Sean Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 I'm going to be in New York City staying in a hotel in Midtown Manhattan from 15th - 18th February. I've been to NYC a few times and always had a great time and I've done all the tourist things so this time I'm looking to be a bit more bass or music oriented with my stay. So, what ideas have you got for a Saturday and Sunday in the Big Apple? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dingus Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 It might all have changed now , but during my time in NYC in the late 80s / early 90s the big guitar shops in Manhattan were mainly on 48th Street - Mannys , Rudys ect - but musician friends who live there often tell me that when they come to London they think the music shops are much better than in NYC , and from my limited experience I would tend to agree . 48th St is great for looking , but the prices are geared towards rich tourists and investment bankers rather than genuine enthusiasts , but it's still well worth a visit and just off Times Square so easy to get to . Sam Ash on 48th St has got a specially designated bass lounge with some interesting stuff in from all accounts . That street is where it all happens . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted January 10, 2013 Author Share Posted January 10, 2013 [quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1357854091' post='1929678'] It might all have changed now , but during my time in NYC in the late 80s / early 90s the big guitar shops in Manhattan were mainly on 48th Street - Mannys , Rudys ect - but musician friends who live there often tell me that when they come to London they think the music shops are much better than in NYC , and from my limited experience I would tend to agree . 48th St is great for looking , but the prices are geared towards rich tourists and investment bankers rather than genuine enthusiasts , but it's still well worth a visit and just off Times Square so easy to get to . Sam Ash on 48th St has got a specially designated bass lounge with some interesting stuff in from all accounts . That street is where it all happens . [/quote] That'll be Saturday afternoon sorted then! I've managed to get a ticket to see Soul Asylum play at The Bowery Ballroom on the Saturday evening Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_Stu Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 Manny's closed down a couple+ years ago - they auctioned off the autographed wall of pics last year. Last I heard Sam Ash was in trouble but assume it's still there. There's a cracking vintage shop near the Chelsea Hotel but I forget it's name. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louisthebass Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 What about this?: [url="http://www.sadowsky.com/welcome/directions.html"]http://www.sadowsky.com/welcome/directions.html[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted January 10, 2013 Author Share Posted January 10, 2013 [quote name='louisthebass' timestamp='1357854710' post='1929700'] What about this?: [url="http://www.sadowsky.com/welcome/directions.html"]http://www.sadowsky....directions.html[/url] [/quote] Closed at the weekend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 Sam Ash on 48th St is pretty decent for bass stuff - they've got loads of good gear in there (some great used stuff too), and you'll probably run into Larry Hartke since he works there part-time, so make sure you pay his amps a compliment. Also, Rudy's has a great bass room on the 2nd floor - lots of high-end stuff (Ritter, Pensa-Suhr, Sadowsky, etc), and maybe see if Carl Thompson's shop in Brooklyn is open while you're over - definitely worth a visit. Warwick's custom shop on East 7th St is also definitely worth a visit if you're a fan of curvy German basses. Otherwise, keep an eye out on the gig guides and see who's playing in town. There's usually some good gigs on. If all else fails, go to one of the comedy clubs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 Also, you could also jump on a train from Penn Station out to Metuchen, NJ (NJ Transit Northeast Corridor line) and pay the NJ Guitar And Bass Center a visit - it's a little shop run by a nice bloke called Jay, and they have loads of great high-end stuff, including F Basses, Sadowskys, Alembics, Benaventes, Jerzy Drozds, Dingwalls, etc). It's a bit further out, but definitely worth the trip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Admiral Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 If you are going to be there on the Sunday - go and check out this guy at The Red Lion on Bleeker Street. 11 p.m. Every Sunday. http://www.jerrydugger.net/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krysh Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 rudy's music in manhatten http://www.rudysmusic.com/ and brooklyn: http://www.southsideguitars.com http://www.maindragmusic.com these are 2 very nice shops for vintage gear in walking distance in williamsburg, also nice food and pubs around there. and of course, epifani and fodera.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted January 10, 2013 Author Share Posted January 10, 2013 [quote name='The Admiral' timestamp='1357856401' post='1929746'] If you are going to be there on the Sunday - go and check out this guy at The Red Lion on Bleeker Street. 11 p.m. Every Sunday. [url="http://www.jerrydugger.net/"]http://www.jerrydugger.net/[/url] [/quote] Wow! That's a must. I've got a lie in on the Monday morning too. Sorted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 [quote name='Big_Stu' timestamp='1357854496' post='1929692'] There's a cracking vintage shop near the Chelsea Hotel but I forget it's name. [/quote] Unsurprisingly it's called [url=http://www.chelseaguitarsnyc.com]Chelsea Guitars[/url] and it's right next to the entrance to the Chelsea Hotel. I was sorely tempted by a NOS Veleno Guitar they had in the window and walked past every day when I was staying there. BTW if you can get in as a non-resident the Chelsea Hotel's stairway and corridors are full of interesting art. