Exposing the dodgy criminals behind two UK pedal brands

Ro_S

Buyer beware.

I wish to expose on this forum the names of two currently-operating UK effect pedal brands/marques that are operated/owned by two dodgy criminals.

I seek the permission of the forum's moderators before stating the pedal brands.  

I can prove my claim, and will demonstrate it with evidence.

The dodgy criminals concerned are Justin Harrison and Richard 'Rick' Harrison.  They do, or did, run a guitar shop in Denmark Street, called 'Music Ground'.  They were convicted in 2012 of handling thousands of pounds worth of stolen vintage guitars.  They initially pleaded not guilty but later admitted the charges. The story received national press and TV coverage.  (The court case reference number is 13CA0291009.)

Below are some links about this story:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2107289/Posh-music-shop-owners-hob-nobbed-celebrity-clients-convicted-1million-stolen-guitar-plot.html

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/crime/trail-of-stolen-guitars-led-to-leeds-1-4289238

http://www.davidjpym.com/page459.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mh1wBg_qntY

[edit] - plus http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/analysis/world-s-top-bands-once-again-turn-to-sound-of-yorkshire-amplifiers-1-2371161

Gassage

I despise these pair. Hate them

Ossyrocks

If this thread ran to 50 pages, you would be barely scratching the surface concerning the dealings of these two and their fellow conspirators over the last 20 to 30 years.

I only hope they both find out in the end that they are Replicants themselves.

lukedlb

I visited the guitar ranch 2 years back when my mate picked up a Marshall tremolo head and an encrypted vox wah. Lovely guitars and amps and I got the chance to play a 65 strat. I remember my mate commenting how the owner had lost some of his enthusiasm and was looking to sell off much of his gear. Not that he was completely brow beaten as he enjoyed the negotiation like a pro. But the available display would have been even more impressive with the stolen gear included.
While I'm at it, I recommend all vintage strat lovers to visit Flavio camorani's website. He plays in a floyd tribute but his first love is his unrivalled collection of fenders. His book of his collection thoroughly identifies every part of each guitar providing incredible source material for collectors. I've seen his collection twice on display and I was visibly moved.
Actually all forum members should visit north Italy as we have some dream guitar shops and these hidden delights mentioned above. Scolopendra in Bologna is my local guitar shop and keeps the dreams alive of all musicians and enthusiasts, unlike some of the supermarket guitar shops we also have.
As much as I love gossip, please be careful fellow fretters of any defamation, especially where prior convictees are concerned.

darcym

I don't see the point of this thread ? they are known and have been convicted, if there is something new as you say, then either explain it, or don't bother posting.

Sassafras

They do tattoos as well?

Who do they steal them from?

Moss

Meh, everyone knows JMI and the British Pedal Company are the same brand and owned by the Music Ground

They're both stocked at Hank's anyway

http://www.denmarkstreetonline.co.uk/product-details/JMI-All-Valve-Top-Boost-and-Reverb-unit

http://www.denmarkstreetonline.co.uk/product-details/British-Pedal-Company-Zonk-Machine-MKI

dogload

Sassafras said:

They do tattoos as well?

Just a couple of anchors, apparently.

simonk

This is pretty old and well documented news isn't it?

lukedlb

News to me. Any further links?

Ro_S

Some supplementary info...

 The Music Ground business ('MusicGround Limited', company number 04025129) is still currently a registered company.  

Official data states that this company was formed in 2000; that it is currently in liquidation with its winding up having commenced in 2010; and that the two sole directors since it was formed have been Richard Harrison and Justin Harrison.

Music Group currently asserts that it is "the UKs No.1 Vintage Guitar Dealer" and "the supreme court of rock n roll".

A business called 'Denmark Street Guitars' has a website (http://www.denmarkstreetonline.co.uk/), according to which its shop/address is: "Hanks Guitar Shop, 27 Denmark Street".  The website currently has sections or departments dedicated to: 'Music Ground'; 'Hank's Electric Guitars'; 'Hank's Bass'; and, 'Hank's Acoustics'.

 The guitar shop at 27 Denmark Street - formerly called Music Ground, until a few years years ago - is currently called 'Hank's Guitar Shop'.  

There is no such company registered in the name of either 'Hank's Guitar Shop', 'Hank's Electric Guitars' or 'Hank's Electrics'. This would suggest that these are merely trading names. 

Hank's Guitar Shop currently asserts: "We are a real shop. Our staff are real people. Actually, we've been a real shop for over a quarter of a century".

TimmyO

I'm confused - wasn't Hanks a perfectly good Denmark St shop of some repute for many years? 

darcym

am I missing something here ? this has gone from some cryptic story about two companies actually being the same business, to now a totally different shop that's just the old business renamed ?

Ro_S

darcym said:

am I missing something here ? this has gone from some cryptic story about two companies actually being the same business, to now a totally different shop that's just the old business renamed ?

my last post is merely a supplementary.  i have presented some facts, nothing more.  if one wishes to interpret something from that, then that is one's prerogative.

i have not yet set out the intended crux of the thread.

EdGrip

Well, I don't know about everyone else, but I'm on the edge of my seat. 

darcym

Ro_S said:

darcym said:

am I missing something here ? this has gone from some cryptic story about two companies actually being the same business, to now a totally different shop that's just the old business renamed ?

my last post is merely a supplementary.  i have presented some facts, nothing more.  if one wishes to interpret something from that, then that is one's prerogative.

i have not yet set out the intended crux of the thread.

you've resurrected 3 other old threads to point at this thread ?? what's going on here ? what's the aim or discussion point you're trying to have ?

EdGrip

Apparently the two pedal companies have already been named in the Sunday Mail in Scotland. 

simonk

Boo! Was looking forward to a Poirot style reveal.

Moss

This hasn't got anything to do with the fact that you distribute Sharptone, direct competitors to JMI/BPC, has it?

IvisonGuitars

The plot thickens.....

LooseMoose

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