vernplum
New member
A quick Google found me Nakwon Arcade in the old quarter of the Korean capital. Think Peninsular Plaza, but on a much denser and bigger scale.
To be honest, my expectations were low, but I don't think my preconceptions could have been more wrong. If I estimated that there were over 100 music stores, I think I wouldn't have been too far off the mark. The place was incredible. All major guitar brands there - Fender, Gibbo, Martin, lots of Deans, obviously lots of Korean brands - Samick, Cort? and so on and dozens brand I'd never heard of (Kawasamy anyone?). Very light on boutique brands (only 2nd hand Boogie, PRS, Brian Moore - no Anderson, Suhr, etc.). Amp selection generally marshall and some obscure cheapo brands, but also saw Crate, Fender, Ampeg and surprisingly a Matchless amp dealer.
Very, very good selection of Fenders and Gibsons. Many many signature models. Also, a pedal hunter's dream - absolutely tonnes of weird and obscure things I've never seen.
Prices left a bit to be desired though. One guy was asking around $5000 for a 'vintage' PRS Custom 22 (apparently this PRS was a model shown off by PRS himself at NAMM 2000). A Boss MT2 was going for $170 SGD (equivalent I bought in Singapore was $140).
Still, a bit of an eye opener, just for the window shopping. Seoul happens to be a nice place too.
To be honest, my expectations were low, but I don't think my preconceptions could have been more wrong. If I estimated that there were over 100 music stores, I think I wouldn't have been too far off the mark. The place was incredible. All major guitar brands there - Fender, Gibbo, Martin, lots of Deans, obviously lots of Korean brands - Samick, Cort? and so on and dozens brand I'd never heard of (Kawasamy anyone?). Very light on boutique brands (only 2nd hand Boogie, PRS, Brian Moore - no Anderson, Suhr, etc.). Amp selection generally marshall and some obscure cheapo brands, but also saw Crate, Fender, Ampeg and surprisingly a Matchless amp dealer.
Very, very good selection of Fenders and Gibsons. Many many signature models. Also, a pedal hunter's dream - absolutely tonnes of weird and obscure things I've never seen.
Prices left a bit to be desired though. One guy was asking around $5000 for a 'vintage' PRS Custom 22 (apparently this PRS was a model shown off by PRS himself at NAMM 2000). A Boss MT2 was going for $170 SGD (equivalent I bought in Singapore was $140).
Still, a bit of an eye opener, just for the window shopping. Seoul happens to be a nice place too.
