TR Crandall Guitars – LOST GEM
For the entirety of my conversation with Alex Whitman, co-owner of TR Crandall, his hands did not stop plucking at the strings of his guitar. Sitting in his beautiful, sunlit store, Alex told me the history of the renowned vintage guitar sales and repair store, all while improvising a few riffs – not to show off, but because it is part of his nature. The guitar is truly a part of his being: he has played since he was fifteen years old, after mastering the saxophone and the cello at a very young age. It was the guitar that won out, though: “There’s no more iconic instrument than the guitar,” he explained.
Fresh out of college, Alex met Tom Crandall while working at a neighboring guitar store. Alex did not expect to turn his love for guitars into a career, but working with Tom changed that. A renowned guitar repair expert, Tom has been sought out for his skill by professional musicians in New York and beyond for decades. What began, then, as a part time job for Alex soon turned into a passion: “I probably wouldn’t have stayed there for more than about a year,” he explained, “if Tom had not been there.” They worked together for thirteen years, before Alex drafted a business plan, and proposed that he and Tom follow their dream.
In 2013, TR Crandall opened its 3rd Street location to great success. The attractive shop has vintage guitars decorating the walls, ranging from classic acoustic models to gold plated electric ones. Customers can pick the instruments off the wall, pluck a few test riffs, and seek expert advice from Alex himself. Their models are one-of-a-kind or “few-of-a-kind,” Alex told me. He went on to say that he and Tom attend guitar shows throughout the country to grow their inventory, and their customers flock to their store from around the world.
The storefront is just the tip of the iceberg, however, for it is in the basement’s workshop that the real magic happens. That is where Tom repairs and constructs guitars from scratch. His clientele is vast, and they all come seeking his expert craftsmanship. He has worked with the likes of U2, and other famed musicians. Alex, too, is a craftsman: he quietly mentioned that he built the guitar that he was strumming.
Above ground, Tom and Alex hold live concerts in their showroom with professional acts. Admission is free: “we just do it for our enjoyment and the customers’ enjoyment,” Alex stated. Passion is clearly the motivating force behind Tom and Alex’s work.