Shopping in NYC - Xmas Time!!

[TeleFunking]

I'm going to NYC for Xmas time and want to buy a new guitar and amp.

Can you suggest any good store to buy used stuff? I´m looking for a Princeton or a Deluxe Reverb and a MIM Fender for mods.

Is Xmas a good time for buying instruments in US? Is there a Xmas sale or anything?

Is it usually better to buy musical instruments before or after December 25th?

Thanks in advance for the responses.

Cheers!

[Tim Armstrong]

Pricewise, January is MUCH better!

To add: I saw your header and felt a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach, because four or five times every December I end up driving a coach bus full of folks up to Manhattan, which is a bus driver's hell!

Just thinking about it....(shudder)! I need to go lay down now...

Tim

[TeleFunking]

Originally Posted by Tim Armstrong

Pricewise, January is MUCH better!

To add: I saw your header and felt a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach, because four or five times every December I end up driving a coach bus full of folks up to Manhattan, which is a bus driver's hell!

Just thinking about it....(shudder)! I need to go lay down now...

Tim

Yeah, i suspected that January would be better but my wife wants to go in December before Xmas and come back before New Year's. You know...when they (women) want something they get it whatsoever. And since any expensive time for a Fender in US will be MUCH cheaper than the cheapest time in Brazil I won't make any noise regarding the time with her...

Ohh...and sorry for the sinking feeling...

[DMace]

Before xmas can be better if you're buying used from an indivual: a lot of people have to unload gear before the holidays in order to buy gifts, etc. But if you plan on buying from a guitar store, the sales might be better after xmas. I can't say for sure. In any event, guitars and amps are Expensive in NYC. Guitar stores have ridiculously high rents to meet so it's reflected in the prices. That said, if you're looking for used gear I'd start with 'Ludlow Guitars' (big selection), also '30th St. Guitars' and 'Rivington Guitars'. Out in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, 'Main Drag' has a good selection and likely cheaper prices. Even Guitar Center on 14th St. has a lot of used vintage amps and guitars, but, again, they ain't cheap.

[BritishBluesBoy]

Originally Posted by DMace

In any event, guitars and amps are Expensive in NYC.

But still WAY cheaper than Brazil. Prices for some things down there will make your eyes water...!

[Tim Armstrong]

Now that I've recovered from my sinking feeling I'll give a big recommendation for Mandolin Brothers over on Staten Island. A purely wonderful place, better known for their acoustic instruments, but with some very nice electrics, too.

Tim

[TeleFunking]

For sure! Even that NYC is considered expensive it is MUCH cheaper than Brazil! A new MIM Strat costs around $1,400 here! That's crazy!

[DMace]

Originally Posted by TeleFunking

For sure! Even that NYC is considered expensive it is MUCH cheaper than Brazil! A new MIM Strat costs around $1,400 here! That's crazy!

That's nuts.
How do you plan to get the amp back to Brazil? Have you checked into some sort of shipping already?

[TeleFunking]

Originally Posted by Tim Armstrong

Now that I've recovered from my sinking feeling I'll give a big recommendation for Mandolin Brothers over on Staten Island. A purely wonderful place, better known for their acoustic instruments, but with some very nice electrics, too.

Tim

Thanks for the recommendation Tim! Mandolin will be in my list! But I don't know if I'll have to time to go to the Staten Island...

[TeleFunking]

Originally Posted by DMace

That's nuts.
How do you plan to get the amp back to Brazil? Have you checked into some sort of shipping already?

I'm gonna get it with me in the airplane!

Depending on the size of the amp I think I can even take it with me into the cabin. I think a PRRI would make it but a DRRI is bigger and would have to be checked in...

[Tarnisher]

Pricewise, you'll do better outside of NYC, as DMace said.

I would be careful about trying to bring anything larger than a Vibrochamp on the plane as carry on.

Mandolin brothers is great, but it's not easy to get to, and if you're mainly interested in electric stuff I'd skip it.

For new, Matt Umanov's in Manhattan has a lot of Fenders, but their used stuff is pricey.

