SCENE: MUSICAL MILEAGE

34th Street gasses up the Ford and scavenges the East Coast in search of instruments So, you wanna be a musician -- but you don't know where to go. You wanna be a rock and roll star, and you know you could if you could only get your hands on the goods?if only you had a Tele, or one of them China cymbals. Yeah, yeah, you could do it then, you could be there, man. You wouldn't be stuck playing power chords and three chord blues over and over and over and over... No, really, there are some great music stores in and around Philly, and while they won't make you the juke box hero, they will get you what you need to give it a fair shot. They've got all the hard-wiring you could want, but as with everything, not all are created equal. If you know what you what you're looking for already and want to headhunt for prices, or if you just want to play all those funky keyboards with the latest Star Trek simulation sounds, there are three music "supermarkets"where you can find almost anything. Eighth Street Music (on Arch between 10th and 11th) has a room full of Peavey Amps from solos to KB 100's, a balcony full of Roland keyboards, and lots of guitars. Their showcase pieces seem to be of the novel variety: six-string and fretless basses for aspiring Les Claypool's, a twin-necked Gibson, and a Roland midi-pad drum kit. Though the salespeople aren't particularly helpful or interested in the customers, it's not bad for a place within biking distance. Medley Music (1041 Lancaster Ave. in Bryn Mawr) offers much of the same with better service and better prices. And, if you're willing to brave the Delaware, it's one of the best backed names in music. Sam Ash, another super-market of everything you've ever needed and more, awaits in Cherry Hill. And though a car makes bringing home the prize a little easier, both are easily accessible on Amtrak. For those who are a little less sure about what they need, or want some good advice, Zapfs (5249 North Fifth Street, off the Roosevelt Expwy) is a true treasure chest, where everything is hand-picked. Pricey Martins tempt from behind the counter, and the high-quality guitars on the floor are just asking to be played. They carry both new and used, acoustic and electric guitars, and through the emphasis is definitely on guitars, they also have a fairly substantial keyboard section, drum accessories, cymbals and congas. The salespeople are helpful and honest with their opinions, and while their prices are not cheap, they're definitely fair. Drummers, don't despair! In Glenside, (363 N. Easton Rd, phone 887-1462) there's the store for you, Pro-Drum Shop Music Works. It's walking distance from the Glenside train station off the Market Street line, and well worth the trip. They have drum sets, and cymbals, but also more congos, bongos, talking drums, and djembes than you thought possible to fit in the place. Pro-Drum also offers drumming lessons on the premises, and hosts an open jam session every Friday. In addition, a woman's drum circle featuring local drummer Amy Ford is available on Mondays (both begin at 7 p.m.). Cheap! Cheap! If you're willing to trek to a place rumored to be a front for the mob, but which has prices considerably lower than anywhere else, try Cintioli's (5359 Oxford Ave.) in North Philly. A word of advice: go there only if you know what you're doing, and know exactly what you want. That means, if you can hack it, definitely take it, but let the buyer beware. For the more specialized, there are places like The Flop Eared Muse (759 S. 4th, by appointment only) which makes Irish folk instruments. They sell harps in all sizes, not to mention plucked dulcimers, and many are created in an in-house workshop far bigger than the showroom. In the same vein, there's Bucks County Folk Music which sells banjos and all types of Irish folk instruments. They also make drums from solid oak replicating those made by the East-coast Native-Americans, and carry everything from tools and cherry-wood to mother-of-pearl to make your own instruments. Unfortunately, it's over an hour away by car. For the classically minded (i.e. those of you who didn't end up with a nylon-string guitar because you discovered it in your godmother's attic) the Classical Guitar Store (2038 Sansom) has a wall of small-bodied classical guitars, ideal for Spanish flamenco. The softer sound of these short-necked guitars fits well in the little store, where three wooden chairs invite you to sit and play away a rainy Saturday. There are a handful of upscale violin dealers on Pine Street between 15th and 17th Streets that sell new, antique and rare violins and violas. Even if you don't know anything about violins, except that little kids start on smaller ones, and that if you didn't start playing as a little kid you might as well forget it now, these shops are beautiful to browse in. If you're willing to drool a lot (no matter how shallow your pockets), check out some of these places...you can always pretend you're going to buy something. Any purchase will make you happy -- even if it doesn't make you Kim Thayil or Flea overnight.