I am looking for a bit of help with getting hold of a reasonable second hand guitar for myself when I hit Dublin at the end of September. I tried this on the Celticguitartalk website and got no response at all. I don't want to risk travelling with my precious guitar and I won't survive the three weeks without a guitar even if I don't actually get to play it in any sessions.
Also btw, is there anyone here from around Donegal (especially the town itself)? - I will probably be heading up that way.
I would really appreciate any help or suggestions offered.
I would contact them, with your price range, and I'd guess they'd love to make any sale and may scare something up for you. If not they may recommend someone. I'd look into whether they can get a Blueridge for you.
I keep a Blueridge as my "beater". If you can find one where you are or online, well used, should not be too much. they are really good guitars though is the main thing. Mine was $400 with hard case. That was one of the solid rosewood/spruce models. Their laminate b/s ones are nearly as good and cheaper. I like mine better than most Martins. Trouble is now I worry about losing that! I need another level of beater! They are really pretty too, nice inlay. You might try Ebay and have them ship to where you are going?
Setups on every one I ever played were dead on. Sound great, easy to play. A clue.... the two digit model numbers are the laminate...as in BR-60 and the solid wood would be BR-160. They have BR43 or BR143 or 63 and 163 or 40 and 140 etc. So make sure of the model number if you get one and it matters to you on the laminate. I like the thought of real wood, but the real make it or break it part is the top and the bracing, and BRs are great with that.
Could you get something like that and ship it to where you are going? Would you leave it there for visits? If I ever go often (ha ha....seems the passport agency LOST my passport for renewal, it's been months, no cancelled check, I paid for expedited service, had a delivery confirmation, they say it would by now be in the system, even if not processed. They say reapply!) I would just get another Blueridge to leave there with a friend.
If you fly with ANYTHING, insure it, a high insurance appraisal. I just got full price for a totaled taylor for a friend, in spite of no insurance. A "lutheir" letter. It was a long shot but they paid $2700, though took six weeks.
I have so many darned guitars I used to kid about starting a rental agency for touring musicians. Apparently there may be some need for that
There isn't really a secondhand guitar market in Ireland. You could try http://www.gumtree.ie, but probably the best bet is Waltons on Dublin's South Great George's Street, off Dame Street (http://www.waltons.ie/waltonsshop/). I notice that they're selling Epiphone acoustics from €139. Now Epiphones are certainly not what they used to be, but one would probably serve you well for three weeks and you could always flog it at the end to Paddy Ward's Music Shop in Donegal town.
Otherwise, I'm not sure why you'd want to head to Donegal town itself since the best sessions are further afield in the county, though most will have packed up for the year by the end of September. Still, you can always rely on Húdaí Beag's in Bunbeg on a Monday.
Iris - They do look a little high end but the Guild might be nice. I wasn't planning on going down to Kilkenny as I am starting my travels in Dublin and then going northwest. Thanks for an interesting site though. I wish someone would come up with an instrument rental place. If I do get something reasonable but not too expensive I will leave it with a nephew for safekeeping in Dublin. If I do end up doing that you're welcome to borrow it for any of your trips in the future.
Geoff - I will probably try Waltons in Dame street. As for Donegal I have a contact there and a place to stay, which all counts for quite a bit when planning travels. The people I am staying with should know where to travel to in the county for the best sessions
Thanks to all
Dublin - Guitars
Dublin - Guitars
I am looking for a bit of help with getting hold of a reasonable second hand guitar for myself when I hit Dublin at the end of September. I tried this on the Celticguitartalk website and got no response at all. I don't want to risk travelling with my precious guitar and I won't survive the three weeks without a guitar even if I don't actually get to play it in any sessions.
Also btw, is there anyone here from around Donegal (especially the town itself)? - I will probably be heading up that way.
I would really appreciate any help or suggestions offered.
# Posted on August 13th 2007 by Donough
Re: Dublin - Guitars
I'm not too far from Donegal.
# Posted on August 13th 2007 by strayaway
Re: Dublin - Guitars
They look high end... but:
http://www.kilkennyvintageguitars.com/
I would contact them, with your price range, and I'd guess they'd love to make any sale and may scare something up for you. If not they may recommend someone. I'd look into whether they can get a Blueridge for you.
I keep a Blueridge as my "beater". If you can find one where you are or online, well used, should not be too much. they are really good guitars though is the main thing. Mine was $400 with hard case. That was one of the solid rosewood/spruce models. Their laminate b/s ones are nearly as good and cheaper. I like mine better than most Martins. Trouble is now I worry about losing that! I need another level of beater! They are really pretty too, nice inlay. You might try Ebay and have them ship to where you are going?
Setups on every one I ever played were dead on. Sound great, easy to play. A clue.... the two digit model numbers are the laminate...as in BR-60 and the solid wood would be BR-160. They have BR43 or BR143 or 63 and 163 or 40 and 140 etc. So make sure of the model number if you get one and it matters to you on the laminate. I like the thought of real wood, but the real make it or break it part is the top and the bracing, and BRs are great with that.
Could you get something like that and ship it to where you are going? Would you leave it there for visits? If I ever go often (ha ha....seems the passport agency LOST my passport for renewal, it's been months, no cancelled check, I paid for expedited service, had a delivery confirmation, they say it would by now be in the system, even if not processed. They say reapply!) I would just get another Blueridge to leave there with a friend.
If you fly with ANYTHING, insure it, a high insurance appraisal. I just got full price for a totaled taylor for a friend, in spite of no insurance. A "lutheir" letter. It was a long shot but they paid $2700, though took six weeks.
I have so many darned guitars I used to kid about starting a rental agency for touring musicians. Apparently there may be some need for that
# Posted on August 13th 2007 by irisnevins
Re: Dublin - Guitars
There isn't really a secondhand guitar market in Ireland. You could try http://www.gumtree.ie, but probably the best bet is Waltons on Dublin's South Great George's Street, off Dame Street (http://www.waltons.ie/waltonsshop/). I notice that they're selling Epiphone acoustics from €139. Now Epiphones are certainly not what they used to be, but one would probably serve you well for three weeks and you could always flog it at the end to Paddy Ward's Music Shop in Donegal town.
Otherwise, I'm not sure why you'd want to head to Donegal town itself since the best sessions are further afield in the county, though most will have packed up for the year by the end of September. Still, you can always rely on Húdaí Beag's in Bunbeg on a Monday.
# Posted on August 13th 2007 by Floss the Tethers
Re: Dublin - Guitars
Strayaway - maybe might catch up somewhere
Iris - They do look a little high end but the Guild might be nice. I wasn't planning on going down to Kilkenny as I am starting my travels in Dublin and then going northwest. Thanks for an interesting site though. I wish someone would come up with an instrument rental place. If I do get something reasonable but not too expensive I will leave it with a nephew for safekeeping in Dublin. If I do end up doing that you're welcome to borrow it for any of your trips in the future.
Geoff - I will probably try Waltons in Dame street. As for Donegal I have a contact there and a place to stay, which all counts for quite a bit when planning travels. The people I am staying with should know where to travel to in the county for the best sessions
Thanks to all
# Posted on August 14th 2007 by Donough
Re: Dublin - Guitars
Ok Donough, maybe see you in Donegal. Will mail you off-site.
# Posted on August 14th 2007 by strayaway