Staff Picks

We're the luckiest musicians in the world! We have our hands on the GREATEST GEAR that has ever existed. We build it, we buy it, we play it, and of course we sell it. We all have our favorites and good reasons why. We'd love to keep it a secret and have all of the magical tones to ourselves but that would be CRAZY! Staff Picks is where each of our experts shares their FAVORITE GEAR! It's always changing, always updating with the latest and greatest. Enjoy CME Staff Picks!

SHOP CME STAFF PICKS

Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Special Double Cut Figured Maple Top Blue Burst VOS Electric Guitars / Solid Body
Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Special Double Cut Figured Maple Top Blue Burst VOS Electric Guitars / Solid Body
Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Special Double Cut Figured Maple Top Blue Burst VOS Electric Guitars / Solid Body
Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Special Double Cut Figured Maple Top Blue Burst VOS Electric Guitars / Solid Body
Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Special Double Cut Figured Maple Top Blue Burst VOS Electric Guitars / Solid Body
Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Special Double Cut Figured Maple Top Blue Burst VOS Electric Guitars / Solid Body
Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Special Double Cut Figured Maple Top Blue Burst VOS Electric Guitars / Solid Body
Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Special Double Cut Figured Maple Top Blue Burst VOS Electric Guitars / Solid Body
Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Special Double Cut Figured Maple Top Blue Burst VOS Electric Guitars / Solid Body
Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Special Double Cut Figured Maple Top Blue Burst VOS Electric Guitars / Solid Body
Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Special Double Cut Figured Maple Top Blue Burst VOS Electric Guitars / Solid Body

Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Special Double Cut Figured Maple Top Blue Burst VOS

$4,499.00
Fender Standard Stratocaster Midnight Wine 2001 Electric Guitars / Solid Body
Fender Standard Stratocaster Midnight Wine 2001 Electric Guitars / Solid Body
Fender Standard Stratocaster Midnight Wine 2001 Electric Guitars / Solid Body
Fender Standard Stratocaster Midnight Wine 2001 Electric Guitars / Solid Body
Fender Standard Stratocaster Midnight Wine 2001 Electric Guitars / Solid Body
Fender Standard Stratocaster Midnight Wine 2001 Electric Guitars / Solid Body
Fender Standard Stratocaster Midnight Wine 2001 Electric Guitars / Solid Body
Fender Standard Stratocaster Midnight Wine 2001 Electric Guitars / Solid Body

Fender Standard Stratocaster Midnight Wine 2001

$595.00
Marshall Major  1970s Amps / Guitar Cabinets
Marshall Major  1970s Amps / Guitar Cabinets
Marshall Major  1970s Amps / Guitar Cabinets
Marshall Major  1970s Amps / Guitar Cabinets
Marshall Major  1970s Amps / Guitar Cabinets
Marshall Major  1970s Amps / Guitar Cabinets
Marshall Major  1970s Amps / Guitar Cabinets

Marshall Major 1970s

$3,487.00
Gibson Custom Shop Murphy Lab 1961 Les Paul SG Standard
Gibson Custom Shop Murphy Lab 1961 Les Paul SG Standard
Gibson Custom Shop Murphy Lab 1961 Les Paul SG Standard
Gibson Custom Shop Murphy Lab 1961 Les Paul SG Standard
Gibson Custom Shop Murphy Lab 1961 Les Paul SG Standard
Gibson Custom Shop Murphy Lab 1961 Les Paul SG Standard
Gibson Custom Shop Murphy Lab 1961 Les Paul SG Standard
Gibson Custom Shop Murphy Lab 1961 Les Paul SG Standard
Gibson Custom Shop Murphy Lab 1961 Les Paul SG Standard
Gibson Custom Shop Murphy Lab 1961 Les Paul SG Standard
Gibson Custom Shop Murphy Lab 1961 Les Paul SG Standard

Gibson Custom Shop Murphy Lab 1961 Les Paul SG Standard "CME Spec" Light Aged Antique Heritage Cherry w/Stop Bar & Grovers

$6,199.00
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Featured Pick of the Month -
Gibson Custom Shop Murphy Lab 1961 Les Paul SG Standard "CME Spec" Heavy Aged Heavy Antique Silver Mist Poly

Adam - E-Commerce Manager

"The Murphy Lab aging on this SG makes it feel like a baseball glove that is broken in just right and gives it a really unique color. The underwound Custom S Buckers keep the tone bright and clear even when getting pretty heavy on them."

