03/01/2018
Dear family and friends of We Buy Guitars,
I appreciate you taking time to read this
I formally met my partner Richard Friedman 25 years ago while working for Sam Ash Music in New York. Richie had just started for Ash after moving from the store his father Larry and his mother Emme had owned. Because of Richie’s desire to care for his parents as they aged it was decided it would be best to close their store We Buy Guitars on the famous 48 th Street on Music Row. The physical location, but not the name Richies parents forged was bought out and there was a lull in the We Buy timeline.
During the 9 years working together with Richie at Ash, we found that we thought a lot alike and would rival at how close we were on prices that we thought a particular guitar could be worth. Well, in a parking lot conversation in November of 2004 Richie and I were ready and we decided to have the rebirth of We Buy Guitars. So, for the past 14 years we were business partners, buying and selling correct guitars that we thought our customers would like. Then came a special opportunity. We had an opportunity to build one of the biggest and best collections the world has even seen. We built the Collection that is now the Songbirds Guitar Museum!
So why am I telling you this? Well, it is my honor and with great respect that I announce the retirement of my partner, friend and brother, Richie Friedman. Richie has worked with the business of vintage guitars for nearly 50 years. Almost all of it without taking a break of any kind. It’s a throwback mentality he learned from his parents who were also very hard workers. A different generation.
As many of you know, you could not find a gentler, kinder soul than Richie. Just wait and see the posts and responses to this and you’ll know. If you didn’t get to meet him, it was your loss.
With that being said, Richie and I have decided to close the store on Long Island and Richie will finally get the break he hasn’t had in 50 years!
In the meantime all the rest of the We Buy crew will carry on as I am still full of love for this hobby and business. Even though I own 50% of We Buy, I will out of respect for Richie as well as his parents, not at this time use the We Buy Guitars name.
So today I launch Well Strung Guitars. All of the original We Buy cast is there as well as John Bertsche the amazing luthier that has been such an important cog for me. Tom is here too. Such you can expect the same service from him as always.
Since the world has changed and it has become more of a “click it” than “brick it” buying mentality, we will not have a storefront but instead an office. It is Plainview, NY not too far from the old We Buy location. Our phone number is the same at 516 221-0563.
Website and social to come soon. Please be patient as we make this a great experience for all.
Once again my brother Richie, Godspeed. I’m sure you’ll be finding me something really cool soon.
David Davidson
Partner
We Buy Guitars
Owner
Well Strung Guitars
