ponty Posted December 22, 2012 Share Posted December 22, 2012 I have just returned from NYC and my usual visit to 48th Street. A shadow of its former self, and early in 2013, Rudys will be the lone guitar shop, after Sam Ash moves to 34th. I spent quite some time in Sam Ash.Here is a quick, and completely subjective view of what I found. Martin 000-15s - this guitars is super plain, satin body, no binding, all mahogany and was fro sale at $1450. I have to say, this guitar was as good a sounding guitar as I have ever played. It really was fantastic. There were many Asian guitars at that price and higher, all of a very high build quality, but this 000-15 was for me the one I would take anyday. Larrivee D-50 - Never looked at Larrivee much before. This was a D-18 like guitar, and most certainly I was very impressed with its ease of play, marvellous sound and at $1400, with a slight body mark was a steal. They had a Gibson L-00TV, which looked completely wonderful. Price tag $3250. It was a great guitar, sounded and play well, but slightly disappointing that I didnt feel it would be something I would take home especially at 3250. Needless to say it was great otherwise. So, I then picked up anther Gibson, and went back a few times to play it. In the end, I was worried that the NYPD would have to come and prize it from my hands! That guitar was a L-1 Robert Johnson. Whoa! Was a phenomenal little package.I dont like the RJ signature, but this guitar was amazing. Dispute its size, it was very versatile, and not restricted to blues in the slightest. I had to leave the shop when I started to hear voices...take me home..take me home! If a guitar is in my future, a no RJ name L-1 would be high on the list. This was priced at $2250. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaeljohnr Posted December 22, 2012 Share Posted December 22, 2012 I own one of the 000-15SM (slot head) and agree these are great instruments. I set mine up for slide and keep it in open D or G with some medium strings and its just perfect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merseybeat1963 Posted December 23, 2012 Share Posted December 23, 2012 You should know what the rent is in even the smallest rat hole over there. That street has sucked ever since every store became a Sam Ash. The as@h0es that run that city have ruined NY. 34th Street is a crap place for a guitar store and I hope Sam Ash & Guitar Center rot competing with each other. Did you go into Rudy's and try some of the acoustic guitars on the 2nd Floor? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponty Posted December 23, 2012 Author Share Posted December 23, 2012 Yes I did go into Rudy's. Not easy to try stuff there. Everything is secured to the wall, and it looked a real hassle to ask to try this that and the other.Had I had the time and energy, I would have gone to Mandolin Bros. Couldnt make it this time. Sam Ash will be over the road from B&H Camera. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merseybeat1963 Posted December 23, 2012 Share Posted December 23, 2012 Over the years only one of my guitars came from Rudy's & I didnt buy it(Christmas 1988)...but he carries better than run of the mill stuff. Rudy's has a large beautifull store down in Soho near the Village on one of the side streets.One of the nicest guitar stores Ive ever seen..check it out some time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted December 23, 2012 Share Posted December 23, 2012 So, Ponty, did you leave off your 000-28 somewhere for repair? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted December 23, 2012 Share Posted December 23, 2012 The last time I was on 48th Street was in the early 1990s when I made a pilgrimage with my wife. The fate of 48th Street was sealed the day Sam Ash bought Manny's. They even auctioned off all of the signed photos that covered the walls. I will never forget walking through the store to the back and stepping down a step to get to where all the guitars were. Then there was that old what used to be yellow Dan Electro they used to let folks try out amps or gettint to watch in awe as a Vox Super Beatle amp come up the freight elevator on the side. The story was they would open the store after midnight so guys like Hendrix could come in and shop. Back in the day 48th Street was the stuff dreams were made of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stein Posted December 23, 2012 Share Posted December 23, 2012 Yes I did go into Rudy's. Not easy to try stuff there. Everything is secured to the wall, and it looked a real hassle to ask to try this that and the other.Had I had the time and energy, I would have gone to Mandolin Bros. Couldnt make it this time. Sam Ash will be over the road from B&H Camera. LOL..reminds me of a place here in Portland, although, not really the same type of store. This medium/small store had a bunch of new electrics all hanging on a wall, all within reach. Even some on stands. Your basic 'retail' stuff...Mexican, Squiers, some American. I don't know about everyone else, but usually what I do, I pluck a string to hear if it is bright or dull. Then I might pick it up for a closer look, feel the weight, and feel the neck. If it isn't special or seem that way, why play it? And also, if you don't have some idea besides what it looks like hanging on a wall, how do you know? Well, a guy comes along and tells me they have a STRICT "ask to be helped" policy. So I tell him what I'm doing. He says I have to ask for each guitar. I say, "No, it's fine...I don't really need to buy one of these". He says again, "I'm totally glad to help, just let me know. We aren't putting you off. Just let us know which ones you are interested in, and we will be happy to get it off the wall for you". "No, really sir, if I can't pluck a string or pick it up, there is no way for me to know what guitar you have here I might be interested in. If you don't want anyone touching your guitars, I won't touch them". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponty Posted December 23, 2012 Author Share Posted December 23, 2012 So, Ponty, did you leave off your 000-28 somewhere for repair? Nick, I took it to Sam Ash. The repair tech wasn't too worried about the neck angle or the gap between the heel and body. Still, we decided to send it to Nazareth, and that is where it has gone. So, I suspect that some time in February, I will hear whats going on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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