england's best folk guitar shop

Subject: england's best folk guitar shop
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 10 Jun 14 - 10:16 PM

supposing you were looking for your dream guitar - one that performed and recorded well, you wanted a really terrific selection of really good high end acoustic guitars to choose from - where would you go?

Subject: RE: england's best folk guitar shop
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Jun 14 - 10:19 PM

Cash Converters ???

Subject: RE: england's best folk guitar shop
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 10 Jun 14 - 10:38 PM

Probably Manson Guitars in Exeter....they usually have a good selection of higher-end models, including a few by Andy Manson himself.

Can't think of anywhere better in your neck of the woods.

Subject: RE: england's best folk guitar shop
From: alex s
Date: 11 Jun 14 - 02:44 AM

Promenade Music Morecambe

Subject: RE: england's best folk guitar shop
From: Mr Red
Date: 11 Jun 14 - 03:03 AM

If this is your area - http://intersoundguitars.co.uk/ Intersound Dursley Gloucestershire. I find them most engaging. We only use them to put Stroud Ceilidhs poster up and the odd purchase of strings for friends' "thankyou" gifts. They don't seem too pushy but are working musicians locally. They carry at least 4 left-hand acoustics (didn't count the electrics).
Best is a nebulous term but I rate quality of service, knowledge, and personality as far more important than numbers, though choice must be attractive. They have a lot of choice.
One I would soundly NOT recommend is World Guitars in Stonehouse Gloucs. Mostly electric guitars and the owner had that air of superiority when I spoke to him. Others I have sent his way regard him as a name dropper. More ready to tell you who he knows than talk guitars. And that came from a guy whose son is in an internationally successful heavy metal band and has guitars coming out of his ears and knows a lot of those "names". Both were unimpressed.

Subject: RE: england's best folk guitar shop
From: GUEST,Musket
Date: 11 Jun 14 - 03:22 AM

If he's still around, Dave Mann Music on Mansfield Rd in Nottingham.

These days, Electro Music in Doncaster is a good port of call. I bought a guitar a couple of months ago from a small dealer in the corn exchange in Leeds, and just can't recall his name. His shop was recommended.

Subject: RE: england's best folk guitar shop
From: GUEST,c.g.
Date: 11 Jun 14 - 03:54 AM

Depends where your are! But if anywhere near Runcorn, or even not near Runcorn, Frailers is very highly recommended http://www.frailers.com/

Subject: RE: england's best folk guitar shop
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 11 Jun 14 - 04:12 AM

Without doubt the Acoustic Music Company in Brighton. Probably the best selection of high end acousic guitars and mandolins this side of Mars.

Check out their website if you don't believe me - http://www.theacousticmusicco.co.uk/

Subject: RE: england's best folk guitar shop
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Jun 14 - 04:58 AM

I would second the post above.
Frailers always have a great selection of guitars in stock. If you need to px a guitar great prices offered.

In my experience I would avoid like the plague the shops that advertise themselves as folk specialists. In my experience most of their decent guitars are hundreds of pounds more than the other guitar shops.

Subject: RE: england's best folk guitar shop
From: Leadfingers
Date: 11 Jun 14 - 05:19 AM

I have never had any problems with The Music Room in Cleckheaton - Got my Tanglewood from them

Subject: RE: england's best folk guitar shop
From: GUEST,Ed
Date: 11 Jun 14 - 07:17 AM

Without doubt the Acoustic Music Company in Brighton

If their incredibly piss poor website is anything to go by, I'd very much doubt it...

Subject: RE: england's best folk guitar shop
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 11 Jun 14 - 10:40 AM

I'd agree with Musket regarding Dave Mann on Mansfield Road in Nottingham.
Haven't been in ElectroMusic for a while but, last time I was there, it seemed to have a generally run-down look about the place, and they had nothing in the acoustic room that I would regard as a 'dream' guitar, or even 'really high-end'. Very disappointing.

Subject: RE: england's best folk guitar shop
From: Musket
Date: 11 Jun 14 - 10:59 AM

L~st time I was in Electro Music, granted it was about three years ago... The acoustic room wasn't too bad. I was tossing a coin between a Fylde and a Rainsong. The Rainsong won.

Subject: RE: england's best folk guitar shop
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 11 Jun 14 - 11:18 AM

Had they moved the acoustics downstairs when you were there? Not such a good set-up as when they were upstairs with the two booths for the 'good' guitars. Everything in one big room now.

