Need to find a bass shop in london

Discussion in 'Miscellaneous [BG]' started by Glassjaw20, Jan 15, 2009.

  1. Glassjaw20

    Glassjaw20 Guest

    Aug 17, 2008
    Los Angeles, CA
    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?????
     
  2. Friendly_Ghost

    Friendly_Ghost

    Feb 16, 2008
    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!
     
  3. Dammmmnn, sorry I cant help im in the USA, but dammmnn. I wish you well.
     
  4. The Bass Centre,
    9 Morocco Street, London, SE1 3HB
    Tel: 020 7357 7704
     
  5. HalfManHalfBass

    HalfManHalfBass

    Jan 21, 2003
    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!)
     
  6. sir juice

    sir juice

    Sep 11, 2006
    London, England
    +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.
     
  7. MSTRKRFT

    MSTRKRFT Guest

    Sep 24, 2008
    Copenhagen, Denmark
    Go to Denmark Street... Its great street, named after the greaaaaaaaaaaaaaaatest country in the woooorld :D:D:D
     
  8. catwig1

    catwig1

    Mar 4, 2001
    Brighton, UK
    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.
     
  9. ga_edwards

    ga_edwards

    Sep 8, 2000
    UK, Essex
    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.
     
  10. So out of 8 replies, 4 are for the Bass Gallery...ooops, plus mine of course so that's 5
     
  11. eshears

    eshears

    Jul 30, 2001
    Spokane, WA
    Plus mine...that's 6!
     
  12. Marlat

    Marlat

    Sep 17, 2002
    London UK
    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.
     
  13. mr_russ

    mr_russ Guest

    Nov 30, 2005
    Another +1 for the gallery - I wouldn't bother going anywhere else in London
     
  14. casio

    casio Guest

    Aug 1, 2007
    Croatia
    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
     
  15. cnltb

    cnltb

    May 28, 2005
    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
     
  16. Shaun_Bass0

    Shaun_Bass0 Guest

    Aug 11, 2008
    Berkshire, UK
    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*
     
  17. Mr Venus

    Mr Venus Guest

    Aug 23, 2005
    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.
     
  18. Mark Wilson

    Mark Wilson Supporting Member

    Jan 12, 2005
    Toronto, Ontario
    Endorsing Artist: Elixir® Strings
    Off to misc we go
    Off to misc we go
    Hi-Ho the derrey-o,
    Off to misc we go
     
  19. ga_edwards

    ga_edwards

    Sep 8, 2000
    UK, Essex
    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.
     
  20. 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.