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August 2002
Location: Everett, Wa | Hey, I'm going to NYC in a few weeks (from near Seattle) and was wondering if there is anything interestng for an OFC member to check out that is guitar/music oriented. Any good shops near Times Square/Midtown area to check out?
Thanks, Jim |
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Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 2246
Location: Yucaipa, California | Found this website:Webtunes
Looks like it has quite a bit of info... have a good trip! |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | It used to be to go to 48th st and see Manny's and Ash and all the others. Now it's just about all Ash, I understand they've renamed it Sam Ash Avenue. Matt Umanov has an interesting store on Bleeker. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | W48th Street (not far off from Times Square).
Lotsa shops (but it used to be VASTLY better "back in the day").
There's a huge, new Guitar Center on 14th St (near Union Square) tho I've yet to see it.
Master Templeman & Mr. Matt Smith could probably steer you to the more "finer" establishments.
When're ya comin' out?
Perhaps we can hook up and quaff one or three?
(That is, if the Republicans haven't TOTALLY commandeered my "life" by then :rolleyes: ). |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 1071
Location: Carle Place, NY | Hi Jim:
On 48th Street, between Avenue of the Americas ("6th" Ave.) and 7th Avenue is the original Manny's as well as Sam Ash on the other side of the street. There are also still some smaller music/guitar stores on that same section of 48th Street that have interesting vintage guitars, although years ago there were more of them. I have also heard, but not seen, that there is a new Guitar Center at Union Square, 14th Street, which is supposed to be a "flagship" store. If you have the desire, go down to Bleeker Street in Greenwich Village where there are still many niteclubs that feature daily live jazz, rock, fusion, etc. I'm a native New Yawker and I highly recommend that you take in a Broadway show. At Times Square at around 47th Street, there's Duffy Square where you can buy tickets for many shows the same day at 25%-50% off. If you can't find it, just any ask police officer in the area where the Duffy Square "TKTS" booth is. Lastly, don't be afraid of the subway. It's actually very safe and the fastest way to get around Manhattan. Despite their reputation, the people in the city are really very friendly and helpful and will assist you in navigating your way around. Have a good time in the Big Apple. |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 1071
Location: Carle Place, NY | Hi Jim:
One last thing that I forgot. Check out the program for the Beacon Theater at Broadway & 68th Street. Obviously, it varies week to week, but you just might catch something memorable. Even if a show is sold out, you can "scalp" tickets without being scalped by waiting to buy until just after the show starts. The scalper's prices tend to go really down by then. |
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Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | Jim,
Go to Washington Square Park, 4th Street and 5th Avenue. Right in the middle of NYU college area. Look for a scruffy, skinny kid playing a Taylor. Tell him his Dad said to trade in it on an Ovation.
Seriously, the Guitar Center is the best one I've ever seen. Lots of vintage gear and very nicely setup. Play one of the Ovations and when you are done go hang it up in the Martin room. They love it when we do things like that. Visit 48th Street. Sam Ash is nice, but very corporate. I equate it to the CompUSA of music stores. Manny's is much better in my opinion. Check out all the autographed photos on the walls.
I don't know the name of the place, but right across the street from Manny is a small two story shop (or maybe it's just upstairs, I forget), but they've got many hand made and hi end acoustics. Most are locked behind glass and I didn't know the double-secret handshake to get permission to touch. But still fun to look.