I don't like buying from shops where any Tom, Dick or Harry can just walk in, take a nice guitar of the wall, and thrash seven bells out of it. That's why I like Dave Mann's - the 'high end' room is kept locked, and they only let people in with one of the staff in attendance. Keeps the tyre-kickers away.

Subject: RE: england's best folk guitar shop
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 11 Jun 14 - 11:57 AM

Ivor Mairants of Oxford Street, I learn with regret from Wikipedia, died in 1998 at age 90; but the Ivor Mairants Music Centre is still online, and presumably will maintain the standards he set. I am still playing the excellent Petersen Classical he sold me in 1977.

~M~

Subject: RE: england's best folk guitar shop
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 11 Jun 14 - 12:11 PM

They have some fine guitars, Michael - in particular, a number of Collings (American) and Brook (very nice English guitars)..

Subject: RE: england's best folk guitar shop
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Jun 14 - 12:58 PM

"Without doubt the Acoustic Music Company in Brighton

If their incredibly piss poor website is anything to go by, I'd very much doubt it..."

Don't know what you've got about the website ed but show me another which includes multiple quality photographs of every instrument they have (and have recently had) in stock together with audio files of many.

Perhaps you need a faster internet connection!

Subject: RE: england's best folk guitar shop
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Jun 14 - 02:06 PM

Sheehans of l3icester n3x4 to the station.

Subject: RE: england's best folk guitar shop
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 11 Jun 14 - 02:41 PM

Northern Acoustics in The Corn Exchange Leeds, has more Martin guitars than anywhere I've ever seen, they sell only acoustic guitars, nothing else.

Dave H

Subject: RE: england's best folk guitar shop
From: GUEST,Gibsonboy
Date: 11 Jun 14 - 02:58 PM

As stated above TAMCO in Brighton, is the only realistic option if you are talking high end guitars, but you need serious bucks to play. Other than that get on a plane go to Nashville and visit Gruhn Guitars, or Artisan Guitars in Franklin, they don't send the really good ones over here.

Subject: RE: england's best folk guitar shop
From: selby
Date: 11 Jun 14 - 03:17 PM

There are some good luthier's who don't have shops only workshops.Certainly the guy in the Corn Exchange in Leeds is worth a visit.As a non guitarist it don't matter where you buy it as long as it ticks your boxes.
Keith

Subject: RE: england's best folk guitar shop
From: GUEST,grumpy
Date: 11 Jun 14 - 03:25 PM

Wunjo in London's Denmark Street is a fantastic shop and the staff are very helpful.

Wunjo

Subject: RE: england's best folk guitar shop
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 11 Jun 14 - 03:37 PM

Gibsonboy: Much amused at your apparent conviction that the only good guitars emanate from the good ole US of A. Seem to have heard from somewhere that there is a country in SW Europe where one or two quite playable ones have been manufactured from time to time... Apart from mine, which came from that firm set up by a Dane once in NW England...

~M~

Subject: RE: england's best folk guitar shop
From: GUEST,silas
Date: 11 Jun 14 - 06:45 PM

Frailers in runcorn is the only place to buy a decent high end guitar.

Subject: RE: england's best folk guitar shop
From: GUEST,Guitar Lessons Nottingham
Date: 12 Jun 14 - 03:29 AM

http://davemann.co.uk

Subject: RE: england's best folk guitar shop
From: Mr Red
Date: 12 Jun 14 - 03:58 AM

Ask Mick Holditch from Cheltenham.
His search for his ultimate guitar is living proof of the Oscar Wilde epithet of "some people who find it better to travel hopefully, rather than arrive". Mick has gone to a lot of the better guitar shops over the years.

Subject: RE: england's best folk guitar shop
From: GUEST,c.g.
Date: 12 Jun 14 - 04:00 AM

Gibsonboy - "Other than that get on a plane go to Nashville and visit Gruhn Guitars, or Artisan Guitars in Franklin, they don't send the really good ones over here. " Fortunately people like Frailers go over there and get them.

Subject: RE: england's best folk guitar shop
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Jun 14 - 04:36 AM

Choose the guitar, not the shop!

Subject: RE: england's best folk guitar shop
From: GUEST,c.g.
Date: 12 Jun 14 - 04:43 AM

You need to be able to find the guitars in order to choose one, hence the links to shops.

