View Full Version : Los Angeles used intrument stores?
mzurer
Jun-09-2009, 4:39pm
Closely related to my other thread - Where do you find a selection of used mandolins in Los Angeles? McCabe's is really nice, as is Westwood music, but I'm looking used to save money, and they seem to new entry level instruments and higher end vintage stuff.
delsbrother
Jun-09-2009, 4:56pm
Some of the vintage stores along "guitar row" on Sunset have mandolins, but I wouldn't get my hopes up.. If McCabe's didn't do it for you then I think the only thing with more selection would be Buffalo Bros in Carlsbad (check out their website to see their stock). What specifically are you looking for in terms of brands/prices?
mzurer
Jun-09-2009, 5:00pm
I was hoping to spend a couple/few hundred dollars on a nice beginner model or more if I found a catch - That was my guitar shopping style, and I ended up with a few winners, but I am thinking there may not be enough good mandolins produced to support that kind of shopping experience.
Eddie Sheehy
Jun-09-2009, 5:10pm
Try the Claremont folk music center - www.folkmusiccenter.com - in Claremont ( East of L.A.)
delsbrother
Jun-09-2009, 5:20pm
Hey, I was just there! They had some Eastmans and Gold Tones, IIRC. Couldn't afford the harp-uke. :( Ben Harper's new CD rocks! :)
Other threads reminded me of Boulevard Music and Blue Ridge Pickin' Parlor (though I haven't been to either in years).
I'm afraid a couple hundred bucks isn't going to buy you much more than "entry level" in the mando world. For that amount I'd just as soon buy new from someone like Elderly or some of the dealers here (Mandolin Store, et. al.).
mzurer
Jun-09-2009, 5:24pm
Boulevard is right by my house - thanks for the tips!
I know I'm not going to get much mandolin in the lower range - looking for a bit of a beater so I can travel with it without too much worry.
Rick Schmidlin
Jun-09-2009, 6:35pm
Check out West Music on Westwood Blvd. They are Collings dealers but seem yo have few others there.
mrbook
Jun-11-2009, 9:51pm
When I lived in LA a couple decades ago I headed to the Hollywood pawn shops for bargains. Found a couple, too, but you have to work at it.
jasona
Jun-14-2009, 11:28pm
Buffalo Bros in Carlsbad is the best in SoCal.