London shops for acoustic guitars

roundthebend

I'm planning a trip in August with my brother in law to both pick up a new (to us) acoustic guitar around the £500 price range.

We're saying London because it's easy enough to get to for us and we assume the choice will be best. Are we right? Is there anywhere else easily commutable from Peterborough that we should consider?

Assuming London is the best option, where should we head to for selection? I assume Denmark Street is still the main hub, any particular shops?

VimFuego

Coda music in Stevenage, just off the A1. Been years since I was last there, but I understand they have a dedicated acoustic shop now.

roundthebend

VimFuego said:

Coda music in Stevenage, just off the A1. Been years since I was last there, but I understand they have a dedicated acoustic shop now.

Cheers Vim. We could do that on the way down, or way back I guess.

Mellish

What about Breeve  Music and Ashton Music Ltd? They're actually on your doorstep.

But if you're going to London anyway, you could try Denmark Street. Frailers are down that way, GuitarGuitar. Coda as Vim there says, Guitar Village. Some are an extra trek but do-able  

crunchman

Denmark Street is nowhere near as good as it used to be.  I think Wunjos has a reasonable reputation, and there is something on Rathbone Place (about 3 or 4 minutes walk) where Ivor Mairants used to be.

Personally I'd head to the Guitar Guitar in Camden rather than Denmark Street if I was going into London.

Having said that, I think @VimFuego ; was right in suggesting Coda.  They are probably better than any of the London shops, and nearer to Peterborough.

roundthebend

Mellish said:

What about Breeve  Music and Ashton Music Ltd? They're actually on your doorstep.

But if you're going to London anyway, you could try Denmark Street. Frailers are down that way, GuitarGuitar. Coda as Vim there says, Guitar Village. Some are an extra trek but do-able  

Nobody I know in Peterborough talks about Breve music for guitars. And Ashton isn't a shop, it was just an importer and warehouse - I nearly got a job there years ago when I was making a career change and needed something to tie me over.

bertie

Mellish said:

 Frailers are down that way

they be in Runcorn  don't em ? 

MSedg

Agree with comments above - Denmark St is a sad shell of what it used to be, even from a few years ago when I lived in London. Wunjo is ok and I’ve bought from there before. Camden Guitarguitar is better and has a decent selection. Coda gets my vote as pick of the bunch. Guitar Village is ok, with a decent selection and some nice stuff. But they’re further out from central London and they flogged me a guitar with a completely loosened truss rod which had allegedly been “set up” not too long ago, so I’m not thoroughly recommending them. 

idiotwindow

How about Music Street in Huntingdon? I've never used them so I don't know how good they are but the shop is much closer to Peterborough.

DavidR

Yamaha Music, Wardour St, Soho. Guitars are downstairs. Quite good fun to doodle on the shiny keyboard thingies too!! :-)

Mellish

@bertie ; - possibly  

breezytele

MAK’S guitars in Rathbone Place is definitely worth a look (and it’s very close to Denmark street)

sev112

breezytele said:

MAK’S guitars in Rathbone Place is definitely worth a look (and it’s very close to Denmark street)

And then walk 150 yards north and you’ve got Hobgoblin

slacker

I would recommend coda acoustic shop. On a1 parking good selection of guitars and the staff are excellent.

roundthebend

idiotwindow said:

How about Music Street in Huntingdon? I've never used them so I don't know how good they are but the shop is much closer to Peterborough.

Coincidentally, I met a chap tonight who highly recommends them so I'll try it out.

bertie

sev112 said:

breezytele said:

MAK’S guitars in Rathbone Place is definitely worth a look (and it’s very close to Denmark street)

And then walk 150 yards north and you’ve got Hobgoblin

and before that - The Bricklayers , ubiquitous MR/FB watering hole sad that Ivors no longer exists

Benm39

Bought my Brook from Coda. Excellent selection of instruments so would recommend as per others

Jimbro66

bertie said:

and before that - The Bricklayers , ubiquitous MR/FB watering hole sad that Ivors no longer exists

But it does really. It's a long time since Ivor died but Mak managed the shop brilliantly for many years before it was forced to close. He then resurrected it, providing the same great service under the new name.

bertie

Jimbro66 said:

bertie said:

and before that - The Bricklayers , ubiquitous MR/FB watering hole sad that Ivors no longer exists

But it does really. It's a long time since Ivor died but Mak managed the shop brilliantly for many years before it was forced to close. He then resurrected it, providing the same great service under the new name.

What new name ? I googled Ivor Mairant and got some place up in Leeds ? not selling particularly great stuff like the original place - I remember going in with Mick @Jalapeno way back (2006 ? ) when I was working up in Cannery Woof - had some great higher end stuff then - a really nice Larry I remember

jellyroll

bertie said:

Jimbro66 said:

bertie said:

and before that - The Bricklayers , ubiquitous MR/FB watering hole sad that Ivors no longer exists

But it does really. It's a long time since Ivor died but Mak managed the shop brilliantly for many years before it was forced to close. He then resurrected it, providing the same great service under the new name.

What new name ? I googled Ivor Mairant and got some place up in Leeds ? not selling particularly great stuff like the original place - I remember going in with Mick @Jalapeno way back (2006 ? ) when I was working up in Cannery Woof - had some great higher end stuff then - a really nice Larry I remember

Mak's guitars

https://www.maksguitars.co.uk/

Jalapeno

jellyroll said:

bertie said:

Jimbro66 said:

bertie said:

and before that - The Bricklayers , ubiquitous MR/FB watering hole sad that Ivors no longer exists

But it does really. It's a long time since Ivor died but Mak managed the shop brilliantly for many years before it was forced to close. He then resurrected it, providing the same great service under the new name.

What new name ? I googled Ivor Mairant and got some place up in Leeds ? not selling particularly great stuff like the original place - I remember going in with Mick @Jalapeno way back (2006 ? ) when I was working up in Cannery Woof - had some great higher end stuff then - a really nice Larry I remember

Mak's guitars

https://www.maksguitars.co.uk/

This. In the old Ivor Mairants shop.