If a person were looking to invest a low four-figure sum in a new or pre-loved electro-acoustic – and is looking for the chance to try as many as possible – would a day spent on Denmark Street lead to thrills, shivers and a life-long love affair with the instrument of dreams?
Or is it now a tawdry parade of over-priced tat shops and best avoided?
Anybody been axe shopping recently? Any outlets to be sure to visit – or avoid?
TrypF says
It’s still a nice place to spend an hour or so if you’re a guitar nerd like me. My favourite is still Wunjo’s – slightly more scruffy, some great old gear as well as brand new stock. I got a Japanese Tele Custom there. Friday afternoons are a good time to cut a deal. Their acoustic section is in the back.
Rose-Morris on the other sideof the road has a good selection of Taylors, not cheap but that seems to be your price range. I got a Yamaha 12-string from them. Happy hunting!
JustB says
You’ve got to look above the street. For years, Angel Music has been the best, but you can’t see them easily. Look for staircases up the side of other shops.
I assume they’re still there, anyway. Haven’t been for a year and a half.
gasman says
Depending where you are Guitar Guitar in Epsom ( there are other branches) is fantastic, massive stock and really good, knowledgeable people
Vince Black says
My mate and I were both pleased with our purchases and the service received at Chandlers in Kew. It’s a year since I’ve been there
Twang says
Of course the epnoymous Charlie is no longer there – his ex-missus runs it – he is up the road now, in Kew. I was there last year with a mate who bought a 70s Tele Thinline, lucky lad.
http://www.guitarexperience.co.uk/
VernierCaliper says
I live North Yorkshire – which is why I’m aiming at a day-long odyssey to somewhere with lots of choice. Quite taken with Bob’s suggestion of staircases up the side of other shops. I believe the sign I’m looking for is ‘French Model – Very Strict On Discipline’?
aging hippy says
“Professional tuning with chord discipline and tremelo tuition”
Johnny Concheroo says
“Miss Bottomley – Seats Re-caned” was an old favourite on Greek Street
Bartleby says
Another vote for a trip to Chandlers in Kew. Not only is the selection good and the service friendly, but there’s also the option of getting Brinsley Schwartz himself to set up or modify your axe. What’s not to like about that?!
Twang says
Also The Acoustic Centre near Liverpool St is nice.
Beezer says
I may be, as usual, either very or slightly wrong but Charing Cross Raod itself sports a few music shops arond the Denmark St area.
I bought my lovely red Strat from Rock Stop. Macari’s further down towards Cambridge Circus is famously always worth a look. There are/were a couple more in between.
However the entire area is undergoing rampant radical change as Crossrail is bunged in. Most of those may have gorn. I haven’t walked down there in a while.
Johnny Concheroo says
When I first came to London in 1967 there were no guitar shops in Denmark Street. Not one. Considering the street is ALL guitar shops now, that may seem a little weird.
In those days Denmark Street was virtually all music publishers and small recording studios.
The few guitar shops that did exist were either around the corner on Charing Cross Road (Selmer’s, Macaris, Orange Music) or on Shaftesbury Avenue (Sound City, Guitar Village).
Ivor Mairants has always been there on Rathbone Place (and is still there) while the long-gone Clifford Essex in Earlham Street (near where Fopp is now) was the place for mandolins, banjos, ukes etc.
The first guitar store I remember opening on Denmark Street was Top Gear in the early 70s. Then, as the publishers slowly became redundant thanks to the new bands writing their own material, the guitar shops began to take over until by the 80s Denmark Street became the guitar shop heaven we see today.
Last time I was there a year or so ago I was sad to see the famous La Giaconda café at the Charing Cross Road end was closed and boarded up. Back in the 60s this was a famous musician hang out and on any given day you could walk past and see one or more members of famous bands in there.
Here’s a picture of Denmark Street circa 1974 I think
http://i.imgur.com/NrMX0BN.jpg
And here’s one of the first guitar stores in the street, again circa 1974
http://i.imgur.com/OmybayW.jpg
VernierCaliper says
History, knowledge and thinly-veiled incitement to engage the services of a prostitute – that’s everything The Afterword stands for. Thank you everyone: names noted, visit to follow.
Twang says
If you are of a folky persuasion, Hobgoblin in Ratbone Place is a delight. Every arcane folky thingy you can imagine.
http://www.hobgoblin.com/
And the aforementioned Ivor Mairants is right across the road. The surrounding cafes are full of hipsters and boho ladies. What’s not to like? 🙂
Twang says
I would repeat my standard advice on electro acoustics, BTW. Buy a fantastic acoustic which you love, and put an LR Baggs M1A pickup on it. It will sound better than any factory made electro.
VernierCaliper says
Anyone else do that Twang thang and fit their own pick-up? It has to be a reliable gigging guitar – any pitfalls to look out for?
Twang says
Yeah done it. The hardest bit with the Baggs is drilling the end hole! Get a Lowden they come pre drilled. Dave Gilmour uses one so it’s good enough for me. If you are striking distance from Herts I’ll help you. I did @Feedback File’s Baby Taylor and it is a beaut.
davebigpicture says
I asked about this recently.
Of course, my son chose something completely different but I know someone else who bought the same guitar and rates it very highly.
http://www.faithguitars.com/guitars/by-series/naked-series/product/125-fkv-venus-concert-cutaway-electro