As swift and fluid as the fingers move off the steel strings of a G chord and return down to those of a C, Imperial Guitar & Soundworks has returned to New Paltz after nearly 30 years.
Covering the walls of the shop at 2A Cherry Hill Rd. are lines of brand new, used and vintage axes — Fenders, Washburns, Gretschs, Gibsons and more — of all colors, shapes and sizes.
After three decades in Newburgh and Poughkeepsie, owner Bill Imperial wanted to return to the artistic village for its musician-oriented and “shop local” atmosphere.
When Imperial decided to move his shop out of New Paltz during the mid–80s, he was hoping to grow and expand his market and figured Dutchess County would be a better location to do so.
Imperial did just that — the shop began selling not only guitars, but drums, keyboards and even guitar lessons — until the nature of the business changed due to online shopping.
“We like the one-on-one interaction,” he said.
Despite the location change, he said customers from Ulster County continued to drive down to Newburgh to get the hands on, “shop local” feel that the shop has to offer.
When Imperial mentioned that he would be bringing the shop back to New Paltz, Ulster-regulars would exclaim, “Oh, you’ll be closer to us now.”
“Ulster is unique in that the customers appreciate more face-to-face interaction,” Imperial said. “There are lots of musicians and artists here who are more hands on and ‘shop local’ oriented rather than ‘click-and-buy’ on the Internet.”
While moving back to New Paltz, Imperial Guitar & Soundworks sold the rest of its drum stock to CHBO Drums at the other end of town on Water Street, and is also in the process of weaning out what is left of its keyboard stock.
He said that back in this location, he wants to focus more on guitars and sound reinforcement.
The shop sells, buys, trades, repairs and appraises new, used and vintage guitars, as well as designs and creates sound systems for churches, schools and other public places such as restaurants. Imperial said that their job is to “clean things up and make them sound good.”
Imperial Guitar & Soundworks sells other musical accessories as well, including pedals, amplifiers, guitar straps and other fun instruments such as sitars, ukuleles and lap steels.
The shop also rents out guitars, amplifiers as well as a variety of orchestral and band instruments such as violins, cellos, French horns and so on — hoping to rent out to local schools.
Imperial said that he opened the shop in 1976 originally as Rainbow Music because he wanted to be surrounded by musical instruments for a living.
“Music is a part of human nature,” he said. “I’ve been playing guitar since I was a kid, and I just like the way good music makes people feel.”
Imperial Guitar & Soundworks is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Monday by appointment only. For more information, visit their website at imperialguitar.com. As swift and fluid as the fingers move off the steel strings of a G chord and return down to those of a C, Imperial Guitar & Soundworks has returned to New Paltz after nearly 30 years.
Covering the walls of the shop at 2A Cherry Hill Rd. are lines of brand new, used and vintage axes — Fenders, Washburns, Gretschs, Gibsons and more — of all colors, shapes and sizes.
After three decades in Newburgh and Poughkeepsie, owner Bill Imperial wanted to return to the artistic village for its musician-oriented and “shop local” atmosphere.
When Imperial decided to move his shop out of New Paltz during the mid–80s, he was hoping to grow and expand his market and figured Dutchess County would be a better location to do so.
Imperial did just that — the shop began selling not only guitars, but drums, keyboards and even guitar lessons — until the nature of the business changed due to online shopping.
“We like the one-on-one interaction,” he said.
Despite the location change, he said customers from Ulster County continued to drive down to Newburgh to get the hands on, “shop local” feel that the shop has to offer.
When Imperial mentioned that he would be bringing the shop back to New Paltz, Ulster-regulars would exclaim, “Oh, you’ll be closer to us now.”
“Ulster is unique in that the customers appreciate more face-to-face interaction,” Imperial said. “There are lots of musicians and artists here who are more hands on and ‘shop local’ oriented rather than ‘click-and-buy’ on the Internet.”
While moving back to New Paltz, Imperial Guitar & Soundworks sold the rest of its drum stock to CHBO Drums at the other end of town on Water Street, and is also in the process of weaning out what is left of its keyboard stock.
He said that back in this location, he wants to focus more on guitars and sound reinforcement.
The shop sells, buys, trades, repairs and appraises new, used and vintage guitars, as well as designs and creates sound systems for churches, schools and other public places such as restaurants. Imperial said that their job is to “clean things up and make them sound good.”
Imperial Guitar & Soundworks sells other musical accessories as well, including pedals, amplifiers, guitar straps and other fun instruments such as sitars, ukuleles and lap steels.
The shop also rents out guitars, amplifiers as well as a variety of orchestral and band instruments such as violins, cellos, French horns and so on — hoping to rent out to local schools.
Imperial said that he opened the shop in 1976 originally as Rainbow Music because he wanted to be surrounded by musical instruments for a living.
“Music is a part of human nature,” he said. “I’ve been playing guitar since I was a kid, and I just like the way good music makes people feel.”
Imperial Guitar & Soundworks is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Monday by appointment only. For more information, visit their website at imperialguitar.com.