Shops in Washington, New York

[8bit Barry]

2 days in Washington and 5 days in New York on a guitar finding mission (the dollar / pound rate is a wonderful thing), and general photography trip.

Where should I go to seek out used guitars in either city?
Where should I not go to avoid being mugged?!
Recommend me things to do (I am travelling alone).....
Recommend me things to photograph...

Staying in the Jazz on the Park Hostel NYC.

Cant wait, I want to pick myself up an oldish telecaster.

 

[sixstringslinger]

There are a bazillion guitar shops on 48th street between 6th and broadway in NY. Downtown in greenwhich village hit Matt Umanov's.

Far as travelling around in NY, I'd get a map and walk around the area between 6th avenue on the west side and avenue A on the east side, and maybe around 12th street on the north side and 2nd street on the south side. that covers most of the village and east village. lot's of miles in that grid, lots of great restaurants, bars, shops. funky part of town but not nasty/dangerous.

 

[whitehall]

Can't help you in NY except that the shops on 48th street are about the highest priced in the US. If you have an accent , you're gonna be fair game. A lot of the "dealers" know close to nothing and assume you know even less. Mention the internet and they cringe. You'll find the very dead Hendrix was an incedibly busy guy, becuse he seems to have "tried out" almost all the strats on 48th. When you get to DC go to Southworth Guitars in Bethesda. A ton of vintage guitars and amps and the people are pretty cool too.

 

[Bluesbrush]

Although the 48th street stores are expensive you have to visit!! Manny's and Sam Ash are where it all started. Dont expect any home town personalised service but definitely worth he look. I ended up going back to the Sam Ash Vintage room........but only because the specialist vintage guy was always on the phone. Gave me a good opportunity to check stuff out uninterrupted.

I ended buying some vintage stuff down at 30th Street guitars (236 West 30th Street). Good price...good people.