Post your music shop experiences
Discussion
I had one recently. A well stocked shop not too far from me (I live on the outskirts of Aylesbury). I had a fair bit of cash and fancied treating myself to something nice. I'd looked at their website and their eBay shop and figured they were worth a visit and that I wouldn't return empty handed.
But I did return empty handed, partly because they didn't have any of the keyboard stuff they advertised (their new keyboard section wasn't quite ready (it looked ready enough to me)) and partly because of the way I was treated in the guitar section. I was looking around and was asked what I was looking for, so I said I was interested in Fenders in Daphne or Sonic Blue. Which model, I was asked? Maybe a Strat or a Precision I replied. They're two very different guitars, I was told.
After that it became clear that they thought I was a time waster and just wanted me to leave, so I did, taking my money with me.
Since then I've bought a Strat in Daphne Blue and a Precision in Sonic, both for cash.
I know most of the guys that work in music shops are good musicians, but how they make a living I don't know.
But I did return empty handed, partly because they didn't have any of the keyboard stuff they advertised (their new keyboard section wasn't quite ready (it looked ready enough to me)) and partly because of the way I was treated in the guitar section. I was looking around and was asked what I was looking for, so I said I was interested in Fenders in Daphne or Sonic Blue. Which model, I was asked? Maybe a Strat or a Precision I replied. They're two very different guitars, I was told.
After that it became clear that they thought I was a time waster and just wanted me to leave, so I did, taking my money with me.
Since then I've bought a Strat in Daphne Blue and a Precision in Sonic, both for cash.
I know most of the guys that work in music shops are good musicians, but how they make a living I don't know.
Turn7 said:
Vintage & Modern in Thame completely different.....
I must have a look in there sometime, I've looked at their website from time to time. I like vintage guitars but would never actually buy one as the prices tend to be for people who set a lot of store by age, and I don't.Vintage and Modern is a great shop. The vintage stuff is dear, but it always is, its fairly priced at V&M. They have modern stuff too at regular street prices and do some rarer things like Reverand. The chap there runs it with his wife, will happily allow you to noodle for an hour or so. I have a hankering for his bony boar 73 (or is it 74?) SG. Gorgeous instrument.
I recently visited PMT in Cowley Road Oxford. Very good experience. I spent about three maybe four hours before walking out with a PRS SE custom 24 and a Blackstar 5 RH. The guy selling to me even offered to deliver the gear to my house if it was more convenient for me. I must get round to photoing my lot an put it on Lets look at our guitars.
I recently visited PMT in Cowley Road Oxford. Very good experience. I spent about three maybe four hours before walking out with a PRS SE custom 24 and a Blackstar 5 RH. The guy selling to me even offered to deliver the gear to my house if it was more convenient for me. I must get round to photoing my lot an put it on Lets look at our guitars.
I picked my Blackstar HT-5R up in PMT Oxford too. I called in as I was between jobs in the area and they were great setting it up in a little soundproof room. No pressure selling either and they went and got a similar size/priced Marshall amp for me to try as well before making my final decision.
Andertons in Guildford were good too when I went in to try out a Vox pedal out as while back. They have a series of small 'booths' to try gear out so you aren't in front of the whole shop. It didn't give the result I was after, yet they were fine when I came out of the booth and told them.
Drumwright* in Woodley have been really helpful in giving me information and demonstrating the Roland V electronic drums. So far all I've bought is a pair of sticks (our rehearsal room has an acoustic kit I've been using), but when I decide which model of Roland I want, then they'll be getting my business having taken the time to help me out on previous visits.
If you're down Bournemouth way then I'd recommend trying Absolute Music, which is massive and has so many different guitars, basses, amps, FX, etc. I've only bought accessories in there, but they took time to make sure I was happy with the things I chose (guitar strap, spare valves,even a few T shirts).
It's handy having a job that allows me to visit these various places during my lunch break/on the way home, though it means I'm spending money when I should be earning it...
EDIT. * Drumwright proved to be even more helpful when I went in there today to try to decide between the various models I was considering, so I feel I've made a considered choice with the kit I ended up buying (the TD30K).
Andertons in Guildford were good too when I went in to try out a Vox pedal out as while back. They have a series of small 'booths' to try gear out so you aren't in front of the whole shop. It didn't give the result I was after, yet they were fine when I came out of the booth and told them.
Drumwright* in Woodley have been really helpful in giving me information and demonstrating the Roland V electronic drums. So far all I've bought is a pair of sticks (our rehearsal room has an acoustic kit I've been using), but when I decide which model of Roland I want, then they'll be getting my business having taken the time to help me out on previous visits.
If you're down Bournemouth way then I'd recommend trying Absolute Music, which is massive and has so many different guitars, basses, amps, FX, etc. I've only bought accessories in there, but they took time to make sure I was happy with the things I chose (guitar strap, spare valves,even a few T shirts).
