We received lots of email through the holidays from family members of Gearheads looking for very particular guitars, EFX pedals and other goodies that were surely wrapped up and given as presents…However, now that the glow from the holidays are officially over, are you finding that your guitar, bass, ukulele, mando, reso or other newly found stringed-friend, isn’t performing the same way it did, the day it arrived? Our good friend John LeVan has a column this month directed, directly at you. Take a peek at what he has to say about everything that might and could go wrong with your newly claimed instrument

Additionally, we talked to Syosset, NY Gbase Dealer, John DeSilva of My Generation Guitars. See what he has to say about that State of Guitar in his “neck” of the woods. Check out the 2011 Winter NAMM Show in review, brought to you by our good buds at Guitar.com. We’re also featuring a great contest sponsored by Gbase Dealer – Chicago Music Exchange. Be sure to check out their Gbase store if you’re suffering from a little G.A.S. – cuz they’ve got it all.

One other note, we want to thank all of you for helping make Gbase what it has become – one of the key destinations for all things gear! Please follow us on Facebook or feel free to tweet Gbase to your followers. We’re growing and would love to find a few more G.A.S.-minded individuals! Thanks and here’s to a great 2011!!

John DeSilva: The earliest memory I have of what might be considered the “moment” that started my interest in guitars was seeing Johnny Cash on TV.  I was about six years old and convinced my father to buy me a guitar and teach me how to play it.

Gbase: Do you still play out?

DeSilva: I haven’t played out in about 30 years.

Gbase: Before My Generation, you ran another well known shop – how did that get started?

DeSilva: My first guitar store was a partnership between myself and an old college friend.  He was out of work and looking to start a new venture and was also somewhat of a guitar player.  He knew I loved guitars so we got together and decided to open a business.  I quit my job as an accountant and the rest is history.

Gbase: What lead you to open your own independent shop?

DeSilva: I decided to go it my own as my partner and I disagreed on the direction of the business.  In addition, some personal situations made it more feasible to open and Internet-based business so I opted to forgo the brick and mortar business.

Gbase: So you’re My Generation Guitars is web-only. Well there’s plenty of great Gbase dealers that have opted to become e-business only. Does My Generation have a particular focus or specialty?  Amps versus Guitars, Pedals vs. Amps, Fender vs. Gibson, etc….

DeSilva: My Generation Guitar focus is on quality made American guitars that are relatively new.  I have found that in recent years the vintage market has suffered much more than the every day, player grade guitars.  I also focus on solid body and arch-top electric guitars as these are the guitars I personally prefer and they also tend to hold up better when shipped or transported to and from guitar shows.

Gbase: The last two years have been interesting ones, both for the Music Industry and for the guitar market. Winter NAMM certainly showed positive signs for the world of music retail. What are your thoughts for the guitar market in 2011?

DeSilva: I believe that 2011 will continue to see a rising value on Vintage instruments as I saw in 2010.  The comeback will be slow and steady as buyers are cautious but the vintage market will certainly rebound.  I also believe that the market for recent issue, quality guitars will continue to be stable.  I believe that international sales will decline as the US economy improves with the International markets lagging behind.

Gbase: Are you moving any particular item more than any other at the moment?

DeSilva: Gibson Les Pauls are pretty hot.  Fender Stratocasters were very slow for quite some time but have taken off in the past few months.

Gbase: Retro guitars seemed to be having a bit of resurgence; Reverend, Airline, Eastwood, Danelectro, Eko and more. Any favorites from this world of quirky cool?

DeSilva:  Yes,  I have also noticed that retro guitars (have been moving well).  I have never been into these guitars due to the lower quality but I believe the resurgence stems from the public’s fear of investing in high dollar vintage guitars.  By buying one of these retro guitars, I think guitarists feel a connection to the real vintage guitars without laying out a whole lot of cash.

Gbase: That’s an interesting thought. There are plenty of EKO’s, Danelectro and the like out there for sale plus dozens of new guitar companies manufacturing new model guitars that have all the look and feel of those originals. They have to go somewhere. Given that point, how many guitar shows do you do a year?

DeSilva: I attend and display at somewhere between 20 and 25 guitar shows a year.

Gbase: What’s one of your best pieces you currently have in stock, that you almost hate to sell?

DeSilva: One of the nicest guitars I have in stock would be a 1994 Fender Aluminum Stratocaster in near mint condition with all documents and original case.  These guitar are not only rare but they have a unique, almost resonator type sound.  I just love the sound.

Gbase: What about oddities? What’s the weirdest piece of gear you’ve sold to date?

DeSilva: One of the weirdest guitar I can recall selling was a Wurlitzer.  Just a strange guitar.  I believe it was sold to a gentlemen at the Spartanburg, South Carolina guitar show (Spartanburg Guitar Show) almost 15 years ago and the buyer would stop by my booth every year afterward to remind me about it.

Gbase: You’re located on Long Island. How is the music scene on the Island currently?

DeSilva: The number of guitar players on Long Island is huge.  Just look at your history and you will find that a disproportionate number of well known guitarists come from here (Satriani, Vai, John Petrucci and the list goes on).  It is so unfortunate that the Guitar Dealer community will not support a guitar show here because the public here would make it very successful.

Gbase: Even though you’re an e-Tailer, are you still servicing the local musician community or do are you largely serving the more global market?

