STRAIGHT TALK

A: It depends on the quality of materials and complexity of the build. Depending on the type of instrument, price can range from $1,000 for a soprano ukulele to several thousand dollars for a highly-customized guitar. You can find a detailed process for custom instrument builds here.

A: Currently, you should allow 10-12 months. This includes our discussion time, materials sourcing, inlay process (if applicable), and finish curing.

A: Absolutely! You can contact us here to schedule a time to come by the studio. If you’re in the Chicago area, the MachMachines workshop and studio is easily accessible by CTA (Green and Blue Lines) and the Eisenhower Expressway.

A: Every MachMachines musical instrument comes with a hardshell case. It’s possible that we may design an instrument that won’t fit a standard size, in which case we will discuss this as part of the design process.

A: Setups and fret levels can be done in a couple of days assuming we have the parts in stock, but more involved repairs and restorations can take quite a bit longer - especially if finish curing is involved or parts are on backorder. Most repairs are turned around within a week. Please note that there is a rush fee if you need it within 48 hours since we will have to push back other work in process to turn it around that quickly.

A: It’s okay. We don’t mind storing your instrument for a bit. However, if it’s more than a month since we told you it’s ready for pickup, we will charge a storage fee of $25 per week. We will give you a heads up before that happens.

A: We revere instruments and handle any that come our way with the utmost care, whether we made it or not. However, if the unforeseen does happen and we can’t fix it, we are fully insured.