Re: Matt Umanov Guitars (NYC) to Close
When did this thread become about Elderly?
We're talking about Umanov's closing. Someone's experience with another dealer is not just a hijack, it's totally out of bounds.
Several good posts on experience with Umanov, who sure wasn't cheap, but apparently had some of the old "stop in, hang out, play some of the merchandise" vibe. I think of Harry Tuft and the Denver Folklore Center, Stu Cohen at Music Emporium, John Bernunzio and Dave Stutzman locally. Places you can meet local musicians, talk about the music scene, maybe make friends and get a dollar off on your next pack of strings ("good customer discount").
Got a call from a guy yesterday; his daughter had given him a concertina as a present (wonder how she really feels about Dad?). He asked Dave Stutzman about it -- along the lines of "Whatthehell do I do with this?" -- and Dave suggested he call me, for sage advice, since I play concertina as well, and Dave knows, basically, nada about concertinas. Long story short, he has an Anglo*, I play English,* so I referred him elsewhere. Point being, if you've spent enough time in a particular shop, the owner knows you, and that's a good thing. Even if it means fielding concertina questions.
Which is why I raised the point about how these shops are extensions of a particular owner's personality, and when that person retires or gives up running the place for whatever reason, many of them don't survive. Which is a pity.
*Different fingering systems; don't ask.
Allen Hopkins
Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
Natl Triolian Dobro mando
Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
H-O mandolinetto
Stradolin Vega banjolin
Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
Flatiron 3K OM
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