Virginia Beach/Richmond Music Stores

[rickosound]

I saw this elsewhere on the forum and thought it was a good idea...

I've got a trip to Virginia planned and will be leaving in a few days. My dad will not be coming, so it's up to me to scout out the music stores.

We'll be staying in Virginia Beach, and will most likely take a trip to Richmond, so if anyone has been to any good music stores in either (not necessarily Ric dealers, although that is a plus), please post them here. I've already found Alpha Music (in Virginia Beach) and the Richmond Sam Ash, which, according the Ric site, has been shipped a bunch recently. We might be able to go to a store in Norfolk if anyone has one.

We may also visit Washington D.C. and the standard government sites (Capital, Smithsonian, etc.); if there are any nearby those please post.

We don't want to drive around too much looking for guitar stores, so I may only get to go to one or two.

Matthew

[phlemmy]

Alpha Music on Virginia Beach Blvd, just east of Rosemont Rd. When i was a Fender player, I bought 6 from them. I think there's been a lot of turnover in staff since I moved away, but the owner, Eddie, is always around and is a great guy. They are a Ric dealer as well.
www.alpha-music.com

The Guitar Center on Virginia Beach Blvd just east of Newtown Rd is alright. If you go in, ask for Brian Malbone. We were in a band together a few years ago.

AL&M is still open, barely. It's at Military Highway just north of Robin Hood Rd. Not much of a selection left in there.
www.audiolight.com

Most of the other indie shops in the area are falling by the wayside.

[vito]

Phlemmy's right. Alpha is the class of Va Beach by a country mile. Richmond doesn't have much to offer. One GC and SA right next to each other, but there usually isn't much unusual there. Metro Sound and Music in downtown Richmond occasionally has some nice vintage stuff, but they're usually overpriced. Richmond Music Center on the southside of town has a decent selection of stuff. They're a RIC dealer but I've seldom seen more than one or two in stock at a time.

I'll let the DC forum folk talk about the stuff up there. I live outside Richmond, if you have any other questions, feel free to PM me. Have a good trip.

[rickosound]

Thanks. I'll definitely make it to Alpha Music. My other stop will probably be the Richmond Sam Ash. This is what the Ric website says they've been shipped recently, although a good part may already be gone.

4003 MID
620 MID
360 MID
660 FG
360 MG
360 FG
360 FG
360 FG
360 FG
360 FG
360 JG
360 JG
360 JG
360 JG
360 JG
360 JG
4003 LH JG w/LH VC
4003 LH JG
4003 LH JG w/LH VC
4003 LH FG w/LH VC
4003 LH FG
4003 LH MG w/LH VC
4003 LH MG w/LH VC
4003 LH MG w/LH VC
4003 LH MG
4003 LH JG w/LH VC
4003 LH JG
4003 LH MG
4003 JG
4003 JG
4003 JG
4003 MG
4003 MID
4003 MID
4003 FG
4003 FG
4003 FG
4003 FG
4003 FG
4003 FG
4003 FG
4003 FG
4003 MG
4003 MG
4003 FG
4003 FG
4003 FG
330 JG
330 FG
330 FG
330 FG
330 FG
330 FG
330 FG
330 FG
330 FG
330 MG
330 MG
330 MG
4003 JG
4003 MID
4003 MID
330/12 FG
330/12 FG
330/12 FG
330/12 FG
330/12 FG
330/12 FG

No wonder people have trouble finding Rics - they all went here!

I'll write down the names of the other stores mentioned here and make a "Maybe" list. It's possible I'll make it to one or two of those.

Thanks again,

Matthew

[collin]

Metro Sound and Music in downtown Richmond occasionally has some nice vintage stuff, but they're usually overpriced. .

Ah, very nice to know

I've never been to Virginia but on the back of the headstock on my 360v64 there is a small dealer decal from Metro sound and music, and I always wondered about them. I left it there just because...cool!

(luckily it was far from overpriced when I got it )

[blueflamerick]

That list is for all Sam Ash's, not just the Richmond store.

[johneek]

I was in the Richmond Sam Ash a couple of months ago and they had two MG 360s on the wall right next to each other. One 2008 with FWIs, the other was either a 2007 or late 2006 IIRC...at that time they were both the same price. I asked the salesman about it but he didn't know, I just sort of shook my head.

All that being said, Sean's initial post is all that needs to be said IMHO. Alpha is the cream of the crop around here.

[rickosound]

That list is for all Sam Ash's, not just the Richmond store.

Oh, thanks - I didn't think to check that.

Duhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!

Well, I'll just write down all the names on a "Maybe" list and see from there. I'll for sure still go to Alpha.

Matthew

[sgtjimmy]

I just bought my 330 at Chuck Levins Washington Music in Wheaton MD (near DC). They just got some Rics in and are an excellent store with great prices and staff. I bought a Taylor T5 and Marshall amp there as well. They have an excellent selection of PRS and Fender too.

[just_bassics]

Alpha Music +1! Bought my Gibson ES-175 from them in 2005, best price in the country and lifetime setup... A big store but still a Mom & Pop operation. We visit them every year on our trip and plan to move in someday The owner was always in the store and available to talk gear.

They always had a few Rics in stock as well...

Not impressed with Va Beach GC, and AL&M is nothing like it used to be in the 80's.

[phlemmy]

Yeah, AL&M used to be THE store while Alpha was the "wannabe". After Alpha moved from Norfolk to va beach, they revamped and regrouped and started offering good customer service blowing AL&M away.

[johneek]

I just bought my 330 at Chuck Levins Washington Music in Wheaton MD (near DC). They just got some Rics in and are an excellent store with great prices and staff. I bought a Taylor T5 and Marshall amp there as well. They have an excellent selection of PRS and Fender too.

+1 for sure. Chuck Levin's has a great selection of guitars and the staff has always been great every time I've visited.

[rickosound]

Thanks everyone. We're taking off tomorrow. I'll be back in a week with a report.

Matthew

[rickosound]

I'm back in less than a week with a report with the aid of my Uncle's computer. I went to Alpha Music two days ago. I didn't see any Rics, although I thought their website said they had three in stock.

The layout of the store stood out to me the most - everything is behind the counters. I'm wondering why other music stores don't do that. It seems like a good idea that could save some money.

I played some Byrds on a Seagull 12 string, and picked up a few other acoustics. I didn't ask to play any electrics. Most were Fenders that I'd already played at GC or other music stores. I bought a new slide for my lap steel for $20 - a quarter of what the lap steel cost!

Overall, I thought it was a very good store. The people were friendly, and the instruments seemed to be well set up. I was surprised that they had the lap steel slide, which is another plus. I'd recommend this store to anyone whose going to be in the Virginia Beach Area.

Matthew