In the East Village [1], Sounds (20 St. Mark’s Pl., between 2nd and 3rd Aves., 212/677-3444) is stocked with a good selection of alternative music and used CDs. Fat Beats (406 6th Ave., 212/673-3883) carries a mix of new hip hop, reggae, and break-beat vinyl. Finyl Vinyl (204 E. 6th St., near 2nd Ave., 212/533-8007) features records from the 1930s to the 1970s.
In Greenwich Village [2], Bleecker Bob’s (118 W. 3rd St., near MacDougal, 212/475-9677) is a neighborhood institution, as is the nationally renowned Matt Umanov Guitar Store (273 Bleecker St., between 6th and 7th Aves., 212/675-2157).
Farther north, Academy Records and CDs (12 W. 18th St., between 5th and 6th Aves., 212/242-3000) sells used classical and jazz recordings. Skyline Books and Records (13 W. 18th St., 212/759-5463) specializes in used books. J&R Music World operates the Jazz Record Center (236 W. 26th St., 8th Fl., 212/675-4480).
Just east of Broadway on West 48th Street is a row of top-notch musical-instrument stores, including Sam Ash (160 W. 48th St., 212/719-2299) and the International Woodwind & Brass Center (174 W. 48th St., 212/840-7165). Colony Records (1619 Broadway, at 49th St., 212/265-2050) is the largest provider of sheet music in New York City [3].
Steinway & Sons (109 W. 57th St., between 6th and 7th Aves., 212/246-1100) is a lovely, old-fashioned piano showroom.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-york-city-long-island/manhattan/east-village
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-york-city-long-island/manhattan/greenwich-village
[3] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-york-city-long-island/discover-new-york-city