The man heard that in Shanghai, Jin Ling Road, East (金陵东路), is the place to go to check out electric guitars and gear. He didn't have anything to buy from the stores. But he would like to take a look at the prices, the feel, the brands they carry and the sorts. We didn't know what shops would be open during this season. Easy googling and a number of calls confirmed what we thought- the shops selling traditional Chinese instruments, pianos and acoustic guitars are closed for the week. The shops carrying imported electric guitars, drums and gear, as well as the bigger chains, are open.
To Jin Ling Road, East then. We went browsing for Chinese-made guitars, brands, colors, prices of imported Mesa amps, Fender guitars and everything else. I probably didn't surf comprehensively enough for the names of the shops till I got there, and am not in the scene to know enough of Shanghai's increasingly vibrant indie music scene.
I don't know how true the comments in the forums are about the fakes sold on this street, and how rude the sales staff are. I really don't want to simply assume the worst of the city, even though the stories of fake milk and fake whatever have been ascertained as factual. I just want to keep an open mind and take a look at what the city offers without thinking through too much. However, we took care not to try out the guitars unless we intended to buy one. Likewise, the man feels the same. He can definitely tell a real Mesa amp from a fake. He spent quite a fair amount of time looking at the Wharfedale amps.
Anyway, here's a list of what we went round to. These shops are located on the same side of the street; an easy stroll down.
- Best Friend Music (知音琴行)
- 五度乐器 (上海市黄浦区金陵东路445号，近浙江路)
- Parsons Music (new branch, 柏斯琴行)
- 通韵琴行 (上海市黄浦区金陵东路449号)
- 世音琴行
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