rpe
NM - Land of Excrement
I’ll be in Crystal City (Wash DC) next week and was wondering if there are any outstanding guitar shops to see in that area.
Thanks,
rpe
Thanks,
rpe
M
MegaDrummer
New member
Not that I'm aware of as far as custom shops go, I only know of one in Bethesda on Old Georgetown Road. But you're about 45 minutes from Paul Reed Smith HQ in Annapolis MD. And there's a Guitar Center in Falls Church VA.
A place where they have hundreds of pre-owned guitars is Atomic Music in College Park just inside the beltway (click link for details) about 30 minutes away. This is a really cool place where you can walk in, pull a classic axe down off the wall with any price tag (a hundred to two grand), stroll over to the amps, take your pick and plug in.
They are real cool there, and will even knock the price down without even asking. Anyhow, I think it's worth the drive if you've got a couple hours to kill.
A place where they have hundreds of pre-owned guitars is Atomic Music in College Park just inside the beltway (click link for details) about 30 minutes away. This is a really cool place where you can walk in, pull a classic axe down off the wall with any price tag (a hundred to two grand), stroll over to the amps, take your pick and plug in.
They are real cool there, and will even knock the price down without even asking. Anyhow, I think it's worth the drive if you've got a couple hours to kill.
rpe
NM - Land of Excrement
Thanks Mega. I hope to get over there.
mshilarious
Banned
There's a high-end classical shop downtown, if you're interested I'll look up the details.
Lopp
New member
There's a little shop on 23rd St, one block West of Jefferson Davis Highway called Zaverellas. Don't bother going there, not much of a selection and they usually charge too much. 
However, it's the only guitar shop I'm aware of that's actually in Crystal City.
I would stongly recommend Crystal City Restaurant on 23rd and Jeff Davis Highway. Good lunch specials, especially the NY Strip Steak. The girls wear pasties and thongs, but they're in great shape.
Other guitar shops:
Venneman's: Shop in VA is smaller than the one in MD. Decent selection, average prices.
Guitar Center: Falls Church, VA. It's a Guitar Center, nuff said.
Chuck Levin's Washington Music: Bethesda, MD. Great selection, but often too crowded. They usually give a good discount off their marked price (if you can get a hold of a salesperson). One of my favorite shops.
Rolls Music: Falls Church, VA. Overpriced. Arrogant salesmen. Limited selection.
Action Music: My favorite guitar shop. Small shop kind of in the basement of a strip mall. Mostly deals in guitars and guitar amps. Decent selection of guitars for a shop its size. The guitar tech is excellent.
Action Music
6501 29th St N
Arlington, VA 22213-1338
(703)534-4801
Note: all of this info is a few years old.
However, it's the only guitar shop I'm aware of that's actually in Crystal City.I would stongly recommend Crystal City Restaurant on 23rd and Jeff Davis Highway. Good lunch specials, especially the NY Strip Steak. The girls wear pasties and thongs, but they're in great shape.
Other guitar shops:
Venneman's: Shop in VA is smaller than the one in MD. Decent selection, average prices.
Guitar Center: Falls Church, VA. It's a Guitar Center, nuff said.
Chuck Levin's Washington Music: Bethesda, MD. Great selection, but often too crowded. They usually give a good discount off their marked price (if you can get a hold of a salesperson). One of my favorite shops.
Rolls Music: Falls Church, VA. Overpriced. Arrogant salesmen. Limited selection.
Action Music: My favorite guitar shop. Small shop kind of in the basement of a strip mall. Mostly deals in guitars and guitar amps. Decent selection of guitars for a shop its size. The guitar tech is excellent.
Action Music
6501 29th St N
Arlington, VA 22213-1338
(703)534-4801
Note: all of this info is a few years old.
Lopp
New member
S
Skysaw
New member
I hate Chuck Levin's with a passion. It's always packed with people, and salespeople are very good at ignoring you... like to the tune of 45 minutes straight.
Go to Guitar Center at Seven Corners instead. It's never crowded, and their selection is just as good.
Go to Guitar Center at Seven Corners instead. It's never crowded, and their selection is just as good.
rpe
NM - Land of Excrement
thanks guys!!!!!!!
M
MegaDrummer
New member
Outdated Info Alert!
The Venemans in VA and MD are now Guitar Centers.
Chuck Levins Washington Music Center is in Wheaton MD.
Rolls Music is out of business for a year now.
When The Guitar Centers moved in, most of the mom and pops closed up shop. Even M.A.R.S. Music went under. The only cool place left is ATOMIC. Levin's has some vintage stuff, but not as much as ATOMIC.
Lopp said:There's a little shop on 23rd St, one block West of Jefferson Davis Highway called Zaverellas. Don't bother going there, not much of a selection and they usually charge too much.
I would stongly recommend Crystal City Restaurant on 23rd and Jeff Davis Highway. Good lunch specials, especially the NY Strip Steak. The girls wear pasties and thongs, but they're in great shape.
