So after being a particularly lucky boy this christmas and a payday coming up very shortly, I am in the market for new guitar and amp, as I'm feeling whilst it has done a great job my Squier starter kit is showing its limitations, especially the amp as you can imagine! However this isn't a "what shall I get" question because I'm going to do it properly and go to a shop to try the gear first. Which brings me to the question.

I am almost totally clueless on reputable shops to visit, the only place I know of with a large collection, especially of Fenders is GAK however with me not being able to drive and it being in Brighton and me in Gloucestershire it is somewhat of a mission! So has anyone had any good experience of stores in the south west? I could also deal with missioning to London or Birmingham if needed, even though I'd rather not have to go that far up the M5

Anything you guys might know of would be much appreciated!

GuitarGuitar have a store in Epsom, and another in Birmingham. They have a huge selection of gear Joe, prices are usually very competitive. http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/

Hi Snowjoe: I'm guessing Snowy's suggestion is probably the one you'll go with.

But if not, then obviously I can give you a list of places to try in London, mostly in and near Denmark Street.

And since you mention the South West; I don't know if your travels ever bring you as far down as Exeter? My favorite guitar shop in the world is Mansons in McCoy's Arcade. Fabulous top end gear including plenty of boutique as well as the mainstream, and amongst other things a wall full of Hugh Manson's amazing hand-built guitars. Recommended:

www.mansons.co.uk/

If you did come to Exeter then there's also Project Music and MusicRoom as well - you could make a day of it:

http://www.projectmusic.net/

Some possibilities...

Cheers - C
http://www.musicroom.com/exeter

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Much appreciated guys, looks like I need to pick which end of the M5 I want to go to!

That being said Ceri your suggestion may just be a little too tempting causing me to spent much more money than I perhaps should Maybe I'll wait a couple of paydays and get a bit more cash in the bank

Yeah I'm gonna take a pop into the Gloucester stores anyhow, you never know what you might find, and it is only a short bus ride away, even if it does mean going deep into the heart of Jeremy Kyles waiting room (I imagine that will lose some overseas members ). I find its not so much finding a decent selection of guitars thats the problem, more finding somewhere that stocks a decent selection of amps around here.

Cheers!

Ah, then avoid the guitar shops in Denmark Street at all costs. Every one of them is like being live on Jeremy Kyle's show, especially on a Saturday afternoon!

Seriously though, Joe: I'd give your local shop a chance. You have no idea how far small town guitar shops have come in the last few decades (I wonder if it is the same Stateside?). When I was a kid anywhere outside the capital would stock about three solid state amps, a wall full of no-name copy guitars and perhaps a real Fender and a Gibson behind the counter - which you weren't allowed to touch.

Nowadays by contrast I pop into Forum user ClassicRock92's local guitar shop (Hartnoll's) down in far away Plymouth; it is still quite small but filled with grown-up Marshalls, Fenders, Gibsons, PRSs and umpteen other gear to make a guy's heart sing.

There's never been a better time to be into this stuff, no matter where you live.

Shop happy! - C

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2 superb stores in Birmingham..

The afore mentioned Guitar Guitar on the Hagley Road, and PMT on Dartmouth Middleway just outside the Centre. Both are mega-stores. But PMT is an epic place with a huge guitar wall + amps + effects, and also drums, keyboards, recording, PA equipment also spilling out the door.

But I guess realistically, you're not going to beat the range you'll find in the Capital City.

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Fender Highway & Classic 60s Strats, Fender Toronado, Telecaster, Gretsch Projet, Charvel 3, PRS SE Soapbar II & Custom 24, Burns Batwing and many others!

Also a couple of jobs I see advertized at the Epsom store, should anyone be from around that area
http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/news/arti ... ?id=117335

Theres a PMT in Bristol. If the shop is as good as my local PMT there is a very large choice from varied brands in both amps and guitars.
And +1 for guitar guitar in Birmingham. Big sellection again. Piss poor car parking though.

Hi adey: I doubt that's true any longer. I've a feeling you are in the same age bracket as me: when we were young it was a fact that for a good selection of top end gear you just had to head for London. Everywhere else was the stix.

But in my experience around the country that has completely changed. In fact, in London we don't have giant guitar superstores like the ones you named at all. It is true there is a large place in Wembley but I've never been there because North-West London is too much of a schlep for most of us. Aside from that I suppose cumulatively Denmark Street adds up to a superstore with each individual shop as a department - and that probably explains why we don't have a guitarguitar or a GAK or a PMT.

But still, these days if I lived within reach of Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow or Newcastle there would be no reason in the slightest to feel second best. And as I mentioned even Exeter, which I knew as a kid as a desperate, dreary backwater, now has three very fine shops full of superb stuff.

It's all become very good!

Cheers - C

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Even if I don't agree with the phrase I'm about to use, but "that made me LOL".

Happy shopping, mate!

Cheers,

Nutter

Hi Ceri..

No, I've never felt short-changed for music shops whilst living in Birmingham. It is the 2nd UK City afterall. As one superstore goes out of business - "Sound Control", "Reverb" etc, another takes it's place. "Guitar Guitar" is the latest. I keep seeing the same old staff recycled into the latest shop. With GG and PMT we Brummies certainly have no cause for complaint. We have a few interesting little shops in the jewelry quarter as well, with good techs and less usual brands. Even some of the suburbs have little shops too (God knows how they manage to stay in business) - I'm negotiating with one by me to join their 2 part time coaches, and teach beginner level classical guitar.

But I guess I have always assumed that London was the place to go, even though I've never shopped there myself. Denmark Street still seems to have that reputation and guys like Chas Chandler, Dave Durnley and so on are based there..

I'm sure Snowjoe will be well catered for for wherever he ends up.

You guys need to come to an understanding over your avatars - most confusing at times..

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Fender Highway & Classic 60s Strats, Fender Toronado, Telecaster, Gretsch Projet, Charvel 3, PRS SE Soapbar II & Custom 24, Burns Batwing and many others!

Hee-hee - yeah, I know! Occasionally I've even read a post of Snowjoe's and scratched my head wondering when I'd written it - before realising. Still, I'm not possessive: I can share!

Meanwhile. I always had a fancy to learn a bit of classical guitar. But Birmingham might be a bit far to go...

Cheers - C

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A good rule is if it is packed with useful information rather than sounding slightly like a lost boy then it is probably Ceri and not myself

Popped into a guitar shop in Cheltenham earlier which had a surprisingly large selection of Fender gear, all of which is beautiful, however not the one strat I particularly wanted to try. However it has made me realise one important thing......




....it is essential that I also buy a telecaster too, I only have 1 guitar as of now but I think I've planned out the next 7

Since a year ago it became possible for Forum users to upload their own avatars I think it has become kinda chic to still have one of the old style Fender-designated avatars. I have no plans to change mine - after all, if I did, how would people know it was me? ...Or you.

Meanwhile: yes, you need a Tele. Not only but also (as the saying goes).

Cheers - C

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