tech right in chicago. They fixed my BC Rich Warlock, Dean 7 string, and my Ibanez RG. These were pretty much dead but they brought them back to life and made them just as great as when I first bought them. The tech is really good and theyre cheaper than Guitar Center. They've always given me a fair price and they've made a customer for life.
Jun 20, 2014 · Nayaka E
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