#46
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#47
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The Acoustic Shoppe in Springfield Missouri usually has some great stuff. Really friendly guys. I try to get in there whenever I visit family in the area.
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#48
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Eddie's is a great place if you are serious about buying a high end guitar. Fabulous selection and personalized service. They are not a tire kicker place as they are appointment only.
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#49
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A word of caution to the OP. Before you visit these places, check their websites to make sure that their showrooms are open, or if you need to make an appointment. Many places are either closed or by appointment only due to covid.
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#50
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BTW, about ten years ago I made an agreement with myself that has saved me a LOT of money.
Here it is: Whenever I know I'm going into a boutique guitar shop with lots of expensive playthings, I intentionally take my wallet out of my pocked and leave it in my car. I can't tell you how effectively this has protected my retirement savings. Case in Point (I've told this story several times on AGF): About five years ago I was at McCabe's in Santa Monica. Inside their high-end room they had one of the most amazing D-18s you'd ever want to play. I don't play a lot of expensive guitars, but this was one of the finest dreadnoughts I've ever played. I mean, they had this thing completely dialed in. I ran out of that store so fast, it'd make your head spin. Thank God I'd left my wallet in the car. The comeuppance of this story is even funnier. I posted that story in AGF about a year after it happened. Within that thread another AGF member posted, "I was in McCabe's around that time. I played that D-18! It was SICK!" Turns out the guy was from somewhere in the midwest and had heard so much about McCabe's that when his job took him to L.A. for business he made a visit. So whomever was the lucky recipient of that D-18 owns a real treasure. I own an excellent older HD-28, but this was a whole level above. scott memmer Last edited by Charmed Life Picks; 04-14-2021 at 12:09 PM. |
#51
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I was in both Gruhn's and Carter's in 2018. We got there in the morning, right after they opened. I found both to be very friendly and accommodating, no "aloofness" at either place. At Gruhn's, I was with a friend who was serious about a couple of high end Martins. He didn't end up buying anything, but they gave him a free hat anyway!
Carter's was equally friendly. I actually ended up buying a guitar from them, so I got a free hat from there. Dusty Strings is also a very nice place. I got a Snark from there, but no hat... I think it helps to go to these places early in the day, before the crowds. -BKinBWA |
#52
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+1 for Gryphon and Sylvan in Northern California. Mighty Fine Guitars in Lafayette is also good.
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Steve |
#53
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1. Chicago Music Exchange (by far the most impressive and expansive music store I have ever visited). I have buying experience as well - all positive.
2. Willcut Guitars 3. Midwood Guitar Studio 4. Gryphon Strings 5. Guitar Showcase
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Taylor 512ce Urban Ironbark Fender Special Edition Stratocaster Eastman SB59 |
#54
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Texas Vintage Shops
Im a vintage Gibson guy but not above looking at a Martin, not many options in Texas, Fullers and Rockin Robin in Houston, Austin Vintage in Austin, Jimmy Wallace in Garland (Dallas). My favorite though is in OKC, Horn Trading Company, its like Im back in the 60's going with my dad on a Gibson hunt. Honest Rons there in OKC is great too, bought a '46 Script LG-2 there about a month ago and Ron is a hoot.
I was at Gruhn's and Carter's about two weeks ago, selection is off a little as it is everywhere, George and Walter were distant but their staff was really great. With covid both places ask that you make an appointment and wear a mask. One highlight of this trip was going to Baxendale Guitar in Athens Georgia, got a tour of the shop where the X brace conversions take place, came home from there with a dead mint '41 Kalamazoo Sport in original case. Great topic, always on the hunt for honey holes. |
#55
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Nashville, TN
https://guitars.com/ Nashville, TN https://cartervintage.com/ Lexington, MA https://themusicemporium.com/ Littleton, NH https://northernlightsmusic.com/ Manchester, NH https://manchestermusicmill.com/ Ashland, NH https://www.vintagefretshop.com/ Last edited by FingahPickah; 04-15-2021 at 02:52 PM. |
#56
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Dan Carrano was great. Shut me up in a room by myself with a bunch of guitars I pre-selected, and only occasionally stuck in his head to ask if I wanted to try something else or make a suggestion. Probably one of the most relaxed no pressure guitar buying experiences I’ve had. And yes today’s weather is gorgeous. After the morning fun, my ever-patient wife and I continued on to Newport, RI, which we’re looking forward to visiting again after many years. (Unfortunately, no BMW 2002. It’s been gone from my garage — but not my heart — for many years. 1973 Artic Blue.) |
#57
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It's not a " guitar shop" per se
But my son and I took a 3 1/2 hour drive To Sweetwater in Ft. Wayne Indiana. We expected to see a very large music store With a separate online sales team. What we saw was HUGE .Almost the size of a university campus. Coffee shops, returaunt, Their own hair stylist and medical center. And many game centers and lounges For their employees who seemed very happy to work there. Also they have Almost all their catalog items displayed to try!
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Classical guitars, flat top steel string A few banjos and mandolins Accrued over 59 years of playing Last edited by rgregg48; 04-15-2021 at 03:38 AM. Reason: Spelling |
#58
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Here are a couple of widespread shops that I haven't heard mentioned yet. Both friendly.
Pickers Supply in Fredericksburg VA J.B. Hart Music in Grand Junction CO
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1953 Gibson LG-2 1966 Martin D-28 (really still my dads) 1979 Yamaha SG2000 (SB electric) 2014 Yamaha LS16 2020 Squier CV 50's Telecaster 2022 Yamaha FG3 |
#59
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Blues Angel Music in Pensacola FL.
If you find yourself vacationing in the Florida panhandle it is well worth the effort to make the trek to Pensacola. D
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"There's a lot of music in songs" |
#60
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The best i have visited (I live near Chicago) are:
- Chicago Music Exchange - they had a great used guitar selection. Maybe less now. The best way to buy used guitar is to try it and compare with others on the same rack. I got my Collings there. - Carter Vintage - sold my old Gre - Gruen’s - Down Home guitars - highest fraction of high end guitars. The sponsor a great summer bluegrass festival (next year) - Gryphon - Really nice atmosphere - Old Time School - not a special selection but a really special place. You can visit John Lennon’s and Big Bill Broonzy’s guitars.
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Ron Martin D28 (1988) Guild JF30 Voyage Air MD-02 Collings D1 Bourgeois vintage OM Last edited by Rjlipton; 04-15-2021 at 07:08 AM. |