Sign of the times...RIP MANNY'S MUSIC

[rickenbrother]

To me, when We Buy Guitars fell, 48th st was never the same. When I think of all the Hofners and Pre-CBS Fenders they had in the window for practically nothing..

I feel the same way, Mark. You could have gotten a vintage 4001 with sparkly FWI's for a great price also! There were always a few in the window.

[schoolside]

I'm not getting a bad economy from this post, only that the land is to valuable for it's present use. I agree with the poster that Manny's is redundant with both Sam Ash and Musician's Friend. Guitar Center on 14th Street carries all the same stuff except for Rics as well. We have a better guitar shop in New Haven, CT called G Guitar and a really high end acoustic shop in Guilford, CT. (it's a secret, you have to find it) I too enjoy Rudy's but alas, cannot afford to buy there. New York's 8% sales tax doesn't help.

[JakeK]

Purchased from Manny's in 1968


Also the first (of several) purchased at Manny's

Too bad Manny's is gone, but it's probably for the best.

[rickboy88]

The January 2009 "Guitar World" has an article about David Gimour's black stratocaster, as well as a good interview with him.

Apparently, the "black strat" was purchased at Manny's Music in 1970 to replace a strat that had been stolen during a Pink Floyd U.S tour. It is simply an off the shelf model where the original sunburst had been oversprayed black as a custom finish. When he got it back from Hard Cafe Cafe in 1993 (after being displayed for 10 years at various locations) he swapped out the neck with a Fender '57 re-issue Strat neck. There's even been a book written about it, as some of you may be aware.

Gilmour and Black Strat

[randyz]

I'm glad I got the chance to visit Manny's and the other nearby music shops when I was in NYC in Feb, 2008.

[wayang]

Well, this is certainly sad news...almost as depressing as Bill Bruford's retirement. But, as Joni Mitchell once pointed out, "nothing lasts for long"...

Although I sold the Coral electric sitar I bought from Manny's long ago, I still have the mid-sixties Telecaster I acquired from them. When the clerk started filling out the ticket, he asked whether I lived in NYC. I told him I was working in Paramus, N.J. He suggested having it shipped, which exempted me from having to pay the NYC sales tax...saved me some money, and relieved me of the chore of having to cart it back to the Port Authority bus terminal.

Now that's friendly service...thanks, Manny! I won't forget ya...

[firstbassman]

I'm sure 48th street was pretty wonderful in it's heyday,

I won't mention here (in case any youngsters are listening ) how many times my friends and I would cut school and go down to Manny's and other stores in the area. (We also visited museums too ... honestly ... I was an art student).

I've mentioned before that my mother was offered a job there (as a secretary) and turned it down.
I have never forgiven her for that.

[paul_yan]

Very sad, indeed. Manny's is such a musical site that has its strong legacy. It's to the W 48th street what EMI studio is to Abbey Road.

Those interested in Manny's history can buy the book "Wall Of Fame" which is entertaining and inspiring with lots of the "pictures on the wall of fame" reprinted. All is in black and white, though.