gradually disassembled and dispersed so that
more skyscrapers can be erected.”
This brings us to the subject of “big box” music
stores. Those who know me—friends, acquaintances, and fellow musicians—know of my
disdain for big-box music stores and my vociferous defense of independent music retailers
everywhere. BBs certainly maintain a presence
in New York City’s retail music establishment,
and they have their place for the segment of
the population to which they cater. But, I am
pleased, even elated, to say that independent
guitar shops, with their heightened selection
and personalized customer service, are making
a serious comeback in New York City—proving
once and for all that big boxes are not taking
over. Most NYC indie dealers are holding their
own, and some are thriving and expanding,
even in the present economic downturn.
MAnhATTAn MAins TAys
Rudy’s Music Stop ( rudysmusic.com) has
occupied 169 West 48th Street since 1978.
Owner/guitarist Rudy Pensa left his native
Argentina with a dream to operate a music
store in New York City. With a passion not
only for electric instruments, but also for
archtops and acoustics, Pensa is not only
a player and businessman, but a builder as
well. In 1982, he began making guitars that
were sold in the shop, and in 1985 he began
collaborating with luthier John Suhr to produce the Pensa-Suhr line of electrics.
sellers to whom musicians knew they could go
to find special instruments. One of them was
George Mell (née Melaga), who lived here in
Staten Island. There was a fellow known as
‘Frank the Barber,’ who had his tonsorial parlor
on 9th Avenue in Manhattan. Andy Statman
purchased his famous blackface A- 2 snakehead
Gibson mandolin from Frank.”
Cramped Quarters: The vibey entrance to Dan’s Chelsea Guitars and its eclectic collection of six-strings and memorabilia.
Photo by Carianne Cianci
Rudy’s specializes mostly in high-end instruments, as well boutique effects and amps. He
also stocks numerous vintage and used guitars,
amps, and basses. Rudy’s Amp Room and Repair
Shop is located right around the corner at 723
7th Avenue, and his new SoHo store is at 461
Broome Street. Rudy’s prices are certainly not
“bargain basement,” but there’s no denying the
astounding selection of high-quality gear he sells.
Flash forward to 2010, and things certainly
have changed. We Buy Guitars on 48th closed
years ago and then reopened a few years ago
on Long Island. Terminal Music is gone. Alex
Music is gone. 48th Street Custom Guitars
is gone, and Manny’s, incredibly and unfor-
tunately, closed last May after 75 years in
business. Manny’s had been bought out by
Sam Ash Music in 1999. Sam Ash told Premier
Guitar in 2008 that the company purchased
the store because it was having troubles, and
they believed it was an institution that should
be maintained. That closing was a real loss for
New York’s musical community—not to mention
the touring pros who frequented Manny’s regu-
larly. I met jazz vibraphonist Lionel Hampton,
blues legend John Mayall, famed producer and
musician Todd Rundgren, and Barry Tashian,
guitarist from’60s garage-rock band the
Remains, at Manny’s.
Jay puts it rather succinctly: “The world-famous block known as ‘Music Row,’ is being
Matt Umanov Guitars ( umanovguitars.com)
has been in Greenwich Village since 1969, but
Umanov himself was doing repairs and restorations as early as 1965 before becoming a retailer.
He stocks Fender, Gretsch, PRS, James Trussart,
and Collings electrics, but his true love is acoustic guitars. “The need to pick up and play acoustic instruments will never go away,” he says, “it’s
built into the human genome.” Umanov carries
new Taylor, Martin, Guild, Collings, National, and
Seagull flattops, plus used and vintage pieces.
Umanov even recently collaborated with singer/
songwriter Steve Earle on a signature Martin.
