Nashville guitar shops

[newpedals]

Carter’s really is a treat. It’s been 5 years and I’m still dumbfounded they had an Ibanez JS10th (chromeboy) just chilling on the racks anyone could pick up. Gruhn’s just as well, while they’ve got far less guitars, you can sit down with a ‘54 Strat and no one is going to come busting your balls about it.

Definitely worth the trip to anyone who has an interest in vintage guitars and wants the chance to actually play one!

You mean they allow anyone, including me - wearing a cheap t shirt and a bad haircut to play these expensive guitars?

I am always scared of playing such guitars and visiting "please ask for assistance" sections in stores, for the fear of being driven out.

 

[DrewJD82]

You mean they allow anyone, including me - wearing a cheap t shirt and a bad haircut to play these expensive guitars?

I am always scared of playing such guitars and visiting "please ask for assistance" sections in stores, for the fear of being driven out.

Well, I looked 3/4’s homeless when I walked in and they let me play whatever I wanted!

I think in general, these particular shops don’t attract the same high school age crowd as an average Guitar Center and the majority of people going in there are respectful of what they’re picking up.

 

[Stone]

Well, I looked 3/4’s homeless when I walked in and they let me play whatever I wanted!
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I think in general, these particular shops don’t attract the same high school age crowd as an average Guitar Center and the majority of people going in there are respectful of what they’re picking up.

OFC a Strat no less huh Drew

 

[newpedals]

OFC a Strat no less huh Drew

Strats are always fun :)

 

[mbenigni]

I am always scared of playing such guitars and visiting "please ask for assistance" sections in stores, for the fear of being driven out.

My rule is: Don't play something unless there's at least an outside possibility I might buy it.

A $2K- $5K guitar is, "I'm pretty certain I don't need that; but by all means, change my mind" territory. A $10K+ guitar is, "I'm never buying that no matter how much I like it; no use wasting everyone's time."

 

[Fishbulb]

You mean they allow anyone, including me - wearing a cheap t shirt and a bad haircut to play these expensive guitars?

I am always scared of playing such guitars and visiting "please ask for assistance" sections in stores, for the fear of being driven out.

Carter's seemed chill when I was there, there were a few items like some of John Mayer's amp collection, an original Trainwreck and the Strat from Sweet Home Alabama that I doubt just anyone gets to touch, but on the whole they seemed ok with things being grabbed off the rack and played. Gruhn's might make you give them a credit card if you want to check out certain pieces.

There used to be a shop down the street from Exit/In and Basement East that I tried to stop in at every time I was in town playing one of those places, but I think they closed up. They probably weren't as notable as Carter's or Gruhn's, just a working-class music store, but I liked the vibe and the staff was always really nice to me. I think I saw a sign on the door once that Reeves Gabrels was teaching there at the time.

 

[DrewJD82]

OFC a Strat no less huh Drew

I hadn’t hit my Les Paul phase yet, but if I went now, that’d most certainly be any old Les Paul Custom. I’m itching to play any older LP right now, but particularly the Customs because blocks & ebony are the shit.

 

[newpedals]

I hadn’t hit my Les Paul phase yet, but if I went now, that’d most certainly be any old Les Paul Custom. I’m itching to play any older LP right now, but particularly the Customs because blocks & ebony are the shit.

All Les pauls which I have tried to play have been heavier for me, weight wise. I prefer SGs, strats and teles. So its ok not to like Les Pauls for some other unspecified reason too.