There may be more performers in Los Angeles, but New York City is the one and only American Mecca for musicians. Guitarists as well as orchestral musicians will find their wants and needs easily met by the infamous 42nd Street stores and their kin all around the five boroughs.
A K Wind Instrument Center(212) 730-1569
701 7th Ave,
New York, NY, 10036
AK truly runs the gamut A vast selection of masterfully restored vintage instruments and new and used woodwinds that would satisfy professionals and students alike, with a world-class repair shop to boot!
Beethoven Pianos(212) 765-7300
232 W 58th St,
New York, NY, 10019
There's an atmosphere and an ambiance—even today—in mom-and-pop stores, nowhere more so than in New York. Beethoven Pianos has been a family affair for over thirty years, with full service: brilliant repair technicians, movers, storage, and even rentals and rebuilding, along with the sales department.
Carmine Street Guitars(212) 691-8400
42 Carmine St,
New York, NY, 10014
Home of the usual new and used guitars, but more importantly, home of the infamous, custom-built Kelly Guitars!
Dreamhire(212) 691-5544
36-36 33rd Street,
Long Island City, NY, 11106
Pro-audio equipment for the taking at great rental rates and perfect for filling out a professional or personal studio.
First Flight Music(212) 539-1383
174 1st Ave,
New York, NY, 10009
A far-ranging store, First Flight has new and used guitars and amps, a knowledgeable repair shop, and also offers lessons and rentals.
Ludlow Guitars212-353-1775
172 Ludlow Street,
New York, NY, 10002
The Lower East Side's favorite guitar shop, with heaps of used and vintage equipment right alongside the new.
Main Drag Music(718) 388-6365
330 Wythe Ave,
New York, NY, 11211
Williamsburg's best location for used and new musical instruments, with a strict slant towards rock instruments: guitars, basses, drums, and a fantastic smattering of standard and eccentric keyboards. The store also stocks a great selection of accessories, including boutique effects pedals and the required stock of strings, picks, and such.
Mandolin Bros(718) 981-8585
629 Forest Ave,
Staten Island, NY, 10310
Staten Island seems an unlikely place to find the best selection of anything, let alone fine acoustic guitars and assorted instruments of the like, but Mandolin Brothers has been doing it for long enough that no one bats an eyelash anymore. Their selection of vintage instruments is so enticing that if you've got the money to spend, you'll be relieved of it before you leave!
Matt Umanov Guitars(212) 675-2157
273 Bleecker St,
New York, NY, 10014
There's something intensely attractive—as a musician—about a store that using gels in their display window to keep their guitars from getting sun-damaged. It's that attention to little but important details that has made Matt Umanov Guitars a favorite of local musicians and a Bleecker Street mainstay. The guitars run the gamut from vintage to brand new, and their huge selection of pedals is made ten times better by the amp room available to test drive whatever you've got your eye on. Better yet, the salesmen know what they're talking about and won't hesitate to tell you what you need instead of what you want.
Retrofret(718) 237-6092
233 Butler Street,
Brooklyn, NY, 11217
Retrofret has become Brooklyn's best bet for vintage stringed instruments; and not just guitars, either: they stock some of the strangest of the strings alongside the standard guitars, mandolins, and banjos.
Rudy's Music(212) 391-1699
169 W 48th St,
New York, NY, 10036
Legendary by any musician's account, Rudy's has been in business seemingly as long as rock 'n roll itself. With a selection of new and used guitars that puts to shame the processed, corporate offerings of neighboring—and unmentionable—big box stores, Rudy's has earned their reputation as being the musician's shop of choice.
