NYC recommendations

What kind of music are you interested in?
Most of the "old school" music stores are gone - Manny's, Matt Umanov's, 48th Street Guitars. Rudy's is in SoHo now. Roger Sadowsky has a shop/showroom, I think they're still in Long Island City. 30th Street Guitars is on 27th Street (don't ask), Dan's Chelsea Guitars is pretty close by, Main Drag Music in Williamsburg is fun but it's a. little underserved by public transportation.
Then there's the Big Box guys - Guitar Center with several locations, but either 14th street or Times Square are the bigger ones. Sam Ash on 34th Street west of MSG.

 

The Sam Ash on 34th has a pretty decent collection of basses. I'd suggest that.
I was in 30th Street and Chelsea guitars last October and found them pretty useless for bass.

 

I second @Ed Fuqua on his recommendation to visit Roger Sadowsky's place in Long Island City – even if you don't have the shekels to actually purchase something there. Also, The Guitar Shop NYC on 34th Street in Brooklyn always has some interesting stuff – our own @Dr. Cheese recently posted an Ed Friedland video tour of the place. Lastly, even though there's little going on there bass-wise, if you appreciate fine instrument builders and reclaimed wood, a visit to Rick Kelly's Carmine Street Guitars in Greenwich Village is worthwhile.

As far as music venues, it really depends upon your tastes. A couple of places worthy of consideration:

• Smoke Jazz & Supper Club
  2751 Broadway, Manhattan (Upper West Side)
• The Iridium
  1650 Broadway, Manhattan (Midtown)
• The Bitter End
  147 Bleecker Street, Manhattan (Greenwich Village)
• 55 Bar
  55 Christopher Street, Manhattan (West Village)
• The Cutting Room
  44 East 32nd Street, Manhattan (Murray Hill)
• Joe's Pub
  425 Lafayette Street, Manhattan (East Village)
• The Django
  Roxy Hotel, 2 Avenue of the Americas, Manhattan (Tribeca)
• The Loft at City Winery
  155 Varick Street, Manhattan (SoHo/Hudson Square)

Enjoy your trip!

 

Third...

 

Don't forget to visit the Statue of Liberty... the girl has some big feet.

 

Southside guitars and Main Drag music in the tragically hip Williamsburg. Matt at 30th street guitars.23rd street guitars . Rudys in Soho
(" I saw you at Rudy's you were very high"... sorry Black Cow /Steely Dan).
Just out side the city in Jersey, Lark street music. Mas Hino in Brooklyn and Sadowsky in Long Island City. NYC Bass works in Long Island. Sam ash on 34th has Larry Hartke there most days.

Gigs: Jazz:Smalls and MezzRow, Smoke, Zinc, the Jazz Standard, 55 Bar and perhaps the Beacon. Others I like : SOB's,Piano's , Arlenes grocery, Shapeshifter lab... But it depends on what music you dig.

Have a great visit.

 

All I have is food related suggestions but you didn't ask for any.

 

When we were going to NYC back in 2002 my wife's Mom was very concerned about us and she asked "Where will you eat?" We managed to find a few places so we did not starve.

 

For jazz, check out the last 3 or 4 pages...
The New York City Jazz Record

 

Larry Hartke runs the bass room at the 34th Street. He's there most days, stop by and chat with Larry all things bass and music.

 

Yes, that Larry Hartke. He runs a good bass department. Many good basses set and ready to play.

An Interview With Larry Hartke | Sam Ash Spotlight

 

55 Bar