Trading Musician used to be the cat’s meow, and to a degree it still is: rows of uncommon, vintage, used instruments and accessories. The staff is super helpful, particularly when discussing the merits of vintage guitars, drums and keys. However, Ebay has resulted in inflated asking prices for lots of the gear at Trading Musician. In fact, they’re often above market value on lots of their items. I still go, and I still love the feel of this place more than any other music store in Seattle. But don’t go thinking you’ll get a bargain—that possibility used to exist, but The Trading Musician has updated it’s frayed exterior with a bit of price gouging.

Okay, enough ranting. You need to go here and smell the abundance of of used gear. Probably the best thing is to shop for the electric guitars and other music gizmos that aren’t (yet) hip and therefore are priced to move. Glorious Japanese guitars of years past for any budget.

The Seattle music store landscape would not be the same without the ugly step-brother that is The Trading Musician.