jonnythenotes Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 Made a special trip from my home town of Lichfield a few weeks ago to the fabled Denmark Street in London. Within an hour I had been into every shop, and was only to glad to leave the place behind. I think I expected an awe inspiring range of shops, full of the latest musical goodies, being second to none in the UK. What I found was a handful of shops on a back street, some of which felt as if they were ready to collapse at any moment. I was hoping to find something different, but it seemed each shop was 'playing it safe' sticking to the usual Fenders, Gibsons, Marshall etc. It felt like a case of monkey see, monkey, do as each shop stuck with the same ole' safe route that worked for all the other shops doing the same thing. I was trying to find some Sandberg, Yamaha BB and Mike Lull stuff to look at, and at the time, not one of the shops had any of these in stock,and it's not as if they are a rare commodity. Am I being cynical, or is it just because it's London that I expected far more. I live fairly close to Bass Direct in Warwick, and that is a place that really does impress...it's how it should be done. I know Mark Stickley pretty well, and could spend a day in his place, compared to the 60 mins I was on Denmark street. Completely underwhelming... Next time I fancy seeing something different and impressive, perhaps a train to Manchester might be money better spent.... And then there is always the 40 minute spin to Bass direct again.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 Used to love denark street. Especially In the '80s when me and a few pals used to work in soho. Now, to me anyway, it looks very tired. That could be the fact that a lot has changed since then, and times have changed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 I think the number of London bass players who are more than happy to make the trip to Bass Direct says it all, really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectoremg Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 I bought my first Spector at the Bass Centre when it was in Wapping, that place was like Aladdin's Cave! But those days are long gone and you're dead right, outlets are playing safe cos they can't afford to do anything else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodney72a Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 Bass Gallery in Camden is the bass place to visit in London. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinnyman Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 [quote name='rodney72a' timestamp='1422501015' post='2673498'] Bass Gallery in Camden is the bass place to visit in London. [/quote] +1 to that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 Well Denmark street are catering to beginners really and people maybe not as aware of the different instruments available beyond the ubiquitous Fender models. Bass Direct & The Gallery for example are catering for a very different buyer than Wunjos are. It's not possible for a shop to stock everything and they have to go with what is going to make them the most money... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skej21 Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 [quote name='jonnythenotes' timestamp='1422486106' post='2673414'] Made a special trip from my home town of Lichfield a few weeks ago to the fabled Denmark Street in London. Within an hour I had been into every shop, and was only to glad to leave the place behind. I think I expected an awe inspiring range of shops, full of the latest musical goodies, being second to none in the UK. What I found was a handful of shops on a back street, some of which felt as if they were ready to collapse at any moment. I was hoping to find something different, but it seemed each shop was 'playing it safe' sticking to the usual Fenders, Gibsons, Marshall etc. It felt like a case of monkey see, monkey, do as each shop stuck with the same ole' safe route that worked for all the other shops doing the same thing. I was trying to find some Sandberg, Yamaha BB and Mike Lull stuff to look at, and at the time, not one of the shops had any of these in stock,and it's not as if they are a rare commodity. Am I being cynical, or is it just because it's London that I expected far more. I live fairly close to Bass Direct in Warwick, and that is a place that really does impress...it's how it should be done. I know Mark Stickley pretty well, and could spend a day in his place, compared to the 60 mins I was on Denmark street. Completely underwhelming... Next time I fancy seeing something different and impressive, perhaps a train to Manchester might be money better spent.... And then there is always the 40 minute spin to Bass direct again.. [/quote] London being overhyped by those who need to justify why they pay so much to live in a smog filled city in their shoebox houses?! Never! In all seriousness, I'm with you on this. I'm a huge Fender fan boy and a longer term player/buyer but I'd still rather go to somewhere like Bassgear or Bass Direct as they offer great service and ranges of stock that really exemplify the great quality gear that's available to bass players. The problem is that Denmark street stores also have to have space in their shop for beginners and those people want to buy stuff from brands they recognise and at a more reasonable price! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 Horses for courses. I like Denmark St more than ever, but mainly off the back of Wunjo. Wunjo's stock while varied is mid-range. Anyone who is after anything more eclectic will know the score and visit Bass Direct. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toneknob Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 [quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1422518125' post='2673532'] Horses for courses. I like Denmark St more than ever, but mainly off the back of Wunjo. Wunjo's stock while varied is mid-range. Anyone who is after anything more eclectic will know the score and visit Bass Direct. [/quote] Agreed - I had the best bass shopping experience (qv) a week ago in Denmark St. Also did you take the opportunity to check out the basses in say Ivor Mairants, Hobgoblin, Chappells - all within a few minutes walk; then there's the Bass Gallery not far away, If you're really keen then there's Andy Baxter about the same distance. If I travelled all the way from Lichfield just for Denmark St I think I'd be disappointed as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 I went to Ivor mairants and they had no basses at all; chap said people just don't ask for them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lifer Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 (edited) I remember trying a Tokai Talbo in Denmark Street around 2000/2001 I wish I'd got it, haven't seen another since. Every time I go it seems a bit worse, I thought most of the shops are now owned by the same people? Edited January 29, 2015 by Lifer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Count Bassy Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 [quote name='jonnythenotes' timestamp='1422486106' post='2673414'] I think I expected an awe inspiring range of shops, full of the latest musical goodies, being second to none in the UK. What I found was a handful of shops on a back street. [/quote] I was there on Sunday (down to see the Commitments). Much dingier than I expected but, to be fair, coming directly off Charing Cross Road you could hardly call it a back street. Didn't look at any basses or gear but looked at some keyboards with my wife. The Rose Morris Piano and Keyboard shops seemed the most impressive in that respect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 [quote name='Lifer' timestamp='1422530155' post='2673682'] I remember trying a Tokai Talbo in Denmark Street around 2000/2001 I wish I'd got it, haven't seen another since. [/quote] I also tried that Bass. Nasty B-stock body with far too many visible casting marks on it. Not a patch on the quality of the Talbos available in Japan (where they are considerably cheaper too). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waynepunkdude Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1422531148' post='2673703'] I also tried that Bass. Nasty B-stock body with far too many visible casting marks on it. Not a patch on the quality of the Talbos available in Japan (where they are considerably cheaper too). [/quote] Yeah, you was wrong mate, you didn't like that bass you liked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toneknob Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 [quote name='Lifer' timestamp='1422530155' post='2673682'] Every time I go it seems a bit worse, I thought most of the shops are now owned by the same people? [/quote] Well the three (soon to be two) Wunjo shops are co-owned. I understand the newish Westside belongs to someone from the old Music Ground organisation. On the other side are two or three Rhodes shops, and Vintage and Rare has now changed hands, now it's No.Tom and does a similar job, but has extended the catchment from "mostly Fender and Gibson". Check out the recently sold 4005 on the website (http://notomguitars.com/collections/basses/products/1968-rickenbacker-4005) Also, a well-known US actor was seen in there last week dropping £10k on a vintage P, which puts his recent comments in the press in perspective a bit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 [quote name='toneknob' timestamp='1422534828' post='2673765'] Also, a well-known US actor was seen in there last week dropping £10k on a vintage P ... [/quote] Nah! That was me, body-doubling for Bruce Willis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
organic Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 Probably not going to be there much longer: [url="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/jan/20/london-music-scene-denmark-street-tin-pan-alley"]http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/jan/20/london-music-scene-denmark-street-tin-pan-alley[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 [quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1422535609' post='2673773'] Nah! That was me, body-doubling for Bruce Willis. [/quote] Aye, just the top of the head is it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drax Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 [quote name='organic' timestamp='1422535643' post='2673774'] Probably not going to be there much longer: [url="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/jan/20/london-music-scene-denmark-street-tin-pan-alley"]http://www.theguardi...t-tin-pan-alley[/url] [/quote] Will be a shame when this does all come to pass. Even if Wunjos escape the next wave of development, you'd think as the area improves and rents increase it will become even more unsustainable for the independants. Gradually the smaller guys get squeezed out - bookshops / records / and so on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ras52 Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 [quote name='Drax' timestamp='1422538372' post='2673826'] Will be a shame when this does all come to pass. Even if Wunjos escape the next wave of development, you'd think as the area improves and rents increase it will become even more unsustainable for the independants. Gradually the smaller guys get squeezed out - bookshops / records / and so on. [/quote] Yup, I was up in that end of Charing Cross Road last week in search of a book (remember them?) Foyles have moved, with what looks like a bunch of short-timers in their space: wonder what'll happen to that fine old building. Blackwells has also shut down. Music wise, I live in SE London but slog around the M25 to Andertons when I'm in serious window-shop/try-out mode. Having said that, Denmark Street has improved recently - mostly thanks to the rise of Wunjo's and the decline of Music Ground. Surprised to hear that Westside is a MG outfit, as I got really good service from them when I was shopping for an acoustic six-string. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 [quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1422537748' post='2673812'] Aye, just the top of the head is it? [/quote] No, of course not! I also do a nice line in soiled, once-white T-shirts ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ras52 Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 [quote name='organic' timestamp='1422535643' post='2673774'] Probably not going to be there much longer: [url="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/jan/20/london-music-scene-denmark-street-tin-pan-alley"]http://www.theguardi...t-tin-pan-alley[/url] [/quote] Depressing reading. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cairobill Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 Yup, Bass Gallery is the place. Denmark st is doomed, despite Wunjo doing their best to create a shopping atmosphere that wasn't repellent. I'll miss it though - I spent a lot of time lurking in andy's in the 90s... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 [quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1422539783' post='2673860'] No, of course not! I also do a nice line in soiled, once-white T-shirts ... [/quote] With my under-crackers you've got the matching pair Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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