Different Strummer
Acoustic Guitars
Alvarez
Building on a rich tradition of Japanese wood working, Alvarez manufactures excellent mid-grade instruments for the sturdent who is ready to step up from a rental instrument. Many of their models feature a solid wood top for great tone, coupled with laminated sides and back. Alvarez offers popular models in both the smaller folk size and the standard dreadnaught model, and some excellent classicals. Also, Alvarez offers a proprietary electronics system to which additional sound sources may be added on many models.
Click to visit Alvarez online.
Aparicio
Aparicio offers an excellent line of Spanish made classical and flamenco guitars. They make solid top mid-grade instruments up to all solid wood concert models. Great quality and sonority make Aparicio our main line of nylon string guitars.
Click to visit Aparicio online.
Beard
Quite simply, Paul Beard is making some of the best resonator instruments on the planet right now, and we are proud to carry both square and round neck models from this master builder.
Blueridge
This is probably the Strummer's favorite line of guitars, along with many of our teachers. These are meticulously hand crafted in China by some of the best builders available. The line draws heavily from vintage Martin and Gibson styles, but have a unique look and sound. Blueridge has solid top, all solid, Adirondack top, and parlour models. You really have to play one to see what a great value Blueridge offers in an incredible sounding instrument.
Click to visit Blueridge online.
C.F. Martin
Martin is the company most responsible for the acoustic guitar of today. A huge range of models, from student step up models to industry standards like the HD28 to handcrafted custom models, ensure Martin's status as king of guitar makers. They invented many of the features that are standard among manufacturers today, including X-bracing and the "dreadnaught" model. Martin does not rest on its laurels, however. They are constantly pushing the envelope in product development, and the instruments they send us are consistently the best we get. We carry more Martins in stock than any other brand, so ask us about them!
Click to visit C. F. Martin online.
Dell Arte
This little company out of California produces most of the professional grade gypsy swing guitars on the market. They also make a nice affordable line of gypsy imports. If Django is your bag, play a Dell Arte.
Click to visit Dell Arte online.
Gitane
Brought to us by the same folks who supply Blueridge, Gitane offers several excellent import gypsy jazz model guitars. Our most popular jazz guitar.
Larrivée
Jean Larrivée is a famous French Canadian guitar builder, and his guitars rival Martin and Taylor for great quality professional instruments. The line includes vintage and modern styled dreadnaughts, folk size, and the best parlour guitars we have seen. Their top models are made in a new California facility, and as of this writing Jean himself still carves the neck volutes, sprays the sunbursts, and works on every single guitar out of the factory.
Click to visit Larrivée online.
Loriente
This is our top line of classical guitar. Loriente guitars are handmade in Spain and feature beautiful solid tone woods and French polishing on some models. Gorgeous!
Click to visit Loriente online.
National Resophonic
Building on a long and interesting history, National is recreating the classic resonator instruments of the past. Tricones, biscuits, wood steel or brass bodies, ukuleles, mandolins-the line is quite varied. All guitars have a powerful tone and excellent craftsmanship. Son House lives!
Click to visit National Resophonic online.
Oscar Schmidt
A division of Washburn USA, Oscar Schmidt supplies us with our budget line guitars for rentals and students. We also get some interesting Latin instruments from Oscar: requinto, bajo sexto, and a cuatro. Also the best source for autoharps for over 100 years.
Click to visit Oscar Schmidt online.
Old Town School of Folk Music instruments
Yes, we have our own line of guitars! We contract with a German company to produce our own line of folk size, dreadnought, acoustic electric, and solid top instruments. A great value! These guitars are perfect for your school or other institution. We have large quantities in stock and can create a custom discounted package with your school purchase order. Please contact Ted Parrish directly at 773-751-3310 regarding institutional sales.
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TWO LOCATIONS
Lincoln Square
4544 North Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, 773.751.3398
- Mon - Thu, 10am - 9pm
- Fri - Sun, 10am - 5pm
Lincoln Park
909 West Armitage Avenue
Chicago, 773.751.3410
- Mon - Thu, 10am - 9pm
- Fri - Sat, 10am - 5pm
- Sun, 11am - 4pm
Old Town School Recordings
We've got our very own recording label! Several CDs are now available featuring our talented teachers and other friends of the school. Available at Bloodshot Records, the iTunes Store, Amazon.com, and both of our Different Strummer music stores.
Click for more about Old Town School Recordings.
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