DeSilva: While I do have few local customers, my focus is on guitar shows and the internet.

Gbase: So John, if we want to catch up with you, where might we do that?

DeSilva: Well, if you like guitar shows, please visit me at the Upcoming, Amigos Nashville show, The Bee-3 Spartanburg SC guitar show and the Brookdale, NJ guitar show.  You can also visit me on the net at MyGenerationGuitars.com

Gbase: Thanks for taking a few minutes to chat with us. You can also

Dealer of the Month – Emeryville, California’s Own – Jay Rosen

Our November Dealer of the Month is a long time Gbase dealer, dating back to the early days of Gbase – Mr. Jay Rosen. His Emeryville, California operation touts some of the finest instruments you’ll find on Gbase. Let’s have a chat with Jay and see what started this journey towards Classic Guitar Collection and Sales.

Gbase: So Jay, thanks for taking the time to chat with us. Tell us what started your interest in guitars ?And how old were you at the time?

Jay Rosen: I was about seven or eight years old and I got interested guitar by seeing the Beatles and the Monkees on TV. It was popular back then. I think I also used to sing along with Mitch and the Kingston Trio.

Just in case you didn't know who Mitch Miller was

Gbase: What was your first music based job?

Jay: I started getting hired to play guitar in bar bands when I was about 16 or 17. These bands would play two or three nights a week in Omaha or Iowa doing country and rock and roll. I enjoyed playing four sets a night and trying to learn songs onstage and entertain the crowd.  All my other jobs were  less fun than that.

Gbase: I think it’s safe to say, many of us feel the same way when it comes to jobs early in our careers. When did you open your current shop?

Jay: I have been in my current location since December 2001.

Gbase: With all the tumult going on within our economy, where do you see the guitar market currently headed?

Jay: Knowing what will happen in the future is not a skill I have. The past 11 months have been busy.

Gbase: Well that’s certainly good news. Things at the Arlington Show certainly seemed busy. What is currently “hot”in your inventory?

Jay: Not sure. I think most the folks in this hobby like a variety of instruments, I know I do. I love to buy a 1957 Stratocaster and I love a Danelectro, one just costs more than the other.

A '66 Fender Strat from Jay's Inventory

Gbase: Is there something you have been personally looking for that you just can’t not seem to locate.

Jay: My other boot….

Gbase: Well, it’s a good thing you live in California then. How about Guitar Shows? How many shows do you do each year?

Jay: I usually attend six or seven guitar shows a year.

Gbase: You’re out in the Bay Area. San Fran has always been known for great music and great musicians. Has the music scene changed dramatically in your area? Have you seen less guitar players? A shift to more bass players? Or are you just seeing serious collectors….?

Jay:  I think guitar players buy the guitars and most seem to have a purpose in mind. I also like to buy and sell basses. I might like basses the most but guitars are a bigger part of what we vintage dealers end up selling.

I do like to work with musicians here in the Bay Area and I’m out a lot playing in bands. Most of my business is mail order but I enjoy helping folks get the gear they need for that ultimate tone. I think having a great sounding amplifier is pretty exciting.

Gbase: Care to promote the jewel of your collection or the best piece of gear you currently have in your inventory?

Jay: I have a really great SJ-200 right now. It is a 1951 model in Natural. The maple is exceptional and the guitar sounds great. I have not heard a better one.

Jay's 1951 Gibson J-200

Gbase: As a complete and total lunatic for all things J-200, I’m slobbering at the moment. That’s a real beauty….Please share anything we might  have missed?

Jay: Nothing specific. Some of the guitar folks who have done business with me know this…I like  to give a good value.These guitars do cost money but I like to sell my inventory at logical prices and establish relationships in the process. I appreciate all the great people I have met and done business with in the vintage guitar hobby/community. This is a great place for me to spend my daytime hours, I do enjoy my work.

Gbase: That’s actually really great advice. If everyone loved what they did, the world would be a better place. Well, Jay, thanks again for taking the time to speak with us. You can learn more about Jay and his store by visiting his Gbase Store or by visiting his website – Jay Rosen

Retro Fret – Brooklyn, NY

This month, we’re headed for Brooklyn, New York, the former home of the once beloved Dodgers, and a few other noted notables such as Director Woody Allen,  80′s Rocker Pat Benetar, two-thirds of the 3 Stooges (and i’m not counting Shemp cuz he don’t count) but most importantly, it’s home to Steve Uhrik. Steve is the owner of Retro Fret, a unique outlet for all things guitars. Let’s find out a bit more about Retro Fret and that voodoo, that they do, so very well.

Gbase: Steve, tell us a little bit more about what lead you to opening RetroFret?

RetroFret: I had been repairing and restoring instruments since the early 1970’s.  Clients would often say, “Steve, you know lots of musicians – can you help me sell my… old Martin …or Strat. I also started buying guitars to fix-up and sell. Pretty soon my factory-loft repair shop was overcrowded with instruments for sale. In 1986 I took over the entire second floor of my building and created a clear display and sales area and separate workshop. Retrofret Vintage Guitars became our online portal in 1999.

Gbase: We’ve heard much about a renaissance in Brooklyn – lots of new construction, music and the like. What’s the music scene in Brooklyn like these days?

