PLAY
PARKING
MUSICOLOGY:
A PLAYER'S GUIDE TO LAWRENCE MUSIC SHOPS
// WORDS AND PHOTOS BY JAKE LERMAN
Thanks to video game sensations such as Rock Band and Guitar Hero, anyone can feel the thrills of a roaring crowd and their very own (digital) spotlight. But for some people the colored buttons just don't cut it. For anyone who craves a limelight a little brighter than the glow of their television screens, Lawrence has music shops that offer everything you need to take your musical aspirations out of the plastic and into reality. Here's a look at three of them.
Richard's Music Company, 15 E. 8th St., is perfect for the beginner musician. Even if you have no clue what frets or pickups are, the friendly staff at Richard's is ready and willing to answer any questions you may have.
The long-established store has been through many incarnations in Lawrence since its inception as Richardson's Music Shop in the late 1950s. Over the years the store dropped the "son's" but maintained the motto of affordable equipment for anyone who needs it. Along with quality instruments ranging from $100 to $1,000, Richard's boasts a roster stacked with brilliant teachers. With half-hour lessons costing only $15, education is affordable.
Even if you're an experienced player who simply wants to beef up your skills, guitarists such as John Bell, who has been teaching at Richard's for more than 30 years, is sure to have expertise to share.
Richard's is a shop designed to help aspiring musicians who demand frugality.
"We're the Mom-and-Pop music shop of Lawrence — we are here for the indie artists and the locals to get them what they need at an affordable price," says Austin Sinkler, Richard's store manager.
Not everyone dreams of being a guitar god; thankfully, Lawrence has a shop for all the future Ringo Stars out there, too.
Supersonic Music, 1023 Massachusetts St., has been the premier store in town for drummers since its opening in Aug. 2001. Supersonic offers a range of products that sound great and won't break the bank. There is no "you touch it you buy it" policy at Supersonic — the employees welcome anyone who just wants to come in and "whack on stuff" — within reason, of course.
"We're a really percussion-oriented store, but we offer guitar and bass lessons along with lessons for drums," manager Brian Baggett says. Chris Hannemann, Wichita junior, has taken guitair lessons from Baggett for only a few months but says Baggett has helped immensely. "Other teachers I've had are a lot older than me so we can't relate on music we like to play, but Brian is a young guy and a great guitarist," Hannemann says.
Experienced freelance teachers such as Baggett teach all Supersonic's lessons; their rates vary but they typically charge $15 per half hour.
Supersonic has one of the largest selections of percussion instruments in town. From bongs to doumbeks, they've got it all.
Any experienced musician who's cracked the neck of his or her guitar on stage knows by now that Mass Street Music, 1347 Massachusetts St., is one of the best places in town for repairs. The iconic shop began in 1978 with owner Jim Baggett (no relation to Brian Baggett at Supersonic). The original shop at 7th and Michigan streets had the less-than-surprising name Michigan Street Music.
Today, Mass Street Music's focus on restoring high-end guitars hasn't changed and the store offers a large collection of top-quality fretted instruments. With a knowledgeable staff, Mass Street Music can field any questions you have about a purchase. Ben Antes, Kansas City, Kan., senior, says Mass Street Music has his business because of their top-notch customer service and because whenever he goes in he never feels like he can't try out even the nicer guitars. Many guitars at Mass Street Music are considered "boutique guitars." These are either vintage models or collectables, which can cost more than $20,000.
If you're not in the market to shell out more for an instrument than you do for your tuition, the business also offers guitars made by reputable manufacturers at a more affordable price. "We try to buy instruments that are the best that can be found for beginners or pros," Jim Baggett says. "I spend as much time looking for a $200 guitar as I do a $20,000 guitar."
With so many great options for quality and affordable instruments in town there's no reason any aspiring musician shouldn't give playing a shot. It takes a strong will and hours of dedication but if you have it in you, music is something you can do for the rest of your life. So before you go and pick up your copy of The Beatles: Rock Band, think about putting that money into something that you won't be sick of once you reach the last level.
And you won't have to bother learning that Liverpool accent. Jp
Supersonic Jasmine 95 — $150
Mass Street Ibanez SGT 110 NT — $169
ELECTRIC GUITARS
Richard's Used Fender Squirt Stratocasters
$100 to $150
Supersonic: ESP pack (amplifier included)
$299
Mass Street: Fender Squire pack (amplifier included) — $199
BASS
Richard's: Eastwood Hi-Flyer — $425 (used basses range $100 to $150)
Supersonic; Ibanez Soundgear—$225
Mass Street: Fender Affinity pack (amplifier included) — $299
DRUMS
Richard's: Only used kits, usually just shells (no cymbals or stands) — $300 to 400
Supersonic: Percussion Plus five-piece kit (cymbals included) --- $449
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