Cream City Music
Milwaukee's destination for boutique guitars, amps, and pedals
About Cream City Music
Cream City Music has been a fixture in the Milwaukee-area music scene since 1989. Based in Brookfield, Wisconsin, Cream City is an authorized dealer for an unusually wide range of boutique and specialty brands — from PRS and Music Man to more boutique builders like Collings, Carr Amplifiers, and Veritas Guitars.
The shop is especially respected in the Midwest for its boutique amplifier selection and its ability to source high-quality used and vintage instruments. Cream City's staff skews toward the serious player — they can have informed conversations about tonal differences between amp models, pickup configurations, and vintage vs. reissue comparisons.
Cream City maintains an active used gear section alongside their new inventory. Trade-ins come from serious players, which means the used and consignment pieces tend to be well-maintained and accurately described. Their Reverb store carries a mix of new authorized inventory and used/consignment pieces.
The shop is particularly strong in the $500–$3,000 range — professional-grade instruments that are accessible to working musicians rather than only to collectors. Cream City is frequently recommended on gear forums for players who want boutique-quality service without boutique-shop elitism.
Specialties
- Boutique and semi-boutique electric guitars (PRS, Music Man, Collings)
- Boutique amplifiers (Carr, Bogner, Matchless, Dr. Z)
- Effects pedals — boutique and mainstream
- High-quality used electric guitars
- Bass guitars — boutique and professional-grade
Known For
- Authorized dealer for hard-to-find boutique brands
- Knowledgeable staff with real player experience
- Quality consignment and used inventory
- One of the strongest boutique amp selections in Wisconsin
- Active Reverb store with used and new inventory
Price Range
Mid-range to high-end ($300–$10,000+). Cream City excels in the professional $1,000–$3,000 sweet spot — serious instruments at working-musician prices.
Buying Tips for Cream City Music
Cream City's consignment instruments are often excellent value — they're brought in by players who know their gear and priced by staff who know the market.
For boutique amps, Cream City often has demo units at reduced prices — worth asking about.
Check their Reverb store for limited-run and hard-to-find instruments. Cream City sometimes gets small-run pieces from boutique builders that don't appear in mainstream dealer networks.
Cream City staff are genuinely helpful by phone or email — don't hesitate to contact them about specific condition questions before buying remotely.
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