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Guitar Stores - Which ones are fully stocked with high end basses?

LowBstring

LowBstring

Feb 12, 2011
230
102
Maine
#1
I'm shopping for a new 5 string bass. I'm willing to fly anywhere in USA to find a large, fully stocked bass guitar store where I can try all the basses in one place. Looking for Roscoe, Sadowski, Lakland, G&L, etc.

I am in the northeast, something close is preferred. Boston has nothing.

Please suggest.

Thanks.
 
#8
thehess said:
NJ guitar and bass center, in Edison NJ, right off the Garden State Parkway. http://www.newjerseyguitarandbasscenter.com/ The website is kept
up to date as far as what's in stock, as far as I know. Great guy to deal with, and he has some real jems crammed into that little shop.

Here is the >4 string page - [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...

+1 Jay is the man. Bought my Lakland there back in 02. I don't think he carries Sadowsky, but he has had Elrick, Modulus, Lakland, MM, Sukop, Ken Smith... the place is small but packed with the good stuff.
 
#11
thehess said:
NJ guitar and bass center, in Edison NJ, right off the Garden State Parkway. http://www.newjerseyguitarandbasscenter.com/ The website is kept
up to date as far as what's in stock, as far as I know. Great guy to deal with, and he has some real jems crammed into that little shop.

Here is the >4 string page - [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...

I'll second this, too. I've done my fair share of business with Jay over the years and he's always done right by me.

There's also Rudy's in NYC. But with them you're paying NYC 48th street prices, and they're the last independent store left on that block. They're probably got some of the best high end bass selection in NYC proper.

Everything else on 48th street is Sam Ash now, although Larry Hartke has done some nice things with their bass room. They have *SOME* high end stock, but it's mostly Sadowsky's and some Fender Custom Shop stock.

There's also a bass shop in the Philly area that I've been hearing about called Link Removed. I haven't been there myself, but the website looks pretty promising.
 
#14
+1,000,000 to Bass Central.

I just spent the whole afternoon in there today. I played at least 20 different basses. Their assortment of high quality brands and variety was amazing, and they even brought stuff out of the back that I'd seen online, but wasn't on the wall.

I saw (and tried) - Zon, Dingwall, Lakland, Fender, Sadowsky, Roscoe, Pedulla, Spector, Mike Lull, G&L, and MTD (both USA and Kingston).
 
#16
+1 for NJGuitarcenter
I have purchased many basses from them years ago.
Jay is a great guy
Went there a few months ago still tons of Basses in stock and you could drive.

If you decide to fly.
+1 for Basscentral
I purchased from them recently via mail, great guys.
If I lived in the Orlando area I think I would be in there everyday.
 
#17
+1000. I have not bought a bass there, but I have bought some accessories from there. Great place. Jong is a good guy, and I have no qualms about sending my business to him, my 5 old asked when can he go back because he liked the "nice owner man", and he generally hates going to music shops. If I ever get into the market for another high end bass, he will undoubtedly get my business. I've been looking at getting a G&L sb-1, if so, this place would get my business. Only other place I can imagine going for a high end bass for myself is Southpaw Guitar in Houston (the name should say it all for a man in my situation).

Honestly, a DC trip could be worth it. Rent a car. I would spend a day in Jong's shop (which is easy to do), and then take the trip up to Chuck Levin's Washington Music Center in nearby Maryland (they have a huge amount of good solid merchandise. Then, take the next day to make the ride out to Blacksburg, VA. It is a bit of a haul from DC (give or take 4 hours) but it sounds like you could have a great bass finding trip.

Hope this helps, all the best.

natw42 said:
Should also add - Jive Sound in DC. And Jong, the owner is a TBer. Seems to have a great selection.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

edit: Should mention I've never done business with him but I've heard nothing but good things.
Click to expand...
 
#20
Add another vote from me about Bass Central. I buy all of my Music Man basses from them and if I were to buy any other high end brand, I would also use them exclusively for that too. Great people to deal with!
 

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