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  • #1

    Goin' to California...

    Ok... I'm going to Los Angeles from 1July to 5 July and I have been given permission to vist 5 count-em FIVE guitar stores. I'm going to hit GC in Hollywood just because I have too [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

    I need suggestions from locals for the TOP 4 other Guitar shops in the Greater L.A. Area. I'll go anywhere within 45 minutes or so from Downtown L.A.

    Help me out brothers! I gotta play me a Strathead... [img]/images/graemlins/headbang.gif[/img]
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: Goin\' to California...

    Besides that corner(there are about 4 or 5 guitar shops) where the Holywood GC is, I really don't think there is anything else really around. If your willing to drive(far) you can check out GMW or WilD West Guitars, but too be honest I think the "mojo" of that area is gone. Same shit everywhere you go. You've been to one guitar store now you've been to em all. You would think in the music capital of the world there would be more going on, but there isn't, at least not anymore.
    Come and get one in the yarbles, if you have any yarbles, you yunick jelly thou!

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    • #3
      Re: Goin\' to California...

      That's the same thing in NYC...Things are just not what they used to be. 48th Street used to have a buch of stores...now it's just SAM ASH.

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      • #4
        Re: Goin\' to California...

        Make sure to check the Carvin store in Hollywood--I think it's in the same block as all the other music-related stores on Sunset. I lived in L.A. for a year and loved the stores, but that was a looong time ago. I'm sure it's been "GuitarCenterized" like everywhere else. Here in the DC area, we used to have Veneman's Music, but GC bought them out. Thank god Chuck Levin's is still in business.

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        • #5
          Re: Goin\' to California...

          there's the mesa/boogie store across the street (next to the carvin store, I think) from the GC as well, if you're into that sort of thing. Can be fun to play around with some of their stuff (I think they have some swanky guitars there as well (Anderson, McInturff, GMP, etc) Not that I'd buy there, but just to play around with.

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          • #6
            Re: Goin\' to California...

            Pinto,
            i have a great store for you to visit. go over the hill into the valley, it's called Norm's rare and vintage guitars. charvel/jackson wise, maybe not so great at all, but he's my friends biggest customer as he sells this guy 2-300 guitars at a time. it's a place where you can see a '59 les paul hanging up on a wall, i'll get you the number. or just check online, you'll find it. he's got a thousand guitars in stock at all times.
            Not helping the situation since 1965!

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            • #7
              Re: Goin\' to California...

              [ QUOTE ]
              Pinto,
              i have a great store for you to visit. go over the hill into the valley, it's called Norm's rare and vintage guitars. charvel/jackson wise, maybe not so great at all, but he's my friends biggest customer as he sells this guy 2-300 guitars at a time. it's a place where you can see a '59 les paul hanging up on a wall, i'll get you the number. or just check online, you'll find it. he's got a thousand guitars in stock at all times.

              [/ QUOTE ]

              does he carry usa jackson's?

              Comment

              • #8
                Re: Goin\' to California...

                [ QUOTE ]
                Pinto,
                i have a great store for you to visit. go over the hill into the valley, it's called Norm's rare and vintage guitars. charvel/jackson wise, maybe not so great at all, but he's my friends biggest customer as he sells this guy 2-300 guitars at a time. it's a place where you can see a '59 les paul hanging up on a wall, i'll get you the number. or just check online, you'll find it. he's got a thousand guitars in stock at all times.

                [/ QUOTE ]

                A number would be great. Perhaps a street address? Then I can check out how far it is from the Hotel.

                Thanks for all the suggestions guys!

                Comment

                • #9
                  Re: Goin\' to California...

                  Most of the great guitar stores in LA are gone, like most everything else from the good old days. On Sunset Blvd near the intersection of Gardner Street is Guitar Center. Across the street from GC is the Mesa/Boogie store, which stocks Tom Anderson and ESP as described above; the Carvin store, and just east of there is a nice Sam Ash. GMW is a good 45-60 minutes away from this area, and it isn't a guitar store per se; you can't just walk in there and play finished guitars, as Lee Garver doesn't have retail stock on display. But, maybe 30-40 minutes due west of there is West LA music, which does stock Charvel/Jackson guitars as well as a ton of Fenders, Deans, Gibsons and Ernie Balls. West LA is very "player-friendly" too, as is Carvin and Sam Ash. Guitar Center, not so much, as there are usually too many people in there playing at the same time and making too much noise for you to properly hear yourself...although in their favor they do usually have a great selection of instruments, the nicer stuff being way up high on the wall away from the riff-raff.

                  Further out to the east is Wild West Guitars, which I've never visited but they have some nice pieces on their website and those who deal with them have good things to say about them. Their address/number is on their site, www.wildwestguitars.com (I think).

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                  • #10
                    Re: Goin\' to California...

                    [ QUOTE ]
                    Pinto,
                    i have a great store for you to visit. go over the hill into the valley, it's called Norm's rare and vintage guitars.

                    [/ QUOTE ]

                    Norman's Rare Guitars
                    18969 Ventura Blvd
                    Tarzana, CA 91356-3229
                    Phone: (818) 344-8300

                    http://www.normansrareguitars.com/

                    They have one Jackson, a custom Soloist.
                    "Quiet, numbskulls, I'm broadcasting!" -Moe Howard, "Micro-Phonies" (1945)

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                    • #11
                      Re: Goin\' to California...

                      [ QUOTE ]
                      That's the same thing in NYC...Things are just not what they used to be. 48th Street used to have a buch of stores...now it's just SAM ASH.

                      [/ QUOTE ]

                      I was thinking the same thing. Sam Ash sux now too on top of it all!
                      "I''ll say what I'm gonna say, cuz I'm going to Hell anyway!"

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                      • #12
                        Re: Goin\' to California...

                        Thanks RacerX and everybody.

                        It'll probably be GC, Norms, Wild West, Carvin and 1 random!

                        [img]/images/graemlins/headbang.gif[/img]

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                        • #13
                          Re: Goin\' to California...

                          skip a few music stores and go see Randy Rhoads gravesite and pay your respects [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
                          shawnlutz.com

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            Re: Goin\' to California...

                            there is a ton of stores in the GC hollywood area. Just start walking. Everything everyone else mentioned plus Sunset Customs is there as well as a bunch of vintage shops up the hill. Just walk and hang. You'll find everything you'll want for sure.
                            v
                            "I have so much gayness at times. My wife walks in my music room, and there I am, in my undies, listening to "Sister Christian" while lighting fireworks..doin' blow." - Bill Z

                            "I leave off the back plate and pinch my forskin between the tension springs. That may not work for everyone. But I find that the people love it. Half the tone is in the pud." - Bill Z

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                            • #15
                              Re: Goin\' to California...

                              [ QUOTE ]
                              skip a few music stores and go see Randy Rhoads gravesite and pay your respects [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

                              [/ QUOTE ]

                              Definately going to the tomb... I'm planning a trip to Musonia too. Have me a chat with the Rhoads's.

                              Comment

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