Black Coffee Posted November 6, 2012 Share Posted November 6, 2012 I have a visit to London planned early next year and I might have a couple of hours to kill; and the choice between browsing the likes of Primark in Oxford St with the boss or browsing bass guitar shops is not a difficult one to have to make. Sorry Primark, but brown bags and middle aged trolley rage doesn't do it for me. Problem is - I always hear that it's good for guitar shops in Central London. But, as I don't know the capital that well, can anyone point me in the right direction. If there are issues with advertising businesses in the rules, and you can't name a shop. Is there a street, or an area which is populated with a cluster of likeminded proprietors ?? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bertbass Posted November 6, 2012 Share Posted November 6, 2012 Not a frequent visitor the the great metropolis but Denmark Street and Charing Cross Road are where I head when I go there, however, I have been heard to exclaim, "How much?", on occasion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobbayne Posted November 6, 2012 Share Posted November 6, 2012 Wunjos in Denmark Street has been much recommended on here recently, as is the bass gallery. The gallery is a bit out of central London, in Camden. [url="http://wunjoguitars.com/"]http://wunjoguitars.com/[/url] [url="http://www.thebassgallery.com/"]http://www.thebassgallery.com/[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Coffee Posted November 6, 2012 Author Share Posted November 6, 2012 I had heard Denmark Street. Hadn't heard Charing Cross Road. Thanks too for Wunjos. Is the "how much?" implying , "thats wild expensive" or, "thats wild cheap" Where I am from, money is not round to go around; but made flat for stacking in neat bundles that don't fall over until they are six feet tall. This will be a voyage of discovery. Good thing the VAT controller will be shopping elsewhere in Oxford Street when I am viewing the bass goods. If I buy something will they post it ? Then I just have to apologise when it arrives at my door 4 days later rather than ask for permission in front of a shop full of people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sei24bass Posted November 7, 2012 Share Posted November 7, 2012 I live in London and The Bass Gallery in Camden is now the only place I would go to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudpup Posted November 7, 2012 Share Posted November 7, 2012 +1 for The Bass Gallery, Royal College St, Camden. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted November 7, 2012 Share Posted November 7, 2012 You should go to Denmark Street and make up your own mind. Also a visit to the Bass Gallery is a must. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashwood1985 Posted November 7, 2012 Share Posted November 7, 2012 [quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1352280753' post='1860949'] Also a visit to the Bass Gallery is a must. [/quote] I completely second this. It's only a few stops on the tube and it'd be worth a much longer trip: serious collection of good quality basses, whether you want I spend £100 or a few grand, and lack of the usual bad attitude you'll tend to find elsewhere: you can feel free to ask to try any bass without pressure. Plus theres two top luthiers on site to answer an tech questions. PM me when you're coming down man, I always like an accuse to visit BG and I could meet you at Camden town tube and show you the way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashwood1985 Posted November 7, 2012 Share Posted November 7, 2012 Btw: for the attention of anyone who hasn't been down denmark st for a while - wunjos have actually opened a bass only shop 2 doors down from their guitar shop so have a much better collection than they used to before. Still not a patch on bass gallery but since the cellar closed down they're now the only two dedicated bass shops I know of in central. Also, a little off topic: have any londoners been to guitar guitar in Epson? It's not far from me but I never knew it was there until I recently went for my jap 57 P ri and was very impressed with their collection! Not a massive variation on makes: mainly fender, with G&L Ernie Ball, ibanez, etc. and some others dotted around such as sadawsky etc. So not the same make variation you'll find in the gallery but a very impressive collection none the less! Plus the guys were alright too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tedmanzie Posted November 7, 2012 Share Posted November 7, 2012 (edited) [quote name='Ashwood1985' timestamp='1352283935' post='1860993'] Also, a little off topic: have any londoners been to guitar guitar in Epson? It's not far from me but I never knew it was there until I recently went for my jap 57 P ri and was very impressed with their collection! Not a massive variation on makes: mainly fender, with G&L Ernie Ball, ibanez, etc. and some others dotted around such as sadawsky etc. So not the same make variation you'll find in the gallery but a very impressive collection none the less! Plus the guys were alright too [/quote] i went there for the first time the other day and i was pretty impressed! huge shop and happy to let you noodle around. i also went to andertons in guilford, which have a smallish range of basses (lots of fenders) and again are happy to let you sit there and try them out, and the bass room is cut off from the rest of the shop so its a bit more private. i think you can also get a separate room to demo amps but i didn't do that. i could hear the squalling of a rock solo coming from somewhere though... back on topic - i didn't know of the bass gallery but sounds like an essential visit. Edited November 7, 2012 by ted_manzie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahpook Posted November 7, 2012 Share Posted November 7, 2012 and another plus the one for the bass gallery. i don't know about wunjo's, but i wouldn't bother with the rest of denmark street...total waste of time unless all you want to do is look at pretty basses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobbayne Posted November 7, 2012 Share Posted November 7, 2012 Be advised though, that the Bass Gallery has a very imposing steel shutter pulled down over the front window, and you cant get in the door unless you press the security buzzer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bertbass Posted November 7, 2012 Share Posted November 7, 2012 [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]"thats wild expensive"[/font][/color] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andysg42 Posted November 7, 2012 Share Posted November 7, 2012 +bass gallery,toys r us,for bass players,.martin and his staff are the bizz,get the tube here.A must...take your credit card.