Only in Nashville..

$ongWriter · #1 10-28-2015, 10:17 PM

Only in Nashville...went to Carter Vintage today...folks, if you haven't been there you gotta come to Nashville and go...the place is so full of great amazing guitar..too many to mention...and today just walking around in the place was Bryan Sutton and Tim O'Brien....only in Nashville!!!....Then went over to Gruhn's ....saw another amazing guitar player..but can never remember his name..also saw George....They have the best selection right now, especially of old Martins that I've ever seen them have...played an insane pre war OM-21....and played a bunch of amazing D-18....they even have some Martin's that were early 60's...(and I've played some of those that were duds...)..but right now they have 3 early 60's Martins (2 D-18's and 1 D-28 I think)..that are AMAZING!!!...and they are not $20,000 ++....If you love Guitars...you gotta come to Nashville!!!!

Sarasin · #2 10-28-2015, 11:27 PM

Yeah Carter's is a great place also visit, Arnold's next door they have amazing food! It's a good thing I don't live near there, I would be fat from the food and broke from all the great guitar shops.

Guitar Gallery is also a must stop if you're in the area. Lots of nice high end guitars to try.

utspann · #3 10-28-2015, 11:50 PM

I've never been to the US, but I'd love to visit Nashville and New Orleans.
Here's a link to a British perspective of Nashville, from the wonderful Whispering Bob Harris, who used to present the legendary Old Grey Whistle Test.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mg0cbPObxA

mtsusean · #4 10-29-2015, 06:34 AM

I would like to see Carter's keep their inventory up to date on their website. Lots of good stuff in there not being listed.

my personal preference though for shops in Nashville is Cotten. Love that new shop.

815C · #5 10-29-2015, 06:53 AM

If you go to Gruhn's make friends with one of the sales guys, then ask if he'll take you upstairs - that's where the high priced guitars are, along with George's personal collection, and George's cool office that looks like it came right out of 1940. Probably a good idea not to hang out too long up there (as you have to be escorted) and I've never pulled one off the wall and played it. Kind of a "keep-your-hands-in-your-pockets" kind of place. One time I was up there the same time as Vince Gill. He was very friendly.

llew · #6 10-29-2015, 07:14 AM

When I was in town I made it to Gruhn...actually met George who personally gave me the grand tour. What a sweetheart of a guy. He didn't know me from Adam and treated me like I was an old friend. The man is a walking wealth of knowledge when it comes to acoustic guitars. Got to see his office and personal collection (part of it anyway?) and the workshop on the third floor where all those old pre war beauties get restored.
If you're in Nashville Gruhn is a must. Next time I'll visit Carter's and Artisan hopefully.

Twelvefret · #7 10-29-2015, 07:39 AM

Sounds like you had an "amazing" time.

Long Jon · #8 10-29-2015, 07:49 AM

Sounds interesting. Is there some particular connection with this Nashville place and guitars then ?

Laughingboy68 · #9 10-29-2015, 07:59 AM

Went to Gruhn's when we were in Nashville last October (to see Jason Isbell and Sturgill Simpson at the Ryman Auditorium).

Sales guy took us up to the second floor. When he saw me looking at the mid-30's D-28 (priced at a cool $100k), he asked if I'd like to play it. "It's a guitar, meant to played, not to hang on a wall". I gently played it with bare fingers. Got a guided tour of the second floor and a lesson on Larson Bros. construction from Mr. Gruhn. Before we left he said with a wink, "Make sure they take you up to the third floor..."

Never go to Nashville without visiting Gruhn's (and the Ryman).

Mike

jaymarsch · #10 10-29-2015, 08:03 AM

A trip to Nashville is on my short list of bucket list items. I hope to get there in a year or two.

Best,
Jayne

llew · #11 10-29-2015, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laughingboy68

Went to Gruhn's when we were in Nashville last October (to see Jason Isbell and Sturgill Simpson at the Ryman Auditorium).

Sales guy took us up to the second floor. When he saw me looking at the mid-30's D-28 (priced at a cool $100k), he asked if I'd like to play it. "It's a guitar, meant to played, not to hang on a wall". I gently played it with bare fingers. Got a guided tour of the second floor and a lesson on Larson Bros. construction from Mr. Gruhn. Before we left he said with a wink, "Make sure they take you up to the third floor..."

Never go to Nashville without visiting Gruhn's (and the Ryman).

Mike

Saw Vince Gill at The Ryman...incredible show and venue!

Br1ck · #12 10-29-2015, 10:32 AM

I'd love to visit Nashville and then maybe Austin for the great guitar shops. I think you'd see more guitars there actually played by pro musicians. The SFBay area has really great shops, but I think I see more used high end instruments here that have never seen the inside of a bar. I gravitate toward well worn players grade instruments.

llew · #13 10-29-2015, 10:36 AM

Austin is next on my list but if the opportunity arises for another Nashville trip in the meantime I'm there!

Treenewt · #14 10-29-2015, 10:52 AM

One day....one day...we pass through Nashville on I-40 when heading out west to visit family. Gotta schedule a stop over and some "me time" at those fine establishments!

guitarlancer · #15 10-29-2015, 11:38 AM

Yeah in Nashville. I was shopping with my son at a boutique toy store and Taylor Swift was in there. Pretty cool