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Post by earthbalm on Dec 1, 2018 15:41:04 GMT
Cranes Music Store in Swansea is closing down and almost everything is 50%. I was trying a Hudson Little Wing acoustic when George (the owner, founder of Hudson guitars and co-founder ((I believe)) of Tanglewood) came across and suggested the two guitars he said were the best in the store: one in solid Rosewood and another in solid Mahogany. Both were wonderful but as I'm still awaiting a start date for work, buying anything is not an option for me. There were some really nice solid wood ukuleles and mandolins and a few fantastic banjos - mostly Hudson but some Gretches. The stores is too far away for most on the forum, I know but mail order might be an option. I spent 1 3/4 hours trying out the instruments without being hassled and I saw a lot of instruments go out the door. Just thought people might like the heads up. Dale
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Welshruss
C.O.G.
Posts: 477
My main instrument is: Turnstone, Wandering Boy & Santa Cruz
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Post by Welshruss on Dec 1, 2018 21:32:20 GMT
That’s a shame. I remember when John Ham’s music shop shut in Swansea that was my favourite. Is the Music Station still in Llansamlet?
When I was visiting last year there were some nice Lowdens at Cranes.
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Post by earthbalm on Dec 2, 2018 9:15:53 GMT
I too liked John Ham's little shop - our band bought a PA amp there mid 80s. Rowlands had a fantastic stock of Lowdens when it was open. The Lowdens and some other used big name guitars have all gone from Cranes, I would suspect (but don't know for sure) that they were all sold (or put in storage) before the closing sale. George told me that he isn't likely to go into retail business again though he still owns the high end Caparison guitars brand and some manufacturing facilities. I was amazed to learn that he owned British Music strings from where my factory-second Kay Hummingbird came. I visited Music Station last year and it had very little stock. I think it might still be hanging on but I'm not sure. George also told me why he thought that musical instrument shops were failing and many operating at a loss. Cranes is likely to stay open up to the new year or until all of the stock has gone. I shall return post Christmas with whatever I might have as cash gifts.
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Post by sweyne1 on Dec 2, 2018 9:41:23 GMT
Music Station has moved to Fforestfach, just next to the traffic lights next door to the keyboard shop (James' Piano's ?). They left Llansamlet when the lease ran out and have been prepping this place for a while.
It opened about 6 weeks ago but had only a few guitars in stock. They were still preparing the upstairs to be the guitar showroom. The guy who showed me around said that one of the others (sorry, can't remember names) had gone to Bath to source instruments. High end he said. I've seen, when driving past, that there are some guitars upstairs now but haven't visited yet to see what they are.
Maybe Cranes is closing down because of the big redevelopment that's due to be happening in that area soon. Moving to another property perhaps ? John
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Welshruss
C.O.G.
Posts: 477
My main instrument is: Turnstone, Wandering Boy & Santa Cruz
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Post by Welshruss on Dec 2, 2018 10:13:19 GMT
I bought my first decent bass at Music Station a used Jaydee in 1990 and played it through a Marshall I got at John Hams . I bought my first acoustic at Rowlands. Seagull S6 in 1995. Most of family live around Swansea still it’s changed so much since I left nearly 20 years ago. I remember going to Cardiff to visit Cranes and Spillers records. I used to spend too much money at Musicaquarium in Swansea market too.
My next trip to Swansea is probably September over the Queensland school holidays.
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Post by earthbalm on Dec 2, 2018 10:33:54 GMT
Maybe Cranes is closing down because of the big redevelopment that's due to be happening in that area soon. Moving to another property perhaps ? John Possibly but George was quite adamant about not retailing again and he did give several reasons why and reflected on what was happening elsewhere in the instrument retail sector. Glad to hear that Music Station is still alive. It was great for Roland HI-Tech recording stuff. Thanks for the update.
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Post by sweyne1 on Dec 2, 2018 18:35:05 GMT
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Post by curmudgeon on Dec 4, 2018 17:16:17 GMT
Never heard of Hudson guitars before. Where are the made ? I liked the look of that "little Wing" then saw it has a tiny 42 m/m nut width. Don't get the point of a rhythm neck width on a parlour
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