Author Topic: Guitar shops in New York, and general USA guitar question (Read 12782 times)

HJM · « **Reply #15 on:** January 23, 2006, 10:53:18 AM »

Quote from: indysmith

If yu send things as a gift then yu don't need to pay tax. :lol:

Not quite true, they can still get you!

carlaz · « **Reply #16 on:** January 23, 2006, 11:22:41 AM »

Quote from: PhilKing

A regular hard case is fine for flying, depending on the airline.

When you say that, do you mean just carrying on a guitar (I've sometimes seen them stow carry-on guitars with the baby strollers) or putting it as checked baggage? I've seen ugly things done to checked baggage!

Shag101 · « **Reply #17 on:** January 23, 2006, 01:48:45 PM »

Hi Tom,

I live in the outskirts of NY. 30th street guitar is a nice place to visit but I would not buy anything from there. they are way over priced...but they do have some cool guitars to play with. the pedal selection is good but again overpriced.
If you have time and a car rented. I would take a quick drive out to Pedalgeek.com
they are about a 1/2 hr drive away but have way better prices on pedals. Give the guy a call. it is basically a guy in his basement....lol
if you like a pedal then call him and see if he can have it there for you to check out....
If you really want to go but cant drive there, let me know....i will drive you there and since i live in the area I dont pay tax. so the price on the website is the price you pay......I will bring my warpig sg for you to use to check the pedals out. thanks chris

PhilKing · « **Reply #18 on:** January 23, 2006, 03:22:35 PM »

Quote from: carlaz

Quote from: PhilKing
A regular hard case is fine for flying, depending on the airline.

When you say that, do you mean just carrying on a guitar (I've sometimes seen them stow carry-on guitars with the baby strollers) or putting it as checked baggage? I've seen ugly things done to checked baggage!

What I do is ask for it to be hand loaded. BA do this as a matter of course, because it is oversized, but not all airlines do it. You do run the risk of a tear in the tolex, but I've only had one where that happened.

carlaz · « **Reply #19 on:** January 23, 2006, 03:40:20 PM »

Quote from: PhilKing

What I do is ask for it to be hand loaded. BA do this as a matter of course, because it is oversized, but not all airlines do it. You do run the risk of a tear in the tolex, but I've only had one where that happened.

You mean, like, checking it at the gate?

I ask keenly about all this because I anticipate having to move across the Atlantic (again ;)) sometime in the coming year, and have long wrestled with the most sensible way to move my guitar and bass. That said, if I end up heading to the States, shipping them surface (along with everything else) could potentially be the best plan, I suppose. On the other hand, if I move to South America, I expect I'll want them in hand for as much of the distance as possible!

My LP's case is so beat up, perhaps I ought at least invest in one of those SKB cases or something anyway?

_tom_ · « **Reply #20 on:** January 23, 2006, 05:00:33 PM »

Hmm ok I dont think I'm actually gonna be able to afford a guitar but I could definately buy a pedal or two. Do all these shops have websites so I can get the exact addresses of em, I dont understand american addresses very well :lol:

I power my pedals via a cheapo "Power Bank" 5 way power supply, would this not be possible to use with pedals bought in the US? I know the voltage is different...what about the battery clip adaptors? I have one for my Keeley Rat and it works fine but then again thats probably not a US pedal :?

I guess I wont get charged import or whatever if I just carry the pedals in my hand luggage or suitcase? I'll definately pick up some strings as well.

Thanks for all the advice, dunno what I'd do without this forum sometimes :lol:

Shag101 · « **Reply #21 on:** January 23, 2006, 05:08:52 PM »

http://www.umanovguitars.com/
www.pedalgeek.com "read my post prior"

http://www.30thstreetguitars.com/
http://www.mannysmusic.com/index_mannys.htm
http://guitarcenter.com/locations/store.cfm?store=810
http://www.kellyguitars.com/

Dakine · « **Reply #22 on:** January 23, 2006, 05:11:03 PM »

What I used to do, years ago, when simply visiting the US, was basically bring my toiletries and one change of clothes, stock up with everything else whilst here lol.
BTW, check some stores in Hawaii (Pawn/used). Hawaii is 80% tourists at any one time and very transitory. Also many locals are abit hard up. This leads to some realy good bargains at times with less competion to snatch them up.

