Shanghai Expat

Recreation and Nightlife - Buying a Guitar

aussie21 - Jan 25, 2006 - 11:05 PM
Post subject: Buying a Guitar

I was wondering where would be the best place in shanghai to buy a guitar, havn't seen any stores around, it would be great if someone could point me in the right direction.

Jim_cai - Jan 25, 2006 - 11:18 PM
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East Jinling Road(near Peoples' square) ,many many Guitar shops.~~~

janlynn - Jan 26, 2006 - 07:39 AM
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There are a lot of music stores by the music conservatory on FengYang road near Huai Hai road. If you walk around the area, you will find many stores that sell and service musical instruments

Rabski - Jan 26, 2006 - 07:54 AM
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Try Parsons Music 16 Fenyang Lu. Depending on what your after and budget etc they should have something there. Both electric and accoustic. Chinese made and better known makes for both types. Prices ranger from around just sub 1,000yuan to over 10,000yuan. Also has a great range in drum kits cymbals pianos etc. Good all round music store. Hope thats of help to you.

Rob

travelinjack3 - Jan 26, 2006 - 10:30 AM
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If you can wait until November when the Musical Instrument Expo comes to Shanghai, that would be your best bet. Guitars from all over Asia will be here and most will be on sale. I saw several electric Fender copies for under $50.00.

I bought a mandolin at a place on Jinling Lu. There are many guitars there. Good luck.

shanghaiceltic - Jan 26, 2006 - 12:34 PM
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Any dates for the above expo?

One of the people I know bought a good quality guitar on Jinling Lu. He is very happy with it. It was an import and he was able to bargue with them.

Watch out for guitar strings here. Locally made ones are crap and even good quality ones have a tendancy to break, usually the wire wound lower strings. In summer sweat gets on them and the salt travels by osmosis down the strings windings and they pop at the bridge or the neck fret where the greatest tension is.

krez - Jan 26, 2006 - 12:57 PM
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there is an international instrument shop on Nanjing Lu, near Shimen Yi Lu

travelinjack3 - Jan 26, 2006 - 01:20 PM
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The expo is scheduled for October of 2006. I know that is a long time to wait but you can score some serious deals there. Here is a related website:

http://www.messefrankfurt.com/corporate/en/messen_detail.html?guid=mf_ddsp147_634

benkloepfer - Jan 26, 2006 - 02:54 PM
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The best advice was the first post. Jinling Road near downtown really has a buttload of guitar shops. I spent a day looking for mandolin strings and wasted alot of time in the Fenyang road area near the music conservatory as some people above recommended, by I found my strings almost immmediately in Jinling road.

Fen Yang Road is good for classical musicians (violin, piano, orchestra type instruments, sheet music, etc.) but for guitars you are better off going to Jinling Road.

benkloepfer - Jan 26, 2006 - 02:58 PM
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Hey travelinjack!
I just now saw your post. What kind of mandolin music do you play? I'm a bluegrass fan personally. Unfortunately, I don't really know how to chop chords in accompaniment to any band, but rather only can be solos now, maybe I'll practise more later... hahaha

travelinjack3 - Jan 26, 2006 - 03:28 PM
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I try to play bluegrass but I suck. Pretty much just strum along. I was playing with some folks that played a wide range of styles: rock, jazz, BG. The thing has been gatherin dust for a couple of months (no dust really just sleeping in its case). I have just been too busy to play. I miss my BG buddies back in NC and goin to the BG festivals.

AJ_Hendrix - Feb 07, 2006 - 01:57 PM
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I have good experiences from Bestfriend music in Jungling Rd. Wanted a cheap electric guitar and bought Squier stratocaster copy (Made in China) for RMB800 with hardcase. In some other stores on the same road you can find lots of cheap guitars, but I noticed even Squiers were fake (they are making fakes of fakes). Acoustic guitars (made in China) start from 200 RMB. Forget importet guitars they are more expensive that in Europe of US. Avoid also Tom Lee music in Nanjing Xi Rd. The price for same guitar can be double compared to Best Friend Music.

oddpig - Feb 07, 2006 - 05:03 PM
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yes, a lot of shops selling musical instruments on Jin Ling Road , it is near the Bund and Yu Garden.

