Ye Olde Guitar Shoppe

[skyline]

Took the train to the big smoke today and got to play
a Forum IV, various Oxnard Larrivées,
several Collings, a lovely Boucher,
an Eastman Mandola,
five golden . . . .
sorry - seasonally carried away there.

Every town needs a shop like the Twelfth Fret - a place that can provide a great churn of knowledge and instruments.

A good musical instrument store that pays as much attention to used instruments as it does to the latest trendy beasts is a lot like a public library . . . the kind of place that everyone should have easy access to

[ducktrapper]

Glad it worked for you but I have to say that was not my experience when I visited there last year. I drove across Toronto in mid day traffic, excited to see the famous 12th Fret and ... couldn't get a single person there to ask me if I wanted any help. After 20 minutes, I ended up asking a guy about a guitar and ... he didn't work there. I don't need a hard sell but a simple "Can I help you with anything?" Would have been nice. I don't touch multi thousand dollar guitars without permission. What? I didn't look like I owned a credit card? I usually, at least, buy a set of strings or two when trying instruments but I left without so much as a flat pick.     

[skyline]

I don't need a hard sell but a simple "Can I help you with anything?" Would have been nice.

You're right - I had 't really noticed until you mention it -  but they have always been very helpful when I've asked, and when I entered the shop with a guitar they asked right away.

Perhaps they recognize people who appreciate instruments and aren't bursting to break into mangled versions of Free Bird.

It's a bit of a journey, so I've only been a few times, usually on a Saturday when it's the more traditional music store zoo.

Still it's the only shop anywhere near me that usually has some of every major brand, and often some solo luthier work, and generally a fair number of varying used instruments. Being able to try various models of one brand, and then compare similar models in so many different "real" brands is really helpful.

Meanwhile I have to say, even at two or three times the price, that Forum IV was holding its own   

[ducktrapper]

I just thought they were snobby and unprofessional but what do I know. Surprisingly, perhaps, there is a fabulous music store in Thunder Bay Ontario. Music World is run by terrific, friendly folks and they always welcome people who walk in the door. Maybe because it's still a family business? They also have one of the largest inventories I have ever seen. No boutique instruments but lots and lots of Larrivées, Martins, Gibsons, Taylors, Fender .... in fact they put most Guitar Centers or L&M's to shame. Maybe because they have outlasted all the competition and have become the last man standing but that says something, as well. If you're ever in the area ....

[Mikeymac]

Music World "sounds like" a great place, Tom.

Did you ever get to Dave's Guitar Shop (Shoppe?) in LaCrosse while living in WI? Lots of selection there, from starter to boutique. I found the staff eager to help, willing to visit, but not tiresome or nagging. Love to go there whenever I get the chance (driving from SW Minnesota to visit my mom and sister in Neenah).

[ducktrapper]

Music World "sounds like" a great place, Tom.

Did you ever get to Dave's Guitar Shop (Shoppe?) in LaCrosse while living in WI? Lots of selection there, from starter to boutique. I found the staff eager to help, willing to visit, but not tiresome or nagging. Love to go there whenever I get the chance (driving from SW Minnesota to visit my mom and sister in Neenah).

No, never got to LaCrosse. Sounds good. I'll tell you a funny story about Music World and why I don't touch expensive guitars unless someone takes them down off the wall for me or assures me that it's alright.
In 2003, I went into Music World (before they moved into their new big store) and tried a white MiM Telecaster '56 reissue. I put it back up on the wall and went into the other part of the store and chatted with Cosmo (the owner). He mentioned that he had something he wanted to show me and we went back into that room only to find the guitar on the floor with a dollar coin sized chunk chipped out of the finish on the upper bout and a badly damaged tuning peg. Seems the hanger had flipped and I had put the guitar into the upside down end and the tele, having a thin headstock, had slipped out. Cosmo was great about it. Of course, I was a good customer back then but he said don't worry about it, it was an accident. The next day, feeling bad, I returned and insisted that I buy the guitar. He again said it wasn't necessary but I insisted as it was my fault. He sold me the guitar for cost. I'm a little gun shy on the matter now, however.

https://musicworldacademy.com/  

I see he still has an original gold top RS-4. I can't for the life of me figure out why no one has bought it. I'm thinking of going in and dropping it. Do us all a favor!    

[Mikeymac]

I see he still has an original gold top RS-4. I can't for the life of me figure out why no one has bought it. I'm thinking of going in and dropping it. Do us all a favor!    

I truly laughed out loud when I read that!!! Hah.

Dare you!!!

[ducktrapper]

I truly laughed out loud when I read that!!! Hah.

Dare you!!!

The owner is a really nice fellow and likes me a lot but I'm thinking that might be pushing it.  

Seriously, though if anyone wants a new (old) RS-4, I know where you can find one. They ship world wide. I've played it, it's a good one. He had five and this one remains. I guess there's only room in this town for four although I don't know anyone who has one of the other three. The price has dropped significantly since I bought mine, however. Still nowhere near a used one like Headsup's.