"A new music instrument retailer, Guitar Wars, recently relocated to downtown San Jose. For anyone old enough to remember when Guitar Center left downtown 40 years ago, this is welcome news. As I walk in from First Street, about 50 electric guitars hang from one wall. Various amps line the floor below. Underneath a glass case, I see stomp boxes and other effects. Cords and straps appear on racks."
"Continuing into the back area, acoustic guitars hang from a white brick wall, while violins hang from another wall. There are banjos and mandolins, plus a few racks of analog and digital synthesizers for sale. Old easy chairs sit in the middle of the room, with various punk rock patches sewn into them. What's more, Star Wars junk is everywhere: Models, signage and other paraphernalia. The shop offers lessons and other activities. Maybe even gigs. Who knows."
Guitar Wars recently relocated to downtown San Jose, occupying the street-level space with roughly fifty electric guitars displayed along one wall and amplifiers lining the floor. The shop stocks stomp boxes, cords, straps, acoustic guitars, violins, banjos, mandolins, and racks of analog and digital synthesizers. Repair stations operate on-site and the store offers lessons and community activities, with possible live gigs. The space features old easy chairs patched with punk rock insignia and abundant Star Wars memorabilia. The location previously hosted the L'Amour Shoppe and the upstairs Dinuba Embassy, known for late-night parties, punk shows, and a raw downtown nightlife now shut down.
Read at Metro Silicon Valley | Silicon Valley's Leading Weekly
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