Kevin + Chuck = Love
Music Thing created a cool Google map of music shops around the world– you know, actual buildings where you can walk in to look at and play with instruments. It’s an open map, so you’re free to add your favorite joint. I was flattered that I had the chance to add Chuck Levin’s Washington Music Center to the map.
If you fancy yourself a musician and live anywhere in the mid-Atlantic USA, you need to make the pilgrimage to Chuck’s. It’s massive, occupying four ugly buildings in an ugly strip mall in ugly suburban Maryland. The selection is huge and the staff are phenomenal. I was there with my dad one time; he was looking for a guitar stand, which seemed like a good enough excuse to make the trip. I think this was around Christmas time, and the place was jam packed with people. But the clerk who helped him must have spent ten solid minutes asking about his guitar, comparing different models, showing him how they folded up, like he was Bob Dylan.
Happily, this is not one of those “please support this great independent joint or it might disappear” rants. Despite operating out of a single location, insiders tell me Chuck’s is the only music retailer in the US with enough clout to compete with Guitar Center on price.
The Washington Post had a great feature on Chuck’s a few years back that captures the feel nicely.
Have you been to Chuck’s? Share your love below.