DC-area guitar shops?

[woodie]

Hey Guys, tagging along with my lady to Washington-DC this weekend. While she's tending to her trade show for work, the city is mine. Any must-visit guitar shops downtown? Thanks in advance!

[padols]

Chuck Levin's Washington Music Center in Weaton and Gill Southworth's Southworth Guitars in Bethesda. Rumor has it Gill has Nancy.

[AaeCee]

Yes. You must vist 'Chuck's', aka Washington Music Center. It's a true pro-level shop staffed by, well, true pros. Note that what you see upstairs is but a tiny sampling.....your salesman will gladly retrieve nearly anything you can dream of from the legendary basement. Rumor has it that it's about the size of a football field down there. Anyway, it's just outside the city in Wheaton, MD., so you'll need wheels. Well worth the visit, especially if there's something in particular you're seeking.

[woodie]

Yeah, I'm probably going to be fairly wheels-free. Maybe I can find a way out there, though, Sounds awesome.

[padols]

You can get fairly close to both by using the Metro. ;)

[RandyO]

Take Metro Red Line to Wheaton for WMC.
http://www.wmata.com/metrorail/systemmap.cfm

I think Southworth is now internet only.

http://www.wmata.com/metrorail/systemmap.cfm
http://www.wmata.com/metrorail/systemmap.cfm

[Blauserk]

It's nowhere near Chuck's, but I'm a fan of Action Music in Arlington, VA. Always a bunch of tasty old amps to play, a few interesting vintage pieces (my last time there they had an early 50s ES-5, a blonde ES-175 with PAFs, and a '59 ES-330, two original Dan Armstrong plexiglass guitars, among others), and a bunch of more recent stuff. Owner Matt Baker is a straight shooter whom I trust completely.

[woodie]

Take Metro Red Line to Wheaton for WMC.
http://www.wmata.com/metrorail/systemmap.cfm

I think Southworth is now internet only.

http://www.wmata.com/metrorail/systemmap.cfm
http://www.wmata.com/metrorail/systemmap.cfm
sweet, that seems do-able. thanks.

[nmiller]

It's nowhere near Chuck's, but I'm a fan of Action Music in Arlington, VA.

+1! Action has a lot of really cool (mostly vintage) stuff crammed into a small space, and they're great folks to deal with. Also a superb source for unusual and vintage pedals. Unfortunately they're a bit far from the nearest metro stop.

[AC30LP]

One of the most disappointing things when I moved to DC was the lack of a good guitar store. There is one in the district called "The Guitar Shop"

Action Music has a cool selection (couple original jtm45s, several old tweeds, blackface, vox, etc.)...not the best place to try stuff out...if you're not buying the owner would prefer if you didn't try.

Chuck Levin's is you next best bet.

[Jet Age Eric]

Oh, crap. I just entered a long post and then noticed that you're wheels free. Yeah, chucks is the way to go. Take the Metro; as noted, it's just a few blocks away. -E


One of the most disappointing things when I moved to DC was the lack of a good guitar store. There is one in the district called "The Guitar Shop"

Action Music has a cool selection (couple original jtm45s, several old tweeds, blackface, vox, etc.)...not the best place to try stuff out...if you're not buying the owner would prefer if you didn't try.

Chuck Levin's is you next best bet.

[gibson60]

I don't mean to be a downer but while Chuck's is a cool store and will keep you occupied for awhile, I wouldn't plan to walk in there and be blown away by anything. They do usually have a bunch of new Les Pauls and PRS' but nothing too dissimilar from what you would find in a Guitar Center. I love the store and the salesmen are much more knowledgeable than those at GC for the most part, but inventory-wise its nothing special.

[timmers]

Mentioned before, The Guitar Shop (http://www.theguitarshop.us/) has the biggest inventory in the area, but also the smallest 'showroom.' There's literally only about 100 sq. ft of visit-able space in there, so there's really not much to do but walk up the tight staircase, look around, and feel claustrophobic.

If you're looking for something specific though, give them a call ahead of time, as they have over 2,000 instruments sitting in their attic, ready to pull down for you. FWIW, I've actually *never* had a good experience with them on the phone, but they do have seemingly one of every kind of used/vintage axe you'd ever want to swing.

[stratotonedude]

It's nowhere near Chuck's, but I'm a fan of Action Music in Arlington, VA. Always a bunch of tasty old amps to play, a few interesting vintage pieces (my last time there they had an early 50s ES-5, a blonde ES-175 with PAFs, and a '59 ES-330, two original Dan Armstrong plexiglass guitars, among others), and a bunch of more recent stuff. Owner Matt Baker is a straight shooter whom I trust completely.