Filmusic - Feb 09, 2006 - 11:45 PM
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Hi all, yes East Jingling is the way to go - last year I purchased a telecaster copy with a hardshell tweed case (plastic tweed? but a nice case) from best frieds music store for a combined price of only $610rmb....not bad really got me through the three months I was here.....I'm back now (to stay) and this time brought with me one of my 7 seventies stratocasters (it's a compiled 1972, sound beautiful...plays like butter.)

I have not seen one single vintage instrument in a shop in Shanghai....does anyone know of a place where I can find vintage guitars? I need to see vintage guitars....I like old guitars.....PERIOD.....if there is no shop featuring vintage instruments...then is there a private dealer market here for vintage rigs?

All thoughts are welcome and encouraged...if anyone else out there has a vintage instrument or two....let me know....just trying to understand the market here - is there a vintage market?

To get the ball rolling...how much should a 1970s twin reverb go for here - anyone? (I'm trying.....)

Cheers
Stephen

shanghaiceltic - Feb 10, 2006 - 11:11 AM
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At the Blarneystone on a Sunday evening 6.30 is to 9 or 10 ish there is an open mic session. Paul Curren one of the managers and the head of entertainments welcomes along players. Mostly the music is Irish/Scottish but yound Alan plays a mean banjo and we have had one or two good mando players in there.

AJ_Hendrix - Feb 10, 2006 - 11:24 AM
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For vintage stuff you need to go to Tokyo. In SH there is nothing.

There is one good place in Shibya called "Nancy". Lots of vintage guitars. Web pages not that good but you may find something, http://www.nancy-g.com.

I have other links somewhere on my other computer and may post them to you if you want (assuming still have them)

AJ_Hendrix - Feb 10, 2006 - 11:40 AM
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http://www.tcgakki.com/menu/englishpage.html.

LOTS of Fenders and Gibsons including vintages.

sunnyboy - Apr 05, 2006 - 02:04 AM
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hi , I just got a ascoutic bass, local made. bought for a month but hardly got time to play. it's a 4 string. it's a beautiful bass. I want to sell it as I'm going back to SG to bring back my Electric bass.. anyone interested to buy from me for RMB600. with softcase.. If you go to my Best friend, you can get it new for RMB 1000 after much discount...sms me at 13816586142. thanks. (no discount pls..., i hate that)

marcuspizzato - Apr 07, 2006 - 06:16 PM
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Does anyone know if one of those guitar stores also sell others related products as t-shirts and posters of rock n' roll bands? Marcus Pizzato

Radi8ted - Apr 09, 2006 - 03:13 PM
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Hi Folks, there is a relatively new open stage at Dans Old Farm House 318 JuluLu Shanghai 8:30 PM every Thursday, it is a true open stage where you can sing ,play, do jokes all sorts of stuff and if you get up and do your stuff for at least 15mins you get a free 500ml of beer!. I also agree with LoopKicker , the Blarney Stone is a good jam and young Alen does do a mean banjo.

woundedhamster - Apr 12, 2007 - 09:19 PM
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I'm wondering whether I'd be better buying a new electric guitar in Nanjing or Shanghai, I'll be in both during the next few weeks though I currently reside in Danyang, Jiangsu province.

I want to get a PRS Custom 22 ideally, but if the prices are western I'll settle for the SE range or similar, and seeing as they're manufactured in South Korea I'd expect the price to be good here.

Last time I checked Shanghai the shops weren't that great, though admittedly I'm not sure if I checked Jinling Road as has been suggested. Anyone know if Nanjing is good for electric guitars? I'll be there this weekend.

bubblebuster - Apr 12, 2007 - 10:28 PM
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best friend music co on the corner of jinling road (parallel 1 street back from renmin lu) about 3 streets back from central t¡bet road (westin hotel road).
they have the best selection and some ok quality. They even have decent mics, and the staff are actually into music.

there is still not a single decnt cover nband in town since the old band left Luna at xintiandi.

heckle - June 03, 2007 - 12:44 AM
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hie. i have a few qns..

