America’s Best Guitar Shops, Part 2
Our first roundup of the independent, out-of-the-way music shops that dot the country got such a great response we had no choice but to continue the journey. What started out as a summer road trip guide could extend well into the winter with all the great places we missed the first time.
So over the next few weeks we’re going to take our time and hit the guitar stores where the people are still passionate about the products they sell, new bands are formed in the percussion aisle, and there’s always hope that you might find that 1959 Gibson ES-335 hanging in the back collecting dust.
Once again, we realize that our selection below only scratches the surface as far as great local music shops go. So please take the time and tell us about your personal favorite in our comment section below (be sure to include a cool anecdote, or two). We’ll get there… eventually.
HOUSE OF GUITARS
Irondequoit, NY
Locals have a soft spot for this Rochester-area institution thanks to the amazing low-budget television commercials it has run over the years, but the store itself provides all the spectacle you could possibly want.
Opened by the wild-eyed Armand Schaubroeck and his brothers in their mother’s basement in 1964, the HOG – as it’s affectionately known by regulars – has grown into an unruly music emporium connected by several buildings that unofficially does double-duty as a rock and roll museum.
But get past the glass cases housing autographed gear by the likes of Ozzy Osbourne and Dave Matthews, the pair of leather pants suspended from the ceiling once worn by Elvis Presley, and the thousands of haphazardly stacked CDs, and you’ll discover the illustrious guitar showroom. The staff is mostly made up of local musicians who will guide you through the labyrinthine music rooms to get your hands on one of the thousands of mind-blowing axes available, which you are generally free to try out or just slobber over. At one point, House of Guitars even acquired a 1913 harp guitar built by Orville Gibson himself.
Big-name touring acts typically miss sound-checks, press obligations and photo shoots once they get lured in here. “They trust us because of our reputation,” Schaurbroeck says. 645 Titus Ave, Rochester, NY; (585) 544-3500; www.houseofguitars.com
RAINBOW GUITARS
Tucson, AZ
This 15,000 square-foot desert destination boasts one of the most knowledgeable sales staffs in the business, which is quite a claim. But after more than 30 years of providing southwest musicians with essential gear it’s hard to find anyone that would argue. Friendly, too.
The store is not only stocked with many hard-to-find vintage pieces but likes to take chances on more forward-thinking instruments other shops typically shy away from, all of which you can browse on its pristine website. There’s also a sizeable repair department. But we’re calling dibs on that Gibson 1961 EM 200 Electric Mandolin. 2550 N Campbell Ave, Tucson, AZ; (520) 325-3376; www.rainbowguitars.com
GUITAR SHOWCASE
San Jose, CA
The jaw-dropping vintage room at this independent store is a great example of why shopping local is the way to go. Stocked with dozens of old-school guitars you can get up-close and personal with it provides the kind of small music store experience that is becoming increasingly rare. Just make sure to ask one of the respectfully reserved employees before plugging in.
The shop’s vaults purportedly house close to 500 historical guitars, played by the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page and Carlos Santana. And the Showcase was one of just 25 dealers around the world presented with a Gibson 1959 Jimmy Page reissue model guitar.
Founded in 1965 by Bud Eastman (who left a couple years later to start Guitar Player magazine), the store also offers great consignment finds, custom pieces and a well-edited selection of new gear, as well as a dozen music teachers that work in its education facility. The Silicon Valley establishment has even weathered competition from a couple neighboring businesses you might be familiar with, such as eBay and Craigslist. 3090 S Bascom Ave, San Jose, CA; (408) 377-5864; www.guitarshowcase.com
