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Guitar shops in London?

#21
I've had horrendous experiences at the Bass Cellar. The old guy is so, so rude. The youngish girl is generally okay, but had one run in with her (speak about that in a minute) but the foreign gentleman has always been really friendly and helpful.

On one occasion, I saw the Warwick Buzzard, and asked to play it. The old guy said I could...only if I bought it! When I asked him why, he said someone wanted to buy it and was coming back in a few days. The foreign guy said 'come on, let him play' and took it down for me. On other occasions I've heard this old guy talking rubbish to other people. The girl looked me up and down and said "You know it's £900....." when I asked to play the Gary Willis sig. I may only be 22 but I've bought and sold enough basses in this price range to be quite offended.

Horrible shop. Some nice basses but terrible sales ethic.


Gallery = brilliant!
 
#23
Regarding the bass center..

I will comment by saying, the Gallery has the best service in London. Martin is a saint and a pro. I've received less than exemplary service at the bass center. Your opinion may be different Bruce, but sales people there come and go. Martin IS the Gallery and he ain't going nowhere!:rolleyes:

Unfortunately my experiences there were less than perfect, once bitten twice shy bro!:D
 
#24
I have to agree with everyone about the Gallery - it's by far the best shop in London.
The service and advice is second to none but it is a bit of an odd shop - I've never seen so many basses in such a small area .
The bass centre is OK but not as good as it used to be when it was in Wapping but they do have some nice instruments.

The shops in Denmark street are all way over priced - it's become a bit of a tourist attraction.
 
#25
Well - the Gallery is excellent from a customer service point of view and I've chatted away to Martin - but they've never had the sort of basses I'd actually want to buy ...

Whereas the Bass Centre has always had what I wanted or been able to get it in for me to try. :)
 
#26
Agreed - The Gallery and The Bass Centre are the places to go. But as a proud owner of a Sei Bass, I am slightly biased in my view of Martin and Alex! :D The Bass Centre are fantastic too, if you want good service, ask to speak to James - top guy. I have had many favours from them over the years, as well as cheap strings, hefty discounts on gear and lots more. I miss their shop in Wapping, though... the place near Liverpool St just isn't as nice a place to hang out. I used to look forward to my little jaunts on the East London Line!

Nobody's mentioned Sound Control on Oxford St yet, under the Virgin Megastore. They have a good range of basses, mostly Fenders, Music Men, Ibanez, Schecter and Spector (they're the only authorised UK dealer for Spector), as well as lots of good amps. They're not as nasty and money-driven as the people in Denmark St, and they're fairly cheap and open to some haggling, although some of the staff are less than knowledgeable.
 
#27
purfektstranger said:
I will be in the UK in late March for about a week and was wondering if there were any decent musical instrument shops worth checking out in London. Not really interested in acquiring anything but always on the lookout nonetheless. Last time I was there I think I recall a seeing a few guitar stores off Oxford street but I could be wrong.

Thanks!
Click to expand...
The place you're thinking of is Denmark street. There are lots of music stores there. It's already been covered in this thread. And a quick walk from there, is a Virgin Megastore. Take the escalator down, and there is another shop, I think it's the biggest in England, called sound control. It's got some alright stuff. You'll have to find out exactly where these are, because I can't remember exactly how to get there, because I take the bus from right near my house.
 
#28
XO-Bionic said:
Nobody's mentioned Sound Control on Oxford St yet, under the Virgin Megastore. They have a good range of basses, mostly Fenders, Music Men, Ibanez, Schecter and Spector (they're the only authorised UK dealer for Spector), as well as lots of good amps. They're not as nasty and money-driven as the people in Denmark St, and they're fairly cheap and open to some haggling, although some of the staff are less than knowledgeable.
Click to expand...

And them! I went in with my own bass to try a particular amp out, the guy in there plugged me in, said, 'make as much noise as you want', and left me to it! THERE's service!
 
#29
Bruce Lindfield said:
Well - the Gallery is excellent from a customer service point of view and I've chatted away to Martin - but they've never had the sort of basses I'd actually want to buy ...

Whereas the Bass Centre has always had what I wanted or been able to get it in for me to try. :)
Click to expand...

Well being manager of The Gallery I would say that we stock most major brands of basses and bass amplification, and some of the more obscure and harder to get gear, and are always happy to order in stock for customers to try. Space has been an issue for us in the past but plans are in motion for an expansion of our floor space

alex
 
#31
alexcar66 said:
Well being manager of The Gallery I would say that we stock most major brands of basses and bass amplification, and some of the more obscure and harder to get gear, and are always happy to order in stock for customers to try. Space has been an issue for us in the past but plans are in motion for an expansion of our floor space

alex
Click to expand...

After reading this, I went along to the website and it does look as if you have some really good stuff now Alex!

I haven't been along to your shop for a few years now and I am more intrested in the Acoustic/Upright area - but I noticed an Eminence on the website and some interesting amplification ideas.

I have decided that I shall take a day off work in the next month (March) to come along and have a look! :)

See you soon!
 
#32
I just went to the Bass Cellar on Denmark St. I have to say, the sales people were really very nice, very helpful and bent over backwards to get me what I wanted. In fact, when I asked for a new P bass in a color they didn't have in the shop, they literally went out to their other store and got it for me while I waited. It looks like they have made some changes in personnel and service standards.
 

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