1) how much is a decent guitar? (an accoustic with a pickup plus hardcase)
2) what kind of brands tt are common in shnaghai? yamaha? taylor? fender? takamine?
3) how much are the pedals there in shanghai? like distortion or wah pedal etc?

i'm going in a few months time.. n am saving up money..
haha..

Joey.asher - June 23, 2008 - 12:35 PM
Post subject: know any guitar luthiers?

Hi everyone,

I know my reply to this thread is 2 years late. =) But at least I found it with goggle.

Summary:
1. Fengyang = classical instruments
2. Jinling = contemporary instruments

I assume that if I want to find a guitar luthier, I should head to Jinling. I won't consider myself an expert at fixing guitars so I think I better leave my precious guitar to the experts... =)

Any particular shops anyone can recommend?
1. They can dialogue in English
2. They are reliable and skillful
3. They won't rip you off

Help, help. =)

Nuhaus - Jan 01, 2009 - 09:10 PM
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Yay for google search.

So like some of the other posters in this thread I'm looking to buy an electric bass here in Shanghai. I've been up and down Jinling Lu and was very unimpressed with the state of some of the instruments I was looking at (you'd think they would at least try to tune them).

One thing I am really wondering aout is all the Warwick bass guitars I am seeing. What's the cheapest place to get one of these basses? I know the "rock bass" is being made in China and it seems to me that 4000 RMB is fairly expensive for one of these.

UncleZZZ - Jan 16, 2009 - 09:35 AM
Post subject: Bassboy

For bass guitars check out Talent, Kramer and Epiphone, they are Gibson owned brands and I have found them to be surprisingly good. Everything depends on the setup though, in Shanghai you need to adjust the neck couple of times a year to compensate for the weather.

In most stores the setups are quite a bit off and for good reason, the necks are warped and the frets not even, so they set the strings way too high on purpose. Gibson seems to have pretty good quality control even on those cheaper brands.

Warwickbassman - Mar 23, 2009 - 07:16 PM
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For Warwick basses or Rockbass,.,.. come to see us (Warwick), we got a show room in Shanghai.
Zhao Jia Bang Road No 108, 3rd Floor, got guitars also, pedals, bags, cases.. picks.. strings..
lots of things...

Swiss-James - Mar 24, 2009 - 11:15 AM
Post subject: Re: know any guitar luthiers?

Joey.asher wrote:

Well since we're digging up old threads-

I like a guy called Jerry at 316 JinLing Lu. He's always been friendly and fair with me. If he can't fix your guitar, he'll certainly know someone who can

Otool2001 - Apr 09, 2009 - 09:47 AM
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Hi all,

Can anyone recommend a decent beginners electric guitar and amp ( which can be bought here Chinese brand is ok as I am a total beginner ) don't want to break the bank but also don't want to buy total shite

Ideally I would be trying to learn blues but will be taking lessons so any information on good teachers also would be appreciated

ajbiddle - Apr 13, 2009 - 09:44 AM
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Hey all.
so I am doing study abroad in china this summer, just outside Shanghai.

I am in the market for my first ukulele, and was thinking about buying a ~$200 (USD) ukulele to bring with me so that I can keep practicing an instrument while I am there.

However, my dad had the intuition that instruments would be cheaper over there. Do you think I could get a ukulele of comparable quality over there but for less money? I'm a beginning guitarist and am only concerned if the ukulele sounds good and feels like its a quality instrument. Could care less if its a knock-off, as long as the knock-off is a good instrument itself.

So should I get the ukulele now, or wait till I get there and look around? I have never played the uke before, so I am not sure what to look for in the instrument, so I may need a recommendation from an honest salesmen who speaks english.

Swiss-James - Apr 13, 2009 - 10:38 AM
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Short answer: Yes- wait till you get here.

I've bought three Ukes from various shops on JinLing Lu and recommend you go to #318 on that street.

They've got instruments for between 200 and 1,500 (rough guess) in there, there's a guy called Jerry who speaks perfect english and will help you pick one out. It seems like most Ukuleles are made in China now, and you can definitely get the same quality for less cash.

