MachMachines Musical Instruments

05/11/2026

Vester lives!
We have a mascot. It’s a sasquatch. A masquatch!

He was created by amazing illustrator and concert poster designer .

We will have two more poses, a poster, and merch soon.

05/07/2026

Check it out! https://outsidetheloopradio.com/2026/05/02/otl-1020-inside-the-shop-of-mach-machines-music-a-local-hero-in-the-ukraine-war-the-secret-history-of-vince-black/

It's time to check out OTL #1,020!

We go inside MachMachines Musical Instruments to get the story of local music craftsmanship, learn about the incredible work of a Naperville woman in the Ukraine-Russia War, and discover the Secret History of Chicago Music of multitalented guitarist Vince Black from Steven Krakow of the Chicago Reader.

Here we go!

https://bit.ly/otlradio1020

05/04/2026

It's May 4, the birthday of our first namesake. Seems like the right day to share a little MachMachines history.

NAME - MachMachines

Mach is Dave’s middle name and the maiden name of his late mother, Jean (Mach) Showalter. We honor her memory in our brand and work.

TAGLINE - Make Sound

Mach is the unit of measurement for the speed of sound. While “Mach” is Czech, “machen” means “to make” in German. Almost literally “Make Sound.”

LOGO - Shockwave

The Mach measurement is named after physicist Ernst Mach (no relation as far as we know). Our logo is inspired by his famous 1888 photo of the shockwaves created by a bullet traveling at supersonic speed. It also looks like a pick on strings.
The logo was designed by Kristen Althoff, a Chicago-based graphic designer and old friend.

05/02/2026

Listen up! Dave was interviewed this week by , a WGN podcast hosted by Oak Parker Mike Stephen. It’s a great segment. Search “outsidetheloop” on your favorite podcast platform.

12/07/2025

Bid, the holiday music brings,
Support the stage where our town sings!
Fitzgerald’s keeps the spirit bright,
Live tunes glowing in the night.
See the treasures up for cheer,
Gifts and goodies once a year—
But the star that steals the show:
MachMachines’ electric glow!
Bid with joy and raise the bar,
Win that custom, shining guitar!

11/27/2025

I be thankful.

11/24/2025

New LR Baggs HiFi Duet install on this Martin OM-21. I’ve installed some under-saddle transducers from LR Baggs and they sound real good. But lemme tell you something - this system sounds great. And I only played it through my Rock N Roll amp. I’ll bet it sounds incredible on a good acoustic amp.

Go get one!