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Post by fatfingerjohn on Dec 3, 2016 10:40:58 GMT
Just been told about a huge new shop in Nottingham with a tremendous range of guitars. It is part of a national chain, PMT (slightly unfortunate initials I would say?). Intend to pay it a visit next week. Nice to have another store although I wonder if there's room for this and Dave Mann's which is just round the corner. With the gradual demise of some of the smaller shops due to the internet it's good to see a new one; perhaps this will go the same way as other retail operations where national chain stores take over and we're left with only a few more specialist small shops.
I've got no objection to the national chains provided they employ knowledgeable staff and nurture a good reputation (not like some large electrical retailers I could name!). If they just become box shifters then its not so good.
www.pmtonline.co.uk/stores/nottingham/
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Post by flashart on Dec 3, 2016 12:01:57 GMT
I'm a big fan of PMT in Brum. The staff are always brilliant to me. Funny, patient and well informed. Big stores offer more choice. They obviously are in it to make a profit but I have no problem recommending them.
Unlike the "other" chain store in Brum...
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andrewjw
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Post by andrewjw on Dec 4, 2016 14:12:37 GMT
We've bought a couple of keyboards and some PA stuff from PMT in Bristol over the years ...not recently though. I'd agree that the staff were knowledgeable and helpful without being pushy...plus loads of stock and keen prices... Hope that model continues in Nottingham...
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Post by earthbalm on Dec 4, 2016 14:53:14 GMT
PMT came to Cardiff this time last year. We already had three music shops in the city centre. The brilliant Mike Podesta from Cranes was recruited to head up the PMT staff. The ailing Cranes closed but had already suffered lowering footfall - a pity as I bought 1000s of pounds worth of gear there over the last 20 or so years. The other remaining music stores continue to stay open. I'd say that having several stores here is good for business, it means greater choice and a reason to come to Cardiff to shop for instruments and I've yet to hear anybody in any of the stores 'badmouth' any of the others. I should also mention that the Cranes brand continues in Swansea city centre. I'll always purchase from a bricks and mortar store rather than online when it's musical equipment I'm buying. I'll agree with andrewjw - the Bristol PMT has an enormous amount of stock - I bought my 'vintage' Yamaha SG1000 there.
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Welshruss
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Post by Welshruss on Dec 4, 2016 22:49:51 GMT
I used to love going to Cranes and Spillers Records in Cardiff, I'm originally from Swansea. I moved down under and then they opened up in Swansea. I spent too much money at the Music Station in Swansea, then Sound Control when I moved to Bristol.
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Post by cottonopolis on Dec 5, 2016 9:22:44 GMT
PMT in Manchester/Salford, is also a good store. Last time I went in there midweek, the guy running the guitar section was very relaxed. Just said, play whatever you want. Which could have been risky for him, as ne had never seen me play!
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Post by andyhowell on Dec 8, 2016 23:03:22 GMT
PMT in Brum is indeed great. The 'other store' is fine so long as you know you need to know :-)
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Wild Violet
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Post by Wild Violet on Dec 19, 2016 11:35:22 GMT
I don't think I've ever been to a big chain music store. I like to support independent shops when I can but it would be so nice to be able to play lots of different models of guitars. The next time I'm in Notts I am going to make a point of stopping by PMT, and when we take my son back to uni we're going to have a look in Rich Tone Music. I don't think RTM is a chain but it looks to be a decent size shop.
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007
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Post by 007 on Dec 19, 2016 18:40:47 GMT
been to PMT in Nottingham very impressed large range of hi, medium and low end guitars and loads of other stuff. Staff are v helpful. Only drawback its £1 for half an hours parking as they have no CP so be careful.
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Post by jonnymosco on Dec 19, 2016 19:15:36 GMT
It can only be a good thing that a new music shop has opened. Sad to say though that my experience (and that of friends and students who have visited) is quite negative of PMT in Oxford - staff who know virtually nothing about acoustic guitars and pretend that they do, just to make a sale.
They are pretty rude too, but not worth citing how here. So, I don't recommend them to anyone - it sounds like other PMTs are much better. At least they are better than Guitar Center in the US!
Jonny
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Post by fatfingerjohn on Dec 19, 2016 23:23:29 GMT
Here's an update to my original thread. I visited the shop last week. Agree with Paul that you need to pay for parking (but then you do in many other city centre shops).
The shop is basically split into 4 areas, is well laid out and accessible, (although a lot of the acoustics were high up on the walls).
--acoustic guitars --electric guitars --drums/percussion --sound systems
There is a wide selection of acoustics covering a good spread of price. The majority are from the more mass-produced manufacturers; Taylor; Martin; Yamaha; Washburn. Also some Faith, Tanglewood and a few others. Excellent choice of the main brands. (Note do not assume that the ones shown on the website are available in the Nottingham store; the website says 'in stock' but this may be in another branch). Still, there is a big choice. In the higher price range there were examples of the above mentioned brands but limited range compared to Dave Mann's in Nottingham where there was a bigger range and from the more specialist makers.
They do not do other stringed instruments that I could see e.g. mandos, ukes, banjos, violins etc; no worry to me but if this is what you are looking for then you need to go elsewhere.
I know nothing about electric guitars or drums so can't comment other than there being a big choice again. A good selection of sound systems and amps and the guy I talked to there seemed pretty knowledgeable and helpful.
Overall impression was well laid out but relatively narrow range considering the amount of stock; and that they may be in the business of box-shifting rather than being able to satisfy the more discerning buyer. The chap I talked to about acoustics was very pleasant and helpful but I didn't think particularly knowledgeable and I'm no expert that's for sure.
Definitely worth a visit if you want to look at the main-stream brands.
John
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Post by vikingblues on Dec 20, 2016 7:26:45 GMT
Something of a sweeping generalisation this, but it does seem that for the searcher for an acoustic guitar the larger guitar stores are not the best option.
I have the impression that the larger the store, the younger the average age of the sales staff, and the more their knowledge is skewed to the electric guitar range. There have been instances where I've found the resident acoustic 'expert' takes dialogue little further than "yeah, it's a good guitar innit".
Also as John points out in this particular instance there is often a very limited range of higher priced guitars - often once you take into account just the Martins and Taylors in stock there is often hardly anything left to look at. I recall being surprised at how much the larger stores just duplicate the ranges sold by the others - very little risk taking or imagination being used in the choice on offer. But to be fair they are businesses being run t maximise profit for owners &/or shareholders.
Mark
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Post by andyhowell on Dec 20, 2016 9:54:52 GMT
They are good for PA systems,mics, leads and so on. Like Guitar Guitar you will find expensive guitars in there ocassionally but they spread them around stores and move them around depending on who is interested. You will see Lowden Bensusan's from time to time but I suspect it is the same one!
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Post by andyhowell on Dec 20, 2016 9:56:57 GMT
Sorry - the Lowden is at Guitar Guitar - getting my stores confused!
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Post by earthbalm on Dec 20, 2016 12:59:51 GMT
Sorry to say this but... Right now I'm at an impasse - there is nothing I want to buy. Though, had I the funds, I might be persuaded to take one of Francis's guitars off his hands. Not telling which though!
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