Rockin Bob’s Takes a Bow

Rockin Bob’s Takes A Bow BY FLORENCE ALMEDA

After 38 years of business, on February 29th Rockin’

Bob’s Guitars permanently closed. Sitting amongst piles of tools and used guitar parts, owner Bob Mahoney expressed that he felt ready: PHOTOS BY FLORENCE ALMEDA

“It was time, it was time,” He said. “My wife’s been retired for a while now and it’s time for us to have some golden years together.”

A Somerville staple, Rockin Bob’s Guitars was known primarily for buying and selling used guitars and music equipment. However, the storefront had undergone a few changes over the years. Originally known as Used Sound, the space on Holland Street was once a stereo shop selling TVs and audio gear. Mahoney began working at Used Sound soon after graduating with a degree in electronics from Sylvania Technical school. He credited chance, more than anything, for his eventual ownership of the shop:

“[My supervisor at the time said], ‘Bob, why don’t you take over this store?’ And I said, ‘Uhh okay, I don’t know how to do that. I’ve never taken a store, or run a store or a business or anything. But okay, I’ll give it a shot. I’ll try it, see how it goes for a year.’”

For eighteen years, he ran Used Sound, until deciding to change the direction of the space to reflect his true passion: music.

Mahoney recalled, “I’ve been playing music since the Beatles came out, since 1965 when I got a guitar.

So I’ve been playing music both at home and in bands, and out in the clubs and stuff. I did that for a long time. It’s just more of my passion. TVs are not a passion. They’re

IT’S A COMMUNITY I’VE ALWAYS APPRECIATED BEING A PART OF. “ “

nice to watch every once in a while, but they were a way to make money. This was more my passion.”

In addition to buying and selling music equipment, the store helped promote the local music scene. Colorfully adorned with posters and business cards, a corkboard and book by the door gave musicians a place to advertise their work:

“The musicians help each other out, they’re not all fighting, they’re not all fighting to get to number one,” he expressed. “It’s a community I’ve always appreciated being a part of.”

Before the landlord renovated the building to create more space for tenants, Mahoney held rehearsals and recording sessions for his band in the basement. Although closing this store was a choice, he noted that in recent years, many other spaces in Davis Square had been forced to close as a result of increased pricing: “About three years ago [Johnny D’s] closed up, and now there’s condos there (laughs). Since Johnny D’s left, business has gone down some. Unfortunate for me, and unfortunate for Somerville because it was such a rich resource to have music from all over the world right here,” he said. “Everyone’s going to be priced out of here, whether it’s a business or a living situation. It’s just getting worse and worse. Boston’s changing, Somerville’s changing. Everything’s going up. Up and up.”

The changing Somerville landscape, in addition to his own personal desire to retire, led Mahoney to feel that it was the right time to go:

“I will miss some of the customers, and I will miss some of the gear. It’s a ride I’ve been on, and I will miss it. But I don’t have to look back. It’s been good, I’ve done a lot. But now it’s time to enjoy.”