Manny's Music (NYC) closed - Page 2

**colcifer** · #21 07-30-2010, 11:11 AM

************* ***** **** **** *******!

Marley's Ghost · #22 07-30-2010, 11:14 AM

Was in Manny's back in '79 when Steve Tyler and Joe Perry strolled in. Oddly, it didn't create a huge scene. No mobile or internet back in those days. They were both really cool, and Steven got behind a kit and played a smoking drum solo!

On the whole, they were pretty rude to the average guy who walked in unless you flashed cash. But it was THE east coast music store back in the day.

Seidell · #23 07-30-2010, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marley's Ghost

On the whole, they were pretty rude to the average guy who walked in unless you flashed cash. But it was THE east coast music store back in the day.

And that's the reason why i rarely, if ever, step into NY music stores anymore. And the reason while I always call Bass Central or just the web.

JmJ · #24 07-30-2010, 11:45 AM

My wife worked there before and after they were bought by Sam Ash. She said they held an "employee meeting" one Saturday and the enemy, Sammy Ash, strolled in and took over the meeting. Every one's jaws hit the floor as no one was told anything in advance. Manny's always seemed to be classier and "for pro's" and Sam Ash more like a K-mart or something. They were not actually rude just tired of the umpteen kids and adults who would come in to waste their time but yes, flashing cash was the preferred method for getting sales folks attention at every store on 48th street.

Hoover · #25 07-30-2010, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JmJ

yes, flashing cash was the preferred method for getting sales folks attention at every store on 48th street.

Back in the 80s when I actually did a lot of shopping on 48th Street, I would walk into the middle of whatever department had what I needed (Pro Audio, Bass, Keyboards, etc.) with my Visa card held high above my head and I would proclaim in a very loud voice "I WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE SOME EQUIPMENT."

It was the only way to get the sales help to pay any attention to you. But it worked every time!

Marley's Ghost · #26 07-30-2010, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JmJ

My wife worked there before and after they were bought by Sam Ash. She said they held an "employee meeting" one Saturday and the enemy, Sammy Ash, strolled in and took over the meeting. Every one's jaws hit the floor as no one was told anything in advance. Manny's always seemed to be classier and "for pro's" and Sam Ash more like a K-mart or something. They were not actually rude just tired of the umpteen kids and adults who would come in to waste their time but yes, flashing cash was the preferred method for getting sales folks attention at every store on 48th street.

I usually found Sam Ash employees to be more approachable. Manny's had all the rock star clients and the attitude to go along with it.

TRichardsbass · #27 07-30-2010, 01:29 PM

Thanks Larry for chiming in. I almost had to do it for you!

We Buy Guitars was the best. I did more business with them then most people in the world (okay, maybe a few people in the world). I got my original Hondo Longhorn bass, my Roland G-77 Synth bass, my Gibson Victory bass and a nearly destroyed Epiphone hollow body there. Great guys, prices good and negotiable. Miss them...

taphappy · #28 07-30-2010, 01:59 PM

Arg. Rudy's faked me out by opening a new store. Figures. Edited main post.

+1 on We Buy, got my first real bass ('86 jazz special) there. Had the wall o' doom on the right to teach you why to convince your kooky 80's guitarists to avoid Ovations.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry Hartke

Easy there guys…48th Street is alive and well and it’s not going anywhere, I'm there three days a week at the new "Hartke's 48th Street Bass Lounge" located in the former Manny's Music building. It's the largest bass store in the history of NYC with hundreds of bass guitars and amplifiers.

Oh sure. I post this up on talkBASS and you pop in with a huge store full of basses to distract us...

Awesome! Good to know - ran across a couple doom and gloom articles, didn't look good. And congratulations on the opening :) I'll swing by next time I'm out there. I'll be the one camping out by the amps with a pup tent handing people burnt turkey burgers and Purell.

James Hart · #29 07-30-2010, 02:08 PM

I took my first solo drive to 48th street 4 days after getting my license (I'm a Jersey Boy). I bought a LOT of gear there over the years. It was Rudy's that turned me on to Bag End in the early 90s. I've been meaning to make the trek to Larry's store.

waleross · #30 07-31-2010, 10:03 AM

Wish I could go to NYC and shop around like I did as a kid but I'm in Florida now and shop on-line . Here is a link for Umanov's
http://www.umanovguitars.com/store/browse.asp?cat=610
Between them , 48th St. and others you should have a great time.

Gizmot · #31 07-31-2010, 10:14 AM

I'm positive that 48th Street, Sunset Blvd in Hollywood or any other music / guitar store doesn't have as much "vibe" and excitement as it did back in the 70's or anytime up until 2008. Business is tough everywhere - and customers are super-cautious with their dough.

xgator4u · #32 07-31-2010, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JmJ

They were not actually rude just tired of the umpteen kids and adults who would come in to waste their time but yes, flashing cash was the preferred method for getting sales folks attention at every store on 48th street.

^ This attitude is nothing new. Money talks, and B.S. walks.

Crazyeelboy · #33 07-31-2010, 03:17 PM

I know that Manny's had a wonderful history, but honestly, of the many times I went there, I never got a lot out of it. They didn't have a great assortment of basses or cool stuff - certainly nothing you couldn't find in a GC or Sam Ash somewhere else. The staff was attentive enough, so I didn't have a problem there - they just didn't have anything that special.

I am looking forward to checking out Larry's bass lounge - that sounds like my kinda place! I'm always looking for something interesting (my current interest is a 4005).

jlepre · #34 11-09-2012, 01:34 PM

**jbybj** · #35 11-09-2012, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlepre

And?!?

bluewine · #36 11-09-2012, 02:06 PM

I am a jersey boy, I have great memories going into the city to Manny's as a teenager back in the early 70s when you could by a mia p bass for about $300.00.

Blue

TimboZ · #37 11-09-2012, 02:08 PM

I took this while in the city last April.

PazzoBasso · #38 11-09-2012, 02:09 PM

Gimbels is gone, Marge, long gone…. You’re Gimbels.

Long Live RUDY'S

DWBass · #39 11-09-2012, 02:25 PM

Damn! Another native New Yorker here. I spent a lot of time on 48th Street. Bought a lot of stuff over the years. Got tired of the 'tudes there and started going to the White Plains Sam Ash branch. Way better service and less wait times. I miss the 'air of the 70's and 80's' of those places though!

ShoeManiac · #40 11-12-2012, 08:35 PM

Rumor has it that Sam Ash might be moving away from 48th Street in the not so distant future. I've heard that they may wind up moving downtown to 34th Street. As things stand now, Guitar Center's NYC store is down on 14th street. And some of the cooler independent shops are located all over Manhattan and the outer boroughs.