BROOKSTOWN STRINGED INSTRUMENTS:
For What's New in Vintage Gear

April 2009
Winston-Salem

If you’re looking for vintage gear look no further. And if you thought you could never afford your favorite vintage guitar, now more than ever, you need to check out Brookstown Stringed Instruments in Winston-Salem. Currently the sole dealer of Nash Guitars in the Triad area, Brookstown is now the source of an entirely new phenomenon in the vintage world of guitars. These guitars provide a new opportunity for what has mostly been totally unaffordable for the majority of musicians

Bill Nash of Nash guitars purchases new guitars or guitar parts from the manufacturer and totally restores them to vintage specs down to the vintage color and finish, except in areas where they can be improved such as electronics and playability. The completed project is then ‘aged’ to the desired level of wear and sold exclusively through authorized dealers, Brookstown Stringed Instruments being one.

Except for the price tag, you would never know that you didn’t have the genuine article. Of course if you know where to look it is clearly marked to protect against someone trying to pass it off as the real McCoy, but apart from these protective markings most everyone would swear that it’s the real vintage piece. There are actually several big name guitarists who perform with a Nash in order to keep their prized guitars off the road where there is risk of damage or theft. And no one ever knows the difference.

John Tatum, guitar guru and owner of Brookstown Stringed Instruments, says “These are the premier guitars of the day. You actually get a much better playing and sounding guitar with a Nash creation than you would with the actual vintage piece, and for a fraction of the price.” But Nash guitars are not all you’ll find at Brookstown. Some of the finest vintage acoustic guitars, basses, amps and accessories are also available along with the expert knowledge and facilities to service just about anything you have.

Tatum carries a few lines of high quality new gear as well including Ventura Guitars, Saga Musical Instruments, Fishman & Orange Amps, and he just recently picked up BlueRidge Guitars as well. Brookstown is also the areas only dealer for Lindy Fralin Amplifiers and high Performance pick ups.

John Tatum has been a mainstay in the Winston-Salem music scene for many years. He first began playing guitar at the age of 8 and played bluegrass for several years, later developing an affinity for the blues. He opened his first music store in 1980 and has owned and operated several other stores since that time including John’s Guitar Shop in Mt. Airy.

After longtime friend and fellow guitarist, Sam Moss, closed the doors of Sam Moss Guitars in 2002, a void was left in the city for a neighborhood vintage guitar shop and general musician’s hangout. John seized the opportunity to continue in Sam’s legacy of local, personal service and opened Brookstown Stringed Instruments at 414 Brookstown Avenue, only a half dozen or so blocks away from Sam’s old place. Here you will find the same quality of vintage gear and an equal amount of hospitality as ever.

You also have a high quality and trustworthy source of instrument repair at Brookstown as well. With over 25 years of expert repair service, John Tatum can handle just about any instrument repair problem that comes his way. The sentiment around here is, "We don't discriminate; if you can't play we can show you how and if we can't fix it, we fix it so nobody else can." No worries, you can trust your gear here!

John is also a skilled instructor in acoustic and electric guitar, bass, banjo and mandolin and brings decades of knowledge to his lessons. He teaches all styles to all ages, from the beginner to the experienced musician and believes that it’s never too late to learn how to play an instrument.

Though Brookstown is geared toward the professional musician, Tatum welcomes all players on all levels. It's just a great place for musicians to gather and hang out. Check it out. It’s definitely worth the trip.

Call John Tatum & Brookstown Stringed Instruments at 336-722-9777 or visit the Brookstown Website to find out more about the products and services available. Or better yet, just drop by the shop at 414 Brookstown Avenue in Winston-Salem. You can click HERE for a map.