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jus Lukin Posted November 7, 2012 Share Posted November 7, 2012 (edited) - Edited February 16, 2022 by Jus Lukin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twice Posted November 7, 2012 Share Posted November 7, 2012 another plus for the [url="http://www.thebassgallery.com/"]Bass Gallery[/url] Martin is a top guy, and they have a lot of gear in store that is not on their website It is very easy to walk straight past the shop, if you are not looking out for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuyR Posted November 7, 2012 Share Posted November 7, 2012 Under no circumstances take your wife to the bass gallery. It is a recipe for marital disharmony and they will not accept her in part exchange. It's the best bass shop. Martin and Alex get their hands on stock that other people just don't have and are a pleasure to deal with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Coffee Posted November 8, 2012 Author Share Posted November 8, 2012 (edited) Thanks to evry1 for their advice on this topic. Regarding marital disharmony, i find it easier to consult and inform the wee wife because she has ESP. Extra Spending Perception. Having said that i do stop short of taking her to the scene of the crime. A grown man begging for his wallet in front of other mature adults is not a nice sight. On a serious note . Provided s.w.m.b.o. is kept in the loop and has the final say on colour i have reasonably free reign. Edited November 8, 2012 by bassman344 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prunesquallor Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 [quote name='GuyR' timestamp='1352322043' post='1861750'] Under no circumstances take your wife to the bass gallery. It is a recipe for marital disharmony and they will not accept her in part exchange. [/quote] [quote name='bassman344' timestamp='1352368389' post='1862149'] Regarding marital disharmony, i find it easier to consult and inform the wee wife because she has ESP. Extra Spending Perception. [/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Coffee Posted February 11, 2013 Author Share Posted February 11, 2013 So i visited denmark street in london. Cudnt get time for bass gallery. Have to say that i cud have browsed for hours. The only thing stopping me buying was i cudnt decide in all the time i had and i didnt want to impulse buy. Wunjos was the best i thought by quite a stretch. Very chatty , patient and eager to get you to play the goods instead of just looking. I was impressed with it and will likely be back next time im in london. Great selection of basses. As for the others ; their enthusiasm ranged from "allright there mate" about evry 2 minutes; to looking at you like a fresh skidmark on a hotel towel and being generally uninterested. The "eh , dont touch that unless ur planning on buying it" shop will remain nameless but i am at a loss as to why anyone wud shop in it with an attitude like that taking the cash from you. All in all, alladins cave street for the bass gasman. I'll be back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mckendrick Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 [quote name='bassman344' timestamp='1360616796' post='1973570'] The "eh , dont touch that unless ur planning on buying it" shop will remain nameless but i am at a loss as to why anyone wud shop in it with an attitude like that taking the cash from you.[/quote] Regent Sounds. [quote name='bassman344' timestamp='1360616796' post='1973570'] I'll be back. [/quote] ....and you MUST visit the Bass Gallery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted April 15, 2013 Share Posted April 15, 2013 A +1 for Wunjos - I was down in London this weekend past and decided to take a look - friendly guys, let me try a Hagstrom 8 string through a DECENT amp (Markbass) and were happy to yap about the bass and stuff in general. No pressure, no hassle, I decided not to go for it in the end (not the only reason but I was flying back to Aberdeen that evening, so transportation might have been an issue) and there was no huffiness, they gave me a business card and I was on my way. Would definitely go there again. Next time I'll take the train Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lfalex v1.1 Posted April 15, 2013 Share Posted April 15, 2013 [quote name='mckendrick' timestamp='1360631223' post='1973864'] ....and you MUST visit the Bass Gallery. [/quote] Have to say my first visit left me utterly underwhelmed. I suppose I should be grateful that they let me in at all... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Coffee Posted April 15, 2013 Author Share Posted April 15, 2013 [quote name='Lfalex v1.1' timestamp='1366043347' post='2047651'] Have to say my first visit left me utterly underwhelmed. I suppose I should be grateful that they let me in at all... [/quote] Why ? Anything in particular? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dnarocks Posted April 15, 2013 Share Posted April 15, 2013 I had mixed feelings about the bass gallery. Not as good as the hype suggests. But better than stores on Denmark street! Think Bass Gear in Reading will be worth a visit next time I am down that way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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