The Scene New York: Sam Ash Music

[@csharp57]

Sammy passing and now this store is closing…. I’m glad this video was made. RIP to Sammy and thanks to Sam Ash stores. (Appreciate you too Gibson TV)

[@claytonmunsey9740]

Rest in Peace. He had everything to live for, thank goodness his children will carry on his good name.

[@mrandsp]

On a visit to NYC from the UK just yesterday, I called into this store only to find it is closing down; apparently a victim of online retail. Just seven months after this interview, this wonderful place will soon be no more. A tragedy for NY musicians, but mainly for the Ash family. Thank you for decades of service to the music business.

[@rainypath96]

they hardly tried to be a part of online retail. their website was stuck in the early 2000s and they never updated their business model like guitar center did

[@MayorMcCheese2000]

we all owe a debt of gratitude to these legends!

[@jimshomestudio]

Very proud of my local Clearwater location, which was acquired from Thoroughbred Music. I not only bought my Gibson guitars there but also some very rare and hard to find guitars as well. Sam Ash made my dreams come true. Of course I am very thankful. Lovely tribute to the family. Thank you folks.

[@davidmcaninch4714]

RIP Sam Ash. Thank you for being one of my first music stores. Be at peace. I’m going to miss going to your stores and looking around at drums and percussion and drums and percussion accessories. You were great!!! You’ll be missed and you’ll be remembered, and you’ll be survived by Guitar Center and Sweetwater.

[@GuitarFuel]

I went to that store back in 2000 and boy it was like walking into heaven!

[@MikeE-]

I bought my first electric guitar and combo amp from Sam ash 22 years ago. I visited New York City and discovered 48th street for the first time 20 years ago. Great memories

[@Tonetwisters]

As a guitarist of 61 years, plus ... and a former employee of my brother's Tallahassee music store: I can really appreciate what this family has done over the years, and what they are STILL doing! Lots of WOW! right there! One For Israel.

[@Tommyalpaca]

Does your brother own music masters?

[@randrothify]

I’m a longtime Sam Ash customer. Just a great store! Love the family vibe, pride, and commitment to keeping it a family business with physical locations. Good on Gibson and Mark for giving some much needed love to their dealers who made much of their success possible. Hope that Sam Ash prospers for many generations to come!

[@eddiemautone209]

😊😊😊yes great memories of SAM ASH MUSIC STORE I visited Sam ash music store in south Florida many times I bought four guitars there

[@TheChemicaldust]

Fantastic store, with a lovely history. i'm costomer since 1990. Congrats.

[@ericunderwoodmusic]

RIP Sammy. Bought my first and second Gibson 335s from Sam Ash. Such an amazing experience!

[@john-brady]

RIP?

[@ericstigliano8597]

February of 2022, I decided to do a day trip into New York via train. Since this store was so close to Penn Station, I decided to stop in. That day I went home with a Les Paul Standard. It was such a great day

[@rickycompton2610]

Great Video Mark and Gibson, This is what the American Dream looks like I hope Sam Ash is around another 100 years this is what a family business is all about.

[@disco4535]

Sam Ash has always been amazing for me. I've probably bought 7 or 8 guitars from them, a few amps as well.

[@rockinplotkin1]

This brought back great memories. The store on Kings Highway & Coney Island Ave. Mrs. Ash at the register, always smiling and so nice to us skinny teenagers with no money. And the guys upstairs reminding us to, "practice at home" but always super helpful when we needed them.

[@OakLawnSpeedShop]

Sam Ash is a far better buying experience than Guitar “Kmart” Center. Better deals and more personable. I just wish they didn’t close the store near me.

[@john-brady]

Me too

[@Noisyhead818]

Complete opposite for me the same ash near me employees didn’t care

[@miikdaniels1439]

Sam Ash Columbus, Ohio has never let me down. Always welcoming and willing to answer questions. They got me started on Pro Tools in '08. Thank you!

[@jimbonacum8917]

I worked for these guys for a brief period in the 1970's. One thing I remember was that they would beat anybody's price. I also remember meeting Paul, Jerry and Sammy. They were all smart businessmen but of the three Paul was the nicest guy. Sorry to hear he is gone.