RetroFret: Our South-Brooklyn industrial area is now full of music clubs and recording studios. Lots of musicians have settled here and it’s amazing to see the changes in just the past twenty years. The building that is home to Retrofret was built as the first dedicated ASPCA animal shelter in the world – now its home to guitars waiting for adoption.

Gbase: Do you play guitar?

RetroFret: Up until last year we had a nice little blues and gospel quartet with a few friends from the shop (Peter Kohman, Mike Saccoliti, and the late Bob Guida Jr.) After taking some time off following Bob’s passing I’m just getting back into some music again and actually played at an outdoor festival in June. Peter and Mamie Minch (who runs the service department) actively gig out. I like to get to the shop early (like 6:00am early) so most nights I’m in bed by 9:30!

Gbase: Do you find yourself serving more of the local or regional music market (NY, CT, NJ, New England) or is really more national and global?

RetroFret: Our local cliental has really been increasing in the past few years – but I’d say that sales are about 1/3 regional, 1/3 national, and 1/3 international (depending on how the dollar is standing).  We also provide a fair number of instruments and material to museums, institutions and private collections around the world.

Gbase: That’s great to hear. We’ve been hearing that more and more from both Gbase dealers and others in the industry. Expanding your reach is so very important. Where is RetroFret’s Focus? Amps, EFX Pedals, Guitars?

RetroFret: I’d have to say that the store stock is pretty diverse – almost all of our inventory was made before 1980, no new lines, just vintage gear – acoustics and electrics – lots of tube amps of every variety. We have an example of Gibson’s first electric guitar (a solidbody made of aluminum – one of 97 shipped in 1935) and an original NY made Gittler guitar (#12 of 60 and made of stainless steel in 1976). There’s also a nice wall of Strats including a near mint ’59 out from under the original owner’s bed. We have a real keenness for ‘60s guitars that are often overlooked such as Burns and Micro-frets as well.

Gbase: What’s the coolest thing you have in stock at the current moment?

RetroFret: We have a number of really terrific arch-top guitars in right now – but the ‘too cool for school’ stand-out has to be this 1938 Wilkanowski.

1938 Wilkanowski

Made in Brooklyn by a violin maker who only built a handful of guitars it’s a 16” high arched, cello shaped  instrument with scroll styled headstock. The real kicker is that the neck is actually made of cast aluminum with faux wood graining on the scroll and wood for the fingerboard and back of the neck. Wilkanowski had an association with the Gretsch Company and some of his design elements such as ‘cats eye’ sound holes can be seen on later Gretsch guitars. We’ve had a number of Wilkanowskis over the years including one that was formerly owned by Johnny Cash and another where the work was completed by John D’Angelico with a D’A made neck, bridge, pickguard and tailpiece.

Gbase: That’s a really cool guitar. I have to admit, I’ve never heard of a Wilkanowski. Anything you wish you didn’t have to part with?

RetroFret: A few years ago we acquired Lefty Frizzell’s original 1949 J-200 with Bigsby neck – yes, that guitar from all the 1950’s album covers.  For a while we would just pass it around at the shop and take photos of each other playing it. We did end up selling it – but ‘sometimes at night when the cold wind moans…’ – I do long to play “Long Black Veil” on it again.

Gbase: I’m jealous. I’m sure there’s more than a few people reading this that have a soft spot in their heart for ole’ Lefty. The market is certainly a bit on the tough side at the moment. Are you doing anything extra special to incentivize potential buyers?

RetroFret: We’re doing a fair amount of local outreach – in-store music parties as well as being a business sponsor of the “Celebrate Brooklyn!” concert series in Prospect Park. Just like any retail business in times when money is tight we’re also broadening our inventory price point spread and including less expensive, but still interesting vintage guitars, basses and mandolins. You can still buy a great Guild Starfire from the early ‘60s for about one tenth the price of an ES-335 from that era.

Gbase: Do you have a personal collection? Care to share some of the highlights?

RetroFret: I’m more of the ‘catch & release’ sort of guy than a collector.  I do have a thing for very early electronic instruments and have managed to hang on to an original RCA Theremin as well as a few electric fiddles and Vivi-Tone guitars from the 1930’s.

Gbase: A theremin – now that’s a conversation piece. I wouldn’t imagine you getting too many calls for gigs to play that anywhere. Are you currently in the hunt for something special?

RetroFret: Strictly speaking, this is not a ‘guitar gear’ thing but the technology for this instrument helped lead the way for later electric guitar development: In 1876, American inventor, Elisha Gray accidentally discovered that a self vibrating electromagnet could produce a musical note. Using this single note oscillator he proceeded to invent a keyboard instrument called the Musical Telegraph. He also invented the first simple loudspeaker to make the oscillator signal audible. Basically it was a two octave instrument that could broadcast music over telegraph lines to another unit… and yes, I would trade my ’37 D-18 for an original set.

Gbase: Duly noted – if I run into one. You’ll be my first call!!  We’ll be taking in the Arlington Show come October as well as the Fall Philly Show. Can we expect to see RetroFret out on the road some time this year?

RetroFret: We just got back from (Summer) Philly – Arlington’s definitely on the calendar for us this fall.

Gbase: Anything else you’d like to promote or push through to the Gbase Gearheads?

RetroFret: Have fun with all this wood and wire – we sure try to!

