What happened to all the guitar shops?
Discussion
Taking a break from the drums so thought I'd pick up the guitar again, so planned a trip to either Liverpool or Manchester for a tour of the shops, to find they've all died out.
I guess it's s the Internet, but its sad, I remember spending all day just walking round all the shops, now they either all gone, or not within walking distance of each other.
There used to be about 5 just in the centre of Liverpool, now it looks like only Curlys is left.
I guess it's s the Internet, but its sad, I remember spending all day just walking round all the shops, now they either all gone, or not within walking distance of each other.
There used to be about 5 just in the centre of Liverpool, now it looks like only Curlys is left.
Only the largest shops with the most buying power can continue. We tend to think of guitars as musical instruments and works of art. But the firms that make them and the reps see them as commodities. They'll get told what to push and they will go to one or more of the big shops and say "If you can take twenty of this model I can do them for this price" and that price will not be available to smaller shops who can only take one of two. These shops will have to pay quite a bit more, possibly nearly as much as the big places are retailing them for.
That and the cost of high street rents means such shops are no longer viable.
That and the cost of high street rents means such shops are no longer viable.
Agree with all the previous comments, the downside of which is less places to go and try out guitars before buying. We’re on the edge of Oxfordshire and Wiltshire and if I’m in the market for a new guitar, I drive down to Guitar Village in Farnham. It’s about a 90 minute drive but at least they have a good selection of guitars and will set them up there and then.
Stan the Bat said:
Dawsons in Chester is still open.
No it isn't. Shut during lockdown, the only one we have in Chester now is Sam's guitars.Great shop with a great owner (Sam Orr from the 1968s), but a little shop can only cater for a small selection, so he specialises in the more expensive collectibles.
I just want to try a larger selection and see what suits my ageing arthritic hands.
May have to go to PMT in Manchester.
sociopath said:
Taking a break from the drums so thought I'd pick up the guitar again, so planned a trip to either Liverpool or Manchester for a tour of the shops, to find they've all died out.
I guess it's s the Internet, but its sad, I remember spending all day just walking round all the shops, now they either all gone, or not within walking distance of each other.
There used to be about 5 just in the centre of Liverpool, now it looks like only Curlys is left.
It’s a shame ,there’s only pmt and Johnny roadhouse in Manchester now .I guess it's s the Internet, but its sad, I remember spending all day just walking round all the shops, now they either all gone, or not within walking distance of each other.
There used to be about 5 just in the centre of Liverpool, now it looks like only Curlys is left.
I remember thinking the same about shops selling keyboards. When I was a teenager I spent many a happy Saturday in my local music shop playing around with synthesizers that I could only dream of being able to afford. Then, after getting my first job, channeling most of my earnings straight into their coffers. I've spent a lot less on music gear since the trade moved online. There's something about having a tactile experience with an instrument that makes it hard to walk out of a shop without buying it.
V8FGO said:
Didn't realise Dawsons had shut.
Moran Sound in Gateacre I'd still alive. If you go dont park in the Black Bull (ANPR). Park in Charmount Way and walk through by yhe GP practice. There is also Frailers in Runcorn bit out of the way thought.
Haven't been to Frailers for many years but I have a couple of guitars from Frank - if it's still as good as it was, it's certainly worth a visit.Moran Sound in Gateacre I'd still alive. If you go dont park in the Black Bull (ANPR). Park in Charmount Way and walk through by yhe GP practice. There is also Frailers in Runcorn bit out of the way thought.
Remember being surprised when Chandlers closed years ago.
The store I'd used since 1994 closed a few years ago too as I think the owners retired (Sounds Great Music in Heald Green).
The online/high-street store Guitarguitar seem to be doing okay and have stores in multiple locations. They bought some of my guitars I could no longer play, and seem like a decent company.
The store I'd used since 1994 closed a few years ago too as I think the owners retired (Sounds Great Music in Heald Green).
The online/high-street store Guitarguitar seem to be doing okay and have stores in multiple locations. They bought some of my guitars I could no longer play, and seem like a decent company.
Edited by MrOnTheRopes on Thursday 30th June 13:19
singlecoil said:
sociopath said:
...I just want to try a larger selection and see what suits my ageing arthritic hands...
Any idea what sort of thing that might be? Low action, light gauge strings, wider neck?I've put 8s on my Chinese strat (still my best playing guitar - cost me £50 and prefer it to my PRS) which is easier, but you lose a lot of control and tone.
V8FGO said:
Didn't realise Dawsons had shut.
Moran Sound in Gateacre I'd still alive. If you go dont park in the Black Bull (ANPR). Park in Charmount Way and walk through by yhe GP practice. There is also Frailers in Runcorn bit out of the way thought.
Thanks for that, frailers is my side of the Runcorn rip-off Bridge, so worth a visitMoran Sound in Gateacre I'd still alive. If you go dont park in the Black Bull (ANPR). Park in Charmount Way and walk through by yhe GP practice. There is also Frailers in Runcorn bit out of the way thought.
sociopath said:
Stan the Bat said:
Dawsons in Chester is still open.
No it isn't. Shut during lockdown, the only one we have in Chester now is Sam's guitars.Great shop with a great owner (Sam Orr from the 1968s), but a little shop can only cater for a small selection, so he specialises in the more expensive collectibles.
I just want to try a larger selection and see what suits my ageing arthritic hands.
May have to go to PMT in Manchester.
How about BackAlleyMusic in Mold ?
Stan the Bat said:
sociopath said:
Stan the Bat said:
Dawsons in Chester is still open.
No it isn't. Shut during lockdown, the only one we have in Chester now is Sam's guitars.Great shop with a great owner (Sam Orr from the 1968s), but a little shop can only cater for a small selection, so he specialises in the more expensive collectibles.
I just want to try a larger selection and see what suits my ageing arthritic hands.
May have to go to PMT in Manchester.
How about BackAlleyMusic in Mold ?
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