Sam Ash Music announces it will be officially closing all its stores 😔

[MarcB]

Another legendary music store closes its doors..

“Thank you for allowing us to serve musicians like you for 100 years”: Sam Ash Music announces it will be officially closing all its stores

The family-run music equipment chain has been forced to close its stores, with a closing-down sale currently ongoing

www.guitarworld.com

My mother was stationed in NYC during the early 60s.. Sam Ash sourced and collated all the European Elvis eps for my mother.. which I now own.. Sam Ash will always have a fond memory in my heart..

Thanks for the music Sam Ash (and Mom ) x

 

[metropolis]

Very sad, even as a brit I see Sam Ash as an iconic store. I guess it was going to go one of two ways after Sammy Ash died, especially given they were slow to adopt online retail.

 

[jb_abides]

I wonder if the next generation has a viable plan going forward, or they will fade away since what's to distinguish them as an online retailer...?

 

[MarcB]

Seems store front retail is dying out ..online retail and home delivery is way to easy now.. its a shame really.. as the only stores that’ll survive are the huge chains.. which takes away diversity and choice of where to shop.

 

[lure555]

When I was stationed in NJ in the mid-80s I'd make the pilgrimage to 48th Street in Manhattan and I'd hit Sam Ash every trip. Got to see the framed receipt for Hendrix (six Strats?). Later, I worked for Manny's Music in Hollywood that was later bought out by Sam Ash. They were less busy but had much better stuff than the iconic GC store across the street.

 

[Dave P]

I went to the Sam Ash on 48th St in NYC back in the 80's when that area was the place to go, it was great! But the last time I was in a Sam Ash, I was the only guy in the store besides the employees, it was like a ghost town.

 

[DrewB]

Sad. My friend Todzilla (Nashville location) is a casualty of this. He was skeptical when he started there, thinking they were a heartless big-box store, but he has found that they aren't that, at all. It's truly a family-owned business and most of the people are musicians who really care about helping other musicians. Sam Ash is the antithesis of GC.

 

[deytookerjaabs]

Sad. My friend Todzilla (Nashville location) is a casualty of this. He was skeptical when he started there, thinking they were a heartless big-box store, but he has found that they aren't that, at all. It's truly a family-owned business and most of the people are musicians who really care about helping other musicians. Sam Ash is the antithesis of GC.

Is that recent?

I never saw him in there. But I saw him working in Corner Music for many years. One day I took a friend in there to try some unplugged stuff, after 25 minutes of Todzilla doing EVH trills at stout volume she was ready to leave. He recommended Dimarzio PAF type pickups to me once as well, a certain set and I bought them. Never again, lol.

 

[DrewB]

Is that recent?

I never saw him in there. But I saw him working in Corner Music for many years. One day I took a friend in there to try some unplugged stuff, after 25 minutes of Todzilla doing EVH trills at stout volume she was ready to leave. He recommended Dimarzio PAF type pickups to me once as well, a certain set and I bought them. Never again, lol.

He left Corner Music several years ago and went to Lane Music to set up and run their guitar business. He had that cooking pretty well, with artist workshops and whatnot, and then they decided they didn't want to due that side of the business anymore, so he went to Sam Ash in September.

Todd is a really sweet guy and has a heart of gold, along with a big personality. When The Reverend considers you a close friend and goes to lengths to pursue that friendship, you must have some redeeming qualities.

 

[deytookerjaabs]

He left Corner Music several years ago and went to Lane Music to set up and run their guitar business. He had that cooking pretty well, with artist workshops and whatnot, and then they decided they didn't want to due that side of the business anymore, so he went to Sam Ash in September.

Todd is a really sweet guy and has a heart of gold, along with a big personality. When The Reverend considers you a close friend and goes to lengths to pursue that friendship, you must have some redeeming qualities.

Didn't know that, geez, I feel like it wasn't that long ago that I left. I didn't know Mr. Todd too well beyond sales interactions but as a 90's boy he really got into the 80's, lol. That Sam Ash had numerous former Gibson employees too. One of whom was on the design team under Henry. He was a crazy knowledgeable guy who was cool as heck and I hope they land on their feet as a lot of the staff there was, if anything, over qualified.

To be frank, I'm not sure how folks in retail make it there anymore. Our neighbors in town were all white collar folk on great salaries and practically broke, we left for more affordable pastures too.

 

[1958jr]

This one caught me by surprise.

 

[charliechitlins]

Got my first real guitar at the one in White Plains around 1977.
A 71 LP Deluxe Goldie.

 

[Amp360]

Sucks to see it happen, but that 34th Street store just wasn't special. I still wish they didn't go under but I would rather we had Mars and Mannys vs GC/SA.

Sad day :<

 

[J T]

Got my first real guitar at the one in White Plains around 1977.
A 71 LP Deluxe Goldie.

Got my first one there in 73

 

[J T]

Sucks to see it happen, but that 34th Street store just wasn't special. I still wish they didn't go under but I would rather we had Mars and Mannys vs GC/SA.

Sad day :<

Another one gone. 48th street is just memories