Gbase: I’m all for that. And it’s not like we can’t find a little extra on Gbase. Thanks for taking the time to chat with us. See you come Arlington time!! You can visit with Steve at his Gbase Store or his Retro Fret Website anytime you’d like!

This month the Gazette features a trip into Brooklyn, New York to visit with Gbase Dealer, Retro Fret. Lots going on in Brooklyn both in Retro Frets store and in the local Brooklyn community.

Big news on the Guitar.com front – after a great deal of rebuilding, our good friends over at Guitar.com are pleased to announce that the site is now back up and running. A new look and feel as well as new contests, content, and lessons are ready for perusal. Take a peeks at the new site and be sure to join one of their many contests!

We’ll also stop off with John LeVan down in Nashville, TN. He has an amazing column this month. His normal “Tips and Tone” column takes a brief hiatus to review John’s efforts during the recent Nashville Flood. John had a front and center seat on the clean up after the Cumberland waters receded and he share his photo essay as well as some thoughts as to how things played out.

We also have a great contest from our good friends over at Musiquip. Here’s your chance to win a new Tanglewood Guitar along with a selection of T-Rex EFX pedals. There’s much more to discover in the Gearhead Gazette this month. Enjoy the rest of your summer!!!

For those of you who missed the Dallas Guitar Show, you missed a good one. There was tons of music and more guitars than you can shake a Hagstrom at. You can visit the Dallas Show via their website – Dallas Guitar Show. Or you can just plan on being their next year. Or maybe you want to come visit at the Arlington Guitar Show in October – either way, we hope to catch up with you on the road.

In the meantime, if you looking for a Jazzmaster, things are blowing up. Gbase has tons of ‘em and we’ve interviewed a dealer who has a prime selection, Mr. Bud Samuels, all of which are looking for a good home (the guitars, not Bud).

And in light of the beautiful weather we’ve been having (at least here in the Northeast), our Spring contest is for Travel Guitars. What better way to spend the day then by taking your guitar for walk into the hills!! – Check out the Beaver Creek Travel Guitar giveaway —> Click Here to Enter

May Dealer Spotlight Interview

Bud Samuels

Welcome to our Spring Dealer Spotlight Interview with Bud Samuels. As a coveter (is that even a word?) of all that is Jazzmasters, Bud came to our attention with his impressive inventory of Jazzmasters. If you’re in the market for something slamming from the realm of Elvis Costello, Sonic Youth, The Ventures or My Bloody Valentine – Bud has what you need.

Let’s see what got him started down this very unique path and where he’s headed.

Gbase: Bud, you’ve been with Gbase for some time now – tell us what got you started collecting guitars?

Bud:  I started collecting to own a variety of vintage instruments including pre-CBS electrics and earlier acoustics. Diversification was the goal. Then I was hooked.

Gbase: Some stores focus on Strats, Les Pauls, Amps, Pedals or have a particular strength in one area – do you try to have one area, where you are the “go-to” guy?

Bud: Variety, including vintage amps and guitars are it.  I’m not a brick and mortar vender. But a discerning collector/seller…

Gbase: You have an amazing selection of Jazzmasters – is that one of your personal favorites? (I have a weakness for them as well – although I sold my ’59 while trying to pay the rent in college).

Bud:  When Custom Color vintage Strats were bringing 110k+ they were out of my range, still are.  Custom color Jazzmasters are beautiful, fun to play, sound fantastic, well built and at the time that I began collecting, very affordable. I thought what a wonderful way to celebrate that era of historical Fender Custom Color, electric rock and roll guitars, without selling the house.  It worked. And the fact that jazz players of that era were still into the electric hollow body Gibsons and Epiphones left the Jazzmaster unloved by those players for which they were built. Very few people can afford a Rembrandt but there are many who can afford and appreciate lesser art pieces of great value and beauty. That’s called a Jazzmaster for me!

Gbase: So what’s in your current inventory that you’d almost prefer to keep rather than sell?

Bud:  Easy question. All of them! As valuation is concerned, the iconic ’52 Black Guard Tele in near mint condition would be a tough sell due to its enormous upward appreciation going forward and sheer delight to play.  And the ’56 Maple Neck Strat which plays like what it’s called: “Butter”.

1952 Fender Black Guard Telecaster

1956 Fender Stratocaster

Gbase: Do you cater to a particular buyer? In other words, do you have a local market as well as a strong web-presence?

Bud:   International and local, but prefer dealing with educated collectors/ musicians mostly from anywhere..  I like buyers with money and knowledge. Nothing worse than dealing with unenlightened and ignorant wanna -be-vintage collector (kids) who pretend to have the funds and knowledge but have neither.  No matter how old they are.

Gbase: What’s the most amazing piece you’ve stumbled upon recently?

Bud:   My 1941 Gibson J-35.  Like many well known musicians have stated;  ”this guitar has a song in it”. (ie, Petty)  That being the case my J-35 has an album in it. I just cannot put it down. Amazing instrument!

Gbase: What Guitar Shows might we see you displaying your fine inventory?

Bud:  Possibly Arlington.

Gbase: Do you have a personal collection – things that won’t make it onto Gbase?

Bud:  Not really.  A few amps and later Strats and a couple of acoustics for beer and wine nights!

Gbase: Have you been doing anything unique in light of the current economy to help better promote your gear?

