Ian Schneller began using Specimen Products as a name for his sculptures in 1981 while an undergraduate at the Memphis Academy of Art. It was the anonymity of the words “Specimen” and “Products” that appealed to him. It also seemed a funny little ruse — pretending to be a company instead of himself.

The Chicago School of Guitar Making! We teach classes in guitar building, guitar setup and repair and tube amplifier building. We are the only school in Chicago where you can learn instrument repair and building from a professional luthier. We are also the only school teaching the craft of tube amplifier building. Since opening in 2005 more than 1000 students have enrolled in our classes.