_tom_ · « **Reply #23 on:** January 23, 2006, 05:18:48 PM »

Quote from: Dakine

What I used to do, years ago, when simply visiting the US, was basically bring my toiletries and one change of clothes, stock up with everything else whilst here lol.
BTW, check some stores in Hawaii (Pawn/used). Hawaii is 80% tourists at any one time and very transitory. Also many locals are abit hard up. This leads to some realy good bargains at times with less competion to snatch them up.

Yeah I just thought about bringing a few things and stuffing the rest of the case with guitar stuff and a few bits of clothing :lol:

Cheers for the websites Shag101, really helpful, I'll look on em shortly :D I've heard bad things about guitar centers and their cr@ppy staff but you never know! Do any of these shops stock Tokai or Orvilles or similar? I'm thinkin I could get my dad to pay for a bit of it (something along the lines of "I bought the guitar, it needs shipping back but I dont have the money" :lol: )

What is the best shipping company? I just read R/2e in another post saying FeDex were good..

Shag101 · « **Reply #24 on:** January 23, 2006, 05:40:30 PM »

Guitar center is a chain store that has your cookie cutter guitars and equipment. As long as you try stuff out you should be fine. Dont buy for the price on the tag. All the stores could be talked down in price.
I would stick with FedEx or UPS for shipping. Make sure you insure the item and get a tracking number.
I shipped a warpig back to Tim a month before christmas via the united states mail service and he still has not gotten it. Now I filed a complaint and have to wait 60 days for them to give me a status....

The websites only have a certian few guitars and effects. The stores themselves have more. I'm sure they will have something your looking for...thanks

_tom_ · « **Reply #25 on:** January 23, 2006, 05:45:49 PM »

I just thought! HOTPLATES! Will a US one work with any amp? Or am I better off just getting one from the US from ebay?

Sorry for all these questions I'm just really excited about getting good guitar stuff for cheap :lol: Knowing my luck we'll book too late and not get a hotel room or something :P

PhilKing · « **Reply #26 on:** January 23, 2006, 09:05:49 PM »

A hotplate will work fine. It is a passive device, and doesn't need mains power. Also, most pedals will work on your adaptor, you just need to check the polarity is ok.

Carlaz, yes I mean checking at the gate, or failing that, British Airways does hand load guitars and ohter musical instruments. I brought 2 guitars back with me on the plane (and 115 kg of assorted luggage!), and then had another 7 shipped with my other household stuff. The shipping takes about 1 month.

_tom_ · « **Reply #27 on:** January 23, 2006, 09:21:44 PM »

Ahh nice I think a hotplate will be on the top of my list then seeing as I've wanted one for ages and itl hopefully be cheaper in America. Lookin forward to this holiday soo much, we've always been to shite boring places in the past!

carlaz · « **Reply #28 on:** January 24, 2006, 10:45:15 AM »

Quote from: PhilKing

Carlaz, yes I mean checking at the gate, or failing that, British Airways does hand load guitars and other musical instruments.

Right, I'll remember that! Thanks for the tip on BA ....

Quote from: PhilKing

I brought 2 guitars back with me on the plane (and 115 kg of assorted luggage!), and then had another 7 shipped with my other household stuff. The shipping takes about 1 month.

Out of curiosity, what shipping company did you use?

PhilKing · « **Reply #29 on:** January 24, 2006, 01:42:06 PM »

Quote from: carlaz

Out of curiosity, what shipping company did you use?

I used Crown Relocations. Their guys came and packed everything (they packed it better than I would have done!). At this end, they delivered it and would have unpaked it too if I had wanted! My stuff weighed a ton, because I had more than 1,400 LP records and about 500 or so books.