Other guitar shops:
Venneman's: Shop in VA is smaller than the one in MD. Decent selection, average prices.
Guitar Center: Falls Church, VA. It's a Guitar Center, nuff said.
Chuck Levin's Washington Music: Bethesda, MD. Great selection, but often too crowded. They usually give a good discount off their marked price (if you can get a hold of a salesperson). One of my favorite shops.
Rolls Music: Falls Church, VA. Overpriced. Arrogant salesmen. Limited selection.
Action Music: My favorite guitar shop. Small shop kind of in the basement of a strip mall. Mostly deals in guitars and guitar amps. Decent selection of guitars for a shop its size. The guitar tech is excellent.
Action Music
6501 29th St N
Arlington, VA 22213-1338
(703)534-4801
Note: all of this info is a few years old.
The Venemans in VA and MD are now Guitar Centers.
Chuck Levins Washington Music Center is in Wheaton MD.
Rolls Music is out of business for a year now.
When The Guitar Centers moved in, most of the mom and pops closed up shop. Even M.A.R.S. Music went under. The only cool place left is ATOMIC. Levin's has some vintage stuff, but not as much as ATOMIC.
mshilarious
Banned
The Venemans in VA is now a check cashing center, and good riddance to them. The worst, most hostile service to younguns imaginable. I'm 31 now, so yes, I bore this grudge a long time. Rolls wasn't much better.
Mars killed them off (opened practically next door), then Mars died too. I never had much use for Mars, I went there a lot but hardly ever bought anything.
Seven Corners (Guitar Center) is such a traffic nightmare that I avoid if possible.
The shop I like the best is way far away from Crystal City so probably not worth it, but it's Melodee in Sterling. The owner is practically an old friend. It's an hour drive on a good day.
Mars killed them off (opened practically next door), then Mars died too. I never had much use for Mars, I went there a lot but hardly ever bought anything.
Seven Corners (Guitar Center) is such a traffic nightmare that I avoid if possible.
The shop I like the best is way far away from Crystal City so probably not worth it, but it's Melodee in Sterling. The owner is practically an old friend. It's an hour drive on a good day.
rpe
NM - Land of Excrement
I actually visited Levins in Wheaton several years ago. By the time I climbed all the stairs at the Wheaton Metro stop I could hardly breathe. They did have a great acoustic room with lots of different Taylor models.
M
MegaDrummer
New member
Not a lot of new gear at Atomic....
But you'll see stuff like a Martin DC-1E in mint condition for $649 with case one day, and go back the next day to find it sold and gone. The gear changes daily, even hour to hour. Jimmie Vaughn may walk through the door when he's in town. But it's not right on the Metro Rail line. The closest station is Greenbelt two or three miles away. If you have a rental car it's just inside the beltway. Anyway, hope you get out and about.
P.S... Chuck Levins just passed away a few months back. After over 50 years selling gear, his funeral closed down roads for miles. The wake lasted days at standing room only. His son wishes to maintain the store without many changes that made it known across the world by many. He sold me my first conga drums back in 1976.
http://megadrummer.curvedspaces.com
But you'll see stuff like a Martin DC-1E in mint condition for $649 with case one day, and go back the next day to find it sold and gone. The gear changes daily, even hour to hour. Jimmie Vaughn may walk through the door when he's in town. But it's not right on the Metro Rail line. The closest station is Greenbelt two or three miles away. If you have a rental car it's just inside the beltway. Anyway, hope you get out and about.
P.S... Chuck Levins just passed away a few months back. After over 50 years selling gear, his funeral closed down roads for miles. The wake lasted days at standing room only. His son wishes to maintain the store without many changes that made it known across the world by many. He sold me my first conga drums back in 1976.
http://megadrummer.curvedspaces.com 
6gun
New member
atomic was just getting rolling when i left silver spring in 96 or so...it was pretty cool & in an old house back then.
rolls music was a bad cliche...everything a sucky music store should be. good riddance to that one.
i never had any problems at levins, just don't act like an ignorant shithead and you'll do just fine. if you want to see some cool stuff, around the corner (same block as chucks) at washington professional systems. high-end recording gear that'll make you drool on yourself if you're a recordist. of course, you just can't walk in....tell 'em.....rick rubin sent you.
rolls music was a bad cliche...everything a sucky music store should be. good riddance to that one.
i never had any problems at levins, just don't act like an ignorant shithead and you'll do just fine. if you want to see some cool stuff, around the corner (same block as chucks) at washington professional systems. high-end recording gear that'll make you drool on yourself if you're a recordist. of course, you just can't walk in....tell 'em.....rick rubin sent you.
S
scottr
New member
MegaDrummer said:Not that I'm aware of as far as custom shops go, I only know of one in Bethesda on Old Georgetown Road. But you're about 45 minutes from Paul Reed Smith HQ in Annapolis MD. And there's a Guitar Center in Falls Church VA.