Mazotti music in Brooklyn is a good place for used gear, albeit with limited stock. You might want to check them out on gbase first. I know they have had a gorgeous 1965 Tele on the wall for a while, but it's way too rich for my blood.

Finally, check craigslist. Rent a car with a GPS and you'll be able to go check stuff out. There's always a lot of stuff available, especially now that a lot of folks have fallen on hard times.

[Nighthawk]

Originally Posted by TeleFunking

Thanks for the recommendation Tim! Mandolin will be in my list! But I don't know if I'll have to time to go to the Staten Island...

You could take the ferry... However, what you do once you get there is another matter.

[Tim Armstrong]

Originally Posted by Nighthawk

You could take the ferry... However, what you do once you get there is another matter.

From their website:

BY BUS FROM THE STATEN ISLAND FERRY: Walk up the ramp (along with the rest of the people) and you will see a number of bus ramps. You want Ramp C - the one with the #48 Bus listed on it. Take the #48 Forest Ave bus around 15 minutes, asking the driver to let you off on the corner of Forest and Pelton Avenues – at the purple and yellow Planet Fitness building. We're one block farther, the beige stucco building on the corner of Forest and Oakland Avenues - #629 Forest Avenue - with the address and "MANDOLIN BROS" sign on it. It looks like the Scrooge McDuck Building, if you remember that comic book from your childhood, but his had a dollar sign on the front of it. His building made a big impression on us.

If you use a METROCARD (instead of quarters) then, going in one direction, as you would be, the total charge from your door, anywhere in New York City, to our door is just $2.

BY TAXI FROM THE S.I. FERRY TERMINAL: When you get to the Staten Island Ferry Terminal you can walk up the ramp from the boat and make a right at the top, and you'll see the sign for TAXI. The cab will probably cost around $10 (plus tip if you are inclined, and it's expected) to take you to #629 Forest Ave, corner of Oakland Avenue. This will take only 5 or 6 minutes.

[TeleFunking]

Originally Posted by Tarnisher

Pricewise, you'll do better outside of NYC, as DMace said.

I would be careful about trying to bring anything larger than a Vibrochamp on the plane as carry on.

Mandolin brothers is great, but it's not easy to get to, and if you're mainly interested in electric stuff I'd skip it.

For new, Matt Umanov's in Manhattan has a lot of Fenders, but their used stuff is pricey.

Mazotti music in Brooklyn is a good place for used gear, albeit with limited stock. You might want to check them out on gbase first. I know they have had a gorgeous 1965 Tele on the wall for a while, but it's way too rich for my blood.

Finally, check craigslist. Rent a car with a GPS and you'll be able to go check stuff out. There's always a lot of stuff available, especially now that a lot of folks have fallen on hard times.

Last time in US I brought an American Standard Tele in the case as carry on luggage. I still think a PRRI would make it but if not I check the amp in the plane without the tubes to avoid breaking them.

Matt Umanov seems a bit pricey but they have some good used Fender stuff what I think would be wothy to try. Checked Mazzotti and their stock is really limited. Nothing that called my attention (and that I could buy).

I'm also checking craigslist for a good deal in NY but I also have to be careful because I'll need a fiscal bill or receipt to declare the item in the Brazilian customs when coming back.

[DMace]

Originally Posted by TeleFunking

Last time in US I brought an American Standard Tele in the case as carry on luggage. I still think a PRRI would make it but if not I check the amp in the plane without the tubes to avoid breaking them.

Matt Umanov seems a bit pricey but they have some good used Fender stuff what I think would be wothy to try. Checked Mazzotti and their stock is really limited. Nothing that called my attention (and that I could buy).

I'm also checking craigslist for a good deal in NY but I also have to be careful because I'll need a fiscal bill or receipt to declare the item in the Brazilian customs when coming back.

