Chicago Trip

[Ott]

Need to know if there are any good music stores that would have a good variety of mandos in Chicago. We will be staying near the Magnificent Mile. Would also be interested in any concerts or establishment that might have some bluegrass entertainment. Have done some searching but not finding alot. Thanks in advance http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[glauber]

Tobias Music: http://www.tobiasmusic.com/
You probably should call him to find out if he has any mandos.

Let me know if any others. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
We have the usual assortment of Guitar Centers; nothing good there.

[Eric F.]

Tobias is in Downers Grove, a long, long way from the Mag Mile.

There isn't much downtown. There is an old instrument shop on Michigan Avenue near the Art Institute that might have something of interest.

Best bet in the city is Old Town School of Folk Music (http://oldtownschool.org/) on the North Side. You can catch the Brown Line to the Kimball stop and you'll be a short walk away. Check out their concert schedule; there might be something interesting. The store usually has a full line of Mid-Missouris, a bunch of Webers, some low-end stuff and assorted used items.

Farther north in Evanston, you have Guitar Works, which usually has a Collings or two and sometimes some very interesting used mandos. Also in Evanston is Hogeye, which normally has some Mid-Mos and Webers, and a few others.

Nothing to compare with Mandolin Brothers or Elderly.

[glauber]

Yup. Tobias will be far. But he's the only luthier worth his salt in this area, that i know of. Then there is Dale Ludewig, but it's even more far.

That old instrument shop in Michigan Ave, across the avenue from the Art Institute, is nice. Their web site is: http://www.guitarsofspain.com
Lots of wonderful handmade classical guitars there, and some funky instruments, mostly overpriced. But i like chatting with the old man who owns it (i hope he's still around, and i'm sorry i can't remember his name). The address is 226 South Michigan Ave, and the phone number (312)427-5611. Thinking of it, i think they sponsor some kind of jam, at their other location (which i don't remember). You may want to phone them and ask. The store name is Sherry-Brener. But if you're there, don't miss the chance to see the Art Institute; even a few minutes there will be time well spent.

g

[Eric F.]

Guitar Works does excellent work, too, but anyhow I thought Ott was looking to play mandos not have one serviced. It would be a heck of a long way to go out to Downers Grove to play the three mandolins he had in stock last time I was there!

[glauber]

Yes, Chicago, weirdly, is a kind of wasteland, as far as non-guitar string instruments are concerned.

[Jshankle]

I would agree with all the previous listings, especially Old Town School and Guitar Works. I also might add Make n'Music... minimal mandolin selection ( mostly Breedlove and Collings), but very impressive guitar and bass collection, both new and vintage.

..and don't miss Sexfist or Whiskey Hollow if they are out playing!!

[Ott]

Thanks to all, Eric you're right just looking for a place that has a good selection to compare for know, like an Elderly... I better shift my focus to see what Old Town has to offer for entertainment...

[glauber]

Old Town is good. I don't know why i didn't think of it. Definitely check it out.

The Irish scene is very strong in Chicago. If you're interested, ask in TheSession (http://www.thesession.org) or Chiff & Fipple (http://chiffboard.mati.ca) and you will find a lot of places to go to, from beginner-friendly to high-power listen-only sessions.

[glauber]

Another thing to check out at this time of the year is Ravinia (http://www.ravinia.org/). It's not downtown, but it's a very nice night out, at a great price. The cheaper lawn seating is fine for all but the most intimate groups, the sound system is great, and you can bring food and have a picnic under the stars with music. All sorts of music (today it's the Beach Boys, tomorrow is Classical, July 6 Alison Kraus, etc).

[mando_pete]

I was visiting Chicago in April and went to Olde Town.

At the time they had 3 mid-mo's, 3 webers, 2 Eastmans, an old Gibson A that was pretty beat up and some other low end #### I didn't try.

They were very nice and let me sit and pick as long as I wanted even though I stated up front I wasn't interested in buying anything.

It was a very easy trip on the Brown line, although I was staying down at the loop. Don't know how accessible the Brown is to the mag mile?

-- pete

[Eric F.]

You can walk over to a Red Line stop easily from the Mag Mile, then transfer to a Brown Line after a few stops. Pretty easy. I'd second the Ravinia suggestion. It's easily accessible by train - Metra stops right there and adjusts its schedule on concert nights. The train is MUCH better than driving.