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Basses in London!?

#21
richnota said:
++++ on bass gallery in Camden. Great shop.

US basses were expensive to a Yank like me (exchange, tariffs, etc)...but the UK gear was beautiful. SEI basses are great!

Don't forget your scarf. I love London but even to a New Yorker its winter dampness can be very chilly
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I agree, with the FX rate the way it is right now...gear looks expensive to buy anyplace in Europe. :crying: The TB'er posting above is going in December, I'm more fortunate.....going at the end of September so weather should be much better. Several people have suggested checking-out SEI's though they look too expensive for my budget. However, I can still look!

Wannaflea said:
another +1 on bass gallery, Camden, very good,

Denmark Street as a whole is overpriced, but there's a shop there called Wunjo Guitars, and they will give brilliant deals (don't be put off by listed prices, if that makes sense?) and that's worth a visit!

Either way mate, have a great time in London, I (a teenager coming from the Channel Islands; very small buildings etc) recently visited New York, one of the best experiences of my life; standing on the roof of the Rockafella Building (as I sit here on my bed, I have a 'Top of the Rocks' sticker stuck to the wall next to me) is something that will stay with me forever, simply magical! And don't take that lightly, I'm one of the most cynical people you're ever likely to meet :P
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Thanks for the tip on Wunjo's.....I love a good barter session....let's make a deal!!

Nice imagery in your description of NYC! Do you write lyrics/songs? Sounds like you may have the start of something!

scarified said:
Don't forget to look at Status basses when you're there. The Bass Gallery in Camden usually has a few on hand (although last time I visited London they ended up with one less :-)
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Have never checked-out a Status either, so, thanks for the lead. Looks like if it becomes a choice between Denmark Street or the Bass Gallery, Bass Gallery wins.

One of the options I can afford is what they call over at BassChat "TangleWaters" (sorry TB, been double-dipping!). These are Overwaters made in Asia and checked/setup at the Overwater shop in the UK (like Sterling by MM in the US). They make a model called the Classic J which has a P/J configuration with tone, volume and blend controls. Sounds/looks interesting and I've never seen an Overwater in the states.
 
#22
Another endorsement of The Gallery here - I'm the proud owner of two Seis, and love the place. :)

About the higher prices - it works both ways. For the likes of Fender, Sadowsky and other US brands, yes, the UK is quite a bit more expensive. But have you seen what you have to pay in the US for a Warwick or a Status? They're way more expensive than they are in Europe, even with the high rates of VAT and so on.
 
#24
I think you'll be very disappointed with Denmark Street if you go there. It's still trading off it's reputation from the 60's and it's a shadow of its former self. Most of the shops have the same owner which means they also have the same stock. It really makes little sense. They're displayed poorly, customer service is generally poor, prices uncompetitive and choice limited. There is no 'wow' factor, particularly for bass. It's just not worth bothering with. :crying:
 
#25
I haven't spent much time on Denmark Street for a while - sounds like it's not worth bothering with. And I was looking at guitars rather than basses back then. I found it an interesting place to browse but not to really try or buy - the Bass Gallery, whilst I've not been there yet myself, seems much more like the sort of place that people who actually want to buy a bass would go to.
 
#28
LuvMusic said:
So, I'm heading to London on business at the end of September and it looks like I'll have a free Saturday....time to explore the bass scene!

I'm thinking about possibly buying a bass while I'm there.....something you either can't get in the US or is hard to get. A few options I've identified are:

- An Overwater / Tanglewood Classic or Contemporary J

- A Squier James Johnston Jazz (UK only)

- Italia Marnello or Rimini

- A Burns Bison RI

Not looking to spend big money and these seemed interesting. Any thoughts on this list? Any I should add or delete? What about suggestions on where I should look in London?

Any info, help and / or guidance will be appreciated!

Cheers!
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You only need one place in London.
: : : : : The Gallery - Bass Merchant London U.K. Bass Guitars, Bass Amplification and Bass Repairs, Camden London : : : : :
14s royal college street. Real near camden road station, or camden tube station ( which is a little further away..about 5 minutes walk)
Buses 29 253,214,46 go near. depending on where you are staying ,of course.
Denmark street is there too but it's a tourist trap with prices that are much too high. If you only have a little time in London I'd not waste it in Denmark street.
 
#30
The Bass centre moved. It killed it for me when they moved about 500 yards inside the congestion zone - not the most business savvy move ever!! Haven't gone there for years because of that plus I get all my stuff from the gallery now.

I may be wrong but I think it's mainly operating as a web business but think you can go there on a "by appointment only" basis.

