people think I'm crazy,including my husband,but it was always something I wanted to learn. Thank you again! I'm more inspired than ever now that I have my Hofner to keep on   practicing!      Paula W.   Cromwell Ct.........................................................

music man petrucci Dear guitarlegend,
Chance,
I left positive feedback on your profile.
When I recieved the guitar and started to examine it I was just
awe struck. My mouth dropped, you were right along and the set up is more than professional. Man, I wish I could bring the
family and live near you.
I haven't plugged in yet I hope it sounds as good as it looks
and as well as it is put together.
The guitar guitar is light, how does it compare in weight to the
expensive John Putrucci guitars?
Is it me or have the epiphones been going up in price, heck at
that rate they well be as expensive as the Gibson's!
Can I email you or call you if I have questions regarding guitar maintenance or theory?
When I run across people who have problems with their set ups
or want to buy a guitar like mine is it okay for me send them to
you?
God Loves Ya,
Richard
S.............................................

my next door neighbor, from chicago Hey Chance–You did a most excellent job prepping my new guitar. I got it all unpacked and hooked up - it looks awesomely beautiful  (nearly giving me a *****) and SOUNDS GREAT!   I will check out youtube to see about lessons – it’s been a long time since my high school days, so may take me awhile.  I never would have known you deal in guitars – it was a good idea puting out those signs.  Now I know where to go for gear, goodbye Guitar Center, Mike A@#l.....................

one customer who bought an ibanez Hey Chance,
I wanted to take a minute out of my new guitar festivities (well, it's "new" to me anyway, because this is the start of my new life, from a better and "happier time" in 1985, you know the score on that one from what we talked about earlier Chance.
But at any rate, I just wanted to take a minute to write to the person that made it all possible and to tell you thank you so very much for going out of your way for me, a total basket case, a stranger, you truly are doing the Lord's work Chance my friend. What you did for me is the exception these days, and not the rule. It is hard to find "real people' anymore Chance, and I wanted to let you know that I am glad we met.
As such, I consider it an honor to know you man. I don't say that about alot of people, maybe I have said it about some of my buds that didn't make it back from GWI, but hardly anyone in "real" life. It is rare to hear me say it about anyone. Just ask my fiance! LOL
I don't know what brought us together that fateful dreary night when I emailed you, desperation I suppose, but I am very glad I did. I feel it is my priveledge to know you Chance.
Not only did you help me out Chance, but more importantly, I gained a friend.
And I would take the gaining of a selfless friend over all the guitars in the world any day.
If you want to print any this on your web page that is fine Chance, as I see you have printed letters from the past before about different people (KUDOS!) , but for my privacy sake, if you do, please don't use my real name okay?
Thanks man,
Johnny...........................

one man's testimonial Hey Chance. You may not remember me but you sent me a delta, acoustic guitar about 7 months ago as I was in the V.A. hospital in L.A. CA. I have been back in my home town for almost 8 months now. I couldn't find work due to the economy so I decided to go back to school. I've got 1 semester down with a 3.8 g.p.a. and took music this summer during the 1st. session and just started the 2nd. session and you will be pleased to know that the professor of the guitar class has asked me to be his assistant for the beginning guitar students. No pay, but very rewarding and if it wasn't for your gift I would be unable to be where I'm at right now.
I just want to thank you so much for your help, I wonder if you have ANY idea of just how much you have blessed me, mostly in a mental way but it has had enormous physical and emotional attributes. I hope our creator can do something good for you in return.
again, thank you so much for your help.
Now, on the other side of things. I've been granted a nice chunk of $ for school! and I'm looking at classical,nylon string guitars. I've look at a huge price range from $89.00 to, well, I'm sure you know sky's the limit right. I'm looking to spend about $300.00. I found a Chinese brand called "valencia" solid sitka top, real nice for a Chinese guitar. I would like to know what brands you carry in that area. I usually wouldn't buy a guitar unless I could play it first, but you have been good to me, so if possible I would like to buy my guitar from you. please let me know what you think.
Michael B#ggs....................................

