recommend a few LA guitar & pedal shops

[TheWarmth]

I'll be in LA this weekend on vacation. Can anyone recommend me a place or two that I should definitely check out? I'll probably only be able to hit one or two at most.

[Claytone]

There is a one block radius on Sunset and Gardner in Hollywood where you can hit about five shops quickly, including Voltage, Guitar Center, Future Music and others. That's the ticket!

[rickc007]

Truetone in Santa Monica for high end pedals...Keeley, Fulltone

Sunset Blvd GC for vintage guitars...look, don't buy, WAY over priced...WAY WAY overpriced

But at the GC, make sure to ask for the "platinum room"
all the good "new" stuff is behind the mirrored door on the right
and Clapton's original Blackie is on display there as well

If you don't mind driving ... Wild West Guitars is about an hour away
and "well worth" the drive...great place to play,
open Monday to Friday only though

[utterhack]

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=156307

[Rollo Timbre]

Westwood Music, on Westwood Blvd, is pretty cool. They have a large back room where you can have a run at many different boutique amps. They've been know to have an occasional Mad Professor amp too.

[vulcaniza P]

There is a one block radius on Sunset and Gardner in Hollywood where you can hit about five shops quickly, including Voltage, Guitar Center, Future Music and others. That's the ticket!
listen to this man. he's right.

[Macaroni]

The Amp Shop, in the San Fernando Valley - on the corner of Woodman & Ventura Blvd. A nice collection of boutique pedals & amps & guitars.

[Bryan T]

My two favorite shops are McCabe's (mainly an acoustic shop) and Westwood Music (good mix of acoustics, electrics, effects, amps, etc.). Truetone has a great selection of stuff, but I've had some not-so-good shopping experiences there. Others love it.

The Sunset shops are fun to look around, but can be very busy/loud/overpriced (especially for 'vintage' stuff). I visit them about once a year to remind myself why I don't go there more often. Try not to go on a weekend, as that is a recipe for a headache.

Bryan

[Bryan T]

Black market on La cienaga in holly wooood!

I'm pretty sure they closed up last year. Are they back in business?

Bryan

[utterhack]

Nope. I heard a rumor they were were going to reopen in the Bay Area.

[fatback]

My two favorite shops are McCabe's (mainly an acoustic shop) and Westwood Music (good mix of acoustics, electrics, effects, amps, etc.). Truetone has a great selection of stuff, but I've had some not-so-good shopping experiences there. Others love it.

The Sunset shops are fun to look around, but can be very busy/loud/overpriced (especially for 'vintage' stuff). I visit them about once a year to remind myself why I don't go there more often. Try not to go on a weekend, as that is a recipe for a headache.

Bryan


+1

McCabe's and Westwood music, (not to be confused with West L.A. Music !), are two of my favorite shops in L.A. Truetone really depends on how busy they are. It can get pretty hectic in there, but I've had some good visits.

[retro]

All are pretty cool.

Also at Trutone you are close to 3rd street promanade. And all the street musicians. Not to mention good food, people watching and beach if you like.

[BMF Effects]

I'm pretty sure they closed up last year. Are they back in business?

Bryan

Black Market has been closed for quite some time. I highly doubt they would open up again in L.A. as they burned quite a few bridges. They used to have a store in SF and I heard the owner moved back there, so it wouldn't surprise me if he reopened up north.

[ChrisdFlip]

If you end up going to Disneyland stop by Tone Merchants www.tonemerchants.com

open by appointment during the week, open to public on saturdays

[radcliff]

SKIP West LA, Guitar Center, Mesa, Carvin, Sam Ash


Truetone is what you want.

[lawrencedesigns]

Should you happen to be heading to San Diego, there are two places not to be missed.
First, Buffalo Brothers in in Carlsbad. Incredible selection of Acoustic instruments, and a huge room full of electrics.
Second, the NAMM museum in the same town. Almost unknown to many, it alone is worth the trip down from L.A. j\

Keeth Lawrence
Lawrence Designs, Inc.