When I bought my last Uke from that place (318 JinLing) there were more expensive ones in the shop, but the one I wanted just felt right as soon as I picked it up. Jerry agreed, he's an honest sort of guy.

You can learn to play online, but if you'd prefer it'd be better to pick up tuition books / DVDs on how to play before you leave the states.

(In fact if you do, can you get one for me?)

p.s. http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/wbO3180SQPc/

Swiss-James - Apr 13, 2009 - 10:46 AM
Post subject:

Otool2001 wrote:

As you probably picked up from the rest of this thread, JinLing Lu is the place to go in Shanghai for instruments. Recommending a brand is hard as the beginner instruments tend to be non-famous brands or knock-offs of famous stuff.

The best guitar for you is the one you want to pick up and play all the time, so have a look at what's there, hold a few in your hand. The weight, the balance, how tense the strings are, the size of the neck etc. will all vary from instrument to instrument and hopefully you'll find one that just feels good when you pick it up.

Most of the guys around there speak english- (hell, they'll all speak well enough to sell you a guitar). Don't feel guilty for taking up their time and then not buying anything- if you weren't there they'd just be smoking cigarettes and standing around anyway.

Don't let them just take the guitar off you, plug it in and play some cool sounding stuff. It's you who's trying it out, not them.

Bear in mind how loud you can have the amp in your apartment- no point buying a 40W amp if your neighbours won't let you turn it up past #2 . But if you have to get a really small amp with a tiny speaker, it might sound crap and put you off playing.

There are amp-modelling pedals available so that you can play with headphones, or plug it into computer speakers / a hi-fi. That way you can have cool sounding effects and not be stuck listening to the same guitar sound all the time as you work your way through your first chords.

Finally- don't be afraid to get a guitar just because it looks cool. If you love it, you'll play it more often.

Humac - Apr 13, 2009 - 12:47 PM
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Swiss-James wrote:

p.s. http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/wbO3180SQPc/

Loved it!

tfarley75 - June 04, 2009 - 04:37 PM
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I recommend Blue Hand Music Instruments and Pro Audio on E Jinling Rd. Good selection of basses at reasonable prices, and the are actually already tuned up when you sit down to try them out. Frank is very helpful.

demonstrius - June 29, 2009 - 09:13 PM
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Hello, everyone!!! I was wondering if I could bring a guitar along on a China Eastern flight to LAX in Los Angeles, California. I'd rather not have to buy a seat just for my guitar. By the way, does anyone know of any good Chinese guitar brands that can make guitars at least half as good as a Gibson? I'm looking for a Les Paul and I'm going to try out Jin Ling Dong Lu to look. Also, are Gibson's cheaper here than in the States? I'm staying in Shanghai with some friends so please don't persecute me for being a noobie to Shanghai. Finally, does anyone know of any better streets than Jin Ling Dong for guitars?

Bluebag - June 29, 2009 - 11:50 PM
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Quote:

Chinese guitar brands that can make guitars at least half as good as a Gibson?

Ermm, how about Epiphone (made in their factory in Shandong province, last time I looked).

Quote:

are Gibson's cheaper here than in the States?

Nope. Not if they're real ones.

I did see a neat-o Fender Strat copy with a Gibson logo on it in a store on JinLing the last time I was down there - not too bad an instrument, actually - nearly bought it just for the feck-ed-upness of it.

demonstrius - June 30, 2009 - 10:41 AM
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Well, Epiphone is available in the States. I was wondering about any brands available only in China or something that I can't find in GuitarCenter. That Fender-copy sounds pretty interesting but how much is it?

Bluebag - June 30, 2009 - 12:24 PM
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I don't recall, but it wasn't much - must have been somewhere below 400 kuai for me to have even briefly considered it.

Bottom line is you'll do FAR better at http://musiciansfriend.com/ for just about anything made here. The Chinese guitar manufacturers don't really make or market with local purchasers in mind.

