Roland has a flagship store in New York City, and it’s worth checking out if you’re a musician, producer, drummer, guitarist, or fan of electronic music gear. Located on 14th Street in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District, the store features Roland instruments, DW drum kits, BOSS guitar pedals, digital pianos, DJ equipment, and some interesting pieces of music history.
Watch the Video: Inside Roland’s New York City Store
In this video, I take a walk through the Roland flagship store to see what’s available, explore the different instrument areas, and check out some of the gear you can actually play when you visit.
What You’ll Find Inside the Roland Store
One of the best things about this location is that it isn’t just a place to look at equipment behind glass. Visitors can get hands-on with many of the instruments and explore the gear in person.
DW Drum Kits and Roland Electronic Drums
The store has plenty of drum equipment, including Roland electronic drum kits and DW acoustic drums. One of the coolest areas is a former clothing store dressing room that has been transformed into a space for trying out a DW drum kit.
You can sit down and play the kits, which is a nice change from simply watching demonstrations online or browsing product pages. As a drummer, being able to spend some time behind a kit makes the visit particularly interesting.
BOSS Guitar Pedals and Guitar Equipment
There’s also a dedicated guitar room featuring BOSS guitar pedals and other guitar-related equipment. It’s a place to explore effects and get a closer look at the products rather than relying entirely on online reviews.
For guitarists considering new effects pedals, being able to try equipment in person can help when deciding which products suit their sound and playing style.
Digital Pianos, DJ Gear, and the Roland TR-808
The store also features digital pianos and DJ equipment, giving keyboard players, electronic musicians, and producers plenty to explore.
One particularly interesting item is an original Roland TR-808 drum machine. The TR-808 is one of the most influential drum machines in modern music, associated with the development of hip-hop, electronic music, and numerous other genres.
Seeing an original unit displayed alongside modern music technology creates a connection between Roland’s musical legacy and the equipment musicians use today.
Roland Merchandise and Product Demonstrations
Beyond the instruments, the store sells Roland-branded merchandise, including shirts, hoodies, and cups.
The store also has product specialists who may be available for conversations and scheduled demonstrations. The video mentions 30-minute demos, although visitors should check Roland’s official website for current details, booking arrangements, and availability.
You can find more information on the official Roland New York City store page.
Visiting Roland in the Meatpacking District
The Roland store is located on 14th Street in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District, an area with plenty to see beyond musical instruments.
Nearby attractions include Chelsea Market, which has a variety of food vendors, restaurants, and shops. The neighborhood also has other retail destinations, including an Apple Store, making it easy to combine a visit to Roland with an afternoon exploring the area.
If you’re visiting New York City and have an interest in music technology, the store is an interesting stop to add to your itinerary.
Is the Roland NYC Store Worth Visiting?
If you enjoy exploring musical instruments and production equipment, the store offers something different from a conventional music retailer. You can see Roland products up close, try selected instruments, check out DW drums and BOSS pedals, and explore a range of electronic music equipment in one location.
The store was described during my visit as the first and only Roland store in the United States. For the latest information about its locations, opening hours, and available demonstrations, check Roland’s official website before visiting.
Have you visited the Roland flagship store in New York City? What equipment would you want to try first?
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