one more comment from the 2 basses in 2 year man CHANCE:
SOmewhere, in Danelecro heaven, they are singing your name!
This is Dano # 2 from Fort Madison and they BOTH rawk!! big time.
Both were/are dead-mint; set up perfectly, and play like Dano himself
intended them to sound!!
Bass # 1 of course was the Silverburst LongHorn PRO no less, OEM right from
the Korean tone factory! KILLER bass...
But #2...!    !   !
YOU made that! Dano PRO (guitar) Body fab'd into a Bass Guitar!
Killer!
SeaFoam Green, not a mark on it, neck set perfectly, even tone across the
fingerboard, perfectly intonated, action to the max, and PUNCH to the bone!!
(Hey, it's a Dano)-....................this space is reserved for your comments, thanx to all Chance
Wow! I'm stoked! It's a GREAT add to my Bass Guitar collection; one which
nobody else is gonna show up with!
Too cool-
Thanks again Chance!
Larry Jnkins

 I got the baritone today! I love it, Duane loves it, it is so nice!  I think he is going to play with it next thursday at a gig, I will record it and send it to you or put it on Youtube.
Thank You so much!
Brianna Co%$^a                                     G'day Chance, just received my order from our postie, thank you for being so prompt and the good service, it was also good to talk to you and your good wife and I hope our paths cross again in the future, it really is nice to know nice people,    cheers mate,
                                                         Kind Regards,        Mark N$$bitt,        Newcastle,  Australia,
          P.S.  I nearly forgot, I love the diecast guitars.
                                                                                                   Stacy Shazam Fort Madison Guitars.com is the best because it's easy to find what you need, they make sure you get what you want, and they've got a good selection. The site is easy to navigate, the prices aren't bad, and the range of products beats even my local guitar shops. Simply put, good prices, good quality, and good service. Also, they'll tell you what they want to buy, just in case you'd happen to have it!           Greg White likes fort madison guitars because it's the only place on earth to get dano replacement parts! thanks chance!        Bill Totton That's a simple question with a simple answer: Chance McFadden treats every single customer like they are his number one. When have you ever called any other store and gotten the owner's cell phone number? With Chance and Fort Madion you are treated like you matter because to them you really do.                                   Michael J Abel Fort Madison Guitars is just plain cool. It's not luck that makes Fort Madison Guitars great - it's just Chance - Chance McFadden that is.                                                                                                                      well let me see what can i say bad about fort Madison guitars!!! Not a  damn thing. chance is a super nice guy who goes the extra mile just to help people no matter rich,poor,young,old,first timers, or experienced guitar players he has it... all and there all well kept guitars. ever time i come to see him he's in the store changing strings and keeping them clean and how many other stores do you know that you can call and say chance i wanna buy that bad ass laney Lx120 amp but i cant make it down there because i have both my kids. and they will load it up and bring it to you. I dont know anybody but chance and Fort Madison guitars.
so thanks Chance if it was not for you and your store where would we all be you rock man and keep it up FortMadisonGuitars rock. R. Crank

Shawn Brown I would kill for a new Dano! Fort Madison Guitars is my favorite store because there is no larger collection of Danelectro guitars in the US and quite possibly the world! I collect Danelectro guitars and there are actually a few in stock ...that I have never in my life even heard a rumor of existing. The first time I visited the site my jaw literally dropped in awe at the selection and condition that these Dannos were in. I was even able to personally speak to and share stories with Chance Mcfadden himself about the guitars that we love and the love that he has as a music dealer. There is really no other music shop out there that comes close.                                 Tony Bigley

Chance and Fort Madison Guitars is my fav. store because not only did i get my Mike Mushok PRS at an amazing price but Chance took the time to do the little things no other music company/store do for their customers. He oiled the fret board... adjusted all the little things that are important on guitars and even added in a couple little goodies into the gig bag that came with the guitar. Shipping was perfect and came fast! He was also very cool to talk to and VERY informative. Fort Madison has made me and my band sound better that is the #1 thing here and i will FOR SURE be doing more business with them!         Aubrey Mendonca OK ITS MY FAVORITE GUITAR STORE BECAUSE IT GOT THE COOLEST GUITARS,IT HAS SOME PRETTY LEGIT DANELECTROS, IT's ALSO THE ONLY PLACE I BUY MY GUITARS, AND THE STORE IS PRETTY "BA" IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN, ALSO YOU GOT SOME PRETTY SICK PRICES THAT ARE AWSOME, IT's ALSO ONE OF THE LARGEST DANELECTO STORES IN THE WORLD..ITS PRETTY FREGGIN GREAT :P                             Matt Cadarette