Swiss-James - June 30, 2009 - 03:44 PM
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I think you'll have much more luck (and fun) just walking up and down Jin Ling than trying to get a list of what you might find before you get there.

They let you try before you buy anyway, so you won't get stuck with something you don't like.

Bluebag - June 30, 2009 - 03:50 PM
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That's easy for you to say, James - you satisfied your ukelele jones on JinLing.

I'm still trawling around wondering where the reasonably-priced decent short-scale basses have got to since my earlier (O.K. it was five years ago) visits there.

BTW - if anyone sees a reasonably-priced Epiphone EB-0 or other short-scale bass in SH, please let me know.

Swiss-James - June 30, 2009 - 04:12 PM
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What the hell is a short-scale bass?

I may have the Ukulele thing all sewn up, but don't imagine I'm not down there every weekend picking up and playing, then putting down and going

"No, no, I shouldn't"

with various Mandolins, travel electric guitars, acoustic basses, acoustic slide guitars (was very close on one of these last time), accordions etc.

Last time i was there I bought one of these:

Humac - June 30, 2009 - 04:21 PM
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Swiss-James wrote:

What the hell is a short-scale bass?

It's shorter! Different tone. Think Paul McCartney and The Beatles.
I think Jack Bruce played a Gibson EBO at one time.

Bluebag - June 30, 2009 - 05:39 PM
Post subject:

Exactly, Humac. Short-scale basses can be loads of fun.

For long-scale, think Fender Precision/Jazz Bass neck length.

The first time I trawled JinLing (waaay back), there were SG basses, Les Paul bass copies, Danelectros, a couple of Mustang knock-offs - all kinds of stuff. Groovy.

I've brought over a good long-scale unit (a Maton JB4 - an Australian thing, and perfectly to my taste), but I want a little knock-around one for various uses - hence the short-scale fetish.

Back home I've got a good 70s Ibanez copy of a Recording Les Paul Bass that fits the bill nicely, but I don't feel like hauling that over here just to use as a toy.

BTW - Swiss - what IS that thing? It's got 10 strings, I assume - what's it tuned in?

demonstrius - June 30, 2009 - 05:48 PM
Post subject:

Are there any more prominent musical instrument stores in Shanghai? Something like Parson's Music? PS: Can anyone answer my airplane question I posted above?

Humac - June 30, 2009 - 07:31 PM
Post subject:

demonstrius wrote:

PS: Can anyone answer my airplane question I posted above?

Good question. Has anyone had experience of taking several guitars on a flight home? I've ben resisting the impulse to buy but already have two acoustics. And a couple of Hofner violin bass copies have my name on them I'm sure. Don't want to have to abandon them at the airport though...

demonstrius - July 01, 2009 - 11:02 PM
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Hey everyone. Today, I went to JinLing Lu and bought an Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus Top from a store called Shi Yin (World Music in Chinese, I think). Anyways, I was hoping to have bought a legit Les Paul, but I checked the serial number and it laced a factory letter so now I'm kind of dismayed...I paid 2600 RMB and it just doesn't seem to be a fair deal for a dubious Epiphone, so can anyone tell me if its a fake or not?

Bluebag - July 02, 2009 - 09:30 AM
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2600 for an Epiphone?

Yikes.

Mind you, I very much doubt anyone's pumping out fake Epiphone LPs.

Why would you fake those if all you need to do is stick a Gibson logo on the headstock to make it seem much more valuable to the rubes?

Guitar Center have them at their

"GUARANTEED LOWEST PRICE:
$499.00 - $549.00
reduced from
MSRP: $832.00 - $953.00

So maybe it's right. Somebody else can do the exchange rate and VAT math.

Hell, it's worth what you think it's worth.

For example, In the 60s and 70s there was a New Zealand outfit called Jansen who put out hand-made copies of L and pre-L Fenders (albeit with their own logo on the headstock) that were exquisite.

I used to have one of their Jaguars and endlessly regret getting rid of it - it was far better than any legit Jag I've been able to afford since.

Short answer: I don't think it's a fake, and if to you it plays like 2600 RMB, then you got an OK deal.

allencee - July 11, 2009 - 07:43 PM
Post subject:

Humac wrote:

demonstrius wrote:

PS: Can anyone answer my airplane question I posted above?

