Going to NYC - recommended guitar/CD shops

expomick · Post by **expomick** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 3:55 pm

I do recall that this subject was touched upon in the past few months (it probably is a common topic), but I wanted to broaden the query somewhat.

Gotta go to New York City this coming Wednesday to Friday (Jan. 11th to 13th); a quick business trip involving Mark Messier and XM Radio.

While that in itself will be great, I want to take advantage of this trip and scout around for music shops that sell Rickenbackers...AND CD stores that have a great selection.

A store that would (might) stock a mix of, say, Beatles bootlegs and Clash singles, 60's rare CD's and current "alternative" bands.

Or a store that is close to that. I can find the usual chain stores at any mall in the States or Canada.

Appreciate the help.

No, I can't bring a Rickenbacker back with me...yet. Not too worried about Customs...more worried about the wife.

red_rob · Post by **red_rob** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 4:55 am

I was there in November Mick. Can't quite remember the name, but there is a street not tooo far from Time Square with 3-4 decent shops.

oreca · Post by **oreca** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 5:25 am

Excuse me if I'm wrong but I think it was on West 48th St near Broadway where you'll find Sam Ash, Rudy's and another guitar store.

I didn't really find anywhere with bootlegs but then again I wasn't looking for any during my trip.

Eitherway the city's a blast, enjoy!

wayang · Post by **wayang** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 8:17 am

It's been a while for me, but I seem to recall it being in the 50's (57th?)...for sure, it's the block immediately east of Broadway. The other store would be Manny's, if it's still operating.

I always found cool bootlegs, etc., at Bleeker Bob's on Bleeker Street down in Greenwich Village...of course, those were the Days of Vinyl...

Apart from that, there's a really good inexpensive Malaysian restaurant in Chinatown that I can recommend...

Have fun, Mick! My best advice: dress down and carry your money in your shoe...

firstbassman · Post by **firstbassman** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 11:15 am

I grew up in NYC (a LONG time ago) and used to cut school all the time and drool over all the guitars and basses at Manny's and Sam Ash over on the West side.
Ah, those were the days.
PS: MY mother was once offerred a job at Manny's and turned them down.
I've never forgiven her for that.

marc61 · Post by **marc61** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 1:39 pm

The place that had all the vintage stuff was We Buy Guitars. They had all the stuff the junkies sold'em.They're gone for a few years now.

Chelsea Guitars on 30th st has vintage stuff, but I doubt you'll find any Rics there. Rudy's on 48th st will have some nice new Rics.

oreca · Post by **oreca** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 1:47 pm

Ahhh Manny's, thanks Dane. My memory has been pretty blurry with the christmas vacation... It's been a green one if you follow my drift...

wayang · Post by **wayang** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 3:37 pm

'The holly and the ivy', eh Patrick? If I follow your drift...it's hard enough trying to follow my own drift these days...

brammy · Post by **brammy** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 5:47 pm

Guitar Center on 14th st.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/locations/s ... ?store=810

expomick · Post by **expomick** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 7:18 pm

Cool. Thanks for all this. I'm printing up everyone's suggestions, and will incorporate them into my two-day visit.

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 8:11 pm

Mick, i'm still considering going to Messier night, though these ticket prices are mighty steep. Enjoy it, it's gonna be great.

My favorite guitar shop in NYC is Mandolin Bros. here on Staten Island. Last time I went, they had a Dakota and a '79 360/12MG. A 4003FG as well. Otherwise, Rudy's on 48th St., right by Times Square, will definitley have some Ricks as well as lots of boutique amps and pedals.

expomick · Post by **expomick** » Sat Jan 14, 2006 11:28 am

Okay, wandered down to Rudy's on Thursday morning and was knocked out to see a fine looking maple 381 hanging in the window...these things don't occur in Toronto.

Inside, there were a half-dozen Ricks hanging around, begging to be taken home. Since I couldn't afford them at this time, I scooped up the remaining five sets of Rickenbacker strings...as these strings don't appear to be available in Toronto.

One of the Ricks at Rudy's was a 2005 360-12 FG...too nice. Too nice to pass up. I left the store and called the wife back in Toronto. Thought she would say NO...but when I finished off my description of the guitar by saying it was red (that's how she describes the shade)...there was silence at the other end of the phone, and then she said it. "You should get it".

My heart could have stopped. I asked her to repeat that last sentence a couple of times.

For those of you not married (stay that way!), I called her out of courtesy, as we're trying to reduce our overall household debt, and agreed not to make huge purchases unless consulting with each other. It's a business partnership, so that's fair...but often frustrating.

Well, I marched back into the shop at asked to try out the guitar...and bought it.

Oh yeah! A gentleman also perusing the selections in the shop said he was a pilot and recommended that I have it shipped, as he never trusts the regular baggage crew to properly handle his guitars.

I was concerned about getting it through Canadian Customs, so I paid the extra $130.00 and had it shipped; I would have to wait until Tuesday for it to arrive.

It showed up early Friday morning, less than 24 hours after I bought it! It got to Toronto before I did, as our plane was delayed by fog.

We picked it up Friday evening. Amazing!
I finally have a Rickenbacker 12-string. And, from a Canadian perspective, it was a great deal.

Got it for $1,299.00 (U.S.). The exchange rate is better these days. There is NO WAY I would have found a brand-new 360-12 fireglo up here in Toronto. And if, by miracle, one showed up, it wouldn't have lasted in the store for more than 10 minutes before being bought.

Thanks for everyone for suggesting the stores to visit. Hilite of the trip, and there were many, but Ricks win out every time.

Now I've got a 381 jetglo 6-string and a 360-12 fireglo 12-string.

Life is good!

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Sat Jan 14, 2006 11:14 pm

Nice score Mick! Love to see some pics.

How was Messier night? It was certainly emotional watching on television, I could only imagine how great it was in person.

expomick · Post by **expomick** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 12:32 pm

Nice and loud! Ranger fans (any New York fans, for that matter), fully appreciate their sports teams...and "appreciate" doesn't always mean being pleasant. In this case, it was an overly long ceremony, but a Ranger love-in. And I'm a Habs fan.

Will post pics of both guitars soon.

expomick · Post by **expomick** » Sun Jan 22, 2006 2:16 pm

The flash for my film camera is no working, thus I had to use the digital point-and-shoot. My apologies for the dark images, but then again, I do worship at the alter of Rock and Roll.

Note: while I love the Beatles, I'm aware that the 2 Rick's I own are not exactly what they played, but what the hell. The spirit is what counts, hence one of the pictures, with the small Vox and the boots.