San antonio, good music stores?

[Frank Russell]

Hey folks, got to leave the scorching CA desert and go to San Antone for a few days in June. Haven't been there in 20 years, can anyone recommend a good music store that might have some mandolins to play? We're staying by the riverwalk, probably will go to Gruene, New Braunfels while we're there. Any new restaurants I need to know about? Thanks in advance. Frank

[Chiledog]

Can't help you with SA, but there is Fiddlers Green In Austin that just opened and is getting great reviews. #It's not that far up the road from New Braunfels/SA.

If you do hit Gruene, make sure you stop by The Grist Mill, great restaurant with a cool atomosphere.

Also since you are on the Riverwalk, you have to hit Mi Tierra, great mexican food with an awesome reputation.

Enjoy your stay in Texas!

Todd

Todd

[GRW3]

There is only one serious mandolin shop in San Antonio and that's Guitar Tex on McCullough. Right now he has Eastman, Weber, Paris Swing, Kentucky new and usually has a couple or three used mandolins. He told me last week that Larrivee told him his A and F model mandolins were scheduled to ship shortly.

He's also a Martin, Santa Cruz and (any time now) National dealer. Oh, would you be interested in a uke? Mark is the Uke king of San Antonio.

There's usually something cool and a lot of San Antonio's acoustic musicians wander through from time to time. There's comfortable seating and you can play the instruments.

There's also Alamo music, on Babcock, if you're into Taylor Guitars. They had a Montana macmando that would be an OK camp mando.

Of course we have GC and SAMASH. One time GC had a Epiphone with the bridge out of place. I told them the problem and they looked at me like I came from Mars.

We have Bluegrass Jams, not professional just fun, every Tuesday if you're interested.

Food, we have half a dozen different types of Mexican food. All the big chains. Some decent steak houses. Some funky local dives. What are you looking for?

Edit: Just read your message again and you're staying on the Riverwalk. Well, if you like Louie Armstrong type jazz, then go to The Landing on the river level of the Hyatt Regency. If you've ever heard the NPR show "Live from the Landing" well, this is it.

[brunello97]

In SA, check out the Esquire bar on Commerce, the longest bar in Texas. Cheap (I mean really cheap) beer, great jukebox, flocked wallpaper. More of a, uh, local crowd than down on the Riverwalk (which the back porch does overlook.) The real deal.

Mick

[B. T. Walker]

The Esquire Tavern closed for renovations about a year and a half ago. #They should be reopening at any time, but we locals wouldn't know since we don't go to the Riverwalk unless forced to by tourists. #The cold, cheap beer will surely be gone along with the seedy "Cheers' atmosphere.

George pretty much hit the nail on the head for what's here presently. #Krazy Kat Music on N. St. Mary's is unique, but usually only have a few pac-rims. #There is rumored to be a high-end shop coming to town, but I only heard that scuttlebutt one time and then no more except from my ex (so that's taken with a grain of salt). #I called one of my spies, but he has yet to call back with more information. #Still, my ex said "soon". #Is June too soon? #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Sangria at the Grist Mill in Gruene. #There is only touristy Mexican food on the Riverwalk, but the suggestion of nearby Mi Tierra in El Mercado is excellent. #Margaritas on the rocks with salt, no more than two (or else), are a house specialty. #They are open 24/7 and serve breakfast, so they are a good place to wind down an evening of partying it up.

[Mike Bunting]

I sat in a couple of years ago with a bluegrass band, Tennessee Valley Authority, at the Blue Cactus at the Wetmore Store on Wetmore Blvd. I don't know if there is still bluegrass offered there, but the food was good and the people friendly (like everywhere else I visited the Texas).

[Capt. E]

I'll second Fiddlers Green in Austin. They are a string specialist, especially mandolins. They had three Altmans, a number of Webers, Eastman and others. Clay, the owner, is a great guy. 1809 W. 35th St. Go up I-35 from SA, take the 38th st. exit, turn left...go through about 6 lights, (the street changes to 35th st. after a St. called Lamar), the shop is on the left just after the light at Jefferson. Open Sunday, closed Monday.
While you are in Austin, check out the funky shops on South Congress. Better yet, go to a club like Antone's or The Continental Club or the Cactus Cafe on the UT campus. Too many to really list. Pick up a free "Chronicle" newspaper and you'll get all the listings.

