Good shop for basses in North East England?

[Rexel Matador]

The guitar shops that I know in Newcastle (Guitar Guitar, PMT, Windows) all have a pretty meagre selection of basses. Is there anywhere else in the North East that has more, or will I need to go further afield? I'm not looking for anything in particular, so the wider the selection the better.

[Surrpaul]

Gear4music at York.

[Fisheth]

[quote name='Rexel Matador' timestamp='1481967453' post='3196579']
The guitar shops that I know in Newcastle (Guitar Guitar, PMT, Windows) all have a pretty meagre selection of basses. Is there anywhere else in the North East that has more, or will I need to go further afield? I'm not looking for anything in particular, so the wider the selection the better.
[/quote]

I'd like to know this too, virtually no basses near me.

[walshy]

Yeah not much up here like, rely on this place for GAS and inspiration. Oh and the Bass Doc for builds and running repairs

[Cat Burrito]

I bought my first Squier back in the 80s in Windows, in the arcade in Newcastle. What a great place that was!

[2elliot]

Steven James Guitars in Middlesbrough have a selection of Bass Guitars and Amps. I had a rattle through some Ashdown gear last week, ABM410 with a Retroglide 800 using a Cort bass. It all sounded excellent, the head was very impressive and the staff are very helpful.

[warwickhunt]

Sometimes better to join local Facebook 'bass' group and watch for stuff coming up for sale.

[mikel]

[quote name='Surrpaul' timestamp='1481971026' post='3196623']
Gear4music at York.
[/quote]

Sadly not the North East though.

[Daz39]

Newcastle used to have 7 or 8 gear shops: Sound Control, Sounds Live, Windows, Jake's Bass Place, the vintage shop near the fire station, one at Eldon Square (the street not the mall)...

[Billy Apple]

[quote name='Daz39' timestamp='1481994274' post='3196869']
Newcastle used to have 7 or 8 gear shops: Sound Control, Sounds Live, Windows, Jake's Bass Place, the vintage shop near the fire station, one at Eldon Square (the street not the mall)...
[/quote]

I remember Grott Guitars at Eldon Square.

[Daz39]

Grott, that's the one!

[2elliot]

[quote name='Daz39' timestamp='1482000639' post='3196921']
Grott, that's the one!
[/quote]

Grott. I seem to remember it being ran by a Hanoi Rocks look a like. We always used to pile in there to see what second hand gear had come in that week. Oh memories of youth... now let's go to the Mayfair and get lashed.

[leftybassman392]

Didn't there used to be a place along Percy Street?

[mikel]

[quote name='2elliot' timestamp='1482003597' post='3196954']
Grott. I seem to remember it being ran by a Hanoi Rocks look a like. We always used to pile in there to see what second hand gear had come in that week. Oh memories of youth... now let's go to the Mayfair and get lashed.
[/quote]

Ahhhhh, the Mayfair. Saw AC/DC there back in the 70s. Still the loudest band I have ever seen. Bon Scott was awesome that night.

[el borracho]

[quote name='Daz39' timestamp='1481994274' post='3196869']
Newcastle used to have 7 or 8 gear shops: Sound Control, Sounds Live, Windows, Jake's Bass Place, the vintage shop near the fire station, one at Eldon Square (the street not the mall)...
[/quote]

I think you mean Howard's Bass Place? aka Bass Doc

Jake's is a guitar shop in High Spen.

There's not a lot round here these days - half a dozen decent quality basses if you're lucky.

[jacko]

Rock City music on the cloth market used to be one of the best. Always had something interesting to play - ricks, Wals, Gibson RD! We'd spend most of a Saturday afternoon in there. Then they moved to Moseley street and went downhill. There was also Chris and Andy's on High bridge. They had a good selection of early Overwater basses. Wonder whatever became of them? Incidentally does anyone remember the Spectro Arts workshop on the other side of Pilgrim street. Used to hang out there making interesting music.

[Conan]

[quote name='Rexel Matador' timestamp='1481967453' post='3196579']
The guitar shops that I know in Newcastle (Guitar Guitar, PMT, Windows) all have a pretty meagre selection of basses. Is there anywhere else in the North East that has more, or will I need to go further afield? I'm not looking for anything in particular, so the wider the selection the better.
[/quote]

Get yasell to the next NE Bass Bash! Or maybe organise one...

[mikel]

All this talk of Newcastle is making me very homesick. If I dig out my Lindisfarne best of and put on "Run for Home" I may just burst into tears.

[lee650]

I visited my home town of Newcastle over the weekend! Much nicer place than I remember,however I do miss Howards bass place. Nowhere there for cool basses,grott guitars sold grot as I recall from my youth.
I am very lucky as I live in Morecambe now and I have promenade music a 20 min walk from my house. It has a truly fantastic selection of basses,that you won't find in a lot of northern cities.

Edited December 20, 2016 by lee650

[jjojjas]

Theres bugger all unless you want a usa Jazz/P or a middle of the road Yamaha.... My last dozen basses have all been 2nd hand internet purchases for this very reason.
I'm looking at double basses now and I can find.... one.... in Windows arcade.. lol