Link Removed centre.com
 
#32
RandyMolson said:
lol :D

Took a peak a the London Criaigslist. The place reads like a vintage US guitar museum. Was toying with the idea of bringing one of my vintage instruments along to work out a cool swap, but looks like that market is saturated.

I wonder if London has a CL for the regular people.
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Not many people in the UK use Craigslist. The UK equivalent is Gumtree (Invalid Link Removed) - it's by the same people who do eBay Classifieds and Kijiji. Worth a look.
 
#33
richtea said:
thats why I couldnt find them when I was there. the only place I have ever seen 6 alembics, in stock!! And they had a JayDee bridge saddle in stock, that was really impressive.
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When the Bass Centre was in Wapping, it was a cool store. They had a relaxed attitude to people wanting to try instruments and you were able to just pick high end stuff up and try it out at will. It's where I had my Alembic dreams shattered, lusted after one for ages, tried about 6 of various types and couldn't find one I liked....Oh well, guess they just don't work for me. I also had my, still unrequited, lust for a Pentabuzz ignited there. I also bought quite a bit of Trace Elliot stuff there. Fun while it lasted.

But now it's moved, I'm with all the others. The Bass Gallery is the only place in town that is truly worth a visit. Years ago, I saw a documentary that was aimed at school aged kids called 'making it', showing the whole process of Martin Petersen making a Sei 5 string Flamboyant for Yolande Charles. I watched it over and over again until the video tape I had recorded it on got chewed up - wish I could find another copy. I have lusted after a Sei ever since, but the closest I've come to getting one was to have Martin refurbish my Ric 4001 and turn my Eggle Milan into a nice fretless. It's a great place.
 
#35
Ah yes, the old Bass Centre in Wapping. Even as a non-bass player at the time I found myself browsing and drooling. Even more so though when going to the Acoustic Centre at the back of the shop - that's where I bought my Taylor way back in 2000. It was a great relaxed shop, with friendly staff who'd let you try any instrument. They even made my wife a cup of tea while I was busy! Shame they changed location and business model, but I guess they were just moving with the times.
 
#36
SoVeryTired said:
Ah yes, the old Bass Centre in Wapping. Even as a non-bass player at the time I found myself browsing and drooling. Even more so though when going to the Acoustic Centre at the back of the shop - that's where I bought my Taylor way back in 2000. It was a great relaxed shop, with friendly staff who'd let you try any instrument. They even made my wife a cup of tea while I was busy! Shame they changed location and business model, but I guess they were just moving with the times.
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I think thehe bass center has changed business model yet again. I from, "oh well..." to "gone".
Correct me if I'm wrong
 
#37
I think the bass centre are still trading. I get the impression they still have a shop floor, you just can't walk in off the street and most of their business is online.

I may be way off the mark, just the impression I get looking at their site.

Not what it was either way, can't say I'm bothered though - gallery baby - thats where it's at.... :)
 
#38
Paddy said:
I think the bass centre are still trading. I get the impression they still have a shop floor, you just can't walk in off the street and most of their business is online.

I may be way off the mark, just the impression I get looking at their site.

Not what it was either way, can't say I'm bothered though - gallery baby - thats where it's at.... :)
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Link Removed
 
#39
Mind you, their site seems to have gone a bit weird. Almost impossible to find anything that isn't in their August offers which suggests maybe they're just importing and selling specific models now.

Oh well, no big problem - we'd already decided the Bass Gallery is where it's at. :)
 
#40
Thanks for sharing your experiences about the Gallery and Bass Centre...not only is it helpful, it's a good "read!" I have to say I have the impression that the "bass scene" in the London area seems much more active than here in the Chicago area. The smaller stores are pretty much gone.

There is a store here which sounds like the Gallery named Bass Club Chicago. A very nice place. Lakland also has it's factory in Chicago and they are very nice to visitors, however, it is a production facility and not setup for sales. Otherwise it's Guitar Center.

Checked out the Bass Centre site and they do list an address on one of their pages. Most of their basses seem to be a "Bass Centre" store brand....is that correct? Anyway,the "Wyman" bass they had listed on their home page looked kind of interesting. Anybody have any insight or experience with it? Here's the link: Bass Centre 'Wyman' Bass

I still like the idea of an Overwater (Tanglewater). Seems like Chris May and Overwater are held in high regard in the UK and the Gallery carries the line.....looks like a good match. I'm also interested in a Burns Bison. My first bass was a Bison. The bad news is the last run seems to be sold out and the next batch is not due until November.

Also, my "Made in the UK" Ashdown Little Bastard is lonely....needs a bass partner from the UK! :p

Keep the help and discussion coming....this is very helpful!

Cheers!
 

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