I was thinking about that, since back then Manny's and Fender had a great relationship. I wouldn't be surprised if they shipped the good stuff there.

I'm really glad I got to go there before closing. Even more grateful that I got to go to the top of the Twin Towers... Not that it's really even a comparison just that I can't help feel like I may be in the last generation to see the real NYC.

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Custom Shop '59 Strat with John Cruz Master Design Pickups
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Fulltone Clyde>Deja-Vibe>TS-808>TS-9>Boss Tuner

Yeah the end of an era for sure. My first trip to Manny's was in 1972. We ran into Edgar Winter buying a set of timbales. My last visit was a few months ago. It was a Saturday afternoon and Music Row was mighty quiet compared to former times.

Thank you very much. That's beautiful. I looked for Manny's picks today when I was there. There were none.

I have a piece of Manny's trivia. Ringo Starr bought the drum set he played on The Ed Sullivan Show at Manny's.

Love,
Todd

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Up is louder!

I've only been to Manny's under the Sam Ash regime. Ash destroyed that store to make the regular Sam Ash Guitar Store across the street look better. It was never about absorbing the Manny's reputation into the Sam Ash brand, it was about transferring the reputation. Manny's had awful guitars on the floor as the Sam Ash guitar store had much better selection and quality. Manny's has been long gone. The Sam Ash guitar store that is rising from the ashes of the former Manny's store is just shedding the costume, or should I say awning.

Weeks ago, I got a promotional postcard in the mail from Manny's about the closing sale. Printed on it was Manny's grandson Ian Goldrich's farewell letter, talking about the end of an era, great savings, and an optimistic introduction to the new Sam Ash Guitar Store. The sad part of the letter wasn't the closing, it was Manny's grandson being a puppet for Sam Ash.

That is the nature of the beast- the era ended long ago.

Weeks ago, I got a promotional postcard in the mail from Manny's about the closing sale. Printed on it was Manny's grandson Ian Goldrich's farewell letter, talking about the end of an era, great savings, and an optimistic introduction to the new Sam Ash Guitar Store. The sad part of the letter wasn't the closing, it was Manny's grandson being a puppet for Sam Ash.

I got that same flyer in the mail. I didn't notice that sad quote from Ian. Sad.

Love,
Todd

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Up is louder!

My Dad bought my first Strat for me at Manny's back in the mid 80's... one of those Japanese Strats with the new tremolo... 3 Tone SB w/ Rosewood... I have no idea where that guitar is but it would make me so happy to find it... probably buried in one of my parents basements...

Anyway, for a 14 year old kid going to Manny's was incredible... the pictures on the wall, all the guitars and the place was always packed... Sam Ash was an afterthought, nowhere near the cool factor as Manny's... After college when I was working and had made a few bucks I bee-lined it over to Manny's and bought a Les Paul Standard ('95). They opened 2 boxes from the factory and I chose the best one... Still have the receipt in the case $1200.

I agree with the previous posts that Manny's has been long gone... I was there about a year ago and it wasn't the same. All the good guitars were at Sam Ash.

There, unfortunately, isn't anything really special about visiting 48th Street anymore. I used to look forward to checking out Manny's and Sam Ash when I'd visit New York, but now it's not all that much different from taking a trip to Guitar Center. There is that one vintage guitar shop (the name of which escapes me right now), but otherwise there's no good reason to make the subway trip.

Acually, there are some fine vintage guitar shops but they are spread out around the city. The one on the north side of 48t st is still there (I don't know the name either). Chelsea Guitars on 23rd st. A few in the Village.
But, you surely have to travel around the city if you want to comparison shop.

Love,
Todd

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Up is louder!

I recently stumbled upon a small gem on 4th street right before 2nd Ave called Rivington Guitars. There is always parking around there and they are the only store I've come across that stocks the Dunlop Delrin picks that I use.

You do have to do a bit of traveling when instrument shopping in the City these days. There are some good places outside of Manhattan, as well. I used to take lessons at a place called Astoria Music on 30th Ave in Astoria. Not really a huge selection of stuff but very reasonably priced. George the owner was a very nice guy, as well!

There's a shop in NYC called 30th street guitars

236w 30th st ny ny 10001 212 8682660


they have alot of used classics, they don't come cheap lol, but they are just as famous as the original manny's


when i went to college on 27th i would stop by there and just soak it all in, great shop.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO


I was planning on buying a strat there to commemorate my first visit there this winter!!! I wonder if John knows? He is pretty tight with Manny. it was actually there that John first tried a Two-Rock amp, which was a Classic Reverb 30 (another future purchase of mine... d4mmit...)

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I live a block away from that place and only go when I need Greek Bouzouki strings. Otherwise, I don't even look at it when passing by. That place is a HUGE rip off when it comes to buying instruments and I've seen George make some sales that he shouldn't have.

I've seen him put an acoustic guitar on the ground, standing straight up. He then said it was a good guitar because it stands on it's own... He was serious.

Yeesh! Seems like time has clouded my memories of the place. Still, I enjoyed taking lessons there, and it's nice to know there's a good place to get bouzouki strings in Astoria if you need to!