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Black Bobbin
5 ★★★★★ 134 Google reviews · Guitar & music store in Chicago, Illinois
Music store offering instruments and pedals, as well as repair services and coffee.
Plan your visit
- Repairs & setups a repair bench comes up in reviews and the store's own info — call ahead for turnaround, since good techs run a queue
- Buys & trades used gear they buy, trade, or consign used instruments — bring the case and any original parts, and expect trade credit to beat the cash offer
- Today see hours ·
- Phone (312) 248-2953
- Website blackbobbin.com
Hours
| Monday | 9 AM–3 PM |
| Tuesday | 9 AM–3 PM |
| Wednesday | 9 AM–3 PM |
| Thursday | 9 AM–3 PM |
| Friday | 9 AM–3 PM |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
What's on the wall
“Shelby knows his stuff and is passionate about guitars and helping people find the instrument, pedal, amp, or strings that match their needs.”
“The Jazzmaster Makeover turned this incredible, vintage-inspired guitar into a tone machine.”
“He has an impressive knowledge base, a extremely well curated shop and gave my guitar the best setup I've ever gotten from any place in the city.”
Brands they deal
“I bought my first American Original Fender Jazzmaster, and as incredible as it was, it still needed some work - that's where Shelby came in.”
“Buy a Super Squier from him, buy a custom JM from him or give him yours to upgrade.”
What players say again and again
“He has an impressive knowledge base, a extremely well curated shop and gave my guitar the best setup I've ever gotten from any place in the city.”
“He has an impressive knowledge base, a extremely well curated shop and gave my guitar the best setup I've ever gotten from any place in the city.”
From the reviews
I’m really excited to leave this review! I’ve been following Shelby/Black Bobbin for a few years now. I really enjoy Shelby’s approach to guitar, running a business, and life in general. When he first announced his Black Bobbin Custom JM, I knew I needed to get one.
I couldn't be happier with my dealings with Shelby and Black Bobbin. I feel like he treated me very fairly and honestly on my trade and my experience ordering a custom JM was stellar. I couldn't ask for a nicer Jazzmaster-style guitar and it arrived in perfect condition, in less time than quoted.
I was fortunate to purchase a Black Bobbin Custom JM ’67 in Coronado Burst. It’s an old soul in a new guitar. Aesthetically, the burst on the body, neck, and head along with nitro satin finish looks incredible. It’s organic and rich without being gaudy or “show-roomy”. I love the Bigsby-inspired headstock.
I bought my first American Original Fender Jazzmaster, and as incredible as it was, it still needed some work - that's where Shelby came in. The Jazzmaster Makeover turned this incredible, vintage-inspired guitar into a tone machine. I've never played or heard something so magical.
Selling or trading gear at Black Bobbin
Black Bobbin comes up for buying and trading used gear — confirmed on their own site. Two things make the trip go better. First, bring the whole package: the case or gig bag, the original tremolo arm or bridge parts, the paperwork if you have it — a complete rig is worth real money more than a bare instrument, and it saves the back-and-forth of "can you bring the case in?" Second, know that trade credit almost always beats the cash offer, usually by a healthy margin — if you're upgrading anyway, price your old gear as a trade against the new one before you take cash. Either way, expect the offer to be below what the gear sells for on the wall; the gap is the store's margin for setup, warranty, and sitting on it until the right buyer walks in.
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