REAL GUITARS, where I BOUGHT MY "JAZZ" GUITAR!

Chronicle's ON THE TOWN:
With Joe Satriani - Joe's Favorite Places
- Aidin Vaziri,sAN fRANCISCO Chronicle Staff Writer Sunday, May 7, 2006

Greatest living guitar player in the world? Joe Satriani's fans could certainly provide a solid case for the title. A master of his instrument since age 14, he has instructed the likes of Metallica's Kirk Hammett and Counting Crows' David Bryson, and toured with Mick Jagger and Deep Purple. He's sold more than 10 million solo albums and garnered 13 Grammy nominations. And that was before the front pages of several Indian newspapers last year declared him the "God of Guitars." But it's not all about the fret boards for the Bay Area native. He put down his instrument just long enough to send us a list of some of his favorite local places to unwind. Satriani plays the Fillmore on Saturday.

Real Guitars/Gary Brawer Guitar Bass Repair, 15 Lafayette St. "My favorite hangout for vintage guitars, amps and pedals in the city. A place for great bargains on overlooked gems of yesterday. Every time I walk in there I find a cool guitar, amp or effects box that I must investigate. The owners Ben Levin and Chris Cobb and staff are always informative and patient and let you have a good time with the gear. Gary's shop is right in the back. He sets up all my guitars, does 'emergency surgery' if necessary, and he and his crew always have good advice and the right part you're looking for. And if that doesn't do it for you, Dan Ransom will build you a guitar from scratch, right there in the shop."