Bass/Guitar store road trip

[WarwickE36]

I have never been there personally but I have purchased online from Ray Mullins Music in Swansea Massachusetts...it's south of Boston and potentially out of the way but has some history back to the 1920s.

 

[Nedmundo]

Upton Bass in Mystic, CT is a pretty cool experience.

Nice! Similar to our OP mom, I'm driving my daughter from Philly to University of Rhode Island this fall, so I'll try to check this place out. I grew up in CT and I visit my parents there regularly, so I've known about a few places over the years, but not Upton.

Parkway Music in Clifton Park, NY. 20 Minutes north of Albany. It's a must visit. I visit guitar shops in every city I manage to get to and we're super, super lucky to have such a great shop in my home area. Parkway Music Store | Clifton Park, NY

My niece goes to college in Saratoga Springs, so I'll check this out too. She's from South Africa and lives with us when in the USA, so I drive her back and forth every semester. Unless she gets a ride to Philly, I'll be up there in a couple of weeks.

To the OP, if you're driving the Pennsylvania Turnpike across, you could stop at BCR Sound in Lemoyne, PA, which is essentially a suburb of Harrisburg. It's a dealer for G&L and a couple of other brands and a cool shop, but it doesn't have the huge range of a place like Chicago Music Exchange. It's not worth going much out of your way, so don't bother if you're taking I-80 across, but it's pretty close to the Turnpike (I-76).

 

[bbh]

Mom, you're the best.

 

[Bass4ThePublic]

Check out "Killer Vintage" in St. Louis, cool place. Joplin MO has some great stores as well.

 

[Peteyboy]

Wow! You all are awesome! Thanks so much for all of the thoughtful replies and suggestions. We will plot all of these on a map and see what kind of route we might take. Our vehicle will be loaded down with an upright bass, a couple of electric basses, amp and most likely a guitar as well, so wherever we stop, I will probably be babysitting the instruments in the car. Oh well!

Bassmommy, I'm nominating you as Talkbass Mom of the Year 2021.

 

[GregC]

I'm a mom of a bassist, and I will be driving him halfway across the country to college in a couple of months. Instead of the typical road trip stopping at sites and scenery, he wants to stop at music stores along the way.

So... I'm looking for suggestions of great brick and mortar guitar/bass stores to stop at in the Midwest and Northeast. Cities that we could possibly go through include St. Louis, Indy, Louisville, Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Albany, ending in Boston at Berklee. We will probably not go through NYC (as I don't really want to deal with driving in NYC). Our exact route will depend on what stores we decide to visit.

Any suggestions? He doesn't really want Guitar Centers, unless it's something special.

Thanks all!

What a great idea! I strongly suggest Chicago as well. As mentioned, Chicago Music Exchange has a great inventory, and it's just a cool place to browse. Chicago Music Exchange

Also, Bass Club Chicago is an excellent high-end store. They're only open on certain days, so do plan ahead. Bass Guitars for Sale - Premium Bass Store | Bass Club Chicago

Finally, Rock'n'Roll Vintage is a store I've heard good things about, though I haven't been. Rock N Roll Vintage & Synth City - Chicago, IL

 

[Pizza1988]

This sounds awesome! You should definitely do a thread to log all of your stops.

 

[Pimpernel Smith]

The Great Great House of Guitars Rochester Ny. A truly unique experience.

That would be a wonderful experience.

 

[Bad Bob]

Totally endorse Parkway Music in Clifton Park, in the Albany area. Top shelf for knowledgeable staff, recommendations on gear, and for service and repair.

 

[39-Bassist]

Cleveland - Guitar Riot
Guitar Riot
2530 Superior Ave #100, Cleveland, OH 44114

Cool stuff and nice guys

 

[MMiller28]

Chicago Music Exchange is a must if you're going through the Midwest. That'd put you on the route to Sweetwater, too.

 

[mborn]

Don't forget Bass Club of Chicago for electric bass guitars and visit The Violin Loft on High St in Columbus, OH for uprights in student, medium and higher prices. Its best to call for an appointment at both shops.

Marvin

 

[lowendblues]

+1 on Sweetwater in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

 

[Fat Nermil]

Aren't they an upright store? No matter, that's my old backyard, lovely to drive through. Spindrift Guitars in New London is cute...

I grew up about three miles down the road from where Upton is located (sadly, I moved away years before they moved in). I'll second (or third?) that as a great stop, not only for Upton but also because it's just a beautiful area. But if your son plays upright then he'll definitely appreciate Upton.

 

[micguy]

Chicago Music Exchange would be worth the detour. Your son could go down to the Bass-ment, try out amps, basses and hang. Great selection.

The only possible reason to avoid Chicago Music Exchange is the serious damage it may do to your wallet. LOTS of really good bass stuff there - it's not overpriced, it's just good stuff. Go in, turn right, go down into the bass-ment.

 

[MCF]

I'm a mom of a bassist, and I will be driving him halfway across the country to college in a couple of months. Instead of the typical road trip stopping at sites and scenery, he wants to stop at music stores along the way.

So... I'm looking for suggestions of great brick and mortar guitar/bass stores to stop at in the Midwest and Northeast. Cities that we could possibly go through include St. Louis, Indy, Louisville, Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Albany, ending in Boston at Berklee. We will probably not go through NYC (as I don't really want to deal with driving in NYC). Our exact route will depend on what stores we decide to visit.

Any suggestions? He doesn't really want Guitar Centers, unless it's something special.

Thanks all!

You are the definition of a Cool Mom! And congrats on your son going to Berklee.

 

[dalkowski]

I grew up about three miles down the road from where Upton is located (sadly, I moved away years before they moved in). I'll second (or third?) that as a great stop, not only for Upton but also because it's just a beautiful area. But if your son plays upright then he'll definitely appreciate Upton.

You go to Fitch or Stonington HS?

 

[ccbass71]

In Indy most of the shops have been killed by Guitar Center. Check out Guitarworks on the southside, Center Stage Vintage Guitars north of Indy, Arthur's Music south of downtown. Also Sweetwater is 2 hours north in Fort Wayne.

 

[Fat Nermil]

You go to Fitch or Stonington HS?

Started at Butler elementary over by the Mystic Ice and Coal Co. Then went to Williams over in New London from grades 7-10, then spent my junior and senior years at Fitch. You?

 

[scubaduba]

Definitely Chicago Music Exchange. Also Bass Club Chicago if you are in the area on a day they are open. Sweetwater too.