Fanny's House of Music
Being drawn to used music gear has plenty to do with my budget, but it comes with benefits. Every item has its own story: Take my bass guitar, which revealed the indecipherable remnants of an autograph under a black light. While a big-box store needs to cater to what’s current, independent shops can give you all of that plus a greatest hits sampler of gear from years past, along with the most personal service possible. It all serves the goal of getting you to spend more time playing and less time fantasizing about acquiring stuff.
Whether it’s used or new, each guitar on the wall — and each keyboard or drum in the rack, effects pedal in the case and so on — is a new chapter of someone’s story waiting to be written. That’s a heady thing to be around, even if I’m just kicking tires on my lunch break.
I’m so glad we have so many of these stores, and all so different from one another, around Nashville. Fanny’s House of Music founders Pamela Cole and Leigh Maples have spent years cultivating an inclusive atmosphere, and they’re working to secure the store’s future as they get ready to retire. Gruhn Guitars and the recently expanded Carter Vintage Guitars cultivate a fascinating array of elite equipment. Eastside Music Supply, whose offerings include the largest selection of pedals I’ve ever seen, moved to a bigger space and celebrated its 10th anniversary this summer.
These are the tip of the iceberg, and there’s always more to explore: Todd Austin and Jamie Jackson just opened Tone Central Station next to Grimey’s. Though I’m merely a curious hobbyist in a town brimming with pros, I always feel welcome in a mom-and-pop music shop, and I’ll always be thankful for that.Â
—Stephen Trageser
Music Editor, Nashville Scene
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