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NYC Gear Shopping...

CTC564

CTC564

Supporting Member
Mar 7, 2011
2,431
503
Toms River,NJ
#1
Looking to go into NYC and the surrounding are to check out some basses (Sadowsky) but mostly to check out some amps...looking to play through Aguilar, Genz Benz, EBS and Bergantino cabs...can anyone suggest a few "top notch" stores that I should put on my list?

Thanks TB
 
#3
Rudy's on 48th
Sam Ash across the street also on 48th (used to be Manny's)
Guitar Center on 14th in Union Square
30th Street Guitars...on 30th :)
Ludlow Guitars on Ludlow
Matt Umanov on Bleeker
Mandolin Brothers on Staten Island

You can call and schedule an appointment at Aguilar, they're on the corner of Broadway & Houston. They got some nice stuff to play as well.

I know Rudy's has some Bergs, but mainly just the small stuff. I got a nice attitude from the salesman when I asked if they happen to have anything larger, an NV610, like I was a idiot for asking such a moronic question in NYC.

I'm not sure that anyone has Genz or EBS in the city, the well traveled stores at least.
 
#4
bassgod0dmw said:
Rudy's on 48th
Sam Ash across the street also on 48th (used to be Manny's)
Guitar Center on 14th in Union Square
30th Street Guitars...on 30th :)
Ludlow Guitars on Ludlow
Matt Umanov on Bleeker
Mandolin Brothers on Staten Island

You can call and schedule an appointment at Aguilar, they're on the corner of Broadway & Houston. They got some nice stuff to play as well.

I know Rudy's has some Bergs, but mainly just the small stuff. I got a nice attitude from the salesman when I asked if they happen to have anything larger, an NV610, like I was a idiot for asking such a moronic question in NYC.

I'm not sure that anyone has Genz or EBS in the city, the well traveled stores at least.
Click to expand...

THIS.


I actually made this trip through Manhattan last week with a friend of mine. But we skipped Guitar Center on 14th Street. Rudy's has both Aguilar and Bergantino. And Ludlow guitars is also an Aguilar dealer. Also keep in mind the Warwick shop in the East Village as well as Rivington Guitars who I believe are now on East 4th street. And btw, just staying in Manhattan and hitting most of these stores took most of the day.

While Sam Ash stores in Jersey may, well, SUCK. The 48th street store has a pretty decent bass department. And there are usually some Sadowsky's in stock.

As for EBS? Good luck finding one of their cabs. Their effects pedals seem to be a lot more common. And mind you, I USE AN EBS CAB. I got mine through a dealer in upstate NY, and even he isn't stocking them anymore.

If you REALLY want to get to Sadowsky and some of the places in Brooklyn, check out Main Drag Music and Southside Guitars. Plus, the guys at Fodera are pretty cool about having visitors stop by their shop.
 
#12
You would think you have access to every piece of great gear in NYC but unfortunately that is not the case. It is hit or miss. Rudy's has some interesting stuff but the selection is small. Sam Ash = GC = Manny's. The smaller shops might have some interesting instruments. Ludlow has some interesting bass amps.

I envy those that have access to Chicago Music Exchange or Bass NW.
 
#15
JimmyM said:
So the 48th St Bass Lounge is a part of Sam Ash or is it a separate store?
Click to expand...

It's part of Sam Ash. Samson, the parent company of Sam Ash, also bought Hartke. They've seen some value in keeping Larry Hartke in the fold. And to that end he's great. I see him around midtown all the time, and he's routinely helping out a number of players or organizing clinics. But this had the added effect of featuring Hartke amps as the premiere bass amp in their showroom. That being said, it's not really a boutique bass amp destination. But I think the Hartke Hydrive cabs are pretty cool when I encounter them in a house backline.

Sam Ash is definitely a big box store. And to clarify, it was Sam Ash that bought out Manny's when they went under. They took over the Manny's location, which is kind of legendary. And that includes a good deal of the memorabilia that was in the Manny's store. Still, that store was the top stop on 48th street when it was still "48th street". If you were to compare Sam Ash to Guitar Center? That's probably the most appropriate comparison, but the 48th street store is their flagship.

As for Chicago Music Exchange? I paid a visit there last year when I was in town. It's a beautiful store with some amazing stock. Mostly on the instrument end and not so much in amplification. But their prices are a bit on the high side.
 
#16
Hmmm, never knew that about Sam Ash. That would explain why you don't see them in GC. Always thought Hartke only was distributed by Samson and he still owns the majority, though. Oh well, doesn't affect my bottom line so what do I care? ;)
 
#17
JimmyM said:
So the 48th St Bass Lounge is a part of Sam Ash or is it a separate store?
Click to expand...

Guess you've never been there...

A thing about Hartke....way back, the company was cutting edge and independent. Sam Ash Music store chain, a prototype for the Guitar Center, bought Hartke. It is one of the companies under Samson. If you are from downstate NY or LI, you are familiar with Sam Ash.

Now imagine Guitar Center buys GK or Genz Benz. Imagine what happens to the product line.....just saying....
 
#18
I'm not seeing many Hartke's around ANYWHERE...have they lost their appeal?

Personally, I never got the hype (I was a die-hard SWR fan)...but back in the late 80's and early 90's I played through many a GK/Hartke rig...because that was the backline that was provided...
 
#20
Yeah, 48th street ain't what it used to be. I am thankful that the boutique shops have taken up some of the slack but nothing will ever beat We Buy Guitars

webuystorefront.jpg



The image is small but if you zoom in you can see how insane a store it was...jam packed with goodies! Looking at the picture, they look light on inventory. Imagine the top row, instead of guitars facing out, crammed side by side like the bottom row!

Oh, there is Rivington Guitars at 73 E. 4th Street. They have vintage gear.
 

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