[@michaelgonzalez7304]

I love Sam Ash in Manhattan and I have visited the store 3 times. RIP Manny's Music and Music Row on W 48th Street. Manny's: 1935 - 2009 😢. W 48th St "Music Row": 1935 - 2015 😢😭😔☹️😞

[@lzrosenbaum64]

RIP Sammy! Bought my first amp from your dad. 1977 Fender Vibro Champ.

[@nicolasbeaudry6158]

Beautiful family ❤❤❤wish I could visit before it closes forever 😢😢

[@rockhead69]

Fantastic... didn't know Sam Ash was that old... thanks for the video !

[@unclerudy9797]

Rest in Peace Sammy ! Loved him ! Always a pleasure to do business with over the years ! Thanks Mark ! Rudy @GRNY

[@danjlee0814]

this particular store has a wonderful employee by the name of Ellis. Extremely knowledgeable, friendly and patient person. He sat down with me and let me try every single variation of Les Paul and explained what the key differences were. We also talked about his love for Mesa Boogie amps and he helped me understand the history behind each amp. He even helped me figure out how to ask the questions I had rattling around in my head for years but had no idea how to ask. such a rare and extraordinary human being.

[@jimmyjames4372]

Mannys was a legendary destination the holy grail to visit for musicians..

[@williamanderson3402]

My guys at Sam Ash have helped me find three guitars I absolutely love. Great team in the last surviving Music Row store.

[@heinerperdomo]

Mark, you're a legend bro. As always, amazing job.

[@pczTV]

Mark is super knowledgeable about project, can hit his mark, knows his lines and doesn’t flub them but …but… there’s just some weird lack of charisma. The camera doesn’t love him. It’s an intangible that I can’t describe.

[@thestrum71]

@@pczTV That's because he looks and talks like a dude who stole your 4-year old's ice cream, got caught on camera doing it, and seeks a way to get out of it like nothing happened... Cameras truly don't like him....

[@dap777754]

@@thestrum71 I like Agnesi even less than the cameras do, if that's possible. Didn't care for him in LA either. Seems very image conscious; even so he manages to dress about as poorly as one can. I'm perpetually surprised he gets hired as a mouthpiece.

[@thmmke6926]

What a great video and story, I picked up my sg and les Paul from Sam ash, I like the scene videos so more please,

[@alecbrownworth3408]

Worked in one of the Long Island locations all through high school, great experience

[@martinmontenegro4559]

Back in 2015 was the first time I visited a Sam Ash store. It was in Florida. I loved it. Im from Ecuador and down here there’s not a serious music store like Sam Ash. I got in and it was Disneyland. Shaking, I asked to try for the first time in my life a tube amp. Fender Vibrolux. I shaked the whole time. In 2017 I visited NYC and a must was visiting the Manhattan Sam Ash. I went there, played a SRV strat and shaked the whole time again. It was amazing, I loved every second of it. Now at may 2023 I visited Guitar Center and Sam Ash in NYC and you can tell which took the worst from covid. Sam Ash had empty spaces, not the best attention and it was pretty much empty. Nevertheless, I asked to play a custom shop Gibson Les Paul and they where cool with it. It just wasn’t the same energy that I remember. My favourite guitar was a LP Jr. I hope to see guitar stores back to their glory. And when you talk to a salesman, get the confidence they know more than you and not the other way.

[@tinman8518]

Good to hear from you again Mark Agnesi.

[@EvanJr]

This must continue from generation to generation. This company is awesome!

[@Heavenreck]

This is such a cool video. I love being in Sam. Ash each time I am in NY. The vibe is amazing and everyone is so friendly and helpful. I have bought a guitar at each visit so they must be doing something right. Thank you for sharing Gibson.

[@BrazenNL]

What an interesting story. Thanks for sharing.

[@peacemyguy5332]

loved visiting this store renting an amp for my first ny gig

[@Cube10]

Great people, great stores!