Subject: RE: england's best folk guitar shop
From: Brian May
Date: 12 Jun 14 - 05:03 PM

Purchased my 000-28 from Electro-Music in Doncaster, but this was when the acoustic room was still upstairs.

Got to agree the selection is often less than inspiring though.

Subject: RE: england's best folk guitar shop
From: GUEST,Tony Rath aka Tonyteach
Date: 12 Jun 14 - 07:47 PM

Wunjos are good but Mairants is now owned by JHS and service is sulky and inefficient unless you want to spend 3k or so on a jazzer

Frailers looks the best option or the place in Brighton

Subject: RE: england's best folk guitar shop
From: cptsnapper
Date: 13 Jun 14 - 02:12 AM

Although he doesn't have a shop I'd recommend Richard Bartram: contact details on
http://www.richardbartram.com/

Subject: RE: england's best folk guitar shop
From: GUEST,Eric
Date: 13 Jun 14 - 03:11 PM

Rob Armstrong's front room in Coventry is a wonderful place to try out good hand made instruments at nowhere near the huge prices of US instruments. All made by Rob of course. In fact any good UK luthier will build you something unique and the experience of ordering it will be an additional thrill.

Subject: RE: england's best folk guitar shop
From: cptsnapper
Date: 16 Jun 14 - 06:28 AM

Another suggestion

‎Mark Linklater-Linklater Guitars

Subject: RE: england's best folk guitar shop
From: Will Fly
Date: 16 Jun 14 - 06:44 AM

If I was spending real money, as you would perhaps in The Acoustic Music Company (TAMCO) in Brighton, then I would go to a luthier and commission my own. Which is what I've done for the last 6 or 7 years.

TAMCO is an unusual shop in that it doesn't tend to stock the usual (American) makes of guitar other than the ones they've taken in p/x. So, the main range consists of small workshop guitars from individual American luthiers who the owner has met at shows and conventions - and (I believe) gets sole rights for UK distribution. Lots of choice, therefore - and lots of high-cost guitars. The owner doesn't care for makes like Martin and Lowden, for example.

My friendly luthier thought he would treat himself to an instrument as a contrast to making and playing his own. I went with him to sound out various makes. After spending an hour or so, he bought - a Lowden. Such is life.

TAMCO sells guitars, but it's heavyweight division is in mandolins, and I would guess he has the rarest, widest and most expensive selection of mandolins in the UK.

So I repeat: If I was spending real money, then I would go to a decent luthier and commission my own.

Subject: RE: england's best folk guitar shop
From: GUEST,Gibsonboy
Date: 16 Jun 14 - 06:06 PM

Problem is Will, as you will undoubtedly know, is that all guitars are different, what happens if you commission and don't like the finished product? Also guitars with unknown makers names on the headstock will not hold their resale value, like a Martin or equilivant will.

Frailers is a good middle of the road guitar shop, but it does not have the choice at the high end of the market. I checked them out Collins 1no, Santa Cruz 1no, they have no Bourgeois, Maton, Huss and Dalton, Froggy Bottom, Goodall, Olsens, etc so I would suggest to cg,silas, and mthgm, they are not really high end.

Subject: RE: england's best folk guitar shop
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 16 Jun 14 - 07:59 PM

Just taken Will's advice and commissioned a guitar from a local friendly luthier.....the same one that Will uses, oddly.

All I have to do now is concentrate on improving enough to be worthy of it, when it's made.

Gibsonboy: true, all guitars are different and it is quite possible to commission one and not like it. I already have a guitar from this luthier, Ian chisholm. It's this one:

Ian Chisholm Guitar No 30

Which was made for a customer who decided she didn't like it. It didn't lose much value when I bought it from her, and I've since been offered (twice) pretty much what I paid for it by people who've heard it, liked it, tried it out and made an offer, totally unaware of what its original price was. So IMO a good guitar will stand on its own merits, at least for some people, irrespective of whether it has a "known" name on the headstock.

Having been to a fair number of sessions where Ian's instruments are in evidence, I've had the opportunity to see, listen to and try several. They're all different, but they appear to perform very much to their original commissioning spec. The "no 30" I have, for instance, was commissoned to be a "light" finger-style guitar and responds best when played that way. It's not really made for chord thrashing in sessions, whereas the Chisholm that Will brings to many sessions is a very robust, loud instrument (again built to commissioner's requirements) that makes its presence felt (in a good way) in tunes sessions and among pub audiences.

