San Francisco Music Shops
- Jeremy Garber
- suffering 'studio suck'
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- Joined: Thu Dec 30, 2004 6:05 am
- Location: Louisiana
San Francisco Music Shops
I'm heading back to SF for work this week, and I'd really love to check out some used guitars. I'm looking for an electric. I'm kind of in the mood for something strat or mustang like. I already have a LP copy I really enjoy.
The only shop on my list so far is the Starving Musician because I've heard they have lots of used guitars. Any other shops known for nice used guitars? Any pawn shops worth it?
The only shop on my list so far is the Starving Musician because I've heard they have lots of used guitars. Any other shops known for nice used guitars? Any pawn shops worth it?
- Jeremy Garber
- suffering 'studio suck'
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- Joined: Thu Dec 30, 2004 6:05 am
- Location: Louisiana
asmara,
I did a quick search for Rocker Guitars. Reviews seem really great. I do hope they have a decent used section. I probably can't spend more than $400 or so, and figured used I could get a little more for my money. A lot of the reviews said they stocked top line guitars. Not a bad thing, mind you.
Chris,
I hit up Amoeba several years ago during my first trip to SF. I remember it being a great shop. I thought about visiting a couple of weeks ago, but I opted out. I may do it this trip.
I did a quick search for Rocker Guitars. Reviews seem really great. I do hope they have a decent used section. I probably can't spend more than $400 or so, and figured used I could get a little more for my money. A lot of the reviews said they stocked top line guitars. Not a bad thing, mind you.
Chris,
I hit up Amoeba several years ago during my first trip to SF. I remember it being a great shop. I thought about visiting a couple of weeks ago, but I opted out. I may do it this trip.
Check out Real Guitars, at 15 Lafayette street (it is kind of out of the way down an alley, so park and explore on foot if you don't see it).
Also, if you can get up north to Marin county, check out Player's Guitars in San Rafael at 844 B street (on B, between second and third), for a great selection of cool guitars. I did freelance amp repair for the shop while in engineering school (I still get up there to fix some of the trickier amps on occasion), and he usually has a good selection of unusual amps and guitars. He tends more towards the better quality Harmony, Kay, Silvertone, etc., and older, small amps than your Mustang/Strat kind of thing, but you never know what he'll have in the shop.
Also, if you can get up north to Marin county, check out Player's Guitars in San Rafael at 844 B street (on B, between second and third), for a great selection of cool guitars. I did freelance amp repair for the shop while in engineering school (I still get up there to fix some of the trickier amps on occasion), and he usually has a good selection of unusual amps and guitars. He tends more towards the better quality Harmony, Kay, Silvertone, etc., and older, small amps than your Mustang/Strat kind of thing, but you never know what he'll have in the shop.
"There are no prima donnas in engineering."
(Freeman Dyson)
(Freeman Dyson)
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- Dr Rubberfunk
- pushin' record
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Gah!! As if the thought of some second hand instrument shops in SF wasn't wonderful enough, you had to go and mention Amoebacgarges wrote:I know it's not guitars, but you have got to go check out Amoeba Records in Haight Ashbury while you're there. I spent several hundred dollars there last year. What an amazing store.
Chris Garges
Charlotte, NC
One day I'll get to San Francisco, I'll be sure to wear some flowers in my hair and bring an empty record bag, guitar case and snare case too
- Jeremy Garber
- suffering 'studio suck'
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[quote="adadan"He tends more towards the better quality Harmony, Kay, Silvertone, etc., and older, small amps than your Mustang/Strat kind of thing, but you never know what he'll have in the shop.[/quote]
I own an old Harmony guitar. I think it's one of their cheaper models, but the neck is one of my favorites. I've never played a Silvertone nor a Kay. I've always wanted a genuine strat. Just love the way they sound and play. It's a surprise I haven't picked one up over the years. That's just what I'm shooting for though. Put the right guitar in my hands with the right price and I'll take it home.
I own an old Harmony guitar. I think it's one of their cheaper models, but the neck is one of my favorites. I've never played a Silvertone nor a Kay. I've always wanted a genuine strat. Just love the way they sound and play. It's a surprise I haven't picked one up over the years. That's just what I'm shooting for though. Put the right guitar in my hands with the right price and I'll take it home.
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- zen recordist
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Yeah, I spent a couple hundred dollars there (after the gift certificate they gave me for doing an in-store) then went to Amoeba in Hollywood and spent at least $100 more there a few days later. And I didn't even get to the video/DVD section in either one. Damn store!Dr Rubberfunk wrote:Gah!! As if the thought of some second hand instrument shops in SF wasn't wonderful enough, you had to go and mention Amoeba
Chris Garges
Charlotte, NC
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- stevedood
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Leo's Pro Audio in Oakland
Leo's Pro Audio on Telegraph (in Oakland) has a bunch of guitars. One of their old stores in Concord closed down about a year ago and they absorbed all their inventory. I think they have 2 rooms just filled with guitars.
http://www.leosaudio.com/
http://www.leosaudio.com/
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- carpal tunnel
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Yes. I did my last psyc internship basically right behind Amoeba, plus I live two N Train stops away.HuskerDude wrote:You should try living 3 blocks away from it. I worry some months about making rent.
Used to feel guilty about the overspending, now it seems like a privilege. There's so much stuff I wouldn't have heard without that store -- not just the inventory and the prices, but the great return policy too.
Recent prizes: Ornette's OF HUMAN FEELINGS, Mingus's AMERICA SESSION, the IMAGINATIONAL ANTHEMS box set . . . and that mega-rare early Joao Gilberto CD on Pacific Jazz for $20.
Amoeba killed half the good little record stores in town, but at least they did it with high quality.
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Re the original question, I dunno from guitars. Guitars hurt my fingers.
i hate rocker guitars. total slumlord as far as his little empire of overpriced crappy practice spaces, and they ripped me off on some guitar pedal there years ago before I knew better. and i know at least three other people who were ripped off there. go to real guitars on lafayette. just my two cents. whatever.
- Jeremy Garber
- suffering 'studio suck'
- Posts: 497
- Joined: Thu Dec 30, 2004 6:05 am
- Location: Louisiana
I've written emails to a few of the shops. The only one so far who has been keeping in touch is Starving Musician. I may even get a full free day out here so I may get to hit a few of them. I may go to Ameoba, but I'm trying not to. I know that if I go, I'll blow all the money I want to spend on a guitar. Hah!
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