Fort Madison Guitars is a throwback: not just some anonymous cyber-storefront floating in the void of the internet, but a living breathing honest-to-goodness GUITAR STORE. Pick up the phone and give them call. You'll get nothing but courteous and knowledgeable service - a rarity in these times. Support them, and you are in turn helping them to support their various philanthropic causes, such as guitars for enlisted military and veterans. I'm sure that is money out of their pockets. It's not something they are forced to do, but an obligation they feel is right, and they do so quietly, without fanfare. How many stores do you know with such nobility? A Danelectro might be $399, but that sort of humanitarianism is priceless.

                                                                               

From:

This sender is DomainKeys verified

"Josh Lobley" joshlobley@gmail.com

To:

"CHANCE MCFADDEN" <chancemusic@yahoo.com>

Guitar arrived yesterday,(Australia) picked it up today and put it together. All good and fantastic - love the guitar.
Almost laughable thing was the the packet of strings was missing the b packet - I had some old strings that I could use for though.
The guy at the post office was asking me whether it was my birthday and I didn't know what he was on about - wasn't fast enough. All sweet though. I will be buying a six string from ou soon, thanks for the great service. Josh                                                   

Robert Tommy Kessler  fort madison guitars is such an amazing store that has such a variety of versatile instruments that any guitarist can pick from, including danelectros which are hard to find even though they are such amazing instruments. to say the least, you can get these amazing guitars and a very low price because most big stores end up making you pay a lot more than the guitar is usually worth, but luckily we have a store like this that treats the customers fairly (not to mention that they are just awesome all around). add the fact that they have awesome giveaways like this to win their awesome equipment and you've got a pretty great store.

  

Tom Allen To be honest, I've never been to FMG. I don't get to Ft. Madison much, and I only recently found out about it via Facebook. But manyyears ago I was with some friends on a visit to a music store in Macomb, Illinois, wanting to take up the guitar but not having much money. The proprieter walked out of the back room ca...rrying an old hardshell case proclaiming he'd make me the best deal on a guitar I'd be likely to find. What he had was a dusty old Audition electric guitar complete with a hard case and a new set of strings for a price so low I won't mention it here. It wasn't much of a guitar but it was the start of a hobby that has been my entertainment, my therapy, and occasionally a source of extra income for over 20 years now. The guy who gave me that smokin' deal is the axeman currently known as Chance, and I know he's still a friend to both the beginner and the seasoned professional. And that is why FMG is my favorite music store. Rock on Chance!!                        

Rich Smith Why is Fort Madison Guitars the Best in the world = The business doesn't charge more than what the products go for in big cities and the internet. Burlington has two shops and the prices are high. I bought an epiphone les paul online and went to a shop and burlington the same guitar was double the price. Rock on FMG, Rock on Chance!                

Aaron Stallard Fmg.com is the best guitar shop in the world they know there guitars and music equipment.and i want u to know this is true.fmg.com is the best                                 

Randal C Jensen FMG is my favorite store: its the only place I can walk in and test drive a danelectro lefty ( or a dano righty for that matter ha! ), and I bet I could find some great parts and maybe even get some good advice or ideas ( now that would almost be a new concept ) for my ...next guitar project. Also, it would just be alot of fun to check out all that cool danelectro stuff.            Shawn Brown Let's just hope my tax return lands me a funky Eko. Knowing you carry them is enough to take a good gamble on it. Your taste in guitars that you carry speaks volumes      

Jamie Kahs

Thanks Chance. I love my Gibson SG. I've been an AC/DC fan since I was 8 and anytime I dreamed of playing guitar this is what I imagined! 32 years later I decided to start playing, and now I have a real USA Gibson SG! F.M.G. Rocks!