Not sure about taking home to Europe but I've bought 2 guitars into China - an acoustic from Hong Kong and an electric from Japan. Dragon Airlines didn't let me take the acoustic onboard - they said the jacket storage compartments in Business class were too small so I had to check it in. Needless to say I ended up with a bit of a crack in the neck (still plays fine and no probs). Japan airlines allowed me to take the electric onboard and stored this nicely - they even had it ready for me on arrival. I travelled economy on both flights and didn't pay any additional costs. Best to phone the airlines if there is no info however I just turned up at the respective airports and tried my luck.

kikujiro0208 - Aug 26, 2009 - 04:37 PM
Post subject:

Jinlindonglu is the place in Shanghai to shop for instruments. Bought an acoustic last week for 1300RMB. The brand is 'Blast' (made in Shanghai?), with spruce top and Myanmar rosewood. A very good copy of the Martins D28. The owner is a guitar builder and has upgraded for me the plastic bridge with a bone one...
On the other hand, forget about the import guitars, they are way overpriced. If you still want a US made guitar, go to Tom Lee in HK.

heyhsia - Sep 29, 2009 - 03:11 PM
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Hi kikujiro,

Do you remember what store you bought your guitar from? I'm looking for someone who can properly set up my acoustic guitar. If the owner of the store is a guitar builder, chances are he can also set up guitars. Thanks.

tigger1502 - Oct 26, 2009 - 01:53 PM
Post subject:

Hi guys. Having read a lot of the posts I will head to Jinlindonglu this weekend, but I would appreciate some guidance from guitar lovers reading the threads here. My son (14) in Canada is asking for an electric guitar for Christmas -- he has shown me a couple of Fender designs he likes, but it comes down to the fact that it will be his first electric -- he wants it to look cool and expensive and sound good -- he's playing Nickelback, GnR, and AC/DC on his acoustic but wants to bring the house down. I have heard good things about locally made electrics which then have a brand logo slapped on them....could somebody please tell me a relatively safe bet? I can make the call on what he thinks looks cool, but I am no judge of a decent guitar sound. Are there sizing issues for a 14 year old? Advice much appreciated. Oh, and ballpark price please. Thanks.

Swiss-James - Oct 26, 2009 - 02:30 PM
Post subject:

I think 14 is old enough to buy a full sized electric guitar, there are kids sizes out there- but as long as you get one with a fairly thin neck (ask the staff) he should be OK.

It's hard to give advice about guitar sound and what to look for to a non-player- you're probably better off just looking around until you find a place and vendor who seems fairly trustworthy, then throwing yourself at his mercy and explaining who you're shopping for.

I think 1000RMB is a good amount to be spending on a guitar he can play for the next few years. If he's still into it when he's 17- he'll have a lot more of an idea about what he wants to be playing.

JinLing Lu isn't like the fake market in terms of how much you can get screwed over. Maybe it helps if you speak a little chinese and can play a few licks on a guitar- but I've always been told a decent price when I've first asked and normally settle for 20% less than the asking price.

Get a bag you can carry the thing home in- if it's not a hard case you won't want to check it in at the airport so bear that in mind.

I guess you're going to get an amp when you're back in Canada?

He's right handed, right?

tigger1502 - Oct 26, 2009 - 04:15 PM
Post subject:

Thanks a lot - all very helpful information and it makes me feel better about the experience in advance.

Swiss-James wrote:

...as long as you get one with a fairly thin neck (ask the staff) he should be OK.

Had no idea, so good point.

Swiss-James wrote:

.......you're probably better off just looking around until you find a place and vendor who seems fairly trustworthy, then throwing yourself at his mercy and explaining who you're shopping for.

On that basis I will do just that.

Swiss-James wrote:

...I think 1000RMB is a good amount to be spending on a guitar he can play for the next few years..

Thanks, with a guideline in mind now I can assess against what is proposed to me.

