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Post by jonnymosco on Apr 4, 2013 8:43:20 GMT
So, where should I go when I return to the UK and why? The special ones... service, after sales, bargains, decent stock.
Be a good resource too.
Jonny
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leoroberts
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Post by leoroberts on Apr 4, 2013 8:52:52 GMT
Well, I've never had any issues with www.forsyths.co.uk/guitars/ in Manchester... Except that the guitar department is on the top floor Of course, it's unlikely to be local to you, Jonny!
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Apr 4, 2013 8:57:22 GMT
Gumtree. I haven't found a bargain in a shop that rivals what you can pick up in the local online ads
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Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2013 9:10:35 GMT
I've always found the service in Oasis Music to be superb- very friendly, good stock, and great after sales service. They know what they are talking about too. Another shop I was very impressed by on my recent travels is Project Music in Exeter. Tne manager there has some terrific ideas for how he wants the shop to develop, and he is about to stock some higher end models from the likes of Collings and Brook. At the moment there is a great range of Martins. Some very fetching fender electrics there as well, but we wont mention those! But excellent service there and very very friendly. Finally, although I have never bought anything there, I always get a very friendly welcome at Ivor Mairants in London. Robbie
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Post by scorpiodog on Apr 4, 2013 10:16:24 GMT
I've always found the service in Oasis Music to be superb- very friendly, good stock, and great after sales service. They know what they are talking about too. I fully agree with Rob here. I've now bought 3 guitars from them and they are patient, knowledgeable and welcoming. I find Saturdays a bit of a pain in there, though. I always try to go in the week. Another shop I was very impressed by on my recent travels is Project Music in Exeter. I didn't know about this one, but Mansons in Exeter has a huge stock. The assistants there seem to be in a world of their own, but apart from that they're helpful enough. I went in here the other day in Brighton and their stock is huge. The young assistant couldn't have been more helpful, but I was in the electric guitar section and the customers seem to want to try the guitars at full volume. A bit disturbing, really. There is a completely separate acoustic section which is more sedate. They don't do really, really expensive guitars in there, but it's quite fun, as is Brighton generally. And there are a couple of smaller guitar shops in The Laines.
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Apr 4, 2013 10:43:10 GMT
What a pity the Oxford Guitar Gallery is no longer open! I haven't any idea whether these places are any good at all Jonny, but being local for you they would obviously be worth checking out - Thame - www.philsvintageguitars.com/index.htmlOxford - www.pmtonline.co.uk/oxford.html#Abingdon - www.fineguitars.co.uk/The Abingdon place looks to be the most interesting, and a bit different from the generalist megastores. They are currently advertising a guitar teacher vacancy!!! Dave King takes work form them I believe, and they seem to have a decent range of good quality instruments in steel and nylon string types, plus links re teachers etc - could well be worth a trip I think! Keith
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Post by jonnymosco on Apr 4, 2013 12:48:40 GMT
Something I'm looking forward to is walking into a shop and being able to play guitars, look at a shelf and buy some music or strings... not easy to do that in this part of France. Well, it is possible, but everything is hugely overpriced and the sales people have all trained at the same service school where the customer is to be treated as badly as possible.
Good plug Martin - surprised it's not sold already being a great guitar at a silly price.
Oasis is one I'd like to visit - won't be too far and I have family nearby. I always go to Ivor Mairantz when I'm in London, but, to be honest Robbie, not had great service, but that is great service in comparison with here, so that's not a problem as they usually have some interesting guitars.
Good heads up about Fine Guitars in Abingdon - I popped in when I was there a few months ago. They have some great guitars made to their spec in a small workshop in China. All around the 1k price and far better sound and quality than lots of their sole luthier guitars. We chatted about teaching in the area, so they may remember me, but I won't be back till after the summer.
I thought Trevor TAMCO may be around... Jason Kostal, if he doesn't mind me quoting him, believes TAMCO to be unique in the world - huge choice of fine guitars, open to the public without an appointment, unlike other similar shops (in the US). I'm looking forward to visiting.
Jonny
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Post by Martin on Apr 4, 2013 13:11:44 GMT
I can honestly say that wasn't a plug - I just use Gumtree for buying and selling quite a bit, and find it can be very good for unexpected local bargains.
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Post by pnut on Apr 4, 2013 19:29:32 GMT
Another vote for Oasis, Freddie and Howard are two of the nicest most decent friendly blokes you could wish to meet, they carry a wide and varied stock from starter Vintage stuff thro to seriously nice and expensive stuff, and as they stress on their website they really do care about customer service
Another place nearby in Southampton is The Guitar Store, although I haven't found the right buy me guitar there yet, Ive played many in there! and the chaps in the acoustic shop have always been very helpful, knowledgeable and genuine. They do the usual big brands like Gibson, Martin, Collings, Taylor etc but not much of the smaller luthier stuff like Atkin, Moon, Eggle etc
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Post by jonnymosco on Apr 4, 2013 20:00:41 GMT
But the big question - who stocks Newtones?
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Post by pnut on Apr 4, 2013 20:53:36 GMT
Isnt Keith a distributor/stockist !!!
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Post by andrewjw on Apr 4, 2013 21:31:12 GMT
Isnt Keith a distributor/stockist !!! Like others here I'm a big fan of both Mansons and Oasis....I'd second Paul's comment re preferably visiting either shop on a weekday .
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Post by charlie on Oct 15, 2014 23:58:15 GMT
I know this is an old thread but I wanted to chip in and say that I don't live far from Project Music in Exeter. These days they have a superb range including about 12 Lowdens when I was in the other day and also they had a bunch of Lakewood and Collings and they usually have a fair selection of brook and are very big Martin dealers. I have travelled all over to shops over the years but in recent times I have seen Project music develop into something of an acoustic mecca for the southwest. Best selection by far in my area and in many case they have a better selection than some of the bigger names we are all familiar with. www.projectmusic.net/And before you ask no I have no affiliation with them at all other tan regularly popping in for a regular look. In my mind they are well worth a look if you are ever in the area. I also really like Ivors in London but don't get up that way much these days and not sure what they are like now. I used to spend lots of money with them way back.
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Post by grayn on Oct 16, 2014 7:31:16 GMT
For a superb stock of acoustic and electric guitars and really nice guys and gals, it's got to be Promenade Music, in sunny Morecambe, Lancashire.
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Post by andyhowell on Oct 16, 2014 12:24:21 GMT
As I'm Midland based so don't know many of these stores - though I am in Guildord for 2 days. In London Ivor's is the only place that jumps out - yet to try North American Guitar - a bit out of my league.
I would add Forsyths and Celtix Music in Stonehaven (cracking shop this)
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