Bud: For the client I have in mind nothing beats GBASE!  - That’s where the relevant buyers/sellers go hunting. I hate to suggest it but eBay is a cheap and effective platform to ‘show’ stuff but, without question, these are bottom feeders and I use it very infrequently, purely as exploitation to reach those collectors’ who might know me from GBASE! . Lot of dealers and collectors say they never, ever go to eBay but we all know that’s BS. But the real deal is Gbase for the serious buyer/seller.

Gbase: That’s very kind of you to say so. We like to think that Gbase has the quality dealers AND the quality inventory to scour through. How did you come across Gbase?

Bud:  I was dating this musician lady friend a few years ago and one very late night she said; ” look for the Gbase,  Gbase,  and I said you mean Gspot? No dummy, get your guitars on Gbase”!

Gbase: Hmmmm, that’s very suspect indeed. Although, we must give her props for her guidance and direction. What’s in your inventory currently that won’t last long?

Bud:  Tough question. I guess my ’60 es335 w/ factory Bigsby in near flawless cond. But, another one of those damn guitars that just won’t let you put her down. Not only are these guitars lady-like and shapely, but they claw at you like crazy to keep your fingers on them!  Amazing feature, btw.

Gbase: Have you been getting a lot of new inventory?

Bud:  Here and there, but I would say in this economy it’s an extreme buyers market. Even if the economy continues to tumble a bit more, the buying opportunities for the good stuff are still great buying opportunities.  I hate bull markets. I think the correction in the vintage guitar market is a good thing. This very small industry (vintage) will begin to stabilize and the realistic value of the vintage guitar will find new markets for those sellers with brick and mortar, and those without, will enjoy a steady and reliable output of product.  Good for all.

Gbase: It’s been a pleasure speaking with you Bud, anything else you’d like to promote?

Bud:  Good health and charity, especially my charity, me!  Oh and of course Gbase.com!  Thanks Don!

Gbase: Thanks to you Bud. Have a great season and we hope to see you in Arlington!!

March Dealer Spotlight Interview

BLVD-Music – Boiling Springs, SC

This month we’re heading south to South Carolina – the weather’s unseasonably chilly this year, but the people are as charming as can be. Just 2 miles north of Spartanburg – home of the recent Spartanburg Guitar Show (now called the South Carolina Guitar Show) is Boiling Springs, SC. Here you will find BLVD Music, a great local music store filled with some of the coolest guitars and gear you could ever hope to find. Let’s check in with John Dannert to see how the state of the uni………er confederacy is going with good ole’ BLVD Music.

Gbase: John – good to talk to you again. It’s been some time since we first met up at your first location over in Spartanburg (that was Spartanburg, wasn’t it?). So let’s start from the beginning of this new endeavor. How did you get started with BLVD Music?

John – BVLD: Trevor Isetts, the owner of BLVD Music was the house sound tech at my nightclub for almost a decade.  Over the years, we’ve done tons of guitar deals.  Shortly after he opened BLVD Music, he asked me to come on as the vintage/used gear buyer.  It’s a perfect fit for me because I get to do my own thing, as well as participate in the store while working alongside one of my best friends.

Gbase: How long as BLVD Music been in business?

John – BVLD: Just over two years.

Gbase: What’s the local music scene like in Boiling Springs? Do players have to venture out to Columbia or further?

John – BLVD: There seem to be plenty of cover bands out there, but there doesn’t seem to be much demand for original music right now.

Gbase: Your collection of gear is really amazing. You’ve got a couple of ’47 Gibsons – an ES-150 and an L-7 – both in great shape. Does BLVD Music specialize in one area of vintage and used gear?

John – BLVD:  Not really.  We’re as equally stoked over a pre-war Martin as we are an original San Dimas Charvel.

Gbase: What about on the amp side of things?

John – Blvd: We’re all over the Vox Nighttrain. Amazing tone on the cheap and it looks cool, too.

Gbase: Have you found anything recently that isn’t up on your Gbase page as of yet that you’d like to share with us?

John – BLVD: 1955 Gretsch Duo-Jet without a neck.  Otherwise, it’s perfect.

Gbase: Without a neck – now that’s a bonus. I know a few players I’d like to give that guitar to. On another note, has the downturn in the economy dramatically impacted your sales efforts? And have you done anything special to help get thru this situation?

John – BLVD: There’s no way to be completely unaffected by the economy; however, there are lots of great deals out there, and we’re scouring the dirty south for them!

Gbase: What about taking your store on the road? Do you take in many of the guitar shows out there?

John – BLVD: No more than six a year and all in the Southeast. The rest are either too far, too expensive or too cold.

Gbase:  Too cold? What are you from Florida? Although it’s been cold down there too – just this past week, Savannah, GA got some snow. Dealers are always on the prowl for something special. Are you currently in the hunt for something that you just can’t seem to locate?

John – BLVD: The Marshall Tucker band is from Spartanburg, and as the legend goes, Toy’s Burst went missing a number of years ago.  I would love for it to come up for air.

Gbase: Well this is as good a place to put people on notice – keep a look out for it. If you want to provide more detail in that regard, let us know and we’ll do what we can on our end.

Everyone has one of those “one that got away” stories – care to share one of those? Mine was a ’59 Jazzmaster that I sold for no good reason. It’s too painful to go on…..