That's my favorite place. That ES-330 is now mine.

[Beagle1]

Mentioned before, The Guitar Shop (http://www.theguitarshop.us/) has the biggest inventory in the area, but also the smallest 'showroom.' There's literally only about 100 sq. ft of visit-able space in there, so there's really not much to do but walk up the tight staircase, look around, and feel claustrophobic.

If you're looking for something specific though, give them a call ahead of time, as they have over 2,000 instruments sitting in their attic, ready to pull down for you. FWIW, I've actually *never* had a good experience with them on the phone, but they do have seemingly one of every kind of used/vintage axe you'd ever want to swing.

+1 - I walked into that place once and took one look around...not much to see so I was just about to walk out the door when the sales guy stopped me and asked if there was something specific I wanted to see. Turns out they have a lot of ton of cool guitars but they keep the good stuff hidden from the public. Definitely worth a trip.

[mcknigs]

One of the most disappointing things when I moved to DC was the lack of a good guitar store. There is one in the district called "The Guitar Shop"

Yeah, after the riots most of the cool music stores moved to the suburbs.

Action Music isn't all that far from the East Falls Church Metro, about 8 blocks north on Sycamore street through a nice residential neighborhood. You could probably get a cab pretty easily.

Atomic is fun if you like lots of used stuff ranging from cheap to affordable-nice to a few very nice pieces. You can spend hours in there looking at guitars, amps, keyboards, effects, banjoes, etc. They're very close to the Greenbelt Metro, as the crow flies. Unfortunately the actual driving distance is probably 4 times that, though it would still be pretty short cab ride.

-Scott

[mcknigs]

+1! Action has a lot of really cool (mostly vintage) stuff crammed into a small space, and they're great folks to deal with. Also a superb source for unusual and vintage pedals. Unfortunately they're a bit far from the nearest metro stop.

I suspect a fast walker could make it there in 10-15 minutes from East Falls Church, and it could be a nice walk - depending on the weather.

Oh, and, I agree with the folks who have nice things to say about Matt Baker.

-Scott

[Kentano2000]

Another plus on Action Music. Can't go wrong there. The Guitar Shop on 18th and Connecticut in DC has the most amazing collection of botique acoustic guitars of any shop I've been in. I bought an original Breedlove from them back in '93, and a cedar/koa Goodall that was to die for in '99.

[whitehall]

If she is at the DC convention center you are pretty much screwed for something music wise. You could play on the metro and maybe make your out to Chucks but you can do the whole store in 10 minutes, if you talk to Brian or Paul add 15 minutes. Southworth no longer has a store front, they were a cool store. Atomic has long since moved from near Uof M to the bowels of an industrial center in Beltsville. Fun time, it's like a big junk shop. The second Atomic in a strip center near Rockville is tiny and not worth the trip. You may be better off going to one of the many Museums .
Air and Space is cool if you have never been.

[Jon Silberman]

+1 on The Guitar Shop on Connecticut Ave., IF you have something specific in mind that they have in stock and can pull down for you to try. Steve, the owner, is, shall we say, an interesting person but I've always enjoyed shooting the breeze with him, just be prepared for a high initial quote and tough bargaining should you be seriously looking at buying. That said, his inventory is at times amazing, truly hard-to-find, super-boutique acoustic instruments and virtually all sound great because if it doesn't he won't stock it, e.g., last time I was there, he had some custom/one-off Lowdens that blew my mind along with some killer Virginia-made Huss and Daltons, one of which was simply the finest sounding dreadnaught I have ever played (and priced accordingly).

By cab from the Convention Center, The Guitar Shop is just a few minutes away.

http://www.theguitarshop.us/

[eddie101]

DC Convention Ctr is in the heart of China town and there is nothing there except Chinese food that you don't want to eat - Tony Chang's is pretty cool, though. You probably have to hop on a metro to get to Chuck's but I don't think it is worth the trip as you will find pretty much the same stuff there as you would at your local GC. As someone said, your time will be better spent at museums and they are not too far from the ctr.

[mickey69]

Atomic

[mc5nrg]

Don't bother with the Guitar Shop...unless there is some secret code word that I am not aware, of finding out what they have behind the locked grates is impossible.The owner is a complete tool.

[Jon Silberman]

Perhaps the secret code word is politeness (don't laugh - it's always worked for me).

