Specimen Products

04/29/2026

At the end of May, on Sat-Mon the 23rd-25th, we will have another round of Ron Bieganski’s Skills for Acoustic Building class. This course is an incredible opportunity for beginning luthiers to build confidence and deepen their craft. Here are some words from Ron:

“The workshop is about becoming a ‘chef’ in the luthiery world, instead of following a cookbook. My goal is to help you understand the ingredients of a good acoustic guitar and how they work together so that you can develop your own instrument recipes.

We will not build a guitar in this workshop; instead we will focus on building skills and confidence during the most daunting moments of the guitar making process so that you feel well-prepared for your next build.

We will practice making mistakes and fixing them. Ultimately, you will gain confidence the way that all master builders have gained their confidence…through experience.”

**link in bio to reserve your spot**

04/23/2026

02/18/2026

We’ve opened a slew of new classes. These will be the last at CSGM’s Chicago campus before our full move to Polo, IL in early August.

There is much more to say and more will be said in the coming months, but for now, we’re so grateful for more than 25 years in Humboldt Park and hoping to close this chapter with a vibrant season of learning. New faces and old friends - come help us celebrate and join for a class. We’d love to see you.

For those aspiring technicians looking for a deep dive, we’ve got three upcoming Guitar Technician Programs in April, June, and July. Take all of our repair classes in one go, or, join for any of the a la carte classes included in the program to study at your own pace. And for those with weekday jobs, there will be a set of weekend guitar repair classes in May: Guitar Set-Up & Maintenance on Sat May 9th, and Fretting on Sat-Sun May 16-17th.

For tube amplifier enthusiasts or anyone electro-curious, our amp curriculum will return in July for Tube Amp Building with Ian Schneller on Sat-Mon July 18-20th and Tube Amp Diagnostics & Repair I&II with Kye Kennedy on Weds-Thurs July 22-23rd and Sat-Sun July 25-26th. Building and repair classes feed into each other nicely; join for both to up your skills and learn the tricks of the trade.

There’s something for everyone. Here is your chance to chart the course for a lifetime of luthiery. Be a part of Chicago’s rich history of guitar making! Learn how to make things right.

** links to our full course calendar in bio **

02/10/2026

Learning is the anti-serum to disillusionment! Put your best foot forward, learn to make things right.

There are still a few spots left in our upcoming Acoustic Guitar Making workshop. Come work with Ian Schneller and Ron Bieganski, and do a first lap in the acoustic guitar building process. There’s no better way than by building a kit.

The class is two long weekends: Sat-Mon, March 7-9th and 14-16th, 11am-5pm. You can attend one or both weekends to jump start your process, and then continue your build with support & guidance during our open shop hours. The world needs more luthiers. Start your journey and master the craft.

All levels welcome, no experience necessary.

** link in bio to reserve your spot **

March 7-9 + 14-16, Sat-Mon, 11am-5pm
Chicago School of Guitar Making
1240 N Homan Ave
Chicago, IL 60651

01/20/2026

Shaping the neck of a Lesser Paul

music performed by Ian Schneller on the 36 fret Mandobeest

01/14/2026

Introducing the Leonis Pippin, a new dance partner with some old moves and a new twinkle!

This Pippin may well be the last one. It was commissioned to embody the Leo constellation, so I inlayed the stars using two of the tuning machines in silver as the larger stars in the constellation with the others in black finish. The overall finish is dark mahogany to manifest the night sky.

The first Pippin was limed mahogany with a straw yellow TV finish, originally used by Gibson in the 1950’s to show up better on black and white TV. It has had several owners over the years. It was made about 1987. The current owner had the back signed by Jeff Tweedy of Wilco and his wife Susan Miller Tweedy, the former owner of the legendary Chicago nightclub and music venue, Lounge Axe.

I had the opportunity to photograph the first and last Pippins together just as I was finishing the Leonis.

11/11/2025

Two week only, two for one set-up special! Get two set-up’s for the price of one from now til November 25th! Our repair shop is thriving, most recently with a pair of neck resets featured in photo number three. Bring in your instruments for an early winter tune-up.

10/23/2025

We’re working on a new batch of Hornlings! Flat pieces of Italian poplar are bent into curves that make up the octagonally fluted horn shape. Assembly is a tricky process that requires two people working together with dexterity and perseverance. The result is a thing of beauty and sonic performance.

This batch of around a half dozen will be ready towards the end of the year - reach out if you’re interested in a pair! We’d be happy to customize the finish to your liking. As always, our wonderful stereo hi fi tube amp is available as a perfect complement.

10/21/2025

Calling all alumni of the setup and maintenance class here at CSGM! This week, Weds+Thurs Oct 22+23, we have a design and blueprint class to start your guitar making journey. Come and join us for a creative experience that will open doors to your wildest dreams. I will take you through my guitar design process and we will make a professional Specimen-style instrument that will become a cherished heirloom and musical tool. Reach new heights and gain lifetime skills in this unique drafting and design seminar. The only prerequisite is my setup and maintenance course. Come and join the fun! Link in bio to sign up 🔗

09/17/2025

You may know that most of the world’s modern fretted instruments join the body at the 16th fret. Leo Fender and the popularity of the Telecaster and its family cemented this contract. But did you know that Leo’s last instrument offering to the universe joined the body at the 10th fret and had only fifteen frets total?

Well it did.

Warpage had become a serious problem and was limiting the playability of instruments with longer necks. The Bass V solved the problem via retreat. With a shorter neck, 10th fret body join, and the addition of a higher pitched C string, the Bass V preserves the range of a J Bass or P Bass and eliminates the problem of playability clearance in the upper register due to neck ramp/bend.

The Specimen “Bass V” recovers this oddity lost to time. Made with precision, fortitude, and uncompromising standards of fit and finish, every Specimen is a complete story. An archeological statement ready for excavation. An expression that leads into other lifetimes. Those beyond the horizon.

This instrument is available now - link in bio to learn more.