John – BVLD: I had a huge neck ‘64 Les Paul Jr. SG that was the best sounding P-90 guitar I ever heard.  It absolutely destroyed a world famous burst in a tone shoot-out one afternoon.  The owner had just paid a record price and looked like he wanted to jump off the roof.  I sold the SG for no good reason as well.  The new owner however, is “glad” that he has it.

Gbase: I’m sure he is – almost as much as you’re pissed that he has it, I’m sure. John, as always, it’s great to chat with you. We’ll see you out on the road sometime in the not-too-distant future. Care to share anything we might have missed? Sales specials? Promo’s you’ve got upcoming? Something special in your Gbase store that people should absolutely not miss?

John – BLVD: We’ve got a hot lead on a large collection of guitars, so stay tuned…

Gbase: We’ll do – HEY GEARHEADS – be sure to check out BLVD-Music’s Gbase store – http://www.gbase.com/stores/blvd-music – as well as their own website – BLVD MUSIC – it’s chock full of all sorts of goodies and as John indicated – check back as they’re hot on the trail of large covey of guitars. They’re sure to be posting some new inventory in the not-too-distant.

Rivington Guitars Gbase Store

New York, NY – December in Manhattan – there ain’t nothing like it. Rockfeller Plaza, Times Square – the lights, the electric bill – it’s truly an amazing site. Down in the heart of the East Village, you’ll find NYC’s best little Guitar Store, Rivington Guitars. And behind the counter, you’re likely to find the owner, Howie Statland.  Gbase drops in to see what their new location is up to in the City that never sleeps.

Gbase: Hey Howie – hope all is well here in the village. Tell us a little something about yourself. Prior to your opening Rivington Guitars in 1998, what was your background?  What got your started in the world of retail guitar?

Rivington: I grew up in Chicago and had bands there. I started playing in clubs when I was 16 years old, as soon as I could drive. We’d play from 9pm to 3am for $100 per night split between three guys.   I moved to NYC after high school to make it as a musician.  I started a band called Thin Lizard Dawn in ‘92 and we were signed to RCA Records. We made several records on and off the label and lots of extensive touring.

Howie Statland

Gbase: So now it’s 1997 – what leads you to opening the shop?

Rivington: When we left RCA I started buying and selling guitars as that is what I really loved and wound up in the guitar business.

Gbase: As many of our Gbase dealers are, you’re a player – that’s great!  So are you still playing?

Rivington: My current band is called NYCSmoke.  We’ve been together since the breakup of Thin Lizard Dawn.  We play everywhere and we’ve released four records. (NYC Smoke has CD’s available – you can check them out at CD BABY)

Gbase: Very cool – what about guitarists? Who are your favs?

Rivington: My favorite guitarists are Pete Townshend and Lou Reed. My favorite bands are The Who and The Velvet Underground.

Gbase: Do you still gig out?

Rivington: Yes, we play all over and we just played Arlenes Grocery on December 3rd, (NYC) and we’ll be playing Fontana’s on January 14th, 2010.

Gbase: You recently moved from your original location over on – uniquely enough – Rivington and Essex – and are now located down in the East Village (4th St).  How is your new location working out?

Rivington: We love the new location. We took an old run down Bodega and renovated it into a beautiful new guitar shop. In our old shop we had roughly 300 square feet.  Now we have over 800 square feet and a much better layout so you can see all the guitars.  It really makes a huge difference being able to see all the guitars lined up on the walls. The new store is very inviting.

Gbase NOTE: Check out Rivington’s Podcast – it’s a great sneak peek at their store as well as some of the very cool guitars in their inventory.

Gbase: With nearly 500 pieces of Gear on Gbase alone, you must have a pretty impressive collection. What’s in your prized collection or at least, what is “THE ONE”?

Rivington: Here’s a list of some:

• ’93 Gibson Les Paul Premium Plus, Sunburst (purchased with my Bar Mitzvah money!)
• ’65 Gibson ES-330, sunburst (total John Lennon tone)
• ’65 Gibson SG Special (Townshend Live at Leeds!!)
• ’64 Gibson SG JR, cherry (nice wide neck)
• ’65 Gibson SG JR, cherry (purchased back in 1992 on 48th Street)
• ’63 Gibson Dove (remarkable guitar)
• ’62 Fender Jazzmaster, sunburst (my favorite)
• ’74 Fender Stratocaster, Black (David Gilmour style)
• ’74 Fender Starcaster, White (love this rare beauty!)
• ’83 Fender Bullet (my first guitar)
• ’64 Gretsch Chet Atkins 6120, Orange (Plays amazing and has remarkable tone, Filtertron pickups rule)
• ’52 Martin 00-18 (my songwriting guitar)
• ’59 Martin 00-18E (my live solo show guitar for gigs the original Dearmond is killer)

My favorite is a ’62 Jazzmaster, it’s a gem and it’s very special to me.  It’s pretty beat up and I’m getting afraid to bring it to shows as I can get carried away on stage. My other favorite is the ’93 Les Paul and the ’52 Martin 00-18.   I like the ones that feel like they have songs in them.

