Pro Audio in San Francisco

woods · 20th January 2006

I did a google search but didn't find any.

Anybody know of a good dealer or two in San Francisco?

Particularly microphones. Is there any place to go and look at and listen to some vintage Neumann 47s or other hi end gear.

Or maybe a studio that would let someone visit.

A friend is in San Fran for a week and wants to check out some mics and other gear while visiting.

Thanks,

Woods

dave-G · 21st January 2006

Not a lot of places with any stock of vintage gear, but Jeff at Cutting Edge Audio is the guy to talk to for just about anything... They might have some newer stuff in stock that could be demo-loaned, but you'd have to check with him yourself. As for vintage, best bet is rental -- Stephen Jarvis has a great selection.

-dave

Fletcher · 21st January 2006

Leo's has a reputation for being pretty good... never been there myself.

jdunn · 21st January 2006

Call Ron Timmons at Audio Images. 415-957-9131. Tell him I sent you.

NathanEldred · 21st January 2006

Marquette Audio Labs, Dave's also the guy that makes the Mercury gear.

Bob Olhsson · 22nd January 2006

When I started working for Quicksilver Messenger Service the band's policy was to always buy everything possible from Leo's because they had fronted the gear for the band's very first tours. (The Dead buy everything from Leo's too for the same reason.)

Mark Haynes became the first person I generally called because I never saw him take unfair advantage of that relationship. Mark has also been around the block a lot more than 90% of the salespeople you'll encounter and he saved my ass on a number of occasions when a piece of gear went down.

wavcatcher · 22nd January 2006

Leo's Pro Audio in Oakland and Cutting Edge Pro Audio in San Francisco are the two main Pro Audio shops in the Bay Area - so you've been sent in the right direction. Both places have great sales people and great service.

As for a studio visit...
There are lot's of great studio's here and I freelance at a bunch of them so what is
your friend looking for during his visit. Is he shopping a project or just looking to take a peek??? If he just wants to take a peek, call up some of the better places and ask
for a tour - if it's a slow day, they may let you swing by. Most people like to show of their studio's especially if you seem respectful and passionate about the business.

woods · 22nd January 2006

Take a peak at and perhaps have the time to hear a few mics like thd U47.

Besides Toast what are the other studios that would have good selection of mics and outboard?

Thanks,

Woods

wavcatcher · 23rd January 2006

I would suggest booking some time at Fantasy, The Record Plant or SF Soundworks.
Some studios may be willing to give you a tour for free but if you want to plug in
gear and hear it etc, they may charge for the time. However, if you are looking to spend thousands on some hi-end gear spending a few bucks on time at a studio to make
sure it's really what you want is a pretty smart way to research your purchase if you ask me.

I would caution you though, if you are looking to buy vintage gear that you actually
try the items you want to buy since they tend to vary so much in condition and sound.
So maybe just get connected with some used gear retailers that will send you a few mics to try out on a rental or rent to buy plan. To me this would be an even better
way to research your future purchases as you can try the items in your own environment.

balanceman · 23rd January 2006

audio images is really the spot.

I have been going to Leo's since I was 12 years old. (uuu 22 years - wow!)
They have fallen off in my opinion.

Behringer land.
Never anything decent in stock.
I suppose it had to happen at some point.

I go mail order nowadays.

Loads of mics @ Bay Records.
www.bayrec.com
they're busy though, so pay for the time you take up.

20th January 2006	#1
woods Gear addict Joined: Sep 2002 Posts: 308 Thread Starter	Pro Audio in San Francisco I did a google search but didn't find any. Anybody know of a good dealer or two in San Francisco? Particularly microphones. Is there any place to go and look at and listen to some vintage Neumann 47s or other hi end gear. Or maybe a studio that would let someone visit. A friend is in San Fran for a week and wants to check out some mics and other gear while visiting. Thanks, Woods

22nd January 2006	#6
Bob Olhsson Motown legend Joined: Jun 2002 Location: Songwriter Gulch, Nashville TN Posts: 10,876	When I started working for Quicksilver Messenger Service the band's policy was to always buy everything possible from Leo's because they had fronted the gear for the band's very first tours. (The Dead buy everything from Leo's too for the same reason.) Mark Haynes became the first person I generally called because I never saw him take unfair advantage of that relationship. Mark has also been around the block a lot more than 90% of the salespeople you'll encounter and he saved my ass on a number of occasions when a piece of gear went down. __________________ Bob's room 615 562-4346 Georgetown Masters 615 254-3233 Music Industry 2.0 Interview

22nd January 2006	#7
wavcatcher Lives for gear Joined: Jan 2004 Location: East Bay, CA Posts: 522	Leo's Pro Audio in Oakland and Cutting Edge Pro Audio in San Francisco are the two main Pro Audio shops in the Bay Area - so you've been sent in the right direction. Both places have great sales people and great service. As for a studio visit... There are lot's of great studio's here and I freelance at a bunch of them so what is your friend looking for during his visit. Is he shopping a project or just looking to take a peek??? If he just wants to take a peek, call up some of the better places and ask for a tour - if it's a slow day, they may let you swing by. Most people like to show of their studio's especially if you seem respectful and passionate about the business. __________________ peace and balance Chris wavetrap

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21st January 2006	#2
dave-G Lives for gear Joined: Jun 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 2,486	Not a lot of places with any stock of vintage gear, but Jeff at Cutting Edge Audio is the guy to talk to for just about anything... They might have some newer stuff in stock that could be demo-loaned, but you'd have to check with him yourself. As for vintage, best bet is rental -- Stephen Jarvis has a great selection. -dave

21st January 2006	#3
Fletcher member no 666 Joined: Jun 2002 Location: Durham, NC Posts: 10,108	Leo's has a reputation for being pretty good... never been there myself.

21st January 2006	#4
jdunn Head of Bumping Security (B.S) Joined: Feb 2004 Location: in the hills of Southern California Posts: 2,944	Call Ron Timmons at Audio Images. 415-957-9131. Tell him I sent you.

21st January 2006	#5
NathanEldred Lives for gear Joined: Jun 2002 Location: West Coast Central Florida Posts: 7,242	Marquette Audio Labs, Dave's also the guy that makes the Mercury gear.

23rd January 2006	#9
wavcatcher Lives for gear Joined: Jan 2004 Location: East Bay, CA Posts: 522	I would suggest booking some time at Fantasy, The Record Plant or SF Soundworks. Some studios may be willing to give you a tour for free but if you want to plug in gear and hear it etc, they may charge for the time. However, if you are looking to spend thousands on some hi-end gear spending a few bucks on time at a studio to make sure it's really what you want is a pretty smart way to research your purchase if you ask me. I would caution you though, if you are looking to buy vintage gear that you actually try the items you want to buy since they tend to vary so much in condition and sound. So maybe just get connected with some used gear retailers that will send you a few mics to try out on a rental or rent to buy plan. To me this would be an even better way to research your future purchases as you can try the items in your own environment.

23rd January 2006	#10
balanceman Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2003 Location: oakland Posts: 747	audio images is really the spot. I have been going to Leo's since I was 12 years old. (uuu 22 years - wow!) They have fallen off in my opinion. Behringer land. Never anything decent in stock. I suppose it had to happen at some point. I go mail order nowadays. Loads of mics @ Bay Records. www.bayrec.com they're busy though, so pay for the time you take up.