 

  April 6, 2011 at 11:05am · ·                 

Richard Jay Hansen

I just brought home my Big Baby. Taylor big baby acoustic guitar that is. Thank you God and Chance Mcfadden(www. fortmadisonguitars.com )

 

Chance,Thank you for your ultra-excellent service.All the best,Phil                                            

Ric Olander

Chance is the fairest guy you will deal with. I have bought, sold and traded several guitars with Chance and will again....thanks Chance, now if Dano was only so good                      

Brendan Paul Jones

Thanks Chance Mcfadden for my new vintage modified DC 59. It has a beautiful jangle and I especially like the different tones I get from the 3 pickup positions. What I really love about this guitar is that it sounds different, it has its own individual sound and mojo, which is why I bought it (also because Syd Barett played one). Also this is a very sexy looking guitar. Thanks again Chance Mcfadden im very happy:)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Hello Chance I recieved the Danelectro and it sounds Great! I love it more then I thought I would! Robert S.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Chance, Hofner arrived yesterday in great shape. Man, what a tone and feel this guitar has!! Thanks so much for waiting on me and giving me such a great deal. You're tops.
Cheers, Jim                                                                Paulina Angel

Talk about excellent service, Fort Madison Guitar and its owner Chance, really k...now how to show great salesmanship and being helpful to their customers. I highly reccomend purchasing from Fort Madison Guitars!! Paulina Angel - Indio/Palm Springs, Ca                  

Jamie Kahs

The Danelctro mini amp arrived safe and sound. Its tone is unbelievable. I played my electrics though it and it rocked. I then tried my acoustic electric and I love it. Thanks again Chance!                                                                                  

Hi Chance.

 

The Dano 12 string arrived. Very clever of you to send it in two boxes.  I bolted on the neck, strung it and it plays and sounds great!  Thank you.Regards Gregory G. Evans                                                          

Dennis Saeva

HI Chance, Conrad just brought me the Dan Electro. I am absolutely amazed at how good this guitar plays and sounds with the upgrades. It plays like a good Fender in and sounds amazing. We will be using this guitar a LOT. Thanks again :)

• 

   

   

  Ric Olander

  Chance, just got the Dano Wild Thing, well worth the wait! Even got here faster than Fedex said it would. Thanks for the shirt and all the swag! There is definately only one way to ROCK...Fort Madison Guitars!!!

                      Chance – I received the  the bridge and tape today.  Dave put the new bridge on the Dano and it works great.  Thanks so much for doing this for us.  I found out something I didn’t know.  In 1969, when my brother decided he wanted to play guitar, he saw the Danelectric ’63 and wanted that guitar.  Unfortunately, none were available at that time, so he got a Silvertone for Christmas.  Now, after all these years, he finally got the guitar he originally wanted.  I just wanted to buy him something he wanted for Christmas, and it turns out you made a dream come true.  You’ve been so nice.  It’s great to purchase from someone who really values their customers.  Thanks again.  Deborah M.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     THANKS FOR YOUR HELP, I'LL CALL YOU
  WITHIN A FEW DAYS, ONCE YOU LET ME
  KNOW, SO  WE CAN SORT IT OUT.
  
  I WOULD ALSO BE INTERESTED IN YOUR
  IN-HOUSE DC BASS AND/OR DC GUITAR.
  APPROXIMATE COST, AND SO ON.
  
  GOD BLESS, THANKS FOR DOING SUCH
  A GREAT MISSION FOR US DANELECTRO
  FANS.
  
  CARLOS
  
  
  Carlos T. Ravelo, LLD, MA, CCI, FCCI                                                                    

  Hi Chance,

  Wanted to let you know that I'm quite happy with the green Dano baritone you sold to me.

  I was worried when it arrived because the box looked like it had been through a war.  There was a big rip in the side of it and peanuts were falling out.

  But, you did a good job of packing it because the guitar is fine.  I strung it up as a Bass VI with the strings you sent, (thanks!) got it all set up and it sounds really cool.  It's perfect for what I needed and a great addition to my collection.

  I'll keep an eye on your site and perhaps we'll do business again.

  I'll be playing it mostly with this group: www.radiostarsband.com 

  And on this radio show:  http://www.dakotaairtheradioshow.com/

  Thanks again,
  
  

  Gregg R. ##le