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natthu
Gold Member
Australia
756 Posts |
 Posted - 09/11/2009 : 09:47:35
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Hi Guys,
I'm travelling to Canada in November for a holiday. I will be sans girlfriend so I can spend all the time I want in guitar shops looking at gear. I may even buy something!
Can anyone recommend any shops in Montreal, Quebec City, Ottawa or Toronto?
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zerksies
Double Platinum Member
USA
3406 Posts |
Posted - 09/11/2009 : 14:27:01
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| lucky you |
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Laurie
Double Platinum Member
Canada
4854 Posts |
Posted - 09/11/2009 : 14:47:32
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| If you were coming to western Canada (Calgary) I'd be happy to take you around the local scene...! Toronto is as far away from us as Perth is from Brisbane though! |
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verivorax
Platinum Member
Canada
1185 Posts |
Posted - 09/11/2009 : 14:53:44
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I'm not too sure about Montreal, but there's Ahuntsic (sp?) music on the street of the same name I thinkg.
Ottawa and Toronto both have Steve's and Long & McQuade (locations everywhere), but for vintage gear, look at Capsule or Tundra in Toronto. Another is Paul's Boutique, in Kensington Market, downtown Toronto (they all have websites too).
But a question.. why Canada in November?? Bring warm clothes, or money to buy some! Of course, you're welcome any time - don't forget to try our beer and pot  |
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natthu
Gold Member
Australia
756 Posts |
Posted - 09/11/2009 : 15:44:39
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quote:
Originally posted by Laurie
If you were coming to western Canada (Calgary) I'd be happy to take you around the local scene...! Toronto is as far away from us as Perth is from Brisbane though!
Ah yes, Canada is a large country. I'll take a raincheck on that offer though Laurie! It's always good to see a fellow Australian OS. |
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natthu
Gold Member
Australia
756 Posts |
Posted - 09/11/2009 : 15:46:21
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Thanks Verivorax, I shall look those places up  |
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Laurie
Double Platinum Member
Canada
4854 Posts |
Posted - 09/13/2009 : 16:22:49
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Spend some time on Craigslist before you come - most of the bargains are in there, or at local pawn stores.
There are two types of pawn store here in western Canada - ones that think they are retail stores and price accordingly (way overpriced), and those that buy cheap, sell medium and move a LOT of stuff. If you can find the second type where you are going, there are usually bargains to be had.
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redundant
Silver Member
Turkey
247 Posts |
Posted - 09/14/2009 : 09:39:14
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For second hand gear in Ottawa, check Song Bird Music (corner of Bank & Gladstone). If you are into folk music, check the Ottawa Folklore Centre (also on Bank Street).
You're making me jealous - but dress warmly. |
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natthu
Gold Member
Australia
756 Posts |
Posted - 09/14/2009 : 10:50:47
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quote:
Originally posted by Laurie
Spend some time on Craigslist before you come - most of the bargains are in there, or at local pawn stores.
There are two types of pawn store here in western Canada - ones that think they are retail stores and price accordingly (way overpriced), and those that buy cheap, sell medium and move a LOT of stuff. If you can find the second type where you are going, there are usually bargains to be had.
Ok... so I have a question which is probably stupid... but, what is "Craigslist"?
Unfortunately we only really have Cash Converters in Adelaide (they're all Type 1 rip off pawn shops here). It will be nice to hopefully see some bargains.
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ChristoMephisto
Platinum Member
Canada
1288 Posts |
Posted - 09/14/2009 : 11:12:57
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Craigslist is a website for posting ads for goods and services.
We also have Kijiji and UsedCanada (replace canada w/city like UsedOttawa)
Song bird changed owners and is now Spaceman Music, same place, same stuff, don't know about the Toronto store |
Edited by - ChristoMephisto on 09/14/2009 11:14:29 |
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Laurie
Double Platinum Member
Canada
4854 Posts |
Posted - 09/14/2009 : 14:21:07
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www.craigslist.ca
www.kijiji.ca
The local Cash Convertors here is a "buy low sell medium" type of place - so don't write those guys off.
We also have little "hole-in-the-wall" pawn shops that are usually (but not always) pretty flexible on price. My rule of thumb with pawn stores is that I should be able to buy an item in mint condition (usually without box and paper though) for 50% of the local retail price.
Example - I picked up an Ernie Ball volume pedal for $70 inc tax at a hole-in-the wall on the weekend after negotiating him down from $95+tax. That pedal is about $150 new, so it was a pretty good buy at $70.
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starr36
Platinum Member
Canada
1172 Posts |
Posted - 09/14/2009 : 15:27:31
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ibid.
$200.00 wah pedal new in retail store $200, $99.00 in pawnshop, walked out of store with it for $65 mint shape! this was a one-off owner/manager pawnshop.
I have had great success at cash converters - only because they sometimes are able to get stuff off the street at very low prices like Laurie says, which in terms end up better prices than pawnshops that specialize in musical instruments.
I have found that certain pawnshops that specialize in musical instruments probably will have more higher quality or more desired products but the deals aren't so great as they know the street and retail prices really well; if you need certain gear, they are great though. |
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natthu
Gold Member
Australia
756 Posts |
Posted - 11/21/2009 : 21:58:29
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Hey Guys,
I've just arrived back from my trip. I checked out a few of the places you all recommended, thanks very much for all the info - it was quite helpful. I loved "Steve's" in Montr�al...
However, I ended up stumbling accross "Musique Richard" in Qu�bec City (while trying to find a mirco-brewery a friend recommended) and I ended up buying my new Fender Jaguar there... You'll be pleased to know that I also eventually found the micro brewery and 
Canada was fab! I had a great time  I was lucky enough to see a couple of Canadian bands play live in Montr�al - "The Deep Dark Woods" and "Elliot Brood", they were both awesome. I also took my Qu�becois friend down to HMV to help me stock up on CD's by Canadian bands (Francophone and Anglophone). You guys have a really good healthy music scene happening there 
It wasn't super cold as expected (I like cold). I was walking around comfortably in just a t-shirt in Montr�al... It was also T-shirt weather in Niagra Falls just a few days ago, which is good because we got drenched by the spray - that would have sucked in the cold.
Thanks to everyone who contributed suggestions! I appreciate it guys |
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starr36
Platinum Member
Canada
1172 Posts |
Posted - 11/21/2009 : 23:33:16
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| Great storey, nat! |
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pedals 4 pv
Platinum Member
Canada
1351 Posts |
Posted - 11/26/2009 : 10:01:07
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Natthu, is the gear that much cheaper here than Australia or is there better selection? It seems a long way to travel to buy a guitar. |
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natthu
Gold Member
Australia
756 Posts |
Posted - 11/26/2009 : 21:26:28
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quote:
Originally posted by pedals 4 pv
Natthu, is the gear that much cheaper here than Australia or is there better selection? It seems a long way to travel to buy a guitar.
Yeah, it's cheaper... You guys have trade agreements with the US that tends to lessen the taxes... I probably only saved about $300 Australian, but hey, that's enough to buy a DM-2...
Your selection is a lot better too. Australia is unfortunately a very small market, whereas Canada is right next to an enourmous market... We can order things in here but it takes time and usually a bit of money. The larger cities (Melbourne & Sydney) have more choice than here (Adelaide), but Quebec had more choice than Adelaide and it's a smaller city...
I didn't specifically set out to buy a guitar in Canada, but I've always wanted a Jag and it was there and I had the cash... I couldn't help myself  |
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Hey Canadians!
