Question to NYers: Best Guitar Shop

[chadbang]

Hey, can someone help me out. I'm going to try and smuggle myself for a few hours into NY to buy it guitar. I say smuggle because my wife doesn't know I'll be doing this! Anyway, I won't have much time so I'd like to know the one location people think will be my best bet for seeing the most guitars in one place. I'm looking for a Fender Telecaster and I can't find anything but the low-end stuff in my hometown. I'd really like to check out some '52 reissues. Please lend me your thoughts on the best place to do this. A big on-hand stock is key.

 

[CDR]

Manny's and Sam Ash are on 48th Street in Manhattan. Just off Avenue of the Americas (6th Ave). In fact, every key music store is located on that block within several yards of each other. Manny's is my favorite by far. Jimi Hendrix shopped there as have most major rock stars throughout the years.

If you want fantastic vintage guitars then the best place is actually in Staten Island, NY (not far from the Verrazano Bridge) Mandolin Bros. Some wonderful vintage stuff (especially vintage Martin guitars) and they are as knowledgeable as they come. George Harrison was one of their best customers.

 

[KR...]

Quote:

Originally Posted by chadbang Hey, can someone help me out. I'm going to try and smuggle myself for a few hours into NY to buy it guitar. I say smuggle because my wife doesn't know I'll be doing this! Anyway, I won't have much time so I'd like to know the one location people think will be my best bet for seeing the most guitars in one place. I'm looking for a Fender Telecaster and I can't find anything but the low-end stuff in my hometown. I'd really like to check out some '52 reissues. Please lend me your thoughts on the best place to do this. A big on-hand stock is key.

Try Dan's Chelsea Guitars Inc., good guys and they have tons of cool stuff. They are on 23rd St. right after 7th but before 8th. It's right next to the famous Chelsea Hotel. I have stop by a few times, super friendly. Good luck!

Dan's Chelsea Guitars
220 W. 23rd St. (Chelsea)
near Seventh Ave.
212-675-4993

 

[Abuhannibal]

Chadbang,

Seriously consider getting to Lark Street Music on Cedar Lane in Teaneck, NJ. It's just four miles from Manhattan and many, many major music figures make the trip there b/c they have more of the really, really good stuff than just about anyone else. It's really a world-class shop. You can probably look them up in the phone book and/or check the web site to find out what they have in stock. http://www.larkstreet.com/

- Bob

 

[scrypt]

Rogue Music is where musicians go to shed their post-tour gear. 251 W. 30th Street, 10th Floor, I believe, though that's from memory (it's in the legendary music building). While you're there, venture a block away to Scientific Plastics and be fitted for custom earmolds (get clear ones) and/or musician's earplugs. 15 streets away and two avenues down, on 14th Street, you can visit Guitar Center -- which isn't the best but is worth a purposeful loiter. Manny's and Sam Ash are worth a jaunt as well -- they're even on the same block.

Here's the tour as I might plan it:

Sam Ash/Manny's (48th Street off 8th Ave), Rogue (30th btwn 7th & 8th), Scientific Plastics, Guitar Center (14th Street) and, eventually, various Lambsie Divy used music stores in the East Village (such as East Village Music, at E. 4th St. off 2nd Ave, and Ludlow Guitars, at 164 Ludlow Street).

Call them all in advance and find out what they have. With Rogue, you never know.

If you can't find what you're looking for and need pedals (such as the Pod), an A/D converter and a mike pre as well as a guitar, then I suggest you try this site: http://www.mercenary.com. It's not in New York, but you can barter with the Epicurean gent who fuels it. You won't find an Avalon 737 or Lucid A/D (or even a Great River) for less.

 

[chadbang]

Thanks, everyone. Each place sounds fantastic.

 

[Jahn]

Thanks for the heads-up on Rogue, Scrypt, I never knew about that place, I'll have to swing by and check it out. I get performance anxiety when I test out guitars at Manny's - for some reason I feel the ghost of Jimi taunting me. I like Sam Ash's acoustic room the best - it's nice that the folks there leave you alone for the most part and you're free to check out their well stocked line of Taylors and Martins and a few Guilds. But Sam Ash's electric section is a testosterone-fest, and I stay away. To check out electric guitars I much prefer Matt Uvanov's down on Bleecker - man I love their collection of Fenders.

Some day I'm going to have to trip out to the Mandolin Bros on Staten Island. I hear so many things, but when I get off the ferry to hail a cab to go there...I dunno I'd just rather stay in Manhattan and use the subway, I'm lazy.