Guitar Shops In Europe

[Stinger Ray]

Hello,

A few minutes ago I posted this in the Bass Guitar section and it should be here I suppose. I will delete the previous if someone ca tell me how?

 

I enjoy browsing guitar makers & music shops websites. Being from the US, I don't know a whole lot of "European" sites to visit that have good selection of well made instruments.. 

*not advertising*  I've browsed Anderton's of course and Thomann's but would like some recommendations of smaller shops that have cool stuff.  If you all wouldn't mind sharing some of your favorites?

 

 

 

*Quick note: if you have a chance check out Anderton's visit/tour of Martin Guitars. I'm not advertising, honest.

I live about 10 miles from the factory & have some friends that work there... it's a great tour if you are ever in the US, it is only about an hour and fifteen minute drive from NYC & hour and half from Philadelphia. But if you can't make it... this is the next best thing. The most comprehensive tour of Martin Guitars I have yet to see. The only thing better would be if you could smell the wood... I hope i'm not breaking any rules by linking this? My apologies if so.

 

[OliverBlackman]

13 hours ago, Stinger Ray said:

Hello,

A few minutes ago I posted this in the Bass Guitar section and it should be here I suppose. I will delete the previous if someone ca tell me how?

 

I enjoy browsing guitar makers & music shops websites. Being from the US, I don't know a whole lot of "European" sites to visit that have good selection of well made instruments.. 

*not advertising*  I've browsed Anderton's of course and Thomann's but would like some recommendations of smaller shops that have cool stuff.  If you all wouldn't mind sharing some of your favorites?

 

 

 

*Quick note: if you have a chance check out Anderton's visit/tour of Martin Guitars. I'm not advertising, honest.

I live about 10 miles from the factory & have some friends that work there... it's a great tour if you are ever in the US, it is only about an hour and fifteen minute drive from NYC & hour and half from Philadelphia. But if you can't make it... this is the next best thing. The most comprehensive tour of Martin Guitars I have yet to see. The only thing better would be if you could smell the wood... I hope i'm not breaking any rules by linking this? My apologies if so.

 

What sort of guitars are you looking to browse? There’s loads in the UK that are smaller than those you’ve mentioned but specialise in specific areas.

[Stinger Ray]

Hello OB,

Thank you for your reply,

I dunno' really, I've seen random youtube videos where a guy goes to a small but well stocked shop in Netherlands, grabs a 62' Strat....another example..Mick/Dan from That Pedal Show went to a really cool vintage shop in one video...

 

I'm just curious to see what else might be out there...consignment/used stores, maybe a smaller hidden gem independent shop somewhere.  example: is there a cool shop in Birmingham or something like that.. in the states we refer to independent stores as Mom and Pop shops... they are starting to make a small showing around my area again.. Hopefully it is a trend that is gaining some momentum?

 

I'm worn out on the bigger retailers stuff. But maybe the bigger stuff is the best of them?  

Have a good day, regards,

Brad

[MartinB]

16 minutes ago, Stinger Ray said:

example: is there a cool shop in Birmingham or something like that..

 

 Yep! https://thelittleguitarshop.com/

[Stinger Ray]

MartinB,

Yes, that's the stuff !! Much appreciate it.

I enjoy peruzing / patronizing small places like this.

Thank you for the link... these places are tough to find on web searching, for me anyways.. 

[Len_derby]

Here’s an independent shop in a small English city, run by some good guys trying hard to keep going in the internet world, and being very supportive of local musicians.

 

https://fouldsguitars.com

[OliverBlackman]

1 hour ago, Stinger Ray said:

Hello OB,

Thank you for your reply,

I dunno' really, I've seen random youtube videos where a guy goes to a small but well stocked shop in Netherlands, grabs a 62' Strat....another example..Mick/Dan from That Pedal Show went to a really cool vintage shop in one video...

 

I'm just curious to see what else might be out there...consignment/used stores, maybe a smaller hidden gem independent shop somewhere.  example: is there a cool shop in Birmingham or something like that.. in the states we refer to independent stores as Mom and Pop shops... they are starting to make a small showing around my area again.. Hopefully it is a trend that is gaining some momentum?

 

I'm worn out on the bigger retailers stuff. But maybe the bigger stuff is the best of them?  

Have a good day, regards,

Brad

For vintage guitars ATB, No Tom, vintage and rare in Bristol, New Kings Road vintage and rare, classic and cool guitars, Charlie Chandler posts stuff on FB. For odds and sods I know of We Buy Any Guitar in Ashton under Lyne, guitar village in Surrey, promenade music in Morcombe. Guitar Guitar have shops dotted around too. 

[meterman]

40 minutes ago, OliverBlackman said:

For vintage guitars ATB, No Tom, vintage and rare in Bristol, New Kings Road vintage and rare, classic and cool guitars, Charlie Chandler posts stuff on FB. For odds and sods I know of We Buy Any Guitar in Ashton under Lyne, guitar village in Surrey, promenade music in Morcombe. Guitar Guitar have shops dotted around too. 

Both No Tom, and Vintage & Rare buy from an auction company called Gardiner Houlgate https://www.gardinerhoulgate.co.uk/departments/6/Guitars

and then whack the prices up on whatever they buy. You’ll find some really nice things there, but the prices... oof!
 

Don’t know about Charlie Chandler nowadays, I haven’t visited his place for some time, but New Kings Road Guitars often had cool gear in. I’d always stop by there if I was anywhere near the area.

 

To the OP: There’s a load of places in the North East and North West, I’ll ask my pals who’s worth a trip. 👍

[OliverBlackman]

47 minutes ago, meterman said:

Both No Tom, and Vintage & Rare buy from an auction company called Gardiner Houlgate https://www.gardinerhoulgate.co.uk/departments/6/Guitars

and then whack the prices up on whatever they buy. You’ll find some really nice things there, but the prices... oof!

I don’t regularly check on either but they’re worth a browse at least. I wouldn’t buy vintage at auction. I don’t want to spend thousands and run the risk of buying a fake or something that isn’t quite what it says it is.

[Reggaebass]

There’s quite a few shops here that I often have a look through, some in Europe too 

 

[lidl e]

If you're in dublin some neck guitars is the best shop. 

 

https://www.someneckguitars.com/

 

Like all shops, lots of guitars, a few nice basses.

 

Bonus that it's about 350 metres from my place.

 

 

Edited June 1, 2024 by lidl e

[tauzero]

There's a couple of specialist bass places:

 

https://www.bassdirect.co.uk/

 

https://bassbros.co.uk/

[Bolo]

The Dutch shop might have been https://www.tfoa.eu/en the Fellowship of Acoustics.

Bass specific would be https://www.bassmatters.nl/nl/home Paul's bass matters.

And https://www.connectionbult.com/wp/ Edwin van Huik's bass connection.

 

Bax shop is Thomann competition: https://www.bax-shop.nl/ 

Edited June 3, 2024 by Bolo

[itu]

Something Scandinavian:

- Bass Buddha (Denmark)

- These go to eleven (Sweden)

- Kitarapaja (Finland)

I think there was some shop in Estonia, too, but I've forgotten the name.

 

One list should include links to local forums, like zikinf (France), bassic (Germany), etc.

[HornetPinata]

https://www.todobajos.com/en/

 

A bass and bass equipment only shop in Madrid. 

Bought a bass from them a couple of years ago, a Sandberg that was sold out everywhere that I got for a reduced price.

They are very nice and helpful people and I'd like to visit the shop sometime. Looks like a community shop and they put on concerts in their shop as well.

 

edit: I've just seen they sell used basses as well.

Edited June 5, 2024 by HornetPinata
used basses added