A place where they have hundreds of pre-owned guitars is Atomic Music in College Park just inside the beltway (click link for details) about 30 minutes away. This is a really cool place where you can walk in, pull a classic axe down off the wall with any price tag (a hundred to two grand), stroll over to the amps, take your pick and plug in.
They are real cool there, and will even knock the price down without even asking. Anyhow, I think it's worth the drive if you've got a couple hours to kill.
Yeah Atomic is the best. I go there before I go anywhere else cause I'd almost always buy used than new considering their prices. Always great deals. Lots of stuff too. Rentals and repairs and supplies as well. I live about 2 minutes from there.
Scott
S
scottr
New member
Lopp said:There's a little shop on 23rd St, one block West of Jefferson Davis Highway called Zaverellas. Don't bother going there, not much of a selection and they usually charge too much.
I would stongly recommend Crystal City Restaurant on 23rd and Jeff Davis Highway. Good lunch specials, especially the NY Strip Steak. The girls wear pasties and thongs, but they're in great shape.
Other guitar shops:
Venneman's: Shop in VA is smaller than the one in MD. Decent selection, average prices.
Guitar Center: Falls Church, VA. It's a Guitar Center, nuff said.
Chuck Levin's Washington Music: Bethesda, MD. Great selection, but often too crowded. They usually give a good discount off their marked price (if you can get a hold of a salesperson). One of my favorite shops.
Rolls Music: Falls Church, VA. Overpriced. Arrogant salesmen. Limited selection.
Action Music: My favorite guitar shop. Small shop kind of in the basement of a strip mall. Mostly deals in guitars and guitar amps. Decent selection of guitars for a shop its size. The guitar tech is excellent.
Action Music
6501 29th St N
Arlington, VA 22213-1338
(703)534-4801
Note: all of this info is a few years old.
There's a Guitar Center in rockville too (where veneman's used to be), and Chucks is actually in Wheaton. Didn't realize there were so many people on here from the area..
Scott
S
scottr
New member
Skysaw said:
Theres a reason its so crowded... Their prices are always less than Guitar Center's which is the next closest thing to most people. I usually shop at Guitar Center and buy at Chuck's.
Scott
Lopp
New member
Ok, I stand corrected on a few things.
However, I still stand by my recommendation for Chuck Levins. Like I mentioned, it is crowded and it is hard to get a salesperson. However, the selection is great and they have good prices.
I especially stand by my recommendation for Action Music.
However, I still stand by my recommendation for Chuck Levins. Like I mentioned, it is crowded and it is hard to get a salesperson. However, the selection is great and they have good prices.
I especially stand by my recommendation for Action Music.
M
MegaDrummer
New member
It all depends.....
When I bought my custom ordered Pearl Masters Studio BRX, I shopped around a print out of each piece with stock/model number to all the local stores and some web stores. The winning low bid was to get the sale. Coleman who used to be at Venemans and is now at Chuck's looked at the price quote from Guitar Center and said he couldn't touch it. The price GC quoted was too close to cost. So if you have the time, it pays to shop around. If I sold my kit today I would profit.
My nephew now works in sales at Chuck's behind the drum counter. At that time he was in the stockroom for a few years and even with family ties they couldn't beat Guitar Center. But there are a lot of factors involved in sales.
Hey, if you need your guitar worked on go see his brother my other nephew in Baltimore. He worked for PRS before he opened his own shop. Here's his website.....
www.philtone.com
When I bought my custom ordered Pearl Masters Studio BRX, I shopped around a print out of each piece with stock/model number to all the local stores and some web stores. The winning low bid was to get the sale. Coleman who used to be at Venemans and is now at Chuck's looked at the price quote from Guitar Center and said he couldn't touch it. The price GC quoted was too close to cost. So if you have the time, it pays to shop around. If I sold my kit today I would profit.
My nephew now works in sales at Chuck's behind the drum counter. At that time he was in the stockroom for a few years and even with family ties they couldn't beat Guitar Center. But there are a lot of factors involved in sales.
Hey, if you need your guitar worked on go see his brother my other nephew in Baltimore. He worked for PRS before he opened his own shop. Here's his website.....
www.philtone.com
bdbdbuck
New member
scottr said:
A LONG time ago, one of the other guitarist in the band I was in helped the drummer get a great set of Pearls at an unbelievable price at Chuck Levins. I think the guy saved enough on the drums to get the cymbals he wanted too. Turns out, the guitarist's mother went to school with Chuck Levin.
Don't forget Southworth Guitars in Bethesda. Great selection of vintage guitars. Been there quite a while. Prices you would expect to pay for vintage in Bethesda.
bd
M
MegaDrummer
New member
That's the place....
It's on Old Georgetown Road I think? In the downtown section of Bethesda. Never been through the door but driven by a million times. Close to the Metro Red Line for rpe to get to also....
bdbdbuck said:
It's on Old Georgetown Road I think? In the downtown section of Bethesda. Never been through the door but driven by a million times. Close to the Metro Red Line for rpe to get to also....