Uberkate Posted December 16, 2015 Share Posted December 16, 2015 (edited) What are the best guitar/instrument shops around at the moment? Or legendary ones that are still going strong? What are your worst gripes about guitar shops? And which are the worst shops around? I had a fun time at GuitarGuitar in Surrey a few months back - really nice range and enthusiastic, non-patronising staff, they let me try about five different guitars with no hard sell. Started shredding on a Firebird and got big thumbs up from a \m/ dude. Greatest guitar shop is S. Wales memory was Speed Music in Newport/Cardiff but they unfortunately closed down. Again, really enthusiastic, knowledgeable staff who were happy to let you blast LOUD on amps and always gave you a great deal. Worst I've been to recently was one of those on Denmark St. in London - knobbish staff chatting to their mates and making jokes about women not being able to plug in guitar leads (??!!) - and crap guitars to boot. Shop was totally empty as well which is a pretty bad sign considering its location. Forgotten what it was called mind... Edited December 16, 2015 by Uberkate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobbayne Posted December 16, 2015 Share Posted December 16, 2015 (edited) I,m hopeful it wasnt Wunjo's in Denmark St. They are highly praised on here for their friendly staff and top notch customer service. Edited December 16, 2015 by Hobbayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted December 16, 2015 Share Posted December 16, 2015 [quote name='Uberkate' timestamp='1450294026' post='2931496'] I had a fun time at GuitarGuitar in Surrey a few months back - really nice range and enthusiastic, non-patronising staff, they let me try about five different guitars with no hard sell. Started shredding on a Firebird and got big thumbs up from a \m/ dude. [/quote]I know the guy you mean, top chap, as are all the staff there. So a big thumbs up from me for GG in Epsom too. Add to that The Gallery in Camden, where, whenever I'm there to try/buy, they let you have free range and, if the workshop isn't too busy, will instantly set a bass up to your requirements. As for the others I've been to, I don't get the feeling they care about me so much, I'm an inconvenience to their own glory trip/agenda. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted December 20, 2015 Share Posted December 20, 2015 [url="http://worldguitars.co.uk"]World Guitars[/url] in Stonehouse. I spent thousands in there! Sadly the proprietor Jeff passed away a few weeks ago, I just hope the shop continues in the same vein. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GarethFlatlands Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 Rich Tone in Sheffield is pretty good. Went in for a new guitar, told them my budget and after sorting me out with an amp & lead and a pick, left me to wander around trying stuff out with no hassle or hard sell. Great selection too. The staff seem to be the old guard from various now defunct shops in the city so they know their stuff. The guy who rang up the Strat I ended up buying was the same guy who sold me a POD and helped me out with string gauges for detuning back in the mid 00's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassAgent Posted December 26, 2015 Share Posted December 26, 2015 [quote name='Hobbayne' timestamp='1450294222' post='2931497'] I,m hopeful it wasnt Wunjo's in Denmark St. They are highly praised on here for their friendly staff and top notch customer service. [/quote] I was there when I was in London for the Bass Show last March, and I can confirm this. Great guys that know their stuff. If you're ever in The Netherlands, be sure to visit Dirk Witte. I bought a guitar from them recently and the staff is great, they have good gear (for bass, acoustic and electric guitar) and are very willing to order something for you even if you're not planning to buy anything. I told the guitar guy what I was looking for, and as I was testing two guitars he brought me three more "because I thought you'll like 'em". My fav store so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinball Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 (edited) [quote name='Uberkate' timestamp='1450294026' post='2931496'] Greatest guitar shop is S. Wales memory was Speed Music in Newport/Cardiff but they unfortunately closed down. Again, really enthusiastic, knowledgeable staff who were happy to let you blast LOUD on amps and always gave you a great deal. [/quote] I always find PMT in Bristol to be good and as a result had spent more money than I should have done-good business on their part They listen to what you say, let you try stuff and are competitive The bass section is pretty good. It has a good solid range of MM's, Fenders, Ibanez and Yamaha basses. Steve, who used to run that is now managing the new Cardiff PMT store so there is a new Welsh alternative to look into. There aren't any real bass specialists in Bristol unfortunately. Edited December 27, 2015 by Pinball Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted December 28, 2015 Share Posted December 28, 2015 Are there any guitar shops that aren't just full of Strats, Teles, Les Pauls and their copies? I realise that these are the staples but it would be nice to see a decent selection of alternative designs for the more discerning guitarist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted December 28, 2015 Share Posted December 28, 2015 [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1451291242' post='2939268'] Are there any guitar shops that aren't just full of Strats, Teles, Les Pauls and their copies? I realise that these are the staples but it would be nice to see a decent selection of alternative designs for the more discerning guitarist. [/quote] The aforementioned [url="http://worldguitars.co.uk"]World Guitars[/url] - PRS, Tom Anderson, Nik Huber, Patrick Eggle, Schecter Custom Shop, Vigier, Suhr, Rock'n'Roll Relics... plus the obligatory (though high-end) Starts, Teles, and Les Pauls. A bit nearer to you (Ashbourne, Derbyshire) is [url="http://www.guitars4you.co.uk/"]Guitars 4 You[/url] - PRS, Collings, Dusenberg, MusicMan, Tyler, Trussart, Suhr, G&L, Tom Anderson, Ibanez, Gretsch... plus (see above!) - they are having a 'closing-down' sale as they are moving over to appointments-only. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Houghton Posted January 2, 2016 Share Posted January 2, 2016 Symphony Music in Wigan is a great shop and the owners Dave and Michelle go out there way to help with advice or tips on equipment, very competitive prices as well. Bought quite a bit of studio stuff of them and just done a trade on a bass I had for a top end Taylor acoustic. No hassle trying guitars out and they have a massive collection of acoustics an electrics. They have just won an award for best small music shop in the UK 2015 [url="http://symphonymusicstore.co.uk/index.php"]http://symphonymusicstore.co.uk/index.php[/url]? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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