[Frank Russell]

Thanks for the replies folks. Not going to Austin as far as I know, I was just there in September. I'm quite familiar with Mi Tierra and the Grist Mill and such, having grown up in Texas, graduating from UT Austin and making many many pilgrimages to San Antonio and pre-Schlitterbahn New Braunfels in my Shiner-addled youth. Much as I love Austin, I'll be stuck pretty close to San Antonio while my wife attends a veterinary conference. Too bad, because there's a Czech/German bakery in La Grange whose kolaches have been calling me since 1990, when I moved to California. I will definitely look up your suggestions though. I appreciate all the responses. Frank

[B. T. Walker]

My spy came through! The new store is Redbone Guitar Boutique, 4343 McCullough Ave., Tel: 210-822-4111. Right across the street from Guitar Tex, and don't you know they love the competition? I haven't had a chance to check it out in person, but here (http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=345364196) is their website. It says they are opening soon, but my spy says they're already open. THey are also alledged to have mandolins, but all their site talks about are guitars.

[GRW3]

If Redbone is open it happened this week because they weren't open last Saturday. I understand the backer is they guy that does the Beatles show Sunday mornings on Trinity radio. I understand they're going to have a room set up to look like the Cave Club in Liverpool. (Having been to the Cave Club, I'll be interested to see how they do.) I also understand they will be featuring some amount of lefty instruments.

You mention Shiner. They make a full range of German style biers now. They also have factory tour during the week.

A place that might be fun to go to dinner with your wife might be the restaurant in the Tower of the Americas. It's no longer a pricey Jim's, it's part of the Chart House chain, pretty decent. If you don't mind obnoxious humor try Dick's Last Resort. If you're casting about for lunch in the Riverwalk area try Shilo's Delicatessen on Commerce, just above the river.

[B. T. Walker]

Good call, Schilo's. I do get drawn down to the river for lunch there. Split pea soup, home made root beer. Woof!

[Capt. E]

If you are in SA the 14,15,16, the Texas Folklife Festival will be in full swing at Hemisfair plaza.

[GRW3]

Redbone is now open but don't get excited. They are primarily an electric guitar dealer. The Acoustic room is so small you have to step out to change your mind. The do Gibson electric but not acoustic. For acoustic they do Breedlove and Sierra (pac rim me to?) and say they are getting Taylor and R Taylor. (Hope they have another room) Not a mandolin in sight.

They have many fine electric guitars however. Nice clean shop with replica of the entrance to 'The Cave Club' from Liverpool. Beatlemania is practiced there.

[B. T. Walker]

So Redbone Guitar Boutique is really no competition to Guitar Tex. It took them seemingly forever to revamp the store location, and I was beginning to wonder of if they'd run out of capital. Was looking forward to some new mandolins to try out, and they ain't got squat.

Thanks for the update, George.

[GRW3]

That's right. In fact Tex has seen an increase in traffic because Redbone is advertising so heavy. "Oh look, there's another guitar store across the street." I don't see Breedlove as much competition for what Mark sells but that's stricktly personal opinion. Could be more when they get their Taylors in and I suppose R Taylor would be in league with Santa Cruz.

BTW, have you seen the latest Webers at Tex? He has a Gallatin and a Yellowstone, both f styles. The Gallatin is a satin bronze color with ivoroid binding. It has a lower voice than my Eastman. The Yellowstone is a a real looker. It's gloss Honey colored with tortoise binding. This one is got a real good voice brand new. Work it in and it's going to be really nice.

[jimbob]

Go to the river in SA...drive over to Houston to Fullers for mandolins

[GRW3]

Go to the river in SA...drive over to Houston to Fullers for mandolins
If you think Gibson is the only thing in mandolins...

Last time I was there all they had was Gibson, Kentucky and Alvarez.

Fiddlers Green in Austin has the widest variety I know of locally.

[Capt. E]

Fiddlers Green has: Weber, Collings, Altman, Breedlove, Kentucky, Eastman, Big Muddy etc. They have a wonderful hand-made oval hole for only $795 made here in Austin by Ben Hogue. Also carry a great selection of violins, harps, dulcimers, banjos...all things string. Even have some good professional quality penny whistles.

[Daniel Wheeler]

Ya unless you want to play some gibsons fullers aint your place.

[jimbob]

Fair enough....don't know of much in SA....never been to Fiddlers....

[HarveyB]

Fullers is a nice place but yes, it's basically a Gibson shop. #I did play a Collings MT at Rockin Robin the other day but there's not much in selection there. #I'm heading towards Austin this weekend and hope to drop by Fiddlers.

Cheers
Harvey