Taylor 322ce 12-Fret Grand Concert Tropical Mahogany/Tasmanian Blackwood Shaded Edgeburst ES2 w/V-Class Bracing Acoustic Guitars / Concert
Taylor 322ce 12-Fret Grand Concert Tropical Mahogany/Tasmanian Blackwood Shaded Edgeburst ES2 w/V-Class Bracing Acoustic Guitars / Concert
Taylor 322ce 12-Fret Grand Concert Tropical Mahogany/Tasmanian Blackwood Shaded Edgeburst ES2 w/V-Class Bracing Acoustic Guitars / Concert
Taylor 322ce 12-Fret Grand Concert Tropical Mahogany/Tasmanian Blackwood Shaded Edgeburst ES2 w/V-Class Bracing Acoustic Guitars / Concert
Taylor 322ce 12-Fret Grand Concert Tropical Mahogany/Tasmanian Blackwood Shaded Edgeburst ES2 w/V-Class Bracing Acoustic Guitars / Concert
Taylor 322ce 12-Fret Grand Concert Tropical Mahogany/Tasmanian Blackwood Shaded Edgeburst ES2 w/V-Class Bracing Acoustic Guitars / Concert
Taylor 322ce 12-Fret Grand Concert Tropical Mahogany/Tasmanian Blackwood Shaded Edgeburst ES2 w/V-Class Bracing Acoustic Guitars / Concert
Taylor 322ce 12-Fret Grand Concert Tropical Mahogany/Tasmanian Blackwood Shaded Edgeburst ES2 w/V-Class Bracing Acoustic Guitars / Concert
Taylor 322ce 12-Fret Grand Concert Tropical Mahogany/Tasmanian Blackwood Shaded Edgeburst ES2 w/V-Class Bracing Acoustic Guitars / Concert
Taylor 322ce 12-Fret Grand Concert Tropical Mahogany/Tasmanian Blackwood Shaded Edgeburst ES2 w/V-Class Bracing Acoustic Guitars / Concert
Taylor 322ce 12-Fret Grand Concert Tropical Mahogany/Tasmanian Blackwood Shaded Edgeburst ES2 w/V-Class Bracing Acoustic Guitars / Concert

Taylor 322ce 12-Fret Grand Concert Tropical Mahogany/Tasmanian Blackwood Shaded Edgeburst ES2 w/V-Class Bracing

$2,299.00
From Taylor: 

Our V-Class bracing lends extra power, sustain and sweetness to this cutaway 12-fret Grand Concert, broadening its musical range. Blackwood back and sides produce a strong voice—even in small-body GC—with a meaty midrange focus and a splash of top-end shimmer, while the mahogany top adds a touch of natural compression to smooth out the response from top to bottom. The combination of a 12-fret neck, slightly shorter 24-7/8-inch scale length, and a shifted bridge position (closer to the center of the lower bout) produces a slinkier handfeel. This makes an excellent choice for players who crave the comfort of a compact frame. With its microphone-friendly voice, it also makes a great choice for recording, and with the ES2 electronics, produces a clear, flavorful amplified sound. The dark and earthy aesthetic incorporates a shaded edgeburst top over the dusky mahogany top, black binding, an all-satin finish, a black pickguard, and small diamond inlays in Italian acrylic.

Scale Length: 24-7/8"
Nut & Saddle: Black Graphite, Micarta saddle
Bracing: V-Class
Truss Rod Cover: Black Plastic
Pickguard: Black
Number of Frets: 18
Tuners: Taylor Slot Head
Case: Taylor Deluxe Hardshell Brown
Body Length: 19 1/2"
Body Width: 15"
Body Depth: 4 3/8"

Binding/Edge Treatment: Black
Top Finish: Satin
Back Config: 2-piece No Wedge
Backstrap Finish: None
Rosette Size: Three Ring
Bridge Inlay: None
Back/Side Finish: Satin
Armrest Binding: None
Backstrap Wood: None
Rosette Mat.: Plastic
Stain/Sunburst: Blackwood Stain Back/Sides, Medium Brown Stain Top/Neck, Shaded Edge Burst Top
Shaded Edge Burst Top Wedge: None
Armrest: No

Neck Width: 1-3/4"
Fretboard Inlay: Gemstone, Italian Acrylic
Fretboard Binding/Edge Treatment: Black
Heel Cap Binding: Black
Type of Neck Joint: Scarf
Neck/Heel: Tropical Mahogany
Fretboard Wood: West African Ebony
Neck Finish: Satin
Heel Length: 3-1/4"
View Details

TIME FOR NEW GEAR?

