The music store Manny's on 48th street in Manhattan is closing just about as I write this note. I went there with my son today. In 1968 my Mom took me there to buy a clarinet. Later, in 1977, she bought me my first Strat (s/n S766629 - it's my "baby" and I still have it). Two years ago I took my son there to buy his first Strat. I've been in Manny's a thousand times over the years. I'm gonna miss it.

Love,
Todd

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Up is louder!

I heard about it a few days ago. Manny's was a major staple on 48th street and the second biggie to close, the first being 48th street custom years ago. I bought several Strat's there. Eventually 48th street will become unrecognizable to musicians.

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... and whispering pictures of home.

It was announced somewhere around February. Sad news. The whole music row is suffering in NY.

Thank internet shopping for the loss of such a prestigious instrument shop.

Pretty soon all your going to be able to do is chance your arm with online sales of un-setup guitars. Its dire, really dire.

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No no and no

The real Manny's was dead long, long ago... the incarnation that closed was just another department of the Sam Ash next door, wasn't it?

yes its going to be missed. my dad bought my first strat
there back in 1973

1873

Man thats worth some money now.
(JK)

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No no and no

Hello Todd Montgomery,

I got my little piece of the rock
a long time ago.

Cheers.

that would be somthing hahaha!!!

I remember back in high school, my friends and I would sporadically cut out of school and go up to 48th St. There were several great stores there with Manny's being the focal point and cornerstone of it all. This was in the early 70s (yea, I'm old). Part of the excitement there aside from all the high end instruments and equipment was that you never knew which celebrity you'd see and hopefully be able to talk to. There was always, at least one. Man, that was some place back then! As has already been mentioned, 48th St. has really slid over the years. Most of the other great stores are long gone which left Manny's as the last bastion of the row's original grandeur. To me, the final nail in the coffin came when Sam Ash bought out Manny's. It was the end of an era and of 48th St's heyday. Like so many other things in life, at least we have our memories.

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You dig?

This is true. It was bought up by Sam Ash a long time ago. But they had all the photos and that old Dano played by Hendrix, Clapton etc. was pretty cool.

You just trigger my memory. I've got a few of them around somewhere.

Martian, I've got the same memory of Sam Ash on 48th St. Michael Schenker walked in while I was there back in the 80's.

My friend worked for Manny's in the late 90's and had to go in early for Yngwie Malmsteen. He mentioned the store stayed closed to the public until he was long out the door. There were also a few times where he had to go on deliveries to Ace Frehley's home.

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... and whispering pictures of home.

I'm definitely not an economist but I would think a world famous store such as Manny's would be able to hang in there through these hard times.



Is this the reason or is it the insanely high taxes that the state of New York levys on everything. Or more than likely a combonation of both.
If a buisiness with the reputation of Manny's can go under, any buisness can fail (as we have seen with the US car manufacturing companies which were very poorly run). I for one would never buy a guitar online unless it was the only way I could obtain said instrument and even then I would thoroughly question the seller in an attempt to receive exactly what I wanted. However, no matter what precations one were to take when involved with an online transaction, you would always be vulnereable to unforseen and unpredictable results. Hopefully "Mom & Pop" (smaller family owned) stores will be able to withstand this economic downturn. Although strings and many other things are cheaper at GC I've made it a point to buy from "Mom and Pop" stores whenever I need anything. In fact after I purchased my new Strat I asked the owners how buisness was and he told me that they were "doing pretty good. More than hanging in there." I asked the same question at GC, where I purchase my UK guitar mags (for lots of money ) and was told that "we ain't selling anything." I know GC has a large corporation behind them which may help them weather this economic downturn better but I really hope these smaller stores can hang in there as well. Who knows how all this is going to turn out. Big Jay and anybody else, would you care to comment? Now I'm not an economist so go easy on me but I would like to hear your point of view on this situation.

Russ

It's such a shame. David Gilmour bought the infamous black strat at Manny's. Why is it that all the good strats are bought from Manny's?

Perhaps Fender made sure only to ship la creme de la crop of the guitars made to Mannys and other high-end music stores in North America.

Sad to hear Manny's is closing. Never been there, even though I've visited NYC.