[@SixStringTales]

I always make a point to call in to Sam Ash every time I'm in New York. Awesome store! 🙌

[@HYfilms]

This is my hometown store I've been going to since I was a kid! I still go here (way too much) and all the guys there have been the BEST growing up and now. Paul in repairs the best out there. Lucky this is in my backyard and that Gibson chose to highlight a place with such special history and great vibes!

[@sopunkrock101]

A very cool piece off musical history 🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸😃😃😃😃😃😃

[@ArgentAbendAzure]

Great family. Great story. That store looks like musician heaven. RIP Jerry Ash.

[@glaucosouza1971]

What a blast!!! 👏👏👏

[@BenJBrandt]

Wow. Rest in piece Sammy.

[@AnthonySoncini]

RIP Sammy I bought my first saxophone at Sam Ash Queens store in the 80s from salesman Marc Bernstein great guy and A great store

[@Jamalama555]

Thats so rad, I never knew that.

[@paulbingham_Creative]

It’s great to see that Sam Ash has the policy of “come and play”. I remember visiting some of the top guitar stores in NYC a few years ago and how snooty and rude the sales people were! First impressions go a long way and Sam Ash will definitely get my business next time I visit NYC.

[@leobender2910]

Long live the Ash family and long live Sam Ash!

[@leobender2910]

And thank you, Mark, for doing this!

[@timothycormier3494]

Wow man!! I always thought that Sam ash was just some cooperation like gutter center. To know that it’s still a family owned business is very cool! A family owned business that is very successful!! That’s the American dream! God bless you and your family Sam ash! Good wishes!

[@cuda426hemi]

End of an era, when Sammy passed we knew it was only a matter of time. Used to love trippin' into NYC from Mystic CT as a kid to do the 3 - Mannys, Sam and Rudys. What a great time the 60s and 70s for those stores. Now even mail order is feeling the pinch with Sweetwater (new group owners) stopping the 600 page catalogs and cheaping out on the candy and even AMS killing their 100 page catalogs. Hey kid reading this in the future while riding in your driverless robotaxi; cherish everything now because it all changes. All. 🎬

[@lonewolffgrey8983]

sweet dude...

[@BlueSkies32]

A life well lived, a great family and success. With my deepest condolences to the Ash Family.

[@RByrne]

What a great shop! Thats how guitar shops should be.

[@MK-1010]

Wow! I had no idea they'd moved from 48th. St. I didn't know about the original, Saratoga Ave location, either. I used to go to the E. 13th St. store in Brooklyn all the time, right off King's Highway. Bought a lot from that store! Obviously, it's been several years since I was there, but it's kind of a shame that 48th St probably isn't anything like it used to be. Rudy's might still be there, but Manny's and We Buy Guitars is long gone. The Sam Ash stores, too. I guess. Time marches on.

[@tcarbonimusic]

All the music stores have been gone from 48th street for many years. I think Rudy’s was the last to leave.

[@claytonphelps9911]

Very cool interview, Thanks Mark, keep on rockin'

[@marce211275]

For the last 20 years Sam Ash in New York City had so much friendly stuff people working with customers than Guitar Center...and that's why i always stop by to try guitars and pedals!

[@mikerusso4169]

Having worked with Bernice in Hempstead back in the day, it was great seeing the old pictures of the family. I learned a lot from Jerry and Bernice, and I miss them. Thanks for this.

[@mikechristian9793]

I worked in the same store and remember you Mike. Hope all's well.

[@MiguelMakesMusic]

love these videos ya'll. Maybe Mr. Ash can do a collection video!

[@Meep207]

I was just there in April! It really is a great store!

[@jimmyfrombrooklyn8550]

I absolutely remember the demo guitar on 48th St! Cool that they kept that! Always had good experiences dealing with Sam Ash stores they’re originals and deserve continued success!

[@williamwallace2325]

Mark, this was a very enjoyable video.

[@patmayer7222]

Watching in land o' lakes,wi...tnx Mark,,great vid,,cool story,,,dream store ! ,,,,...holy cats ! .................peace out,,,,😮 pat&family

[@linheitzig9227]

What a great success story. Thanks for telling it Mark.

[@rickrocknrollliconti3729]

My first experience at a Sammy’s store in Brooklyn Kings Highway and Coney Island Avenue 1967

[@OakLawnSpeedShop]

Mark you are a great player.