Help us help you, by contacting us today and let us know what you are looking for! We are here to help make your next dream piece of gear a reality!

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Alex Chadwick - General Manager
Andrew Yonke - CEO
Daniel Bordonaro - Lead Buyer

CHECK OUT THESE STAFF PICKS:

Gibson Custom Shop Murphy Lab 1961 Les Paul SG "CME Spec" - Laurel, Inventory Specialist

"When this beauty hit the shop it took me to a special place. One riddled with wooden panels, cigarette smoke, and a faint taste of scotch on the rocks. This 'CME Spec' SG brings me back to an era I never knew I needed to live in, and I'm here for it. Our Custom "S" Buckers have this baby singing to the high heavens no matter the amp. Not to mention the aging, masterfully done by Tom Murphy and his team, flawlessly ties together an intense feeling of nostalgia. No need for a time machine with this axe by your side."

Shop Gibson Custom Murphy Lab
Product image
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Gretsch Custom Shop G6199-CB Caddy Bo Baritone Heavy Relic Aged Black Masterbuilt by Chad Henrichsen  - Rick, Sales Specialist

"How low can you go? This Baritone guitar spits, growls and bites, just what I need for my Psy Spy Instro Surf band SECRET AGENT!

With the Heavy Relic Aged Black, it looks like it toured around the world and the Custom Shop TV Jones Magna'Tron pickups which pairs perfectly with the baritone register, and impeccable quality Master Built by Chad Henrichsen, I am riding high with this one!"

Shop Gretsch Guitars

Sandberg California TM Soft Aged Gold w/Roasted Neck & Matching Headstock - Laurel, Inventory Specialist

"If you have ever had the chance to play a Sandberg you know there's nothing out there quite like it. Made in Germany, the craftsmanship is truly top tier. I love everything about this bass, from the unique yet comfortable body shape to the shiny gold finish that's sure to catch eyes. The Delano pickups guarantee a full bodied sound while the built-in preamp lets you hone in on your own distinct tone. There's so much to love about this brand that's worth exploring. You might just find the bass of dreams!"

Shop Sandberg Guitars
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1970 Marshall Major -  Dan Lump, Vintage Buyer

"In an age when amps are getting smaller and lighter, or people are opting to bypass an amp altogether to go direct in, this spits in the face of convenience for the sake of tone. The antithesis of "less is more". 200 watts of earth shattering tube power. It weighs as much as a small bus and can be heard from the International Space Station. It's about as practical as a bucket full of holes, and that's exactly why it's awesome. "

Shop Marshall Amplifiers

Relish Mary One Transparent Blue  - Ben, HR Generalist

"The first thing that stood out to me about this guitar is the unique colors. Normally, I'm pretty traditional when it comes to guitar colors but the matte white finish underneath of the glossy, cool, blue finish was something I couldn't take my eye off of. When I picked it up, it played so smooth, too. The neck is a bit wider, and I'm a small hands guy, but I didn't feel like I had to strain my little fingies to play this bad boy. Super cool guitar!"

Shop Vintage & Used
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David Staff Pick

MiniMoog Model D -  David, Marketing Copywriter

"For a guitar player who doesn't know anything about synths, the Model D is maybe the single best instrument to figure out what electronic sound synthesis is all about! Turns out, you have to plug it in first, though!"

Shop Moog Synthesizers

1957 Gibson J45 - Felix, Ecommerce Listing Coordinator

"Nothing beats a vintage Gibson acoustic, also can be used as a a perfect baseball bat!"

Shop Vintage & Used Gibson Acoustics
Felix Staff Pick
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Evans Genera Dry Snare Drum Heads -  Zach, Digital Marketing Manager

"My go-to snare drum head! Very durable which stands up to my heavy hitting. These heads also have a built-in overtone dry vent control design so moon gel is not really necessary. Not much more I would want in a snare drumhead!"

Shop Evans Drumheads

CME Exclusive Fender Player Jazzmaster Olive with Matching Headcap -  Colin, Receiving Clerk

"I can say with full confidence, Olive this guitar! Now that the pun is out of the way, I bought one a year ago and haven't been able to keep my hands off of it since. Between the matching olive headstock, the tortoise pick guard, and these vintage '65 pick ups...this guitar packs a real punch. It became my favorite guitar in my collection in no time. Don't hesitate on grabbing one!"

Shop CME Exclusive Guitars
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