[eddie101]

Steve is all right in my book. His prices are kinda high but, hey, the rent in DC is no joke. Don't mean to highjack but there used to be a KOOL club on the ground level - forget the name of it - and I saw late Rory Gallagher and Albert King (twice) there. Ah, I miss those days.....

[bigkahuna2u]

The guitar shop for high end acoustics is about it, atomic is mostly junk. Best find another big city to do your guitar shopping, DC ain't where it's at.

[mc5nrg]

I've never been impolite...unless asking about the Firebird behind the irongate is somehow rude. The guy is a complete asshole. The notion that you can somehow decide from a once over glance who deserves to have their questions answered about your stock or see if you have something they might be interested in is no way to run a public business.

[Blauserk]

That's my favorite place. That ES-330 is now mine.

Curse you! That thing rocked. It really sounded unbelievably good; not buying it is probably my biggest gear regret.

I've never had Matt or his staff act the slightest bit impatient with me, and I've tried out probably three amps (for a total of a half-hour in a small store) and several dozen guitars, including a $15,000 blonde ES-175 with PAFs. He's also essentially "appraised" several guitars for me for free, and done a couple of setups on guitars for free while I waited.

It is about 8 suburban blocks from the East Falls Church metro (all of it uphill on the way there, which means you'll all least be walking downhill with your new purchase!). If anyone went to the old Mak'n Music in Chicago, it's literally a walk in the park compared to the walk from the "L" to that place (through a combat zone).

[gag halfrunt]

...Action Music has a cool selection (couple original jtm45s, several old tweeds, blackface, vox, etc.)...not the best place to try stuff out...if you're not buying the owner would prefer if you didn't try...

Wow, not my experience at all!

Action Music was recommended to me by TGP-ers on my last trip to DC, and it was hands down the coolest shop in the area. Tons of nice vintage amps, decent selection of new and used guitars, and lots of cool pedals. They were happy as can be to let me try out several Diamond Pedals, even though they knew I was from out of town (I told them) and not likely to buy much.

Very cool guys there!

[dsj]

Action is great, to shop and to test, always a worthwhile and fun trip to that place.

And the staff at The Guitar Shop on Connecticut are flat rude, I wouldn't buy a pick there, let alone an expensive guitar.

[FirstBassman]

Yup, Chuck's and Matt at Action Music are the two most commonly mentioned.

And agree, Chuck's is just basically a locally owned music store with lots of stuff in a small crowded place.
Nothing really, really special.

However, they are the only DC area authorized RIC dealer so that makes them a little special. (Other than Classic Ax in Gainesville.)

I've never been the Guitar Shop downtown and have heard mixed reviews of the place. Let's say it is a "acquired taste."

Of course there's also a couple of GC's in Fairfax County and one in Montgomery.

[Guitar Josh]

Action Music has a cool selection (couple original jtm45s, several old tweeds, blackface, vox, etc.)...not the best place to try stuff out...if you're not buying the owner would prefer if you didn't try.



Flat out incorrect. Hell, there is usually 2-3 just regular hangersout there every weekend. As long as you are respectful to the gear, you can play anything you want.

[Guitar Josh]

Perhaps the secret code word is politeness (don't laugh - it's always worked for me).

Just as soon as he gives it to anyone else. Worst shop in the DC area, bar none.

[CharAznable]

Matt brought my SG back to life. For that, I'll be eternally grateful.

[axehunter]

DC Convention Ctr is in the heart of China town

Not quite...I work in Chinatown, and the convention center is a good 10-15 minute walk away. The epicenter of Chinatown is about 6th and H NW; the convention center is at about 9th and L NW.

[eddie101]

Not quite...I work in Chinatown, and the convention center is a good 10-15 minute walk away. The epicenter of Chinatown is about 6th and H NW; the convention center is at about 9th and L NW.

I stand corrected....Btw, you MUST be a techie, no? :)

[Guitar Josh]

Matt brought my SG back to life. For that, I'll be eternally grateful.

My only complaint about Matt's setup work is that he tends to set the action high on all his guitars, including the ones he works on. However, he'll gladly lower it for you.

His assistant (Robert?) set up my strat like no one else ever had. He's amazing..

[padols]

+1 on Matt's place. Every time I walk in there he hands me a tele and directs me to this amp or that amp. He knows that if I come back with MY tele that he's got a pretty good chance of making a sale and if I have my wife with me it's a done deal. The only question at that point is which amp. BTW have any of you played the ES-5 yet. That thing is a freakin monster.
I think I'll take my black gaurd in for some set up work this Saturday. ;)

[mcknigs]

Not quite...I work in Chinatown, and the convention center is a good 10-15 minute walk away. The epicenter of Chinatown is about 6th and H NW; the convention center is at about 9th and L NW.

I used to hang out around Chinatown some back in the mid-80s, when my band at the time rehearsed on the 5th floor of what's now the Spy Museum. At the time Chinatown was the closest place to get food (not including a McD's on E street).

It's my understanding that that there are now hardly any Chinese businesses left in Chinatown. Would you say that's correct?

-Scott

[eddie101]

It's my understanding that that there are now hardly any Chinese businesses left in Chinatown. Would you say that's correct?

-Scott

You tell that to Mr. Tony Chang and you won't get any fortune cookies from him. ;)

[Guitar Josh]

I used to hang out around Chinatown some back in the mid-80s, when my band at the time rehearsed on the 5th floor of what's now the Spy Museum. At the time Chinatown was the closest place to get food (not including a McD's on E street).

It's my understanding that that there are now hardly any Chinese businesses left in Chinatown. Would you say that's correct?

-Scott

Define Chinese Businesses.

[mcknigs]

Define Chinese Businesses.

Restaurants, grocery stores, import stores, laundries and other businesses owned and operated by people of Chinese descent, mostly Chinese-born immigrants but not excluding people born in the US. My memory of Chinatown in the '80s was that there were 2-3 blocks where the majority of store fronts were businesses that match that description. Alot of them were mom & pop operations. That area has changed so drastically I'd be surpised if there was much mom & pop anything around there now.

-Scott

[CharAznable]

There's a lot of national chains in Chinatown, with their logos written in Chinese.

There is still a small number of places like Tony Cheng's, which has the absolute best General Tso's Chicken ever.

[axehunter]

I stand corrected....Btw, you MUST be a techie, no? :)

Nope...a fed. What makes you think techie?

[eddie101]

There's a lot of national chains in Chinatown, with their logos written in Chinese.

There is still a small number of places like Tony Cheng's, which has the absolute best General Tso's Chicken ever.

If you like oysters, try their oysters/mushrooms and I don't think it is even on their menu.....one of the better dishes that they have

[axehunter]

I used to hang out around Chinatown some back in the mid-80s, when my band at the time rehearsed on the 5th floor of what's now the Spy Museum. At the time Chinatown was the closest place to get food (not including a McD's on E street).

It's my understanding that that there are now hardly any Chinese businesses left in Chinatown. Would you say that's correct?

-Scott

Yeah...that's pretty accurate. There are a few crummy "souvenier" shops (read "crap"), and about 10 or 12 restaurants of varying levels of quality. I really like a few places...Burma, which is Burmese (duh), Jackie Cafe, Tony Chengs, and Chinatown Express, where they roll out their own noodles and make a killer noodle soup.

[zombywoof]

After giving living in DC another try last year, I did not find any shop that I would call top notch. But the one I liked the best was Action Music. A decent (although not great) selection and some knowledeable folks working there. Be advised though, if I recall they do not open until noon during the week day.

[eddie101]

Nope...a fed. What makes you think techie?
Just a wild guess. U with DOJ, perhaps?

[Guitar Josh]

Restaurants, grocery stores, import stores, laundries and other businesses owned and operated by people of Chinese descent, mostly Chinese-born immigrants but not excluding people born in the US. My memory of Chinatown in the '80s was that there were 2-3 blocks where the majority of store fronts were businesses that match that description. Alot of them were mom & pop operations. That area has changed so drastically I'd be surpised if there was much mom & pop anything around there now.

-Scott

You seem to be referring to just the area around Verizon itself. That block is definitely corporate, but the surrounding blocks still have plenty of those kind of businesses, especially restaurants. But you are right, it's been "revitalized".

[Guitar Josh]

After giving living in DC another try last year, I did not find any shop that I would call top notch. But the one I liked the best was Action Music. A decent (although not great) selection and some knowledeable folks working there. Be advised though, if I recall they do not open until noon during the week day.

If you don't consider Chuck's top notch then your standards are way too high.

[AC30LP]

I take back what I said about Action Music--they're cool about trying stuff.

It's just not easy to try stuff in a small space without totally dominating the place.

Matt is a fantastic guy- so helpful- very interesting...and he knows tone for sure.

Plus- you can trade for cash