Need to find a bass shop in london

Glassjaw20 · #1 01-14-2009, 11:37 PM

I just landed in London and found out that the airline has lost my bass. i have a full schedule of gigs around europe asnd need to find a replacement for my lost Wal Mach I. i know its a longshot but does anyone know where i can find one or any good bass shops in london?????

Friendly_Ghost · #2 01-15-2009, 01:02 AM

Hey, that's tough - good luck with a replacement. The highest concentration of guitar and bass shops that I know of is around Denmark Street. A location with some real music history attached and well worth a visit anyway.

All the best!

sound of bass · #3 01-15-2009, 01:32 AM

Dammmmnn, sorry I cant help im in the USA, but dammmnn. I wish you well.

albertofrog · #4 01-15-2009, 01:39 AM

The Bass Centre,
9 Morocco Street, London, SE1 3HB
Tel: 020 7357 7704

HalfManHalfBass · #5 01-15-2009, 01:45 AM

Go to Camden Town, Royal College Street, Shop is called: The Bass Gallery. Ask for Alex, they even have a used Wal in stock at the moment. It's the best specialist bass shop in England, don't waste your time and money ANYWHERE else, Denmark Street is NOT what it was 10-15 years ago believe me. (I'm a Londoner!)

sir juice · #6 01-15-2009, 02:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HalfManHalfBass

Go to Camden Town, Royal College Street, Shop is called: The Bass Gallery. Ask for Alex, they even have a used Wal in stock at the moment. It's the best specialist bass shop in England, don't waste your time and money ANYWHERE else, Denmark Street is NOT what it was 10-15 years ago believe me. (I'm a Londoner!)

+10000

If you can't find anything you want in the gallery, maybe try the bass cellar on denmark street as long as you don't mind awful service. Some of their stock is alright.

The bass centre doesn't exist anymore.

MSTRKRFT · #7 01-15-2009, 02:27 AM

Go to Denmark Street... Its great street, named after the greaaaaaaaaaaaaaaatest country in the woooorld

catwig1 · #8 01-15-2009, 02:43 AM

The best bass shop in London is the Gallery in Camden:

http://www.thebassgallery.com/

Denmark street is OK but the service and options are much better at the Gallery.

ga_edwards · #9 01-15-2009, 03:10 AM

Denmark Street (or Tin Pan Alley) isn't what it was anymore I'm afraid. Infact, it's gotten so bad I've stopped bothering to even go there if I'm in the area. It feel like a wasted journey everytime. It was at one point one of the most famous places in the world for it's ripe musical culture and history, but now is a sad reflection of what once was. Virtually all the shops there (that are left) are owned by the same company, so you can haggle for prices like you could in the past. It's basically one big, average, music store split into several shops. The Bass Cellar there does have some decent stock, but the service, prices and staff are awful. I wouldn't deal with them unless it was my last option, (which in your case it may be).

Bass Centre, again, was a great store once, possibly the best bass specialist in the UK, but they've been through a 'transitional' period lately, what with various moves etc, and I think that the internet has really affected them. Worth getting to if you can though, they have some real nice stock. Always helpful and a pleasure to deal with. Last time I bought a bass from them, they got me and my family a cup of tea whilst I was trying it out

Only thing is with them is I'm not sure if that address as posted above is an actual shop anymore. They used to be in Wapping years ago, then moved into the City near Liverpool St. That shop is now empty. Now their website says they have a registered address of Morocco St SE1, but the company blurb says they are still at the Liverpool St site, which they clearly aren't. I have heard that they went internet only, so please call them before you make a wasted journey - 020 7357 7704. If they do indeed have an actual bricks and mortar shop, like I say they are super helpful. If you explain your situation, they may even loan you a bass (for a deposit) until you get yours back.

Bass Gallery - Is really your best bet these days, especially if you know exactly what you are after. They seem to be one of the only bass specialists that haven't gone down the route of "let's get some cheap chinese no-names in to attract the kids". They really care about their customers, their stock, and their brand. Again, explain situation, see if they will loan. Plus, it's Camden. You can't come to London and not visit Camden.

Jools4001 · #10 01-15-2009, 03:20 AM

So out of 8 replies, 4 are for the Bass Gallery...ooops, plus mine of course so that's 5

eshears · #11 01-15-2009, 03:29 AM

Plus mine...that's 6!

Mark Latimour · #12 01-15-2009, 03:44 AM

Avoid the bass centre's online store. I ordered a set of 1 foot long patch cables from them in early december that were "in stock", they took until after Christmas too ship (after I sent them an email) and they sent 10cm long cables instead of the 1 foot cables advertised. When I contacted them about a refund I got no respond. I would highly recommend not doing business with that company anymore. If they can't get basic customer service and ordering right, then they have no business. FWIW.

mr_russ · #13 01-15-2009, 03:49 AM

Another +1 for the gallery - I wouldn't bother going anywhere else in London

casio · #14 01-15-2009, 03:54 AM

not a Londonner but the cellar and everything else in Denmark street and the vicinity as awful every time I was there in the last 4-5 visits! Horrible service, and the goods arent that fantastic!
+1 for the gallery

cnltb · #15 01-15-2009, 04:03 AM

I think the bass center has gone bust...
The one shop there is , is the Gallery in Camden Town (1 minute walk from camden road station)
142 Royal college Street.
There is nothing else in London, that is any good, as far as I know

Shaun_Bass0 · #16 01-15-2009, 05:17 AM

It says a lot about a shop when theres a sign on the till that says "Need a bass? Short of cash? Then stop wasting my time" or words to that effect, not naming any names *cough*Bass Cellar*cough*

Mr Venus · #17 01-15-2009, 05:59 AM

Completely agree, the Bass Gallery is the best of a poor bunch. But if you do go to Denmark St, then Regent Music is better than the Bass Cellar, which it's opposite.

**Mark Wilson** · #18 01-15-2009, 05:59 AM

Off to misc we go
Off to misc we go
Hi-Ho the derrey-o,
Off to misc we go

ga_edwards · #19 01-15-2009, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cnltb

I think the bass center has gone bust...

I'm not entirely sure. Their website is still up and trading, home page changes every now and then with new deals. I've heard talk they went t'internet only. Which is a real shame if they have, as they were fantastic, and I was a proud and loyal customer.

kevin_lindsay · #20 01-15-2009, 10:47 AM

The Gallery in Camden - it's where the pro's go, and where I have been buying my bass gear for the past 15 years.