Bay Area Filk Resources

Two mailing lists exist for announcements and discussion of Bay Area filking:

1. ba-filk-announce: a low-bandwidth mailing list, distributing major Bay Area filk event announcements. Expect to receive around 1-2 messages per month if you subscribe to this list.
2. ba-filk: a medium-bandwidth mailing list, used by Bay Area filkers for random chat, filk event planning, minor announcements and impromptu events. Expect to receive about 5-15 messages per month if you subscribe to this list.

You can sign up for both of these lists through the web interface at http://lists.filknet.org/cgi-bin/listargate.cgi.

See you and thanks!

Music Stores

Given that many people break guitar strings or just plain want to go out and check out the music stores in the area, I've compiled a list and written some commentary about the ones I use regularly based on my experiences with them.

Guitar Center
3430 Stevens Creek Blvd
San Jose, CA 95117-1042
Phone: 408-249-0455

It helps to be male to get decent service here, although they have been improving on that front the last couple of times I've been there. They don't always put prices on their merchandise, but they claim they'll beat anyone's price. They do sell strings, and they're open Sundays.

Guitar Showcase
3090 S Bascom Ave
San Jose, CA 95124-2099
Phone: 408-377-5864

Don't let the fishie on the logo scare you; these folks are actually alot of fun and don't bite. I often wind up making the extra drive to go here, and I'm always treated with first-class service. I've done repeat business here; ask me about the day I spent there trying out fuzz pedals for my ukulele. They're open Sundays, and they have a small consignment shop in the next building that's fun to browse through.

Haight Ashbury Music Center
151 W Washington Ave
Sunnyvale, CA 94086-6152
Phone: 408-732-8490

I've bought MIDI cables, books, and picks from these folks. They're nice people, and if you need strings Sunday, go here, as it's one of the nearest places to the con that's open Sundays.

From the con you would take 237 west to Lawrence Expressway south. Take Lawrence Expressway to El Camino Real, turn left, and it's on your left (you have to make a U-turn after you see it). It's also a fun place to visit; you never know what you'll find for sale, as they mix their current inventory with their consignment stuff. I've seen a guitarron (the big six-string bass guitar they use in Mariachi bands), regular and guitar lutes, and many international instruments. They sell strings 2-for-1, and their prices are very good. Unfortunately, they're not open Sundays.

Gryphon Stringed Instruments
211 Lambert Ave
Palo Alto, CA 94306-2217
Phone: 650-493-2131

This is a first-rate shop for anything with strings. They not only sell guitars, but harps, dulcimers, banjos, ukuleles, and violins. They're not open Sundays.