Uhm, if you check an amplifier you will find yourself with hundreds of dollars of kindling on the other end of the flight. That, or invest in a heavy-duty anvil case to ship it in. Airlines are brutal. And I seriously doubt they'd allow you to carry it on. You'd do better to get the store that you buy it from to ship it. Many of them sell on ebay already, so shipping shouldn't be a problem.
As Tarnisher said, Mandolin Bros. is not an easy or quick trip, and their focus is on acoustics. Again, check out 'Ludlow Guitars'. They have dozens of vintage amps. It's a good store and the prices are not patently absurd.

[TeleFunking]

Originally Posted by DMace

Uhm, if you check an amplifier you will find yourself with hundreds of dollars of kindling on the other end of the flight. That, or invest in a heavy-duty anvil case to ship it in. Airlines are brutal. And I seriously doubt they'd allow you to carry it on. You'd do better to get the store that you buy it from to ship it. Many of them sell on ebay already, so shipping shouldn't be a problem.
As Tarnisher said, Mandolin Bros. is not an easy or quick trip, and their focus is on acoustics. Again, check out 'Ludlow Guitars'. They have dozens of vintage amps. It's a good store and the prices are not patently absurd.

A Flight case would be awesome but they're quite expensive. I'll find a way of getting the amp back with me. It is not possible to ship the amp because according to the brazilian policy the import taxes would be much higher than taking it with me.

Ludlow is on of the stores I'll visit for sure. They have a Gretsch Jr that i'll certainly buy If i don't find anything else in Manhattan.

I'm also counting on a a big sale for Xmas in the big retailers like GUitar Center and Samash. Is it common to happen big sales in Xmas in these stores?

[Tarnisher]

Mandolin Bros.' website is a bit out of date if they're still quoting $2 as the price of a subway ride. It's now $2.25. Still a lot cheaper than bridge/tunnel tolls.

As for putting amps on planes, I did once check a big ole' Silvertone I bought while visiting my friend in Portland. It had a head that was hardwired to the cab, and designed to fit inside the cab for storage next to the speaker. We took out the tubes, and basically wrapped the amp in cardboard and duct tape, several layers thick. They made me pay extra due to its size, but it arrived on the east coast safe and sound, and served me well for many years until it was destroyed in a fire. Nonetheless, I don't think I'd recommend this technique.

[ADK Teleman]

Originally Posted by DMace

Before xmas can be better if you're buying used from an indivual: a lot of people have to unload gear before the holidays in order to buy gifts, etc. But if you plan on buying from a guitar store, the sales might be better after xmas. I can't say for sure. In any event, guitars and amps are Expensive in NYC. Guitar stores have ridiculously high rents to meet so it's reflected in the prices. That said, if you're looking for used gear I'd start with 'Ludlow Guitars' (big selection), also '30th St. Guitars' and 'Rivington Guitars'. Out in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, 'Main Drag' has a good selection and likely cheaper prices. Even Guitar Center on 14th St. has a lot of used vintage amps and guitars, but, again, they ain't cheap.

+1 I have found after xmas..usually between xmas and New Years were the best sales.

[TeleFunking]

Originally Posted by ADK Teleman

+1 I have found after xmas..usually between xmas and New Years were the best sales.

I share the same opinion. There must be a sale in Guitar Center and Samash between Xmas and New Years. I don't think it would occur in the traditional stores though...

[Eric Karonen]

Obviously, Brazil is open to guitar shop entrepreneurs! You hear that Fender?

[KevinB]

The problem with the big name stores in NYC (Mandolin Bros and "Guitar Row" on 48th St in Manhattan) may be that they don't have much of a selection of used MIMs. They're more for either new, or used true vintage (read "expensive") instruments. I think you'd do better at the Guitar Center on 14th Street.

[DMace]

Not a day goes by in NYC that a MIM doesn't appear on craigslist .

[Mike Eskimo]

Umanov's is a fantasy land - his fantasy !

I thought they'd go under when Wall St went belly up but now that the Wall St scum have money again maybe they're back shopping there ?

[Dmann]

30th between 7 and 8th ave, they have a great used gear. I don't know how they are on price.


30th Street Guitars
www.30thstreetguitars.com

another one you could probably talk to them on the phone before running across the river its a quick trip.

www.hobokenvintage.com