Mandolin Shops in Chicago?

[mrneil2]

Spending some time in the Windy City. Anyone know some shops to hit up? Would like to play some Northfields, Eastman’s or the like. Any suggestions?

[Andy Miller]

In Chicago proper we've got Chicago Music Exchange on Lincoln, and Different Strummer also on Lincoln. In Evanston, Guitar Works. In Frankfort, further out, Down Home Guitars.

[mrneil2]

Thanks Andy. I’ll look them up

[Scott R]

The closest place to Chicago that carries Northfield as a dealer is probably Elderly in Lansing, MI

https://downhomeguitars.com/product-category/mandolins/
Down Home Guitars is in Frankfort, which is a WAY southwest suburb. Like an hour from downtown chicago in good traffic. They carry Collings, Weber, and Eastman with a LOT in stock. Steve there is a great guy.

https://www.chicagomusicexchange.com...gory=mandolins
Chicago music exchange is probably 15-20 minutes north of downtown, and I don't think they carry any full lines but do tend to have a variety of mandolins in stock. A couple of Collings, and Webers.

Guitar works in Evanston has a few vintage Gibsons but I don't think carries any full lines either.
http://www.guitarworksltd.com/instruments_mandolins.php

Different Strummer I think is the Old Town School Music Store, they have Eastman, Loar, and Kentucky lines
https://musicstore.oldtownschool.org/shop/Mandolins.htm

So Old Town is probably your best bet to check out Eastman near downtown.

Down Home Guitar is the best place to check out Weber, Collings, and Eastman all together.

Cheers!

[Gary Leonard]

I live a few blocks away from Guitar Works in Evanston. Just walked in on my way to the bank. They have a couple of Loar era A styles, a couple old paddle heads, an F2 in amazing shape, though I think the neck and headstock are not original, a Colling MT and MTO, a couple The Loars, and two Eastman A 600 series, as well as an A 800 series. And a few other various oddities.

Great store, nice people and owner. A large selection of acoustic and electric guitars, well worth the visit.