Manny’s Music

Manny's @ 48st and Broadway. AKA Instrument street.

Talk about a NYC historic landmark! Manny’s been around for ever (1935, to be precise) and was in fact the first music shop on 48th street, a street known by local musicians as Instrument Street (the two sides of the block between Broadway and 7th Av. has one cool music store next to the other). And what’s so special about Manny’s? Well, take a look at their celebrity infested wall of pictures and you’ll see. Absolutely everyone, from Abba to ZZ Top (feel free to run through the whole alphabet on the comment section!), has stamped their autographed picture thanking Manny’s for being such a fantastic source of instruments.

I would reccomend Manny’s even if you are not a musician, as this is a true landmark of New York history.

Manny’s Official Site

Map & directions

Matt Umanov Guitars

Matt Umanov Guitars, at the heart of the Village. Photo by Robert K. Chin, from New York Magazine.

You’ve got to love Matt Umanov’s little store at Bleecker Street. An authentic classic of the Village, since the days when the Village was the Village, if you know what I mean.

The smell of the wood, the super-friendly staff and the impressive collection of beautiful old and new guitars make for this place a must stop if you are a musician coming to New York.

Also, the fact that it is on Bleecker Street, at the heart of the Village, and that it has been there from the 60s, adds to the experience when you cross the door and enter the fantastic world of Matt Umanov guitars.

Matt Umanov’s Official Site

Map & directions

Decisions decisions

Time for a good ol’ poll, cats!

Rogue Music

If you are into great keyboards at reasonable prices, this is your joint.

Hidden in a tenth floor of the historic Music Building (a flat with recording studios instead of apartments) you have to be no begginer to bump into this (almost) secret treasure. Or read this blog…

Anyway, Rogue Music is a very cool music shop in Manhattan, specialized in used keyboards and recording equipment.

Vintage analog synthesizers, electric pianos, and used drum machines are untidely piled one on top of the other. Prices are very, very reasonable. And with a weak dollar, it’s not uncommon to see Europeans in this funky place, flashing their Euros and cleaning the store. A recommendation: if you see something you like here, buy it. It won’t last. (yes, I learned the hard way)

So now you know it keyboard and electronic cats: Rogue Music, @ 220 West 30th Street, 10th floor.

Chelsea Guitars

Dan's Chelsea Guitars. 23th St @ 7th Av. Next to Chelsea Hotel. Can't miss it.

Hey hey fellow rockers,

So: Chelsea Guitars. This little and adorable shop on 220 W 23th St., just next door to the mythical Chelsea Hotel, has some of the nicest vintage guitars and bass guitars here in New York City.

Fenders, Gibsons, pre-war Martins and pictures of a young Bobby Dylan fill this little hole with music and nostalgia. Like most vintage shops, Chelsea Guitars is run by passionate people who really know their stuff. Dan Courtenay, the historic owner, is there most of the time. He will treat you well and, if you show you are for real, he might share some very cool anecdotes with you. He has material: almost every famous rocker from the past 30 years has shown up at Chelsea Guitars.

In terms of price, well: its a vintage store, so don’t expect to find anything for less than a grand here. However, they accept trade ins and overall they are very reasonable.

If you are in NYC looking for a cool guitar or bass guitar, don’t miss this spot. It was good for The Ramones, it should be good for you!

Chelsea Guitars’ Official Site

Map & directions

Ps: Amazing documentary on Chelsea Guitars, by one of their former employees -and professional film-maker-. Check it out below.