Manny's was a place that served two functions. It served working professional musicians.....

[Sandi]

Manny's was a place that served two functions. It served working professional

musicians. But it also catered to the dreamers and gawkers, the kids and the

weekenders. This latter demographic, who come to the store on a dream, out of

love -- are mostly either going to Guitar Center, or playing Guitar Hero.



The music stores that are thriving other than the giant Wal-Marts of Guitar

Center are the smaller places who offer exceptional stuff to professionals and

well-seasoned amateurs who actively seek and recognize quality. Manny's dies,

but Rudy's? Just across the street, goes on. Rudy's offers absolutely KILLING

gear -- top-notch acoustics, electrics, amps, hard-to-find pedals -- and has a

knowledgeable staff and a great repair department. And Mandolin Brothers in

Staten Island is still chugging along, offering high quality new and vintage

stuff in a homey, vibey, welcoming atmosphere. They will also let you play ANY

axe in the store. They were letting someone play a Telecaster that fucking

ELVIS PRESLEY owned! Sure, the customer was checked to see if he was wearing a

belt-buckle that would have scratched the back, and was watched like a hawk, but

they let him play it. I myself have handled a D'Angelico jazz guitar in that

store that was priced at something like $50,000. I was not frisked or grilled.

It was just one cat to another. "how's this one feel?" "See for yourself."



Chris Orbach