Warning - before you buy anything, remember that the sales tax is something like 9.85 %
Hey, does anyone remember in the mid 70's when Sam Goody was actually a pretty nice Ovation dealer? You could buy an Ovation guitar and a needle for your Monkey-Wards record player in the same place. Sam Goody also had some hi end (for that time) audio gear. I bought an SAE2400 power amp in Paramus. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | btw: Washington Square Park is a GREAT place to pick-up loose "joints" . . . NOT THAT I WOULD KNOW mind you!!, . . . it's, uh, . . what I've been TOLD, . . . yeah, that's it! . . . I think it was David Lee Roth that told me . . . . |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 1071
Location: Carle Place, NY | Hey Jim (and Cliff), be careful because times have changed. The police have really cracked down on the drug scene at Washington Sq. Park. The dealers have moved to 6th Ave. and 4th Street near the basketball courts across from the Waverly. . . or so I'm told. |
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June 2002
Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | But I never inhaled. And I didn't enjoy it. And I never had sex with that woman Miss Lewinski. Sadly, the Bottom Line closed about a month ago. In its day it was one hell of a night spot. You might enjoy going to The Blue Note on 4th Street. One of the most famous jazz clubs in the world. Just look for the awning made out a grand piano. |
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December 2003
Posts: 13997
Location: Upper Left USA | What kind of sound would a top made out of one of those trees that grow in NYC be like? I understand they grow on spit and cigarette butts! Should be fairly dense and figured! |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | B.B. King's gets some great major acts in there, but they're expensive. Town Hall is also a great concert venue.
Lemme know exactly when you'll be out, and I'll see what's gonna be around and forward it to you. |
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Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | My last Manhattan trip was spent in relative luxury thanks to Cliff, but usually I slum it in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. There's a pretty cool store on North 6th called Main Drag Music. Last time I was there they had a Breadwinner, Custom Legend and a bunch of cool vintage mandos & Lap steels. That neighbourhood is becoming pretty hip so their prices may have gone up. Umanovs in the Village is good, Mando Bros on Staten Island is usualy worth the effort but forget 48th St. GC have a store on 14th, and it's just like every other GC. |
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Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Here's a list of places I'd check out.
GC @ Union Square (Like the rest, except bigger)
Umanov's at Bleeker (Top notch and expensive repairs, no ovations)
Carmine Street Guitar's, around the corner from Umanov's (Repairs on electrics just as good as Umanov's, and cheaper. The guy makes his own teles, no ovations)
East Village Music Store on E 3rd Street (Consignment store, maybe an ovation, pretty cool)
Outside of downtown
Sam Ash on 48th (But just for the experience)
Mando Bros on SI, that's a day trip (take the ferry)
Guitar Bar on first street in Hoboken (take the ferry or path train)
As per M. Smith, Alto Music in middletown, Ny. I suppose you can take the shortline bus up there. It'll take 1.5 hours to drive there. I can't vouch since I haven't been there, though, I've been to their store in monsey, and for a little place they a had good selection.
I'd also check out PT's tip on williamsburg, besides you'd get out of manhattan into a hip place ... brooklyn!
Enjoy your stay in the Gran' Manzana! |
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Joined:
October 2003
Posts: 4
| If you have some time check this guy out in the city http://www.hernanromero.com/index.html . He doesn't play an ovation but he is a great player. His style is Flamico/new world/jazz. I saw his a few weeks ago and was blown away. But then again if you see any band in the village it will be good muics. this guy is worth seeing though. |
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August 2002
Location: Everett, Wa | Wow, thanks for all the info. Since the ol' ball and chain is coming along I will have limited time to spend just on guitar shops, but I'll definitly(sp?)chew one of my legs off and spend an afternoon checking things out.
Hey Cliff, I'll be at the Millenium Broadway from Thurs.-Monday (26th-29th June), and a couple of east coast brews sounds good. We have tickets to "Chicago" for Sat. evening but will just be doing the tourist thing the rest of the time.
Again,thanks for all the input, I love New York already!! |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Check your e-mail.
I've sent you all my phone #'s.
I'm gigging in Jersey Thursday and Saturday nights, but with the Republicans in town, I may be in Manhattan at any time. Maybe we can hook up.
Enjoy your stay! |
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Joined:
February 2003
Posts: 86
Location: northern virginia | I went to all the shops on & near 48th about three years ago, and I was very disappointed….however, I was solely hunting for a vintage US made BC Rich, and I recall being utterly dumbfounded when I found nothing of the sort in any of about 6 or 7 music stores in that area. I’d probably have a good time there now since my interests have shifted toward acoustics. I believe that most of the best archtops can be found along that corridor. |
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Anything in New york City?