It's handy having a job that allows me to visit these various places during my lunch break/on the way home, though it means I'm spending money when I should be earning it...
EDIT. * Drumwright proved to be even more helpful when I went in there today to try to decide between the various models I was considering, so I feel I've made a considered choice with the kit I ended up buying (the TD30K).
Edited by OldSkoolRS on Monday 14th July 14:33
They can be funny these places.
My local, Fret Music, moved from a just-off-the-high street location (medium sized) to a massive warehouse with loads of parking. Less than a year later they're back on the high street, right down the end, in a shop so small I felt self-conscious just being in.
They were nice enough, and gave me a decent trade-in for my Squier Strat against the Jag-Stang I eventually bought, but their new shop is just too small to feel comfortable in.
Another local place, the imaginatively named "The Guitar Store" is absolutely huge, has lovely staff and set up said Jag-Stang for £20. Bargain.
My local, Fret Music, moved from a just-off-the-high street location (medium sized) to a massive warehouse with loads of parking. Less than a year later they're back on the high street, right down the end, in a shop so small I felt self-conscious just being in.
They were nice enough, and gave me a decent trade-in for my Squier Strat against the Jag-Stang I eventually bought, but their new shop is just too small to feel comfortable in.
Another local place, the imaginatively named "The Guitar Store" is absolutely huge, has lovely staff and set up said Jag-Stang for £20. Bargain.
PMT Cambridge, good knowledge, real enthusiasm, up for a haggle.
Millers Music, more or less as above.
Peach Guitars Braintree, either utterly brilliant or utterly s
t depending on who is running it that day. The bloke who was there the day Alf got his PRS was really good, spent ages going through options, showing him different guitars, no pressure at all (although we did buy). Nearly every other time we've been there since the experience has been piss poor.
Millers Music, more or less as above.
Peach Guitars Braintree, either utterly brilliant or utterly s
t depending on who is running it that day. The bloke who was there the day Alf got his PRS was really good, spent ages going through options, showing him different guitars, no pressure at all (although we did buy). Nearly every other time we've been there since the experience has been piss poor.Andertons are great, they have one of the best luthiers in the business there, my ESP felt like new after he fettled it and their customer service when I brought the wrong EZ Drummer pack, (their guitar sales guy recommended rock instead of metal to me and my lead guitarist, we were wearing Morbid Angel and Goatwe tshirts at the time and are pretty clueless when it comes to recording tech stuff) was excellent and they got Toontrack to swap our licence for us.
I tend to use GAK for online purchases and again they've been great, it's a shame their shop is in the Lanes in Brighton and thus not the most accessible so I don't tend to visit. I have been into both GuitarGuitar in Epsom and Birmingham when I was passing and their staff seem both friendly and knowledgeable and they always seem to have some lovely high end stuff in stock.
e tshirts at the time and are pretty clueless when it comes to recording tech stuff) was excellent and they got Toontrack to swap our licence for us.I tend to use GAK for online purchases and again they've been great, it's a shame their shop is in the Lanes in Brighton and thus not the most accessible so I don't tend to visit. I have been into both GuitarGuitar in Epsom and Birmingham when I was passing and their staff seem both friendly and knowledgeable and they always seem to have some lovely high end stuff in stock.
ModernMusic in Truro is amazing, if rather far from me so a bit of a trek!
They were so good at getting in a guitar for me to try, as it was a specific model, no pressure, just really friendly lots of knowledge and great atmosphere.
Had a problem with the case the guitar came in, he's had problems getting hold of Jackson dealer, so offered to swap it for a better one himself. Really great guy.
I haven't had that many bad experiences, Duckson and Pinker in Bath which is now gone used to be ok depending on who was there, one time when I first started playing there was a rather nice chap who added the 'OH YEAH' into my playing of NIB by Sabbath. Another time a chap seemed genuinely bored by having to deal with me, I found that the bored staff out weighed the nice staff and the prices were rather high so never really shopped there.
Sounds of Frome are ace in Frome. Really nice and knowledgeable.
They were so good at getting in a guitar for me to try, as it was a specific model, no pressure, just really friendly lots of knowledge and great atmosphere.
Had a problem with the case the guitar came in, he's had problems getting hold of Jackson dealer, so offered to swap it for a better one himself. Really great guy.
I haven't had that many bad experiences, Duckson and Pinker in Bath which is now gone used to be ok depending on who was there, one time when I first started playing there was a rather nice chap who added the 'OH YEAH' into my playing of NIB by Sabbath. Another time a chap seemed genuinely bored by having to deal with me, I found that the bored staff out weighed the nice staff and the prices were rather high so never really shopped there.
Sounds of Frome are ace in Frome. Really nice and knowledgeable.
Fantuzzi said:
Sounds of Frome are ace in Frome. Really nice and knowledgeable.