[@sgholt]

Sam Ash is my go to store.....

[@Shiloh7377]

Got my electroharmonix attack decay pedal from Sam ash. Great company.

[@wasylbakowsky5199]

I've never seen anything like this store, absolutely nuts!

[@guitarsandcheesecake1632]

Been to Sam Ash in NYC. Bought a Gibson Flying V....... love it and the store!!

[@guitarjunkie7124]

I remember always going to the Sam Ash of Paramus, NJ store. I bought my first white '90 Gibson Explorer there and many other items as well. I'm really sad that it closed down, but happy to see this video of the NYC store. Cherish & support these stores!

[@RolandSpecialSauce]

RIP Sam Ash...

[@rollzolo]

Went to a&d HS and getting off at Rockefeller station music district was heaven.

[@reminaya]

This is really cool. I had ZERO clue that Sam Ash was this iconic. I still really appreciate sitting on "the couch" at Norm's, having you A/B the '64 custom hardwired Deluxe Reverb to the '65 reissue. You were pretty set on snatching that handwired model. Did you end up buying it, I wonder? That was some time ago. Thanks Mark!

[@Jontenn]

can't wait for Mark to do an episode at Norm's haha

[@gibsonguitar]

He already did, check the playlist

[@TwinPawsFWWM]

Bought a bass online from Sam ash last year. Got a call from an employee notifying me it had been on the wall for quite a while amd has a ding on the back, offered me a nice discount and also put on new strings and set up the bass for me, it was perfectly ready to play out of the box. Great experience.

[@TwinPawsFWWM]

And to clarify, this was for an epiphone, not like they even made A ton of money off me. Says a lot.

[@PorkChop1956]

Rest in peace Sammy

[@Foofang65]

Awesome family story. 👍✌️

[@tidepoolbay]

Nice Work! WooF!

[@RsSquier51]

RIP Mr. Sammy Ash. Love my local Sam Ash store.

[@nycshelbygt500]

#IronMaiden #Killers T-Shirt. Awesome interview of the Sam Ash Family Business. Back in the 1980s when they opened a new Sam Ash store in Queens near High School....we lived there drooling over the gear.

[@nocturnalferalguitarist]

Great content I love that demo guitar. wish a Sam Ash was closer to me. I'd probably enjoy working in one.

[@niguel4438]

Excellent as always

[@Twobarpsi]

Great store, and history!

[@PeteCalandra]

How can u go to. Sam Ash on 34th st and not visit Paul B in repairs? Legend! 😊

[@SamAshMusic]

We love Paul!

[@_peachbeach]

hey Gibson plz do a The Collection with Sammy Ash he said he has 40 I mean I bet he has a bunch of cool stuff! thanks! love the vid and love my mod shop guitar :-)

[@wilburwokeii8298]

RIP SAMMY ASH

[@normansimpson5637]

Nice

[@MikeUIibarri]

Changes coming from all these different places.

[@terryeaster1]

2:49 come in and play. I love that. I don't go to guitar center in North okc because they have 400$ guitars locked up.

[@Leel3ones89]

I've never been but my first guitar I got😊 is a brownsville, their in house brand. I've always been curious about them... thanks Gibson

[@ethanhitchcock5431]

I was just checking out guitars & basses on their site a few hours ago , I had no idea the company had been around for so long , r-r-r-right on !...Thank Yooz !

[@vdubbub9746]

RIP Sammy.

[@_avia_]

Why so short? :( Pls make it a 24h long 🙏

[@jeremythornton433]

Cool! I'd like to see a show on Long and McQuade's music up here in Canada. It's also a family run business but they now have stored coast to coast after the first one in Toronto.

[@Tommyalpaca]

Man, I used to live at Sam ash. I was there everyday for years.

[@WilliamHaisch]

I want to hear more about that “the demo guitar”! 😊

[@ardiris2715]

I remember music stores. (:

[@UnpleasantDog]

Awesome!

[@seanrosedotcom]

Love the Sam Ash store near me and I go and spend $ way too often! Great video!

[@krisholmes559]

Saddened to read this store is now closing ☹