​Chondro Guitars Moves To Bigger New Store

WAUKESHA, WI—Chondro Guitars in Waukesha is moving to a bigger new location.

The shop that buys and sells custom guitars and other merchandise will move in August to Meadowbrook Shopping Center from its current location at 910 E Moreland Blvd.

Owner Randall Pearson told Patch he outgrew his old store and that the new one is three times bigger and will have a dedicated amp room.

He described his business as hard rock and heavy metal shop that sells musical instruments for between $35 to $4,000.

The new shop's amp room will allow guitarists to hear what they sound like. It will be acoustically balanced and soundproof so as not to anger the neighbors, he said.

"I needed to build it so my guys can get a feel for what they sound like when they go on the road and tour," he said.

Customers can build their sound system using a touchscreen, he added.

The current shop is hidden, and there is not a lot of cross-traffic with other businesses, he said. The new space is near Sendik's, Walgreens and other stores.

"That is why I decided to move into the new spot," he said.

Bedroom Warriors And Pros

Chondro Guitars attracts established artists who tour professionally, Pearson said. Then there are the others.

"A lot of my customers are normal guys. We call them bedroom warriors. They play [guitar] in their bedrooms just for fun," Pearson said.

The shop's traditional clientele has been men. But women are starting to get into playing, he added.

"Times are changing, and there are a lot of women out there now and starting to get into that [hard rock and metal] genre," Pearson said.

Take Nita Strauss, who performs with Alice Cooper. Pearson's shop carries the Ibanez guitar she plays.

"She is a phenomenal player," he said.