Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jdog2050]

So here's a quick post for people who don't play Keyboards/Piano/Electric Guitar/Violin as far as where to go for repairs, advice, etc.

The 3 major instrument areas I know of are: Nagwon Arcade (accesible from either Insadong or Jogno 3-ga subway station). The fourth floor of the "new" Yongsan-mart. And an area across the street from the Seoul art center.

First, Yongsan and Nagwon are about 90% crap if you play anything other than the instruments listed above. The area across from Seoul Art Center is better all around but more expensive for whole instruments and repair (as opposed to parts).

Second, Yongsan and Nagwon have their bright spots. My favorite place to get my Trombone repaired is in Nagwon. Go out of the Jogno 3 exit, turn slightly to the right and look up. There will be a store with a bunch of tubas and baritones in the window. This is a great little repair shop for brass and saxophones. I've had a slide recalibration and a new spit valve spring added for free. Otherwise, Nagwon is no-go. The shop owners have very little knowledge of what they're selling (if you ask for ANYTHING that would even be considered UNCOMMON it's like you're talking moon-speak, also they just point to things in catalogues) and they don't let you try the instruments.

Yongsan has a great little instrument store with a super friendly clerk. I don't know the name, but they're across the aisle from the D.J. store. Nothing special but they're very nice as opposed to the otherwise surly nature of the guys in Yongsan. They will let you try their instruments.

The best area that I've been to is the one across from the Seoul Art center (a 10-15 min walk from Sadang Station). The Michel Brass store has an extremely curteous and professional staff. It was the only place in all of Korea that I found a plastic mouthpiece for my trombone. They also have a decent selection of instruments that they don't just select out of a catalogue. You can try them right there.

Feel free to add if you have more