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I'm looking for somewhere reliable to buy dd1 a guitar

9 replies

lucysmam · 09/11/2019 11:36

It's to be her Christmas present this year & I'm not sure where to start.

I did try a local, independent, shop but the man in there made me feel about big for asking questions & I don't really fancy going and handing over my money to someone like that tbh. I left with no more of a clue than I had when I walked in Hmm

How do I find a good place to go and get some advice?

OP posts:
nowlook · 09/11/2019 13:15

You could do a lot worse than a Tanglewood for her first guitar, if you're talking about an acoustic/ non-classical guitar. The exact one will depend on her age/stage/size/any performance requirements/type of music she'll play.

I'm only small (5 3) and play folky stuff, so find a travel guitar (with a smaller body) suits my frame and playing style. I don't like too much bass in the sound, prefer a light, bright tone. She'll need to be comfortable getting her arm over it, so might not want a full size. Also make sure the strings are light so she can press them down more easily.

I have a Tanglewood Roadster, which might do the job.

MitziK · 09/11/2019 14:24

She needs to be able to try them out for herself - buying online or unseen by the musician can result in having something where the neck, which might be great for somebody else, feels like shit or is the wrong profile for her hands and playing, so it hurts - I get that with Epiphone Dots, for example, but find Hagstrom Vikings an absolute joy to play, for example - Casino necks don't cause the pain that Dots do, either.

It's also a great experience to go into a shop and take your time finding what you like - good for developing assertiveness as well - and if somebody comes across as being like that, you can often get better deals. DD did it aged 10 with a stereo system - pointing out to the salesman that as a child, she had better hearing than he did, so should be able to listen to different ones just like the adults - he laughed, apologised and she did get a great deal on the one she preferred.

I have walked out of music shops where they didn't sort their shit out and speak to me with respect, though - it's my money and their loss if they don't think a middleaged woman matched their preconceived notions of a professional musician and sound engineer.

I'm not personally keen on modern Tanglewoods, but find mid range acoustic Corts surprisingly good (I have a Cort Bass that is very comfortable to play, has great pickups and is light enough to chuck about onstage - the Thunderbird bass I also have sounds amazing, but is a complete pig to handle, as I'm constantly fighting neck drop - and as I'm a shortarse, if I let go, it's likely to come crashing to the ground. It was a present - I wouldn't have ever bought it for myself if I'd had the opportunity to make the decision myself in a shop). DP's shitty acoustic, however, has the nicest neck and action of any acoustic I've played. It's still a heap of crap, held together with gaffer tape and an add on pickup, as the onboard one was shit, but I love playing it in the way the acoustic I was, again, given, just doesn't give me.

BlouseAndSkirt · 09/11/2019 14:32

What sort of guitar does she want / need?

We had a really good experience in GuitarGuitar in Epsom. Really friendly staff, good with Dd, loads to try out, helpful help.

I agree it would be best if she tried it.

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BearSoFair · 09/11/2019 14:52

If you have a PMT store nearby, they're brilliant. We've been using them for DS1's guitar stuff since about 2014 and have never had anything less than fantastic customer service. Even online to be honest, DS1 has bought second hand from them a couple of times and you'd never have even known they were pre-owned instruments.

www.pmtonline.co.uk/stores/ is their stores list.

lucysmam · 09/11/2019 16:11

Thank you all for the replies, they're much appreciated!

Dd has been interested in learning to play for a while but I've not had the spare money to buy one. I think acoustic for the moment; my dad offered me an electric one for her last year from his own collection but she's never taken him up on it.

I shall have a google for other local places to try - hopefully for a better experience, and take dd along as well so that she can see what she likes (I expected to be told to do that in the shop but just got "well, that's personal choice" and a boxed set of guitar & accessories suggested with no actual info and he seemed reluctant to answer when I asked whether that was like what I could probably buy in Argos & would I end up replacing it with something more sophisticated as she gained experience).

I just got the impression that I was an inconvenience, which is a shame because I'd rather have parted with my money locally but never mind!

Actually, thinking about it, there is one other place ever so slightly out of the town centre - I'm not sure if it is still there though so will google while I'm thinking about it!

OP posts:
lucysmam · 09/11/2019 16:12

Ah, it's gone. Never mind.

None of the pmt stores are local to us either :(

OP posts:
Winterdaysarehere · 09/11/2019 16:12

If you live near County Durham there is a good place on Gilesgate bank.

lucysmam · 09/11/2019 16:44

@Winterdaysarehere no, nowhere near, but thank you.

The girls' dad has just told me he works with someone who plays in a band so will ask him at work on Monday.

OP posts:
SamBeckett · 09/11/2019 19:52

If you are anywhere near or can get to Manchester Jonny Roadhouse is a independent shop on Oxford road, it's been there for at least 30 years .
I know nothing about guitars but I do know that on several occasions the band's performing at the students union ( ( just up the rd ) often go there for repairs / new ones . They have a fantastic reputation.

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