Swiss-James wrote:

...JinLing Lu isn't like the fake market in terms of how much you can get screwed over....I've always been told a decent price when I've first asked and normally settle for 20% less than the asking price.

Good, that's a relief, I don't mind paying a fair price, I just get tired of the screwed over bit sometimes!

Swiss-James wrote:

...Get a bag you can carry the thing home in- if it's not a hard case you won't want to check it in at the airport so bear that in mind.

Good idea. I'll check with the airline and try to carry it on - I would prefer a soft case hand carry to a hard case and pray the bag handlers don't treat the instrument the way they did my bike!

Swiss-James wrote:

...I guess you're going to get an amp when you're back in Canada?

Yes, as it's 110v there, I think it would be better to get one in Canada -- is it a dumb question to ask if the jacks (input/output) are standard?

Swiss-James wrote:

...He's right handed, right?

Yes, and good question.

Thanks again for the tips. I will go down there on the weekend and I shall feed back my experience. Cheers.

Swiss-James - Oct 26, 2009 - 06:52 PM
Post subject:

tigger1502 wrote:

Swiss-James wrote:

...I guess you're going to get an amp when you're back in Canada?

Yes, as it's 110v there, I think it would be better to get one in Canada -- is it a dumb question to ask if the jacks (input/output) are standard?

Not dumb, yes they're standard.

Damn I wish I was 14 again getting my first guitar.

(Actually now that I think about it, homework sucked)

chad747 - Oct 29, 2009 - 10:03 AM
Post subject:

I have seen JinLing Lu rd, East Jinling Road(near Peoples' square), Parsons Music 16 Fenyang Lu, Bestfriend music in Jungling Rd, Jerry at 316 JinLing Lu, 318 JinLing Lu. Any recent recommendations, and what should I pay for a decent Gibson fake?

Something like this
http://www.ioffer.com/i/125663651

Thanks

Swiss-James - Oct 29, 2009 - 05:28 PM
Post subject:

chad- I'm probably the one who recommended Jerry at #316, they have a reasonable selection there and Jerry was a nice guy. Lots of shops around there though, have a look at a few of them.

I'd guess Gibson copies would start be around 600-2000 but I've never looked.

chad747 - Oct 30, 2009 - 09:04 AM
Post subject:

Thanks

tigger1502 - Nov 05, 2009 - 11:38 AM
Post subject:

Well Swiss-James thanks for all your advice. My son gave me an idea of style and sound he was looking for, and I took a Sunday trip down JinLing Lu.

After looking in probably 20 different shops, and from talking to one or two sales people in particular who were mid-20s and self-proclaimed hard-rock/metal fans, I was steered away from Stratocasters and have settled on the ESP LTD Viper-50. It's more expensive than I had planned, but as slightly skewed Gibson SG shape, it's not strictly speaking a copy -- all along JinLing Lu the price ranged from RMB 1,800 - 2,500, but I have found a shop through taobao.com that sells them for 1,550 made in Indonesia, with a warranty and a refund guarantee. I've got a musician friend who will do the receiving inspection for me, and they do have a business address so I will probably go and pick it up with him rather than trust a delivery man.

From reading up online, this guitar lends itself heavily to hard rock sounds, but requires proper setup first, something I think I need to do in Shanghai or with my son's music teacher.

A friend is recommending a Roland Cube X-30 to go with it -- to be honest I think I am spoiling the kid rotten. He's telling me that if he gets his guitar then Christmas Day will resound with AC/DC and something called Animal I Have Become by Three Days Grace -- to my aging ears much more metal than rock...

I'll let you know how the experience goes...thanks again.

Swiss-James - Nov 05, 2009 - 11:54 AM
Post subject:

Cool guitar- like a Gibson SG painted by Munch.

Three Days who?

chad747 - Nov 06, 2009 - 09:14 AM
Post subject:

I am sure (or hope) it isn't a copy, its a very inexpensive guitar around 1700 RMB in the states.

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/ESP-LTD-Viper50-Electric-Guitar?sku=542083&src=3WFRWXX&ZYXSEM=0&CAWELAID=197229104

Gets great reviews. Your kid will love it. The cube is a great amp

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