When I found out I was going to be in Chicago for some other business (read: day job) I decided that it would be a golden opportunity to check out a shop I had heard a lot about, but had not yet seen in the fles. Like many of you, I have seen the two page ads for the Chicago Music Exchange in Vintage Guitar Magazine and had always been curious to check it out to see what all it was all about. With a four plus hour flight and making my way though the crazy Chicago…

Rudy’s Music Stop has been a New York institution since opening the doors in 1978. Owned by the venerable Rudy Pensa, the shop is located on the much-lauded 48th Street in New York City’s “Music Street.” The shop is defined by its collection of rare and highly sought after Guitars, Basses, Amps, Effects and everything in between. With the recent opening of the Amp Shop on 7th avenue (where the repair shop resides as well as Pensa Custom guitars) Rudy’s is the last word on Guitar in NYC.