Hello folks, hope you're all doing fine!

Nutter is being very busy at the moment and can sadly not be with his forum friends very often, but he's dropping in every now and then and enjoying the helpful and informative banter! Right on, chaps!

Now. Since I am in London quite often, maybe some of you can give me some tips on which shops to spend a lot of time in and which not to. I'd be most appreciative! Maybe on a day off I'll be able to put those ideas and tips into reality and visit this legendary street! Know not what I'm talking about? Ah, co-ordinates are so fascinating... 51.515254,-0.129554
I'm after acoustic steelstrings, electric "strat" type models and amps, as an info. But I'm also always keen to learn and see new things so all input is welcome!

Well, lads and ladies! Recommendations? Warnings?

Thank you says:

-Nutter

Avoid the Music Ground shops, if their still there. Justin What's-his-face is apparently a big rip off merchant.

_________________
No no and no

Luckily, they ain't.

In fact, Music Ground's old Denmark St premises now belong to a new branch of Macaris, so that's good news all round. (Did I ever mention that Mr Macari Senior's wife does my wife's nails, waxing and other such mysterious womanly procedures? small world.)

I'd also want to look in on Macaris' original Charing Cross Road shop, if only for the '60s cred history of the place. Mssrs Macari Senior and Junior are both knowledgeable and amusing if you catch them in a talkative mood.

Nutter, you can find all the shops in and around Denmark Street for yourself without me needing to list them. Though for something a bit different don't miss the Early Music Shop upstairs at 11 Denmark St, above Rose Morris (separate entrance). Some of those lutes, harpsichords and things are so flippin' gorgeous!

For something else slightly away from the mainstream you could check out Chappell's of Bond Street - now confusingly located in Wardour Street. They moved but kept the original full name, no doubt because they had a stack of old stationary they wanted to use up. So I suppose they are now Chappell's-of-Bond-Street-of-Wardour-Street. Simple when you know... Anyhow; Fenders and Gibsons and stuff of course, but they are also a main dealer for Yamaha, so some good high end things to see you don't always find elsewhere. Also a handy source for conductors' batons, if you have any classical music buff friends for whom you are struggling to think of Christmas presents. You'd be surprised how successful that particular gift can be: hours of private fun air-conducting their favourite CDs. Hee-hee...!!

A last suggestion within striking distance of where you currently find yourself. In the past I have failed to hit it off with the grumpy people in Ivor Mairant's in Rathbone Place, but they are the premier outlet for distributor JHS's vast stable of guitar related brands, including Vintage and also Trev Wilkinson's own FretKing range. And they also do a line in exclusive US jazz guitar names such as D'Angelico, Benedetto, D'Aquisto, Collings and others.

And further up Rathbone Place is a famous and zany folk/celtic/bluegrass type instrument shop the name of which temporarily escapes me. [EDIT: Hobgoblin Music] Worth a glance if you are nearby.

There. That lot should keep you busy for an afternoon or two...

Cheers - C

Thanks, chaps! Well, I am certainly clevererer now - I'll probably be mostly window-shopping but when that magical moment arises, I'll be prepared! Maybe friday afternoon, we'll see!

Now, apart from catching some sleep I will swiftly commence thinking hard of any conductor friends whom I can give such an exquisite gift! I sold them once (the batons, not the friends), it is amazing what variety is available, one should think it's a bit of plastic with a round bit at the bottom, but no!

Ah, back to bed, I'm starting to jabber.

Nicht all! And thanks again!

-Nutter