When I lived in the Georgetown-Millbasin area of Brooklyn, a trip out to Staten Island to Mandolin Bros wasn't much of a jaunt. It's a pleasure going in there. Stan and his staff are a good group, and you won't get the headbanger crowd in their either. They don't exactly hang the high end stuff out of reach, either. On one occasion I see this recognizable brown guitar case sitting on the counter and inquired of it. Without batting an eye the guy opens the case an hauls out this $25K '59 LP sunburst, hands it to me across the counter and asks me to check it out. Fancy doing that at GC??!!

On the other hand, Rudy's new SOHO shop, about three blocks east of my office, is fitted out like a guitar museum. Really high end gorgeous. If GC can be compared to the interior of a Chevy, Rudy's SOHO is a Rolls Royce. Far more upscale than his 48th Street venue. However it's 'please ask before touching', where ever you look and, quite frankly, the look of the place gives you that impression when you walk through the door. It's so imposing. Like being in a room full of expensive crytalware. It's worth going in there.

Then there's Matt Umanov's on Bleeker, which is an institution to itself, more comfortable, but still has a formal feel to it.

If you are planning this exercise in April or early May you might give me a heads up. While my wife is in Florida, my weekends are less organized. I am also planning to attend the Clapton auction preview on either March 5th or 6th and already have two Forum members in tow who have expressed an interest. So PM me first and I'll give you a direct link to me if interested.

Understand your consternation about Guitar Hero. I find it interesting that there's both a Fender and Squier Guitar now. This company is no dummy. They put that cyber-Strat in the hands of some of these kids and what do you suppose they're going to think of first when the time comes.? Back in my day, it was Buddy Holly who was the trigger.

In closing. do you own a Magnatone amp. The first one I ever heard was at Sam Ash' store on Church Avenue in '59. A vibrato circuit the likes of which has not yet ever been reproduced.

Doc

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"Another day in paradise!"

ZZDoc
I will take you up on your hospitality, Thank You Musical friends in N.Y.C. is always a plus.

I certainly understand Fender's involvement in Guitar Hero and the likely hood that a kid will want to graduate to the real thing. But it is like picking up an RS4 review in a mag and actually owning/driving one.

As far as the Magnatone I have had mine since 1974.
Have You checked out http://www.frettedamericana.com Phil X is the demo guy at FA, a pretty solid player as he is an LA session axe slinger. He uses a Tonemaster and just came out with a reproduction of that amp under the moniker Evil Robot due to complications in attempting to name the amp Tonemonster. But the demo's of some really sweet vintage Fenders as well as Custom Shop pieces by John English It is worth the looksee.
But.... " Warning Will Robinson "...... Phil X is a nutty character and fun to watch.

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"C'est parti mon Kiki "

In the matter of Guitar Hero or any other like product...if graduating from the toy to the real deal happens, it's the makers good fortune.
By chance, Fretted America is in my father-in-law's town. Next time I find myself out in Calabasas I'll look them up.
Let me know when and if you are contemplating coming into the city.

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"Another day in paradise!"

Thank You Again I will

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"C'est parti mon Kiki "

By the way...what's hiding in that tweed case

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"Another day in paradise!"

Imagine applying for what to some young naive guitarist is the dream job. Having a constant barrage of imbecilic time wasters shoved in front of you, whilst your manager is constantly pressuring you about sales. Which in turn is reflecting on your paypacket.
Whilst this is all taking place, six days a week, ten hours a day. You're being subjected to the kind of aural torture the Geneva convention was set up to guard against.
Watch it strip you of the one absolute true pleasure you enjoyed as a kid. To the point that you just can't face a guitar in your spare time.
Keep it up for a couple of years, look in the mirror one day to find something you supposedly loved to have turned you into a misanthropic, jaded shadow of your former self.

Any wonder they all look vacant, bereft of emotion or downright surly?

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No no and no

That's a sad picture of some bloke's life!! Glad it's not me!!

Gladly it's not all of em. But you can be certain that it's the story for a lot of the bad ones.

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No no and no

Oh, I'm sure it is Niki. I'm sure I could not handle working with all the types that visit a music store on a daily basis!!

Niki are you sure you're not Ernest Hemingway reincarnated?
Your descriptive word pictures would lend themseves well to the next great novel.

Mate I struggle to do the Sun crossword. Really!

Incidentally just reading a Stephen King novella called UR. About a literature teacher who gets a Kindle. Only to find it has books from authors in alternate realities available for download. Features Hemingway a fair bit.

So I best get myself a little culture and go read some of Ernest's writings now. Sadly not part of the curriculum for GCSE English.

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No no and no

A well turned analysis.

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"Another day in paradise!"

That's a bit like saying new drivers can't have a new car.....

they probably need to be stoned so they can tolerate the tone deaf people playing on $1600 guitars. But the guys at my local Guitar Center are very friendly. They may look depressed but they're quit fun to talk to and very helpful

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I got this guitar and I learned how to make it talk...

Not uncommon for a first time licensed youth. for a first vehicle,they generally get put in something as a first vehicle guaranteed to get them killed when they ought to be driving an army tank.

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"Another day in paradise!"