Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Keepongoing]

Where in Seoul is the best place to buy guitars. Does Korea make any good guitars? What is the price of a nice sounding Korean made steel string?

[kimcheeking]

Theres a big market for musical instruments right next to Insa-dong. It's an above ground arcade where the movie theaters are. sorry I don't konw the name of it.

[gang ah jee]

Lots of instrument shops in Hongdae, don't know about the prices.

[lawyertood]

kimchee king,

That would be Nagwon Arcade, I believe. I can't vouch for quality but then I don't play anything more complicated than CDs, the radio, or eight tracks--er, I mean cassettes.

[kimcheeking]

yeah that's right. The quality is quite high, you can find anything you want there in any price range.

[Confused Canadian]

Yep, Nakwon is the place to go. I fulfilled a life long dream about 2 years ago when I actually learned to play guitar (a fellow teacher taught me.) He also took me to Nakwon and helped me pick out a decent guitar. It's nothing fancy, but it suits me just fine. I paid 250,000 won, and when I checked out the price on the manufacturer's web page, the guitar was retailing for $750 US. I got a good deal. As mentioned above, you can find guitars in any price range. I have a Korean friend who plays and sings regularily who owns a 2.5 million won Martin, which he got at Nakwon.

Korean guitars themselves, from what I understand, are middle of the road, unless you want to shell out big bucks. However, many acoustic guitars are actually manufactured in Korea, thus the low prices.

Nakwon itself is sort of like any of the markets in Korea (Namdaemoon, Itaewon, etc.). Don't pay the first price you are quoted, or you will get ripped off. Haggle. If you don't like the booth you're dealing with, walk 5 feet and you'll find another booth with a lot of the same stuff and perhaps a more friendly owner.

Good luck!

[eamo]

The big place near Insa-dong main street is the guitar-zone for Seoul. 3 floors of axes. If you want something decent for the best price then I guess buy Korean. Most imports are sooo over-priced. The price of fenders are shocking. I believe Cort are the Korean-made guitars with a little bit of respect abroad. Expect to pay 200,000 plus for a decent acoustic.

[Harvard Material]

I would suggest Nakwon as well. I bought a 6 string 'Segovia' that suits my purposes very well. Ovation style body; round back. It is an electric/accoustic with the EQ on the side of the body. I paid 150,000won for the guitar, strap, case, extra set of strings and amp cord. I would have spent over half that amount without the guitar in Canada. E-mail if you want the guy's name and location. Difficult to explain, and unfortunately I don't have his card with me now.

Good luck!

[NickRandom]

I'll toss in a few thoughts...

Nagwon is definitely the place to go, not only for guitars but for just about any other instrument-related needs one could have. They've got everything from cheapie laminates to high-end hand-made intruments to antiques worth more than a lot of cars on the road. When you go, make sure you have nothing else planned for the rest of the day, 'cause you'll wanna savour the moment. The first time I went there I was literally dizzy from it all. You'll find it at the "top" (round) end of Tapkol Park (Jong-No-3-ga station, I *think* exit 5). It's the funny-looking white building on stilts with a road running under it.

As for Corts - I picked up a little honey there myself (SJ-10-X) for about 550,000 Won - this guitar retails for $995 US. I don't want this to turn into an ad for Corts, but if you're after a well-built guitar for a good price, this may be for you. Check the English link at the site below.

http://www.cort.co.kr

[Harpeau]

[skookum]

I was about to ask this same question myself, but you beat me to it. Well, good - now who knows where I might get an acoustic guitar in Taegu or Daejeon, since they are a bit closer to my area.

[khyber]

SLIGHT CHANGE HERE BUT!~!!!!
YARG! emergency.
does anyone know (or could someone find out for a hopeless soul) how much an alto (the 5 string one) banjo goes for in seoul.
I know of only one or two shops in busan. It's about 200,000 w a case.
Which is a bit expensive, but nothing too outrageous when compared to back home. I'm just wondering what the prices are like in seoul.

[funplanet]

got a '59 Strat (serial # checked out)from the place in Insa-dong (used), Amercican made for 700K....kick arse axe!

[eamo]

[paperbag princess]

my boyfriend bought a cheapo cort for like 100,000 won for my birthday. for 100,000 it's awesome. i have a guitar back home so i didn't need a good one. i got it at the insa-dong music place. it's awesome!