So having seen Ian's versatility, I reckon if a good luthier understands clearly what the commissioner wants from the instrument, it's unlikely to be a disappointment.

Subject: RE: england's best folk guitar shop
From: Will Fly
Date: 17 Jun 14 - 04:36 AM

I agree with Rob - as you might expect, of course!

The other point to be made is that, if no-one ever took a punt and commissioned an instrument from scratch, the world of lutherie would be a pretty poor place. I think if you listen to the products of a luthier and are very careful about what you specify, there's a good chance you'll get what you want - and yet still be surprised, to some extent!

I've commissioned, in sequence, a tenor guitar, matching mandolin, parlour guitar and hollow-bodied electric from Ian. All have turned out as I expected - and all have pleasantly surprised me by having extra characteristics that occurred during the making process.

It's quite true, Gibsonboy, that a commissioned guitar could turn out differently from expected, but - if you take care in the specification and know the style and product of the luthier - that will be a rare occurrence. In the case of the lady who commissioned the guitar bought by Rob, there was a problem (for her) in the neck profile, which she hadn't expected. Her fingers were broken in childhood (stamped on by a horse), so she has very particular neck requirements. As far as I know, Rob has the same beautiful fingers he was born with, so the neck profile suits him fine!

When I commissioned the hollow-bodied electric, I wrote out a complete spec of what I wanted, down to the last dot on the fretboard. However, because the guitar is mainly to be played amplified, I left the choice of woods to Ian, specifying beauty rather than tone. He used English maple and cedar - and it looks and sounds great.

Chisholm No. 46

Subject: RE: england's best folk guitar shop
From: GUEST,Gibsonboy
Date: 17 Jun 14 - 05:20 AM

If you do find a luthier who you a happy with then sure it worth a commissioning. Personally, I have always preferred to play before I buy. I have only commission didn't once and it didn't work out to well, lost approx 50% on resale, so very wary now. I understand about specifications and the like but woods can compromise that very easily. My advice will always be try before you buy.

Subject: RE: england's best folk guitar shop
From: Will Fly
Date: 17 Jun 14 - 06:55 AM

Sorry to hear of your poor experience - I quite understand your viewpoint!

Subject: RE: england's best folk guitar shop
From: GUEST,MikeOfNorthumbria (sans cookie)
Date: 17 Jun 14 - 08:31 AM

If any of you guys ever venture as far north as Newcastle upon Tyne, check out The Guitar Shop in Old George Yard (just off the notorious Bigg Market).

In the main room downstairs you will find Brian - the friendly and knowledgeable proprietor - and some excellent acoustic instruments. Upstairs (access by invitation, serious customers only)there are some even more remarkable axes.

I've loved both the guitars I bought there. My son bought one too, which he still seems very happy with. If you're not ready to buy, and not entirely sure what you want (or need), Brian's advice is always helpful. And if your instrument ever gives you bother, he will either fix it himself, or point you towards someone who can.   

Wassail!

Subject: RE: england's best folk guitar shop
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Jun 14 - 02:13 AM

Dave manns guitar shop nottingham is gre a t great great!

Subject: RE: england's best folk guitar shop
From: GUEST,matt milton
Date: 18 Jun 14 - 04:38 AM

Speaking as a Londoner I have always been very disappointed (and slightly baffled) as to why there's such a dearth of good guitar shops here.

Having got my fingers burned a couple of times during the quest to find "My Perfect Guitar", I vowed never to buy a guitar unplayed ever again.

I still basically adhere to that rule, even though the closest I have got to "My Perfect Guitar" is one I ended up buying via mail-order from Thomann's: an all-solid mahogany Grand Auditorium size 12-fret-to-body by Recording King. Made in a Chinese factory, but bags more tone and character than any of the guitars I tried out in various London shops.

None of the Martins, Taylors and luthier-made guitars I played during my quest did it for me at all. Then again, I never tried out any all-mahogany models. I suspect that's what is key for me, I just like the sound of a 'hog'.

