i stayed in Bristol this week as I went off to watch St Hubbins play in the big city. Our hotel was very near the old market area so I wandered up to visit the (in)famous guitar shop.
it was quite late but the owner Steve was smoking by the back door and invited my Mrs and me in. For those of you who remember the TV show Bagpuss - imagine the shop full to the brim with all sorts of random music bits, amazing Vintage Guitars, lesser known quirky ones, old hi-fi stuff and a lot more and that’s the vibe.
Steve is great to talk to, he’s not short of an opinion and is a real character - he also really knows his stuff. I could have chatted to him for hours but a pre gig pint beckoned , I invited him along but he was going to check on his mum so he gave me a run down of the local pubs instead.
A few things caught my eye so I said I’d be back the following morning before I headed home. We shook hands and I looked forward to seeing him again. Big Mistake !
Next morning I waited outside his shop for about 40 mins but no sign of him. A sign in the window basically said he opens when he wants to and stays as late as he fancies. I called the shop but the phone has been disconnected . He told me he hated the Internet and had refused offers from punters to set him up online for free but I didn’t realise his hatred for technology extended to phones too.
As I went to leave a local builder asked me if I was waiting for steve to show . He said I was the third person he’d seen hanging round that morning trying to get in.
Normally I would be angry that I couldn’t spend my money in there but there’s something about his total couldn’t give a shit attitude I admire. He was knowledgeable and friendly and didn’t once try and sell me anything - I’m definitely going to go back. God knows how he can afford to keep the place running.
Comments
(formerly miserneil)