Thunder Road Guitars have literally moved their thunder and their internationally known guitars to a new location. After years north of the West Seattle Junction and more years in the heart of it they are now open at 6400 California Ave SW in the Morgan Street Junction. They also incorporate The Bass Shop which features those instruments.

Frank Gross, the owner is thrilled about the move, not only because each time they move "It changes the dynamic" but because now they own the building. "The Wash Dog," who occupies the other half of the building now, "are moving out sometime next year, so the current 1200 square feet we have will double," said Gross.

The company does half of its business online and is focused entirely on guitars. They now have two locations including one in Portland, Oregon. 

The guitars they carry can range in price from a 1954 Fender Precision Bass selling for around $15,000 down to a "Kay Value Leader" from 1964 selling for $499.

To keep their inventory fresh and interesting Gross travels to Los Angeles and Austin, Texas to attend Guitar conventions where instruments can be bought and sold. He also hears from musicians all over the world seeking to buy or sell guitars of all vintages. He counts among his customers a number of very famous musicians who understandably keep their business somewhat private. 

Thunder Road often gets guitars in less than perfect shape and since they also do repairs, will (unless the "alterations" are too extreme) cleanup and fix parts to bring the instruments back to perfect working order. In some cases if they are painted, covered in decals or other materials they are sent out to specialists for restoration.

Gross said the value of truly collectable guitars can range from a few thousand up to $300,000 or more. The relative rarity and potential association with famous musicians obviously reflects their value. David Gilmour of Pink Floyd for example just auctioned off his collection of 130 guitars including his most famous, a black Fender Stratocaster that went for $3,975,000. Gross said that same guitar, without the association of the famous name would likely sell for "around $8000."

Guitars are actually a pretty solid investment, said Gross, since "in the range of guitars we sell, the price stays pretty steady no matter what the economy does. Only the really high end guitars drop a lot."

Thunder Road Guitars opens officially at 10am Saturday June 22 and are considering throwing a Parking Lot Party (they have their own now behind the building later this summer. That sounds about right. Music is often about celebration and Thunder Road Guitars has a lot to be happy about.