Home › Illinois › Chicago › Specimen

Specimen

4.8 ★★★★★ 19 Google reviews · Guitar & music store in Chicago, Illinois

Repairs & setups
Specimen, guitar store in Chicago, IL — photo 1
Specimen, guitar store in Chicago, IL — photo 2
Specimen, guitar store in Chicago, IL — photo 3

Store specializing in handmade string instruments, speakers & amplifiers, plus repairs & classes.

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
  • Today see hours ·
  • Phone (773) 489-4830
  • Website specimenproducts.com

Hours

Monday Closed
Tuesday 12–7 PM
Wednesday 12–7 PM
Thursday 12–7 PM
Friday 12–7 PM
Saturday 12–5 PM
Sunday Closed

Hours can shift for holidays, clinics, and lesson schedules — worth a quick check before a special trip.

What's on the wall

Instrument and gear categories at Specimen, confirmed in players' own reviews and the store's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🔊 Amps & Pedals 3 mentions

“Awesome experience building a tube amp with my son!”

All stores with amps & pedals →

🔧 Repairs & Setups 7 mentions

“Specimen is the most competent shop in Chicago, especially if you've got a rarity or complex repair/restoration.”

All stores with repairs & setups →

🎓 Lessons 2 mentions

“I'd recommend any and all of their classes.”

All stores with lessons →

Brands they deal

Brands players name in their reviews of Specimen — the fastest way to tell what's actually hanging on the wall before you drive over.

🏷️ Fender 3 mentions

Who else deals Fender →

🏷️ Ibanez

“They fixed my BC Rich Warlock, Dean 7 string, and my Ibanez RG.”

Who else deals Ibanez →

Brand mentions are mined from reviews and the store's own info — they tell you what's on the wall, not formal authorized-dealer status. If warranty coverage matters, confirm dealer status with the store or the brand's own dealer locator.

What players say again and again

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 19 Google reviews — with their own words as proof.

🔧 expert setups & repairs 4 mentions

“This is the third guitar they've brought back to life!”

From the reviews

This 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.

★★★★★ — Nayaka, Jun 2014

It'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…

★★★★★ — Lorenzo, Jul 2013

I 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.

★★★★★ — Ron, Jul 2017

Awesome experience building a tube amp with my son! Amazing products. Just wow! We plan to be back for the guitar setup workshop.

★★★★★ — Richard, Feb 2021

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 19 reviews →

Where to find Specimen

1240 N Homan Ave. Ste 301, Chicago, IL60651

Get directions Instagram · Facebook

Guitar stores near Specimen

The Chicago Electric Piano Co.

4.7 ★★★★★ 46 reviews

3240 W Division St, Chicago, IL

Buys used gear Repairs & setups Vintage specialist expert setups & repairsknowledgeable staff

Restoration shop specializing in Fender Rhodes, Wurlitzer and Clavinet electric pianos, as well as combo organs.

under a mile away

Tommy's Guitars & Trading Posts

4.7 ★★★★★ 155 reviews

2548 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL

Repairs & setups Vintage specialist expert setups & repairsgood value

Laid-back shop for new, used & vintage guitars, amps, effect pedals & more, plus repairs.

1.2 miles away

Rebound Repair

4.9 ★★★★★ 127 reviews

3228 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL

expert setups & repairsfair trade-in offersgood value

Repair, service and set-up, as well as amp work, for guitars and basses.

1.4 miles away

All guitar stores in Chicago, IL →

Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and player reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this store? Claim your listing — it's free.