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 [quote name='Sean' timestamp='1357856862' post='1929755'] Wow! That's a must. I've got a lie in on the Monday morning too. Sorted. [/quote] Do make sure you've got the tipping rules straight in your mind before venturing out into NY bars. Try giving a 10% tip (or even - eek! - no tip at all) to a barmaid and you're in for an uncomfortable evening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_Stu Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1357857337' post='1929771'] Unsurprisingly it's called [url="http://www.chelseaguitarsnyc.com"]Chelsea Guitars[/url] and it's right next to the entrance to the Chelsea Hotel. I was sorely tempted by a NOS Veleno Guitar they had in the window and walked past every day when I was staying there[/quote] It was an ancient but mint 335 that I drooled over for quite a while. Great staff too, loads of chat with a Brit visitor & all that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_Stu Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 (edited) [quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1357857475' post='1929772'] Do make sure you've got the tipping rules straight in your mind before venturing out into NY bars. Try giving a 10% tip (or even - eek! - no tip at all) to a barmaid and you're in for an uncomfortable evening.[/quote] Chumleys still had that US tradition of the house buying you a drink back on every 3rd round. Dunno if it still does that since the reopening. I was with friends when a waiter pulled up my mate's wife for not giving a big enough tip, wanted to know what the problem was. Edited January 11, 2013 by Big_Stu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
risingson Posted January 11, 2013 Share Posted January 11, 2013 I'm off in April for 10 days, get to Rudys if you can, they're lovely in there and will chat with you forever, home of Pensa basses too which are truly wonderful things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Admiral Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 [quote name='Sean' timestamp='1357856862' post='1929755'] Wow! That's a must. I've got a lie in on the Monday morning too. Sorted. [/quote] Oh yeah - you can also go to Umanov's on Bleeker St and drool over the vintage Fenders etc : http://umanovguitars.com/store/old-stuff/old-basses/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Burrito Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 Small crossover as I'm there with my girlfriend until 16th. Didn't fancy dragging her around the music shops but this link may be of interest http://www.newsday.com/travel/new-york-city-rock-and-roll-landmarks-1.1569369 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lettsguitars Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 Man you have gotta check out whether Carl Thompson is playing while you're there. His awesome little jazz band plays regular in a couple of little bar/restaurants (Pane Vino's is one I think). Have a look on his website for his number and call him up while you're there maybe. [url="http://www.ctbasses.com"]http://www.ctbasses.com[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted January 12, 2013 Author Share Posted January 12, 2013 [quote name='BurritoBass' timestamp='1357950525' post='1931104'] Small crossover as I'm there with my girlfriend until 16th. Didn't fancy dragging her around the music shops but this link may be of interest http://www.newsday.com/travel/new-york-city-rock-and-roll-landmarks-1.1569369 [/quote] Very useful. Bookmarked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted January 12, 2013 Author Share Posted January 12, 2013 [quote name='The Admiral' timestamp='1357949833' post='1931102'] Oh yeah - you can also go to Umanov's on Bleeker St and drool over the vintage Fenders etc : http://umanovguitars.com/store/old-stuff/old-basses/ [/quote] I'll be like a Jew at a pig farm but if I'm passing by it's worth a nosey :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lettsguitars Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 You can see an old fender anywhere. Whatever floats your boat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyJohnson Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 If you're anywhere near New York Public Library on the weekend you should check out this guy busking and give him a couple of dollars. I'm not sure whether the guy is only let out on the weekend, but he's very entertaining (and this isn't a dig at people with learning difficulties or anything...I know it's 2013). We saw him several times during our sojourn in September and he was pulling people left right and centre. He's fearless. P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted January 12, 2013 Author Share Posted January 12, 2013 [quote name='NancyJohnson' timestamp='1357994561' post='1931501'] If you're anywhere near New York Public Library on the weekend you should check out this guy busking and give him a couple of dollars. I'm not sure whether the guy is only let out on the weekend, but he's very entertaining (and this isn't a dig at people with learning difficulties or anything...I know it's 2013). We saw him several times during our sojourn in September and he was pulling people left right and centre. He's fearless. P [/quote] I wonder if he wants to join my band Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dingus Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 Some vids to wet your appetite Sean : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-3qfwJzhEo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWdCmN2Ap6k Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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