The place to look for archtops in New York?

Mikomamanga · #1 01-25-2012, 03:44 PM

I´m coming to New York in the Easterweek, and perhaps the week after as well. I could use some advice on where to go, to look for my next guitar, which could be a good, midpriced archtop, like a Peerless Monarch, Peerless Jazz City, Eastman 605 or 805, or maybe even a Gibson ES175.

Any info is welcome - websites as well, so I can check out the possibilities in advance. Thanks a lot in advance!

bmw2002 · #2 01-25-2012, 03:58 PM

Rudy's on 48th street is a good place to start (48th street has a number of music stores). They also have a shop on Broome Street, which I haven't visited, but which supposedly is archtop-rich. Rudy's Music

If you're adventurous, a short subway ride will take you to the showroom for Sadowsky guitars in Long Island City. I think you need to make an appointment.

Sadowsky Guitars

I'm sure others will have other suggestions as well. Sounds like a fun time.

Mikomamanga · #3 01-25-2012, 04:05 PM

Oooh, it will be a fun time... need to find some time off from the family, though. But they (ought to) love me enough to make room for my small digressions... ;o)

ruiner54 · #4 01-25-2012, 04:11 PM

what about 30th st guitars? i was going to have a friend get me something there and mail it to me. it looks like they have some decent archtops

bmw2002 · #5 01-25-2012, 04:25 PM

I haven't been to 30th street guitars, but it looks like they have a few archtops (as does Sam Ash on 48th street, at least the last time I was there).

There's also Madolin Brothers on Staten Island (requires a ferry ride, which might be fun for the family). Archtop Guitars - Mandolin Brothers, Ltd.

And Matt Umaiov's in the village. Fine Vintage and Used Instruments - Matt Umanov Guitars

And finally, you might find a forum member in NYC looking to sell a fine archtop privately, you never know.

Best of luck.

Soon · #6 01-25-2012, 08:39 PM

Sadowsky show room is a short subway ride from Rockefeller center, mid town. You can get directions from their site. They don't have much for sale but have most if not all of their models for you to try with a good sample of amps to play them through.

I live within an hour from NYC and plan on going there myself in the near future.

Soon · #7 01-25-2012, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmw2002

There's also Madolin Brothers on Staten Island (requires a ferry ride, which might be fun for the family). Archtop Guitars - Mandolin Brothers, Ltd.

Mandolin Brothers is a great shop. I just want to add that you'll need to catch a bus from the ferry. I did the trip 20 years ago so am foggy on the details. Not too difficult as I remember.

Soon · #8 01-25-2012, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmw2002

Rudy's on 48th street is a good place to start (48th street has a number of music stores). They also have a shop on Broome Street, which I haven't visited, but which supposedly is archtop-rich. Rudy's Music

If you're adventurous, a short subway ride will take you to the showroom for Sadowsky guitars in Long Island City. I think you need to make an appointment.

Sadowsky Guitars

I'm sure others will have other suggestions as well. Sounds like a fun time.

I recently went to the 48th st. Rudy's and they told me the archtops are mostly downtown at the Broome Street shop.

You beat me to Sadowsky but their site says you do not need to make an appointment to walk in and try out their guitars.

FrankBlack · #9 01-25-2012, 09:45 PM

Take the train from Manhattan to Summit, NJ and go to "Guitars 'n Jazz". There is nowhere better if you want an archtop. You need to call for an appointment, but that shouldn't be an issue.

Jazzman301 · #10 01-25-2012, 10:32 PM

+1 On Lou over at Guitarsnjazz He has a TON of archtops and will have ALL the models you mention in stock along with a slew of others as well.
I think he is a 30 minute train ride away. Well worth the trip at any rate. Call Lou before you just head overto make sure the shop is open. He is a great cat and VERY helpful and accomodating.

'Mike

RoyaleT · #11 01-26-2012, 05:45 AM

Also a short train ride from the city is : Home | Golden Age Fretted Instruments, directly accross the street from the station in Westfield, NJ.

raylinds · #12 01-26-2012, 08:02 AM

I live in midtown Manhattan and walk down 48th street every day to go to work, where there are a number of music stores (it is hell on my wallet). Rudy's and Sam Ash there have a few archtops but, as someone already stated teh Rudy's on Broome St. has more. The best place, though is the suggestion already made about Guitars 'N Jazz about a half hour train ride in NJ. It is really archtop heaven, and Lou is a great guy. I just bought a Peerless from him.

Pat Clare · #13 01-26-2012, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazzman301

+1 On Lou over at Guitarsnjazz He has a TON of archtops and will have ALL the models you mention in stock along with a slew of others as well.
I think he is a 30 minute train ride away. Well worth the trip at any rate. Call Lou before you just head overto make sure the shop is open. He is a great cat and VERY helpful and accomodating.

'Mike

+1 Lou is great to work with!