Mandolin shops in northern nj or nyc?

[mdlorenz]

Headed down to NJ for Passover in a couple weeks... Anyone know of any shops down 'round that neck of the woods? Or should I say... what exit... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

Obviously going to try & make it into the city & hit up Mandolin Brothers... Other than them, anything else in the city as well?

Thanks!

[RichieK]

Check out www.larkstreet.com

[bradeinhorn]

if you are looking for an old gibson mando or martin guitar (or something else bizarre) musurgia (www.musurgia.com) is a great shop in brooklyn. also have a glenn varnish and a really nice a.l. smart a-5.

[allenhopkins]

Matt Umanov Guitars (http://www.umanovguitars.com/) in the Village is another possibility.

[first string]

Umanov guitars could make for a nice visit, but I've got to say you probably won't find any deals there. Their prices strike me as pretty unrealistic. You can often find almost identical examples of the same vintage models at any of the other big dealers (Mando Bros, Elderly, Bernunzio, and even Gruhn) for substantially less. Not trying to bad mouth a historic dealer...Just my honest opinion.

[jk245]

Umanov guitars could make for a nice visit, but I've got to say you probably won't find any deals there. Their prices strike me as pretty unrealistic. You can often find almost identical examples of the same vintage models at any of the other big dealers (Mando Bros, Elderly, Bernunzio, and even Gruhn) for substantially less. Not trying to bad mouth a historic dealer...Just my honest opinion.
The last time I went there (Umanov Guitars), about a month ago, they only had less than ten mandos, and none were anything to make a trip to see, 'n the conditions left something to be desired. However, if you want a nice selection of older acoustic guitars they are a good place to visit. Their website http://www.umanovguitars.com/ today only shows about six instruments and that's possibly about all they have.

Mandolin Brothers (SI is still part of NYC) has the best selection (new and used) that I have seen in NYC. They are authorized distributors of many name brands which do not appear on their web site. If you are driving they are quite easy to get to from either NJ or NYC. By ferry and bus from Manhattan they are a bit of a trip.

[Jim Garber]

If in midtown Manhattan, on 48th Street (what used to be the music district) the only shop for mandolins worth visiting is Rudy's Music (http://www.rudysmusic.com/). 2nd floor is where they have the acoustic instruments and they usually have a decent, tho small selection of mandolins.

You won't prob be blown away but if you happen be there...

Otherwise, I would say Mandolin brothers and Lark Street are the two places in the area.

Jim

[swampstomper]

Umanov sold a used A9 for $900 a month or so ago, I wouldn't call that high priced, compared to the classifieds here. Their old Gibsons also seem to be comparable in price with what you see elsewhere. And you get a little history there -- they sold Andy Statman his A2Z and Will Patton his A, the ones they still use so many years later.

[mythicfish]

"they sold Andy Statman his A2Z "

That's funny, someone recently told me that Andy bought it in a barber shop ...

Curt

[allenhopkins]

Otterly2k just had a good experience at Rudy's music; check this recent thread. (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=12;t=42619)

[Kevin Briggs]

NYC?

What about Mandolin Brothers?

[jk245]

NYC?

What about Mandolin Brothers?
the best selection of new and used here abouts

[allenhopkins]

Obviously going to try & make it into the city & hit up Mandolin Brothers... Other than them, anything else in the city as well?
-- from the first post

The question was what other shops were worth a visit...

[mythicfish]

While there are many fine acoustic players in NJ, they seldom purchase instruments in local stores. Folks often buy.sell and trade amongst themselves. If you want "retail therapy", stick to the "exits" and stay out of the "woods". A couple of
collector fellas come up here a ways back and aint been heerd from since.

Curt
Hampton NJ .. "West Virginia in a Can"

[Jason Kessler]

If you wind up visiting Umanov (which IS a bit overpriced in its thin mando selections), go around the corner to Kelly's Guitars on Carmine Street. He'll just have a few beaters in the back, but you never know what you'll find and he's a great guy. I walk by both stores at least twice a day; I leer at Umanov's window display, but I buy my strings at Kelly's.

[Laura Leder]

A trip to Mandolin Brothers is definitely worth it!
Be prepared to spend some time there...you'll have
way too much fun!
Laura
Cool Mandolin Company http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[ApK]

Obviously going to try & make it into the city & hit up Mandolin Brothers.
Just so's you don't get pegged right off as a yokel tourist: while, yes, Staten Island is one of the 5 boroughs of New York City,#NO ONE here calls it "the city." # "The City" around these parts is almost exclusively reserved for Manhattan.

If you're in the Livingston area, you might want to check out Menzel Violins, or Mo Fiddles, as the fiddle side is called. #They have an 'other strings' area with mandos and guitars, as well as lots of fiddles.

[Big Joe]

Matt Uminov is a good guy and often carries some very cool product. Mandolin brothers would be my choice for acoustic instruments in the New York City area. Stan Jay and his staff are great and will treat you like a king. They will carry a good inventory, have fair prices, and know what they product is and how it should be. If you go there, tell them "Big Joe" Says Hey!

[mdlorenz]

I've got a busy saturday! How many shops can I fit into one day! (My girlfriend is not going to be happy with me) http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[Jim Garber]

Check out www.larkstreet.com
Lark Street is a good store and old established dealer -- they used to be in Albany.

Buzz is orthodox Jewish, hence the hours of operation. Since it will be Passover, he may be closed so call ahead, if you are planning to go, obviously not on Saturday.


Hours:
Mon - Thu 10am - 6pm EST
Fri 10am - 4pm EST
Sat Closed
Sun 1pm - 5pm EST
Always call us the day before, when planning a long trip. We close for Jewish holidays, summer Sundays and sometimes other Sundays.

Jim

[mdlorenz]

What's buzz again, is that menzel?

[ApK]

Buzz Levine is the owner of Lark Street Music.

I need to get up there one of these days.

[mdlorenz]

Oh cool, gotcha.

[Tom C]

Mando Bros of course.

Lark St has a nice selection. I have not been there in a while, but they had a realy nice F-4 family from mando to harp guitar. They had a nice selection of Nationals and trillium(sp?). Probably more older instruments than newer ones if I re-call. It's probably 15 minutes from GW bridge in Teaneck.

[otterly2k]

Otterly2k just had a good experience at Rudy's music; check this recent thread.

Yes, but the selection wasn't great. They had several Eastmans, a couple of vintage Gibsons, one Rigel, one Weber and one other... maybe a Kentucky? Not sure. Anyway... you could easily cover 3x that ground (or more) with one trip to Mandolin Brothers, so unless you happen to be in the Times Sq. area, probably better to prioritize your time elsewhere.

[chaoscat]

Dont know if it's too late or not, but you might check Mofiddle's in Livingston, NJ.

http://www.mofiddles.com/instruments.html

She specializes in violins, but sells some nice Mando's as well. She's also a Luthier, so does her own set up work too.