I'll have to remember this...I have a customer in North Gillingham and Frome isn't that far away from there. I find it makes such a difference if the staff seem enthusiastic and interested, it makes you want to go back, rather than feeling like a nuisance in some shops.I didn't know about the Luthier in Andertons: I've currently got my 30+ year old Squier Strat being refinished and set up, but the guy is taking ages. Had I known I might have taken it to Andertons instead.
I can't recommend him highly enough, he also managed to repair the neck on my Ibanez after the singer in my covers band left it lent against a chair (rather than on the stand next to it?!) in the rehearsal studio and it fell over putting a massive dent in the neck. I did give the guy at Andertons a new neck to fix but rather than doing that and fleecing me for it he called me and said no need, the existing neck can be repaired. I can't feel the repair and it is only just visible so job jobbed and I offloaded the other neck on eBay.
Edited by JaymzDead on Monday 14th July 16:22
I've had mixed experiences in the same shop before now. It all depends on who you speak to and what mood they're in.
I've been offered to try guitars before even asking some times, offered brilliant deals other times without even pushing for them, and generally had great service. Other times I've been ignored and told I couldn't try a guitar out with a plectrum because I might scratch it(!).
It's the same as with car dealerships to be honest. It all depends on the salesman/woman.
I've been offered to try guitars before even asking some times, offered brilliant deals other times without even pushing for them, and generally had great service. Other times I've been ignored and told I couldn't try a guitar out with a plectrum because I might scratch it(!).
It's the same as with car dealerships to be honest. It all depends on the salesman/woman.
OldSkoolRS said:
Fantuzzi said:
Sounds of Frome are ace in Frome. Really nice and knowledgeable.
I'll have to remember this...I have a customer in North Gillingham and Frome isn't that far away from there. I find it makes such a difference if the staff seem enthusiastic and interested, it makes you want to go back, rather than feeling like a nuisance in some shops.I didn't know about the Luthier in Andertons: I've currently got my 30+ year old Squier Strat being refinished and set up, but the guy is taking ages. Had I known I might have taken it to Andertons instead.
Mansons in Exeter - very friendly and helpful, they have a great team of luthiers who did a great referb on my '76 Les Paul Deluxe (re-fret, work on the fret board, wax potting the pickups and fitting a new jack socket) and let me spend an hour or so noodling on various nice acoustic guitars...
Lotus 50 said:
Mansons in Exeter - very friendly and helpful, they have a great team of luthiers who did a great referb on my '76 Les Paul Deluxe (re-fret, work on the fret board, wax potting the pickups and fitting a new jack socket) and let me spend an hour or so noodling on various nice acoustic guitars...
Is that the store with the guitars on the top floor, with drum stuff below?I was rather annoyed with one shop in Exeter, their website didn't state that most of the guitars shown were online only. Waste of an 3 hour round trip when there wasn't any of the charvels in the store that they had on the site!
Fantuzzi said:
Is that the store with the guitars on the top floor, with drum stuff below?
I was rather annoyed with one shop in Exeter, their website didn't state that most of the guitars shown were online only. Waste of an 3 hour round trip when there wasn't any of the charvels in the store that they had on the site!
I don't think so - unless they have a well hidden drum basement that I didn't see! I think they only sell guitars and basses etc.I was rather annoyed with one shop in Exeter, their website didn't state that most of the guitars shown were online only. Waste of an 3 hour round trip when there wasn't any of the charvels in the store that they had on the site!
I work in this industry. So, as a result, when I can't source the item I need through my own suppliers, I will support my local shop, as I believe internet purchases will kill off the high street, and shops do a very good job.
So, I'm in Herts, and here are the local shops I "supported" by driving to each of them to give them my business:
Fretz Music - Hemel (Didn't stock what I want)
Talkin Headz - Woburn (Now shut down)
Drum Wright - Reading (Didn't stock what I want)
PMT - Oxford (Didn't stock what I want)
I gave up and ordered online in the end. The internet will kill the high street in this industry, but then clearly shops do not help themselves. And I work in similar shops ffs!
So, I'm in Herts, and here are the local shops I "supported" by driving to each of them to give them my business:
Fretz Music - Hemel (Didn't stock what I want)
Talkin Headz - Woburn (Now shut down)
Drum Wright - Reading (Didn't stock what I want)
PMT - Oxford (Didn't stock what I want)
I gave up and ordered online in the end. The internet will kill the high street in this industry, but then clearly shops do not help themselves. And I work in similar shops ffs!
Can anyone recommend a guitar shop in or around London? I'm looking at buying an artist series Fender Strat and Marshall amp at some point this year, and would like to buy in person rather than online.
So far I've got GuitarGuitar in Epsom on my list, but would be grateful for other suggestions.
So far I've got GuitarGuitar in Epsom on my list, but would be grateful for other suggestions.
Gassing Station | Music | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff