Here’s another one of those truly authentic NYC places – Matt Umanov Guitars, in business since 1965. And, like many of the serious places in the city, it’s not always so obvious to the casual visitor. They are renowned worldwide and used by many professionals, including celebrity guitarists.
Located on Bleecker Street in the Village, they only sell guitars (new and vintage) and have a very highly regarded repair shop on the second floor. Unlike chain stores, there is zero pressure to buy anything – you can spend all day there trying equipment out- and all the sales people are musicians. I wanted to take some video of someone playing in the shop, but it was not allowed. I love the all-steel acoustic resonator guitars made by National – see them in the lower part of this photo. If you go there, ask for Zeke and coax him into playing some blues slide on a National for you…
Love the shot – very graphic. The colors are amazing – I want a guitar!
That’s what I like!
It’s a great photo; I like it.
I like guitars and I like photos with repetive patterns. You’ve gotten both here. Great job.
Hi Brian,
Enjoyed both stories you had on Matt Umanov and the Music Inn. BTW do you know the Mandolin Brothers on Staten Island? It is a virtual museum with instruments costing upwards of several hundred grand and every visitor is invited to take them down and play. A mecca for acoustic instrumentalists around the world, we make a pilgrimage there whenever we come to town.
Ryan