Gbase:  I must admit I’m a little jealous. I’m a big Jazzmaster fan and have been in the market for one for a while. It’s currently on the “wish list” but buying a house was a bigger priority. Maybe one day but i digress…. That’s a very sweet selection to choose from. I would want to gig all the time if I had to pick from that list. The Village has always been a hot bed for live music but music scene is constantly changing. How is the Music Scene in the City right now?

Rivington: It’s very much alive and thriving. There are so many bands in NYC it is unbelievable. I didn’t realize how many there actually are until I was on this side of the business as opposed to out there playing gigs all the time.  Every day at my store, there are local musicians as well as touring musicians coming in to check out some gear.  Some of our Recent customers include The Strokes, Nora Jones, The Killers, Flight of the Concords, The New York Dolls, The Arcade Fire, Muse, Brian Joestown Massacre, Elvis Costello, along with a bunch more.

Gbase: Has the downturn in the economy forced Rivington to do anything special to help induce sales? Promotions? Specials? Etc…

Rivington: To be honest, we’ve not had trouble selling guitars. This item (guitars), in our economy, does not seem to wane like others. When people see a guitar, they are immediately drawn in. It’s like a culture magnet.

Sure the high end guitars have come down a bit, but our guitars have consistently been selling strong.  Maybe it’s because we haven’t had the majority of our funds tied up in high end items.  Most of the guitars in our store are under $5000, and this market is thriving. It’s more of a musicians and players market as opposed to the collector.

For the collector, it is purely a buying market, as the high end guitars have fallen in price.  For the guitarist who is a professional or semi-professional, they are going to buy the guitar that is under $5000 because it’s a guitar they need to get a certain sound or for a certain gig.  This type of buyer has for the most part been our best customer and this market has remained fairly strong. I relate most personally to this type of buyer.

The nice thing is that it’s been a bit easier to get the guitars as people are selling their guitars as a result of the downturn.  So it’s a buyer’s market and we are buying as much as we can right now.  So if you’ve got a good one for a good price, call Rivington Guitars!!

Gbase: Where do you see the Guitar business headed over the course of the next 5 to 10 years?

Rivington: I think it’s going to level off for the next few years, with the exception of some models.  Martins have been accelerating in price at a steady rate and have not slowed down. Les Pauls and Telecasters seem to be the strongest appreciators in the electric market.  Strats have come down a bit as they bubbled quite a bit in 2006/2007.

Jazzmasters are under appreciated sleepers and in my opinion, they are the best deal going for Pre-CBS Fenders.  Fender Starcasters are being played by lots of big names like The Killers and Radiohead and I’ve got lots of people looking for them.

The more I do this, the more I realize the difference between guitars made prior to 1964 when the Beatles hit and the ones made after that time. When the Beatles hit, guitar companies had a much larger demand for instruments and changed the way they were doing things for a mass market. This affected the quality of what the companies were putting out.  So I recommend purchasing vintage instruments made prior to that time if one can afford it.

Gbase: Where do you see Rivington in the next 5 to 10 years?

Rivington: I’d like to expand the business, but I need to be careful not to expand too quickly. My goal is to have stores in LA, Chicago and NYC by 2015.  We’d like to become the Best Little Guitar Store in all these cities!

Gbase: That sounds like a great goal. Best of luck with that and of course, we wish you much success in the coming year. Thanks for being a great Gbase dealer. One final thought, you must have something extra special in the shop at the moment, something that certainly won’t last very long – wanna give us the overview?

Rivington: We’ve got a nice ’66 P-Bass in Candy Apple Red, its super light and resonant and purchased from the original owner, the neck is amazing. A ’62 Jazzmaster that has some wear is one of my favorites, we also have a ’65 Jazzmaster with clay dots so it’s more like Pre-CBS that is remarkably clean and nice.   We’ve got three, very special ES-335′s. A ’74 Walnut is the absolutely the nicest Walnut one we’ve had, a mint ’77 ES-335 in wine red, and a rare ’78 ES-335 in blond, the wood is stunning.    We’ve got a ’62 Gretsch Chet Atkins 6120 that plays AMAZING! It sounds like Who’s Next! There’s many more I could go on and on.

Gbase: Well, thanks again for taking the time to be part of our Gbase Dealer Spotlight, Anything additional to add?

Rivington: I’d like to mention how much we appreciate GBASE and what it has done for our business. It is a great reference site for price estimation. t is a wonderful resource to find other dealers and network with them. We’ve been on Gbase since 1998 and it has helped our business tremendously so we just want to say thank you, great job and keep GBASING!!

Gbase: For more in on Howie Statland and Rivington Guitars – you can visit their Gbase store at XXX or check them out online at www.RIVINGTONGUITARS.com or call Howie directly at 212-505-5313.

Gbase.com: So John, how did you get your start in the vintage guitar business?

John Bernunzio: Slowly but surely the hunt for old instruments turned into an obsession. Particularly, a local store had a very fine Gibson mandocello. The owner would not sell it but said he might consider a trade. I took the names and addresses of everyone advertising instruments for sale in Pickin’, Mugwumps and Guitar Player magazines and sent letters out to drum up something to trade. That list of people was the beginning of my customer database. I never did get the mandocello, but I had a list of a few hundred people who had the same passion for vintage instruments. Over the next few years I had accumulated a large pile of guitars, mandolins and banjos and also had bought a very old and dilapidated farmhouse in the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York. When the roof needed replacing and I had run out of money from my meager teaching salary, I assembled my first list of instruments for sale. That was around 1976. I sold a bunch of stuff, fixed the roof and had money left over to buy more vintage instruments. That started the cycle that continues today. Now there are no more lists, just the Website and now a store.

