Bass/Guitar store road trip

[HJFree]

Already been stated but Parkway Music is amazing. Clifton Park NY north of Albany. Matt, Tom, and the folks at Parkway are fantastic. Definitely worth a visit!

 

[MynameisMe]

Have fun!

 

[Ostie]

In Nashville there is Gruhn Guitars and Carter's Vintage Guitars. You didn't mention Nashville, but it is Guitar Town USA.

 

[bassmommy]

Thank you for all of the support! We just might make he slight detour and head up to Chicago first before going east through IN, OH, NY and Mass. We won't be as far south as Nashville on this trip, but we were there a couple of years ago and I think we hit the places mentioned and then some.

 

[FinialBassist]

In the Albany area there's also Link Removed in Troy (currently by appointment only). It's a small local shop, not as comprehensive as Parkway Music, but they have a fun selection of used gear, especially pedals. While you're there you should grab lunch in Troy's historic downtown. Lots of great restaurants and a trove of amazing architecture.

 

[ahbass2500]

In Indianapolis, I would hit GuitarWorks in Greenwood, IN (just south of Indy). They have a decent bass section (primarily G&L, but others; typically a few Warwicks when they can get them in) and a very large guitar selection.

Arthurs Music is another popular one in the area, but I have not been in years. They have a large inventory for the area but nothing that has drawn my interest the few times I have been other than the occasional vintage instrument.

If you are willing to take a detour Sweetwater has a store at their headquarters in Fort Wayne, IN. Really cool facility and a good music store on site. They also have several stages and frequently do live shows.

 

[Ostie]

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:
View attachment 4256322

Also as previously mentioned, Chicago Music Exchange.

Last time I was in Elderly, and it was pre-COVID, they had about a dozen basses, mostly new Fenders. I'd check their inventory on their web site before I made the detour.

 

[John Eaton]

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.

I wouldn't bother with Alto. Not much you can't see anywhere else right now.

 

[SMG]

If you are heading east from St. Louis, right after you hit the Indiana state line is Terre Haute. The Music Shoppe at 1427 South 25th has been serving that region of the midwest for years. Great people and (at last the last time I was there, which was several years ago) a superb collection of used and vintage stuff.

 

[CryingBass]

More votes for the Chicago stores mentioned above.
And Sweetwater is like the fantasy stop.

A musician's path often starts with a Journey. Sounds like your kid is going to have a great start. Safe travels and congrats!

 

[hockeyman7lw]

I always dug Pianos N Stuff near Pittsburgh. Definitely worth a peak

N Stuff Music | Pittsburgh, PA

 

[Slevage]

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

Very talented craftsmen willing to show you their skills.

 

[jdh3000]

Bass Club in Chicago is a place I'd like to check out the next time I'm there. I'd love to see a place totally dedicated to bass.

 

[AudioTaper]

Bypass Cincinnati, unless you are stopping here for the college anyway. It's a desert of nice bass shops anymore.

Sure, there are stores that are nice (Third Rock Music for example) but they don't have a large selection like Chicago Misic Exchange. It's probably the best bet around here. I'm not affiliated with the store, but I used to work with one of the guys that works there.

Sometimes they get some cool used gear.
Home | Third Rock Music Center | Cincinnati, OH

 

[DanAdams]

I just recommend a fun hobby to keep your sanity intact, to be done in the car or outside. To a non player, a busy guitar store is a deep sonic hellscape that can cause an assortment of unpleasant side effects.

 

[Holdsg]

If he likes Ernie Ball Music Man, one of the best and most knowledgeable dealers in US is Dubaldo Music in Manchester, CT