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Post by julesd68 on May 9, 2020 14:52:24 GMT
I'm writing this inspired by Martin's recent post in the Obits thread about music retailer Dawsons going into admin. I think the day of the general music store is over.
If you want an entry level or even mid-range instrument there is no risk buying online from reputable retailers nowadays. If you want professional or advanced standard instruments, new or used, you are going to want to buy from a specialist, where you get expert advice and audition a range. I am sure some will even have this level of instrument delivered for audition purposes if they cannot do this in person. Sheet music etc is now widely bought online, new and used.
When we bought my son's violin we ended up going to visit a top chap who was selling used violins and cellos from home! Was a great experience and we ended up choosing a lovely instrument which will take my son a long way.
His piano teacher now wants us to start thinking about a better piano for advanced studies. For this I wouldn't dream of going to anything other than a specialist as we are most likely to get a used Yamaha imported from Japan that is then reconditioned by the tech at the shop.
RIP Music Stores.
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Post by Deleted on May 9, 2020 15:31:18 GMT
Only a matter of time before Amazon ceases selling music as now its about renting music from online conglomerates who will be able to just turn up cost as they wish the usual Chinese methodology of bleeding a manufacturing country dry
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Post by MartinT on May 9, 2020 15:44:55 GMT
I was particularly sad about Dawson's as we bought my son's first guitar there and he had music lessons at the Reading store for a while. I was never a player but I loved looking at all the gorgeous instruments and dreaming of playing them. Music shops still thrive in the US, we went to a fantastic guitar shop in Houston where they had a huge range and didn't mind him trying them out.
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Post by Slinger on May 9, 2020 15:59:36 GMT
Music stores seem to be going the way of "small" shops everywhere, they've just managed to stay behind the curve. Major concerns like Thomann (German), Bax (Dutch), and to an extent smaller companies like Andertons and GAK (both UK) sell a huge variety of instruments, from amateur to professional, and probably cheaper than the local music shop ever could. These guys have warehouses full o f kit. Some have actually adapted, like MH Music. Take a look at their web page from just 5 years ago, when I bought a bass from them. web.archive.org/web/20150330090849/https://www.mhmusic.co.uk/ and look at them now: www.mhmusic.co.uk/I would guess that they've managed to attract some investment and now seem to have moved from a being a shop that also handled rentals and repairs to a rental and repair business that also sells instruments. They will sell by appointment (as well as over the net) and I wonder if that's the path some of the (if this makes sense) mid-range top-end sellers might have to follow to some extent. Perhaps "ordering in" what the customer requires, rather than maintaining large stock levels would work, but those of us that remember the "good old days" are always going to miss browsing a shop full of guitars and pianos. I think that there's a future for the business, but perhaps not in the traditional shops that we know and love, which is a shame. |
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Post by julesd68 on May 9, 2020 16:46:32 GMT
Music shops still thrive in the US, we went to a fantastic guitar shop in Houston where they had a huge range and didn't mind him trying them out. Denmark St in London is still a great place to ogle guitars in the numerous shops - I bought mine there. But they aren't like those huge guitar shops in the US which are a real experience to visit. I went to the iconic Guitar Centre in Hollywood and was blown away ...   |
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Post by John on May 9, 2020 17:08:31 GMT
The Guitar store in Wembley is okay in size
How long it will stay in business is anyone guess however
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Post by John on May 9, 2020 17:15:18 GMT
I think it will go the same way as the record and hifi store
I remember when I first started how the people treated me was crap to be honest I really hope that arrogance is the past
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Post by Slinger on May 9, 2020 19:50:59 GMT
I went to the iconic Guitar Centre in Hollywood and was blown away ... Judging by the threads I find on the bass forum I belong to, which is >90% American, Guitar Center (GC) has an abysmal reputation for quality control, which applies to staff as well as instruments. From what I've read they appear to be staffed almost entirely by the equivalent of Saturday boys from Curry's/PC World.  |
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Post by julesd68 on May 9, 2020 20:22:52 GMT
LOL. Currys are the worst, or maybe Dixons was.
My visit to Guitar Centre was something like 25 years ago and I wasn't there to buy; it was just the sheer scale of the place that struck me ...
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