Gbase.com: You recently acquired a major collection of early banjos.  Can you tell us a little bit more about that?

John: I have always had a passion for fine, old banjos. The banjo is THE American instrument and the first popular music was played on the banjo. Jazz has its roots in the Dixieland sound of the banjo and many of the early guitar greats were first banjo players. Over the years I made helped build many large collections of banjos including that of Mr. Akira Tsumura of Japan. I have sold banjos everywhere in the world and as a result banjos have a way of finding me. Recently, a collector drove across country pulling a trailer full of banjos and related ephemera. When he decided to sell, there was no question as to where he would bring his collection.

Gbase.com: Will we see you at any guitar shows in the near future?

John: I used to attend guitars shows regularly in the 80s and 90s but I have not been in many years. I miss the camaraderie but, frankly they had been come very aggressive events and that is not my nature. Occasionally, I go to the vintage show in Anaheim as part of the NAMM show. If I start lifting weights and running on the treadmill, I may go back to guitars shows again.

Gbase.com: Do you have a certain guitar or guitars that you specialize in?

John: I have always tried to maintain an interesting selection of instruments that other people scratch their heads about. For years I have paid well for smaller, early Martins, Larson Brothers guitars, Lyon and Healy and Washburn brands as well as archtop, Jazz guitars from the 20s-40s. That said, I would never kick an old Strat or Les Paul out of bed and have sold fine “bursts”, Vs, Teles and Falcons.

Gbase.com: We’ve heard that Bernunzio hosts special events at the store and features local musicians in its First Friday Series.  What can we look forward to in the next couple of weeks?

John: We always showcase local talent at our house concerts. We also host special gatherings such as a reunion of guitar players honoring the memory of their locally famous teacher, Dick Longale.  We hold workshops and have formed an “Ukulele Support Group” that is very popular. Our most unique event was titled “Rafe & Ravioli”. Rafe Stefanini gave a workshop and a house concert. A local musician who owns a great ravioli shop provided the meal. It was a very memorable evening. Next month we will host a convention of banjo historians from around the world. Our events have really helped our business but more importantly, we have made great friends and met so many interesting people. That never happened when we worked in our basement.

Our store is located one block from the prestigious Eastman School of Music. Consequently, there are great musicians everywhere. The funny thing is that you will meet someone who just graduated with a degree in classical guitar, but down deep, they are a rock and roller or a banjo player.  We enjoy young talent and have mentored many local musicians as they weave their way through the business of music.

Gbase.com: Bernunzio is a family-run business.  What’s it like being in this business with the family?

John: It is a little crazy. For the first thirty years of business, we operated out of our house. When it was time to send out a new mailing list, the kitchen table was covered with fliers and the kids all participated. Once, we went out for dinner and came home to find a note on the table from our, then 10-year old son, Benjamin. It read, Mom and Dad, I sold the sunburst D-28 to some guy from Japan, his name, address and credit card numbers are on the desk! Although none of them work in the business today, they all know first hand what Mom and Dad do with their life. My wife, Julie is the brains of the business and oversees everything from events to ordering and of course, finance.

Gbase.com: What is the local music scene like Rochester?  Do you still gig?

John: I have never been a gigging musician. My “day job” for 20 years was a Special Education teacher at the Jr. High level. I always say that is why I work so well with musicians. There is a great scene locally with bands and songwriters of all genres. Saturdays, a great many of them stop by the store which they refer to as “coming to church”, a “must do” for the week.

Gbase.com: Any predictions for where the vintage guitar business is headed over the next year?  Any changes that you would like to see?

John: I think everyone has admitted to a price correction in the market. People don’t seem eager to pay “stupid money” any more and perhaps that is for the best. That said, right now there is a lot of selling and buying going on. Vintage guitars must compete with some really fine new instruments being produced by luthiers in America and overseas. It never ceases to amaze me though, when a large collection comes up for sale, one that perhaps took years to put together, and it is disseminated across the globe within a reasonable time. When prices adjust, they will only sink to a level at which one person is willing to pay. When several people are willing to readily pay that amount, the prices start to increase.

Gbase.com: Do you see any changes coming to Bernunzio Uptown Music in the near future?

John: We are very new to the retail side of the business and are constantly adding products that local musicians need. Additionally, we have been involved with Eastman Strings, Co., in Beijing, China, (no relation to the school) to reproduce some acoustic instruments from the golden age of music. Bringing these beautiful instruments to the marketplace is really a labor of love.

Gbase.com: Well, one things for sure, you’re keeping busy. Anything else you’d like to share with the Gbase Gearheads out there?

John: Our stellar reputation in this business is directly linked to our philosophies of life – “Treat people the way you would like to be treated” and “Know your stuff”. Take people seriously and listen to them whether they are buying a $5 pack of strings or a $10,000 guitar. Customer service and knowledge are the keys to our success.

Gbase.com: John, thanks for taking the time to visit with us and share some background on your business and your great store up in Rochester. Be sure to visit John’s site directly at Bernunzio.com. You can also visit John’s Gbase store by clicking on this link – Bernunzio Gbase Inventory