Bass/Guitar store road trip

[Craig Orndorff]

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.

Is it actually in the basement?? That'd be awesome. And though I've never been, I recommend it based upon their videos and pics.

Also, I'm not sure what city it's in, but Ray's Music Exchange in Illinois is a must.

 

[dave hope]

Mass Street Music
1347 Massachusetts Street
Lawrence, Kansas

 

[alack]

Downtown Sound, Northampton MA.

 

[fishdreams]

In Cleveland there's Guitar Riot, def. worth a visit. Not too many basses atm but very good and complete pedal selection of brands you won't see in other stores, and certainly not in Guitar Center. Staff really know their pedals too. Walked in to just take a look and walked out with 2 Wren & Cuff pedals.

And as a New Yorker I'll say; it's OK to skip NY stores. Good luck at Berklee.

 

[57pbass]

Wise choice avoiding NYC. It's a weird time in the city and there aren't many options these days aside from Sam Ash and Guitar Center. Rudy's is great but it's in an area not good for parking or driving.
There a nice store in the Poughkeepsie called Alto Music.
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As mentioned earlier.. you're an awesome Mom to do this memorable trip with your son.

 

[wmhill]

I'll pile on with the House of Guitars in Rochester and add BUZZO'S music in Geneseo NY

 

[dalkowski]

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?

NLHS Whalers! I drive by Williams every few weeks when I go home to see Mom (who has a very good friend who taught math there. Mrs. Dickson.) After college I dated a Fitch alum for a time. Worked at a radio station in Pawcatuck.

 

[Fat Nermil]

NLHS Whalers! I drive by Williams every few weeks when I go home to see Mom (who has a very good friend who taught math there. Mrs. Dickson.) After college I dated a Fitch alum for a time. Worked at a radio station in Pawcatuck.

Mrs Dickson was nice. She also helped teach Freshman Latin, which is when I had her as a teacher.

 

[blmereness]

ooking 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.

see heres the thing...nyc has a sam ash with the hartke bass lounge inside...its freaking amazing! and its far enough south from the real problematic traffic of nyc so it wouldnt be too bad honestly.

 

[scuzzy]

Eddie's guitars in STL has amazing stuff, but they can be snooty.

Swing through chicago and go to the Chicago music exchange. Supposed to be incredible

 

[Speakz]

One of the best shops for Bass in MA is South Shore music. It's about 20-30 minutes south of central Boston. They carry a lot of great bass builders there including Fodera, Sadowsky, and are an authorized Bergantino dealer. If your son is into bass he will love this shop. Music Instruments and Lessons | South Shore Music.

Very special time for the two you. I wish you both a safe and fun journey.

 

[MVE]

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.

Yeah CME and Bass Club Chicago are two of the best and they are only a few miles apart, if you could make a detour thru Chicago.
You should also be thinking about some new music to bring along with you on the drive.

 

[WaldoNova]

A lot of gear crammed into this shop in Edison, NJ. Check their hours before travelling there. The owner, Jay?, Can be a little weird. A lot of boutique bass gear. Close by there are a ton of Indian restaurants if you like. Very authentic and delicious!!!

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[james condino]

53 posts and not a single mention of Nashville?

 

[Kirk Bryant]

Hey @bassmommy !!! YOU ARE A GODDESS!!!

My mother gave/(commissioned) me a custom made bass for a birthday I still play.

moms are the best!

 

[biguglyman]

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

Another vote for the HOG. One of if not THE biggest music stores in the country. Very chaotic but also iconic and a great place to visit.

 

[REV]

Your son is lucky to have a Mom like you.

 

[whero]

Adopt me?

 

[slapshot]

Berklee, good school. My brother went there and it really helped him and as an alumni, get contacts in the business.

If you plan on driving through Michigan, we have two great stores here -
one is Elderly Instruments in Lansing Michigan. They have a number of rare collectors guitars and basses. Geddy Lee got some of his basses from here. Elderly Instruments

The Other one is close to Detroit : Motor City Guitars - Motor City Guitar • "Musicians Serving Musicians" Since 1988
Large selection of guitars and basses.
This is only one of the walls of basses and guitars:
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Also as previously mentioned, Chicago Music Exchange.

I'll 2nd Motor City Guitar. Good selection of basses and amps.

 

[Keith Guitars]

In Chicago - Bass Club and Chicago Music Exchange are great.

In Albany, Parkway Music as someone mentioned.

BUT: if you are near Albany, consider this:
about one hour south, in the Kingston/Woodstock area, you have the following bass builders:
MTD
Spector
Veillette
Citron
Martin Keith (me!)

These shops are all within 20 minutes of each other.
Make some callls in advance and you could most likely get a visit to at least a couple of luthiers' shops.
Might make for some nice variety alongside the guitar stores.

Cheers,
Martin