Subject: RE: england's best folk guitar shop
From: Will Fly
Date: 18 Jun 14 - 06:44 AM

To be honest, Matt, I doubt there's such a thing as a "perfect" guitar - even for one person. I have six guitars, ranging from a 1961 East German archtop to my latest hollow-body, with various acoustics and electro-acoustics in the middle. They each have their own characteristics and each fulfill a particular function. I suppose if one is concentrating on a particular style of music to the exclusion of everything else - as many people do - then one guitar will do.

I have an acoustic mid-jumbo for playing at sessions, another which records beautifully acoustically and can also be played electrically, a parlour guitar for more fingery-pickery stuff, and so on.

Subject: RE: england's best folk guitar shop
From: GUEST,Gibsonboy
Date: 18 Jun 14 - 07:52 AM

Its funny Matt Milton, but I have had the very same experience. I several expensive guitars which I do like, but the one I seem to play more than any is a Sigma 00015sm, which I bought via the Internet without first playing it. It broke all my rules but it was only £296 so I didn't mind too much. I too had never played an all mahogany guitar but for fingerstyle it has great balance and is extremely well made. They are well worth a look before spending mega bucks.

Subject: RE: england's best folk guitar shop
From: GUEST,matt milton
Date: 18 Jun 14 - 08:07 AM

just Googled - those Sigmas look nice. Very similar to my Recording King. I wonder if they're made in the same factory?

Recording King ROS616 mahogany

I like the guitar so much that I bought a more expensive model in the same range, which has identical specs but is Rosewood and Spruce, as everyone online said it was a wonderful guitar. Didn't like it at all, it just didn't seem as 'open' in its sound. One day I really need to try an all-mahogany dreadnought. (In fact, I have, but a Taylor, and Taylor's aren't exactly renowned for the big low-mid tones associated with mahogany guitars)

Subject: RE: england's best folk guitar shop
From: Pete Jennings
Date: 18 Jun 14 - 01:16 PM

Coda Music in Stevenage.

Subject: RE: england's best folk guitar shop
From: GUEST,Gibsonboy
Date: 18 Jun 14 - 05:58 PM

Matt, They do look very similar, I think the Rocrding KIng is a better spec, the Sigma is a ply back and sides has no body binding or rear centre seam, but otherwise very similar. It fingerpicks really well but wouldn't say it strums so good. I have read that Mahogany is a stiffer wood than Spruce so punches the sound out quicker and louder so that probably explains with it fingerpicks better than it strums. I think it is extremely good value for money and I wouldn't be without it now. Nice discussing guitars with you, regards, nigel

Subject: RE: england's best folk guitar shop
From: Will Fly
Date: 19 Jun 14 - 05:36 AM

Fascinating conversation, if you don't mind me saying so. I suppose everyone has their own opinions and ideas about the sound qualities of different woods - and, of course, these opinions are all very personal. What rarely get discussed are two other factors (a) the thinness or otherwise of the back and face and (b) the distance/resonance between back and face. So, for example, it doesn't necessarily follow that a big, heavy guitar produces a big, heavy sound. (This is not an oblique crit of Sigma or any other similar make, by the way, just a general observation).

One of the characteristics of the guitars that I own is that they are all, without exception, very light in weight because of the kind of wood used and the exceptional thinness of the back and sides in particular. I've handed them to people to try and they say they can't believe how light the guitars are. You might think that they would sound tinny and weak but, in fact, they are very powerful - not just in sound but, more importantly, in how that sound projects. There's a similar quality to some Lowden guitars I've tried. You can play them softly but the notes still project in an uncanny way. The danger, as Ian (luthier) says, is that the thinness might one day result in the guitar imploding, but I've had mine for several years and they're as robust as the day they were made!

I have a parlour-ish guitar (actually an 0 model) based on a 1910 Martin shape, which is incredibly powerful, given its size. The back and sides are cocobolo, which is a very resinous, dark streaked wood from Central America. When it's being bent in the heat machine, it exudes an oily resin which has to be sanded away. After bending and shaping it becomes very thin and hard - almost like iron. Not as bassy as rosewood, perhaps, but still pretty resonant. To be honest, I can't recall ever trying a mahogany-bodied guitar, and I must get out and do so sometime...

Subject: RE: england's best folk guitar shop
From: Musket
Date: 19 Jun 14 - 07:23 AM

This has morphed from best shop to best guitar.

In which case you are all wrong, of course. Nobody spends a couple of grand and then concedes there is something better for the money.

Rainsong OM10 with LR Baggs Elementis pickup

Period.