Mouse Posted January 5, 2009 Report Share Posted January 5, 2009 I'm off to NYC on Friday for 5 days. Just wondering if anyone on here has been and can recommend any music (particularly guitar) shops? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alphas Posted January 5, 2009 Report Share Posted January 5, 2009 If I remember rightly, there is a whole street of guitar shops near Times Square. Think it is about 47th or 48th street and between 7th and 8th avenue. Basically, head down 7th ave from Times Square and the street you are looking for is off to the right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Knight Posted January 5, 2009 Report Share Posted January 5, 2009 Don't forget the Pawn Shops.Musicians are often hard up and pawn guitars for ready cash. If they don't redeem the pawned item and pay the extra charges within 4 months - it goes on sale.There are even pawn shops on Broadway but the rougher the district the better the products in the shops. Take a walk along 42nd street and then check out the pawns out towards the Apollo Theatre on 125th Street. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alphas Posted January 5, 2009 Report Share Posted January 5, 2009 Further to my last reply, the street I'm thinking of is 48th st and between 6th and 7th avenues (not 7th and 8th like I previously said). The directions from Times Square will get you there regardless. Manny's is on that street and considered a bit of an institution as far as I'm aware.As mentioned above, pawn shops may be worth a shout if you're looking for a bit of a deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam 45 Posted January 6, 2009 Report Share Posted January 6, 2009 You could go to Manny's Music. I don't have a clue where it is, or if it is any good, but i got given a t-shirt of theirs which i wear rather frequently. Would be nice to know what the shop is like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonhenry Posted January 6, 2009 Report Share Posted January 6, 2009 Manny's for sure. It's on West 48th Street between 6th & 7th Avenue. Also, check out 30-street (Welcome to 30th Street Guitars) and (if you've got the time) check these out....Rudy's-Rudys Music: New York City since 1978169 West 48th StreetNew York, NY, 10036 (212) 391-1699 | (212) 768-3782 Ludlow GuitarsLudlow Guitars - Vintage Guitars, Used Guitars, New Guitars164 Ludlow StreetNew York, NY, 10002 212-353-1775 | 212-353-1749 andMat Umanov'sMatt Umanov Guitars273 Bleecker StreetNew York,, NY, 10014 (212) 675-2157 | (212) 727-8404 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonhenry Posted January 6, 2009 Report Share Posted January 6, 2009 AND GO SEE LES PAUL!!!!!!and post photos. You gotta see the man, he' what, 90? Probably your only chance to shake his hand.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Cynic Posted January 6, 2009 Report Share Posted January 6, 2009 Second the Les Paul suggestion.....he won't be there (Iridium) much longer!I've been in Umanov's (OK....bought an echo pedal there), Ludlow Guitars (quite liked it) and Chelsea Guitars .Home ....folks do say never to buy a guitar in NYC though!!!!! Bigsby is probably the man in the know....If you get to Ludlow's , there's Rivington Guitars just round the corner....some folks say they are rip-off merchants, mind!........ Rivington Guitars: NYCs Best Little Guitar Storeedit...I see they've moved to East 4th St, so they're not 'just round the corner' from Ludlow St anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TR!ΔNGL€ T€€TH Posted January 6, 2009 Report Share Posted January 6, 2009 folks do say never to buy a guitar in NYC though!!!!!Is this a cost thing or because of some sort of terrible curse?(hopes for the latter, especially if Ark of the Covenant face melting is involved) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Cynic Posted January 6, 2009 Report Share Posted January 6, 2009 Is this a cost thing or because of some sort of terrible curse?(hopes for the latter, especially if Ark of the Covenant face melting is involved)That explains Bigsby then!!Nah...it's just a cost thing... a lot of the NYC shops are viewed with suspicion by non NYC types, due to rip-off experiences apparently. (As far as second-hand buying goes...I think there a re plenty of good deals on new ones). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigsby Posted January 6, 2009 Report Share Posted January 6, 2009 Good advice so far, there's also a big Guitar Centre near Washington Square.The NYC prices are fairly silly, and the exchange rate drop won't have helped. It was about 1.85 when I was there 3 years ago, meaning by $2,700 Les Paul ended up costing around 1,450. I bought it from Wildwood Guitars, who mailed it to my hotel. Doing it this way means you get the best price AND you won't pay any state sale tax either.I would also recommend going to see Les Paul, and why not do what I did - buy a Les Paul over there and take it along for him to sign? Top bloke and a good night out, he was over 90 when I was there in 05, can't believe he's still playing now.Just be sure to time your trip carefully, unfortunately I managed to end up there at the same time as Alan Cynic who took us to what must surely be the only bar in swanky Manhattan with sawdust on the floor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Cynic Posted January 6, 2009 Report Share Posted January 6, 2009 But surely you enjoyed the vomit-splatter patterns????Mouse might enjoy a visit...McSorley's Old Ale House Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigsby Posted January 6, 2009 Report Share Posted January 6, 2009 Oh, and of the shops I did go to, I liked Matt Umanov's and 30th Street best, 30th St in particular had a decent selection of affordable second hand stuff. But you must time your visit to Umanov's to coincide with a meal time, John's pizzeria across the street has unquestionably the best pizza I've ever tasted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigsby Posted January 6, 2009 Report Share Posted January 6, 2009 Alan's NYC diary is surely worthy of a repost.http://www.aberdeen-music.com/forums/music-discussion/26206-kitchen-cynics-nyc-diary.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mouse Posted January 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 Wow, sounds like enough to keep me occupied. Cheers everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Cynic Posted January 7, 2009 Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 Enjoy yourself......I'm very jealous! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonhenry Posted January 8, 2009 Report Share Posted January 8, 2009 After you see les paul, head over to new jersey. Like here---Hoboken Vintage Guitars Hoboken, NJJim's pretty cool. Bought a lap steel from him a while back (big surprise, huh?). Good prices and not a lot of bullshit like in the big city. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigsby Posted January 9, 2009 Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 But surely you enjoyed the vomit-splatter patterns????Mouse might enjoy a visit...McSorley's Old Ale HouseCan't remember if I preferred the light beer or dark beer? In any case it set us up nicely for our wild night of debauchery in CBGBs.You really need to dig out your camcorder tape of that night for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colski Posted February 6, 2009 Report Share Posted February 6, 2009 Get the ferry to Staten Island, then a short bus to mandolin Bros, amazing selection of vintage Gibsons and Martins, and lots more. Insane prices though.Main Drag Music in brooklyn is awesome, I picked up a '72 thinline Telecaster for next to nothing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam 45 Posted February 6, 2009 Report Share Posted February 6, 2009 How did you get on Mouse? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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