Once in a while we see folks inquiring as to where to go shop for audio related gear when they are visiting New York City - so we've put together a list of places to go:
For "serious" pro audio stuff:
* Dale Pro Audio - 22 West 19th St, 2nd Floor (btwn 5th and 6th Aves)
* Studio Consultants - 321 West 44th Street Suite 908
* Alto Music - 251 West 30th St. 10th Floor
Places on "Music Row" - West 48th Street between 6th & 7th Ave.:
* Sam Ash - the big boy in town, lots of the "usual same old same old" stuff in a bunch of stores along the block - expect sterile-ish / chaotic environment with varying amounts of knowledge from the sales guy and sometimes it can be frustratingly long to get checked out - but usually they have "need it now" items in stock in case you have to get something for a session immediately and don't want to rent.
* Manny's Music (now actually owned by Sam Ash but kept under seperate name due to its historic significance) - nicer atmosphere and usually better sales people than in Sam Ash.
* Rudy's Music - mainly high end boutique guitars, basses and amps
* Rob Baltimore Music Co - brass and woodwinds
* Alex Music - more in the way low end stuff (but usually overpriced)
Used & new stuff elsewhere:
* Guitar Center - 14th Street between 5th & 6th Ave. (by Union Square) - your other big store with "the usual"
* B&H Photo & Video - 420 9th Avenue - good selection of pro audio stuff here
* Rogue Music - 251 West 30th Street 10th Floor - mainly used effects and synths
* Ludlow Street Guitars - 164 Ludlow St.
* First Flight Music - 174 1st Ave. (btwn 10th & 11th Sts. - mainly used guitars and accessories
* Tribal Soundz -340 E 6th Street (btwn. 1st & 2nd Ave) - world music percussion and exotic instruments
* East Village Music - 85 East 4th Street
* Rivington Guitars - 125 Rivington Street
* 30th Street Guitars - 236 West 30th Street
* Matt Umanov Guitars - 273 Bleecker Street (btwn. 6th & 7th Aves.)
Orchestral Instruments & Accessories:
* Strings & Other Things - 1995 Broadway, 6th floor (btwn. 67th & 68th Streets)
* Ideal Music - 150 W 22nd St # 2 (btwn. 6th & 7th Ave.) - (212) 675-5050
In Williamsburg Brooklyn:
* Main Drag Music - 30 Wythe Ave. (at South 1st St.)
* Southside Guitars - 742 Driggs Ave.
In Staten Island:
* Mandolin Brothers - 629 Forest Ave
Disclaimer: we have no affiliation with any of these businesses, and their appearance on this list does not constitute a recommendation of their services, nor can we be held liable for the accuracy of the information on this page.
For "serious" pro audio stuff:
* Dale Pro Audio - 22 West 19th St, 2nd Floor (btwn 5th and 6th Aves)
* Studio Consultants - 321 West 44th Street Suite 908
* Alto Music - 251 West 30th St. 10th Floor
Places on "Music Row" - West 48th Street between 6th & 7th Ave.:
* Sam Ash - the big boy in town, lots of the "usual same old same old" stuff in a bunch of stores along the block - expect sterile-ish / chaotic environment with varying amounts of knowledge from the sales guy and sometimes it can be frustratingly long to get checked out - but usually they have "need it now" items in stock in case you have to get something for a session immediately and don't want to rent.
* Manny's Music (now actually owned by Sam Ash but kept under seperate name due to its historic significance) - nicer atmosphere and usually better sales people than in Sam Ash.
* Rudy's Music - mainly high end boutique guitars, basses and amps
* Rob Baltimore Music Co - brass and woodwinds
* Alex Music - more in the way low end stuff (but usually overpriced)
Used & new stuff elsewhere:
* Guitar Center - 14th Street between 5th & 6th Ave. (by Union Square) - your other big store with "the usual"
* B&H Photo & Video - 420 9th Avenue - good selection of pro audio stuff here
* Rogue Music - 251 West 30th Street 10th Floor - mainly used effects and synths
* Ludlow Street Guitars - 164 Ludlow St.
* First Flight Music - 174 1st Ave. (btwn 10th & 11th Sts. - mainly used guitars and accessories
* Tribal Soundz -340 E 6th Street (btwn. 1st & 2nd Ave) - world music percussion and exotic instruments
* East Village Music - 85 East 4th Street
* Rivington Guitars - 125 Rivington Street
* 30th Street Guitars - 236 West 30th Street
* Matt Umanov Guitars - 273 Bleecker Street (btwn. 6th & 7th Aves.)
Orchestral Instruments & Accessories:
* Strings & Other Things - 1995 Broadway, 6th floor (btwn. 67th & 68th Streets)
* Ideal Music - 150 W 22nd St # 2 (btwn. 6th & 7th Ave.) - (212) 675-5050
In Williamsburg Brooklyn:
* Main Drag Music - 30 Wythe Ave. (at South 1st St.)
* Southside Guitars - 742 Driggs Ave.
In Staten Island:
* Mandolin Brothers - 629 Forest Ave
Disclaimer: we have no affiliation with any of these businesses, and their appearance on this list does not constitute a recommendation of their services, nor can we be held liable for the accuracy of the information on this page.
