Goin' to California

[kimonostereo]

So next week, we're flying from Hawaii to LA then driving to SF for vacation.

Any have any suggestions for good guitar shops in the area or along the way? I'll be there for a week and a half. Hope to find and play some Balls while I'm up there.

 

[Roubster]

SF is awesome! There is a Guitar Center on Van Ness Avenue, but I didnt go there this year when I was there. I'm sure they must have some pieces. Enjoy your vacation...do you feel like you have to get away from where you live for vacation? Hawaii is amazing!!! I cant say that much for NYC.

 

[GWDavis28]

You've gotta ping Phatty, he's up there in SF.

Hope you have a good trip!!

Glenn |B)

 

[Stratty316]

Assuming you are flying into LAX you should stop at the Guitar Center in Hollywood. Its one of their flagship stores and along with having a good selection of Balls it is generally pretty cool.

If your flying into Santa Ana you can always cruise over to the El Toro Guitar Center and pop in to see Zombi (El Toro is about 35 Miles South of LAX... don't know what you plans are or what Zombi's schedule is..) The Fountain Valley GC is on the way and they have some Killer BFR Guitars right now.

There are some cool Mom & Pops guitar stores in the OC, but they usually don't have any balls in stock... its order only.

Stop in Santa Barbara and check out Instrumental Music on State St... they are the MusicMan dealer now that Fancy Music has closed... Too bad, cause Richard always had a ton of cool Balls!!!

Once you get to SLO, stop in at the factory and demand a tour from BP! haha... just kidding... PM BP and ask first, if that doesn't work I hear he is on Facebook...

I'm sure you already had this planned, but if you are heading up the 101 to San Francisco make sure to stop in Los Olivos and go wine tasting. I grew up in that area and there are a ton of great wines and not to mention the Tri-Tip that the area is famous for.

Have a great pic and make sure to take Pics of the California Balls...

 

[brasco68]

PM BP and ask first

That's a HUGE no no....just an FYI. Read BP's signature.

 

[zombi]

That's a HUGE no no....just an FYI. Read BP's signature.

He was kidding, hence the facebook reference after. You could hit up the Sherman Oaks GC and Bass Central in one day since they are ony a couple blocks from each other...

 

[brasco68]

He was kidding, hence the facebook reference after.

Since the original poster is still relatively new to the forum...I wasn't assuming he knew Stratty was kidding.

 

[Stratty316]

He has been around since July... I would think he has read BP's signature by now.


but just in case.... DON'T PM BP, Don't add him on facebook and you probably shouldn't just "drop in" on the factory.

 

[zombi]

It was all in good fun...

 

[kimonostereo]

SF is awesome! There is a Guitar Center on Van Ness Avenue, but I didnt go there this year when I was there. I'm sure they must have some pieces. Enjoy your vacation...do you feel like you have to get away from where you live for vacation? Hawaii is amazing!!! I cant say that much for NYC.

Heh. Well Hawaii is nice but there are a lot of things to do and see in California. We go at least once a year, either for a convention or vacation. Thanks for the tips!

 

[kimonostereo]

Assuming you are flying into LAX you should stop at the Guitar Center in Hollywood. Its one of their flagship stores and along with having a good selection of Balls it is generally pretty cool.

If your flying into Santa Ana you can always cruise over to the El Toro Guitar Center and pop in to see Zombi (El Toro is about 35 Miles South of LAX... don't know what you plans are or what Zombi's schedule is..) The Fountain Valley GC is on the way and they have some Killer BFR Guitars right now.

There are some cool Mom & Pops guitar stores in the OC, but they usually don't have any balls in stock... its order only.

Stop in Santa Barbara and check out Instrumental Music on State St... they are the MusicMan dealer now that Fancy Music has closed... Too bad, cause Richard always had a ton of cool Balls!!!.

Thanks for all the tips! We'll be driving from LA to SF this time around. I plan to get the GPS out and put some of these in.

Probably stop by the Hollywood GC since we're going to see Luke perform the day we come in. I hope he'll autograph the backplate of my Dargie 2 and Black Luke 2!

 

[kimonostereo]

He has been around since July... I would think he has read BP's signature by now.


but just in case.... DON'T PM BP, Don't add him on facebook and you probably shouldn't just "drop in" on the factory.

LOL! I'll heed the warning. I've seen it many times on BP's sig. I don't wanna tick him off. He looks like he could beat up a few folks with one arm while playing a BP AL!

That said, we might be near SLO but it all depends. Lot's to do and lots to see!

 

[phatduckk]

In SF you don't have a giant selection of music stores but there's a few to pick from:

Guitar Center - San Jose
Guitar Center - San Francisco
Guitar Center - El Cerrito

Rocker Guitars - San Francisco (good shop, MM dealer, nice boutique amps & pedals)
Haight Ashbury Music Center - San Francisco (not a fav. but they're an MM dealer)
B Street Music - San Mateo (crappy shop but they have MMs)
Guitar Showcase - San Jose (i think they carry MMs)
Gelb Music - Redwood City (my fav shop but not an MM dealer)

 

[GoKart_MoZart]

In SF you don't have a giant selection of music stores but there's a few to pick from:

Guitar Center - San Jose
Guitar Center - San Francisco
Guitar Center - El Cerrito

Rocker Guitars - San Francisco (good shop, MM dealer, nice boutique amps & pedals)
Haight Ashbury Music Center - San Francisco (not a fav. but they're an MM dealer)
B Street Music - San Mateo (crappy shop but they have MMs)
Guitar Showcase - San Jose (i think they carry MMs)
Gelb Music - Redwood City (my fav shop but not an MM dealer)

Don't forget Banana's At Large in San Rafael. Some EBMM basses, great selection of boutique pedals. Plus, you get to cross the Golden Gate Bridge to get there...

 

[phatduckk]

Don't forget Banana's At Large in San Rafael. Some EBMM basses, great selection of boutique pedals. Plus, you get to cross the Golden Gate Bridge to get there...

oh ya - forgot about then since its "too far" to drive... cuz, ya know, im lazy

 

[browndog]

LMAO at Stratty316. Great comments.

 

[DTJPPR]

If you wanna take a drive down to San Diego, Guitar Trader/Music Power have a small handful of balls. I think just an Axis and Petrucci right now(and some basses), judging by the website: Buy Guitars, Guitar Amps, Percussion Online - Music Power
They're good sales people and a mom and pops kind of store. Love it.

 

[Colin]

the GC on VN in SF is a good store they had some COOL ebmm's when I was there last time...

 

[agt]

He was kidding, hence the facebook reference after. You could hit up the Sherman Oaks GC and Bass Central in one day since they are ony a couple blocks from each other...

You probably mean the Bass Exchange on Ventura Blvd. Bass Central is in Florida.

 

[kimonostereo]

Thanks for all of the suggestions guys! I'll probably head on over to TrueTone and a few GC's. I might even make it to Banana's.

Leaving in a couple of hours today. When I arrive, it's to the hotel first then straight to the Roxy to see Luke perform for his birthday bash! Should be fun!

I wonder what color Luke he'll be playin'?